1997 Ford Windstar Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 20%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,349miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Ford Windstar, 20% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,349 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Have a 97 Ford Windstar all of a sudden I had a tire blow completely here to find out that the coil spring on drivers front broke and went into tire, then to find out there was a recall 2 years ago on it but was never notified of it and also a few weeks ago, van all of a sudden kept getting real hot with rolling white smoke just to find out that there was problems with the head gaskets on these windstars but yet still was never notified, this is not right, I feel we were cheated, now have a van that sits and still owe $10,000 on because I'm a family man of six and cannot afford the cost of…”
NHTSA complaint #10007578, filed 2003-02, 88,890 miles“I purchased a 1997 Ford Windstar and from what I understand is that there was a recall on the coil springs/suspension. (recall#01i00700) < I believe this is the recall #. Long story short my front tires are flat doue to the coil springs. None of the dealers I took it to are willing to fix this. They say it is not covered under any recall... Please help me better understand why Ford wont fix this defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10436452, filed 2011-11“My wife, melissa has been following this problem for over a year and a half, she has been told by the mechanic at campus Ford that there has been problems with the front end suspension on for Windstar's, he stopped short of saying anymore. Our car has been in the service dept at this dealership on and off for the last year and a half. …”
NHTSA complaint #753997, filed 2001-11“The rumbling/rattling in the front end when going over bumps has been going on since we bought the car new. I took it in to Ford and they could not find anything. Our previous Windstar did not do this. I'm afraid something is going to come loose at high speed.”
NHTSA complaint #766908, filed 2002-09“My windsar while sitting in the driveway for 34 hours suddenly had its front coil spring snap. Had I been driving this van I am sure it would have distroyed the tire. My independent mechanic told me he has had five windstars this year with the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #748398, filed 2001-07Related recalls
- 01V199000Jun 18, 2001On certain minivans originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland…Covers: Ford Windstar 1997–1998
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 9 | 38% |
| 2003 | 254 | 17% |
| 2002 | 279 | 21% |
| 2001 | 416 | 25% |
| 2000 | 356 | 21% |
| 1999 | 208 | 14% |
| 1998 | 229 | 16% |
| 1997 | 38 | 20% |
| 1996 | 111 | 8% |
| 1995 | 145 | 4% |
| 1994 | 3 | 13% |
| 1993 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Windstar
43 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTires
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Windstar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology