Vehicle Data Hub

1997 Ford Windstar engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 38 complaints for the 1997 Ford Windstar, 15% of the complaints on file. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
38 15% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
77,000 miles 17 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 2
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 1997 Ford Windstar Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 77,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 0 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 1 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 2 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 6 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 6 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 1 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 1 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 77,000 miles
Based on 17 complaints that include mileage. 18% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles0
20k to 40k miles1
40k to 60k miles2
60k to 80k miles6
80k to 100k miles6
100k to 120k miles1
120k to 140k miles1
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 17 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 77,000 miles, and 18% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 2 fires.

What owners wrote

Failed head gasket LED to a piston rod shooting through the oil pan. Very dangerous for the cars behind me as oil was shooting over the highway. Slippery for cars following, and went on other cars paint and windshields. Head gaskets were recalled in previous 3 years of vehicles 1993-96 ford windstars, 1997 was not on a recall even though the problem was never correctly fixed. Highly dangerous and highly irresponsible of the automaker to not include additional cars in the recall effort.

Reported at 92,300 miles, March 2004 Fire

Dt: the contact states has been having several problems with vehicle since 2002. On april 28, 2004 the speedometer was not providing an accurate speed reading. On december 9, 2004 the sliding door would not unlock or slide properly. The dealer replaced the door lock actuator and determined that the slide wheels were dry. The dealership replaced the door latch, and now it needed replacement again.

Reported at 75,172 miles, February 2005

Other problems reported for the 1997 Ford Windstar

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Ford models