1997 Ford Windstar Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 140,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Ford Windstar, 2% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 140,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Lowereing of the passenger window caused door to unlock and open while traveling - recall 01s19 was performed during repair of the window - coil spring shields collide with inner strut tower - possibly 2 inches of travel in suspension - vehicle bottoms out - dealer is not accomodating - more to this story!”
NHTSA complaint #749265, filed 2001-07“While driving the windows iced up with an 3/4 inch of ice and the deffoger did not defrost the windows even after driving for a distance. Dealer has been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #833517, filed 1999-01Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 19 | 1% |
| 2002 | 27 | 2% |
| 2001 | 41 | 2% |
| 2000 | 71 | 4% |
| 1999 | 62 | 4% |
| 1998 | 44 | 3% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 38 | 3% |
| 1995 | 105 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Windstar
43 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsSuspension
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Windstar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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