10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Ford Windstar drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Ford Windstar:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Ford Windstar Owner Comments

problem #20

Apr 012002

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer states the speedometer is inoperative.

- Little Chute, WI, USA

problem #19

Jan 012000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
At 60000 miles speedometer malfunctioned, and consumer could no longer read the speed on vehicle. Dealer replaced speedometer cable.

- Orange, MA, USA

problem #18

Jan 142002

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving speedometer suddenly started to read the wrong speed. Consumer stated it bounced all over the place. At times consumer did not know exactly what speed she was traveling. Consumer states that the problem was solved but she was overcharged.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #17

Dec 111999

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Speedometer started twitching very little at about 34,000 miles. Thought nothing of it because it was so small. After warranty was over it would swing wildly from 50 to 110 mph. Also makes a grumbling sound. Unable to determine speed. Dealer is replacing speedometer for @$600 at this time. Edmunds and other car sites have lots of complaints just like mine. Dealer said they know just how to troubleshoot this problem...must be lots of experience. If this is how they build these and charge me a ton to fix the defective equipment, I will be lloking for a Honda or Toyota next. Seems like a safety issue when you do not know how fast you are going...been using the tach for a long time myself.

- Rosamond, CA, USA

problem #16

Mar 292001

Windstar

  • miles
Erratic operation of speedometer, commenced to jump back and forth while driving at 40 mph or more. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was out of its warranty. Not covered under a recall, and nothing would be done unless cost go to consumer. Please provide any further details on this matter.

- Sanford, NC, USA

problem #15

Feb 152001

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer broke, and consumer could not tell how fast vehicle was traveling. It has been doing this for a while.

- Stratham, NH, USA

problem #14

Nov 012000

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Speedometer speed indicator jumps up and down, unit buzzes.

- Shrewsbury, MA, USA

problem #13

Feb 112001

Windstar

  • miles
Erratic speedometer (eg speedometer moving to 80 while vehicle parked).

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #12

Dec 111999

Windstar

  • miles
While travelling at speed of 55 mph, speedometer started chattering erratically and fluctuating from 55-90, then stopped and indicated correctly. Problem has since shown up constantly and will not indicate correctly above 40 mph every time. Cruise control holds at constant speed (by tach RPM). Dealer has been contacted and I was told that the problem would require replacement of speedometer at cost of $550 parts + labor -- or -- the speedometer can be refurbished, requiring the van to be kept at the dealer for up to 2 weeks at a cost of $260 parts + labor.

- Lusby, MD, USA

problem #11

Nov 242000

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer goes from 15 to 80 and stays at a high speed. My mechanic has stated this is a expensive part and Ford is aware they are having a problem. He himself has sent many customer back to the dealers to have the speedometer replaced.

- Minerva, OH, USA

problem #10

Aug 102000

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Repair part cost in excess of $450 (with labor). Loss of speedometer deemed safety related issue as speed could not be accurately determined.

- Brookfield, WI, USA

problem #9

Jul 012000

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Inside slide door lock is broken. Dealer has been notified. Spedometer head broke.

- Cario, WV, USA

problem #8

Jun 212000

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
While driving speedodometer floats and makes a clicking sound, reading 30 miles higher than what the vehicle is really doing. Dealer has been contacted.

- Clear Spring, MD, USA

problem #7

Jan 011998

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer bounces and buzzes in dash est. Repair cost $350.

- Kirksville, MO, USA

problem #6

Dec 211999

(reported on)

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Speedometer assembly failed. Mjs

- Kincaid, IL, USA

problem #5

Dec 201999

Windstar

  • miles
Speedometer bounces and or registers incorrect speed, dealer says speedometer head is defective, estimates repairs at $350. After researching NHTSA, I find others with the same problem. A vehicle this new should not experiance a problem like this. Please help. Thank you.

- Corbin, KY, USA

problem #4

Feb 111999

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving vehicle, noticed the indicator gauge for the speedometer fails to register speed of vehicle. The indicator needle kept bouncing up & down. Was not steady. Taken vehicle to mechanic for noise in dashboard. Mjs

- Barrington, NH, USA

problem #3

Aug 201999

Windstar

  • miles
I noticed that my speedometer was behaving erratically at about 41000 miles. I contacted the dealer who said that it would have to be replaced at a cost of $250 if I wanted it fixed. I said that I didn't believe the speedometer should fail at that low mileage. The manufacturer contacted me about this and said there was nothing they could do (financially) to help with the replacement. At about 50000 miles I was informed that the right tie rod end was worn and advised it should be replaced. Again, I protested because of the low mileage. I finally had the replacement done for safety reasons at my expense. I was also told that the right wheel bearing was out of tolerance at a mileage of approx. 40000 miles. None of these defects were mentioned at the pre-36000 mile servicing I had done of the vehicle. I am very dissatisfied with the durability of the vehicle, and will probabably not purchase another Ford vehicle again. Ford has not been helpful in helping with the repair costs on the vehicle at this relatively low mileage.

- Amherst Junction, WI, USA

problem #2

Aug 011998

Windstar

  • miles
While driving consumer noticed that speedometer was not working at that time, and had not worked since.

- Willcos, AZ, USA

problem #1

Nov 211998

Windstar

  • miles
The part is the speedometer which has replacement part F682.17255.cb supplied by the firm electra-sound, Inc., West palma, Ohio. Estimated costs for replacement of this part is $54 diagnostic; $166.66 for the replacement speedometer; $65 for labor. Problem: The original speedometer began being "jittery" at 20,000 miles. At 40,000 miles, the speedometer fluctuates wildly at speeds of 40 mph and more. So, if you are traveling on the highway at 60 mph, for example, the speedometer will show speeds anywhere from 40 to 110 mph. You do not know what speed you are traveling!!! mechanics around here have been quoted as saying this defect is common in speedometers used in Windstar and Explorer models. The dealer that provided my diagnostic work said there is a two-week backlog to get this part. The mechanics also said the failure reason is attributable to a plastic component in the speedometer. Note: The RPM guage, and coolant temperature guage do not seem to be affected. I think it is a fundamental safety defect to not know what speed you are driving at!!! please help...

- Edmond, OK, USA

Not what you are looking for?