1997 Ford Windstar Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 11%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,051miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Ford Windstar, 11% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,051 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 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.
“My Windstar gl wouldn't start. I replaced the range selector switch. When I restarted the vehicle I forgot the reconnect the brake pressure sensor wiring connector and the ABS light came on. I tried to get the code cleared but no-one could access the code. I took the van to the dealer for a recall notice on the speed control system and had them look into why the ABS light was on. I was told the ABS module had quit and needed replaced. The module is $1500.00 and $300.00 to install. That's more than the van is worth. …”
NHTSA complaint #10349332, filed 2010-08, 90,000 miles“I own a 1997 Ford Windstar gl with 53,000 on the odometer. The speedometer has failed to operate properly. At speeds of 40 MPH and above the speedometer fluctuates erratically ranging in shown speeds of 60 to 110 MPH. I have done much research and have become aware of thousands of consumer complaints. This is unconscious that Ford is aware of this problem and making a mint off of the consumer out of pocket expense of repair. This should be an immediate safety recall or TSB.”
NHTSA complaint #10051513, filed 2004-01, 53,000 miles“Noticed that I was leaking some brake fluid for the last couple of months on my 1997 Ford Windstar but very little at that. About the same time the cruise control quit working. One day while driving I noticed a lot of smoke coming from under the hood. Raised the hood but the smoke had quit. Got back home and noticed this again when I was stopped in the driveway. Checked under the hood again and found that the cruise control deactivation switch was smoking and very hot. Went to the Ford dealer to check if there was a recall on this and there was not . …”
NHTSA complaint #10227200, filed 2008-05, 191,000 miles“On august 20th, while in a repair shop having the motors replaced in the windows of my Ford Windstar 1997, there was a fire under the hood while the car was off. The mechanic put the fire out and I took it to my mechanic the same day. The cruise control mechanism was what caught fire. After seeing my mechanic I called the Ford hotline and asked about recall information. They said they would get back ahold of me in two days, and they did not. Today, august 30th, while in wal-mart with my children I was paged to the parking lot. …”
NHTSA complaint #10134753, filed 2005-08, 140,000 miles“When I exceed 50 MPH my speedometer fails to keep accurate speed and it waves wildly from 20 - 110 MPH. When I contacted my Ford dealership they had never heard of that before , but when I did a little more research I found at least 50 more complaints. I contacted the Ford motor company directly to see why there had not been a recall on what appears to be a manufacturing defect because all problems of this nature involved only the 96-98 Ford Windstar models. They informed me they knew of the problem but only the NHTSA could initiate a recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010330, filed 2003-03, 85,900 milesRelated recalls
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150…Covers: Ford Windstar 1995–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 4 | 17% |
| 2003 | 85 | 6% |
| 2002 | 147 | 11% |
| 2001 | 127 | 8% |
| 2000 | 138 | 8% |
| 1999 | 99 | 7% |
| 1998 | 73 | 5% |
| 1997 | 21 | 11% |
| 1996 | 82 | 6% |
| 1995 | 116 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Windstar
43 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsSuspension
38 complaintsBrakes
28 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 31, 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