Overview & Reviews

Not much is new for the 1997 Ford Windstar. Caught flatfooted by the Chrysler and GM minivans that feature sliding left-side doors, Ford has installed a tip forward driver's seat, on early release 1998 models, to give passengers the option of entering from the driver's side. Hmmm, seems like that won't be enough to satisfy the fickle buyers of the minivan market.

• Excellent cargo space. Outstanding V-6 engines. Attractive design.

• Not available with a driver-side rear-passenger door.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 18.00

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  Mixed bag - 1997 Ford Windstar
  By Sigh... - November 11 - 6:55 pm

  Have owned the car since it was new. Now have 180,000 miles on itso we know the good and the ugly. The good: great concept and design, very comfortable, great highway vehicle (primary use for us - never was a city car which is prob why we have so many miles on it),tranny is orig and fine engine/trans/systems well conceived (but see the bad...) now has 180K on it and runs great - still not burning oil. The bad: it was made so poorly!!! We have replaced virtually every seal in the engine, rebuilt all the brakes, cruise control and ABS computer quit working years ago. Have replaced many parts - it has been an expensive car to maintain.

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  Engine Reliability? - 1997 Ford Windstar
  By Tom - December 31 - 7:47 am

  Purch van in 97 with 4,500 miles. The vehicle has been fairly rugged, except the 3.8 L engine, 200 hp and tows well. The intake and timing chain cover gaskets failed at ~ 110,000 miles (should not fail), about $2,000 from a private mechanic including water pump. Gas mileage is 22/17, handles and drives well Problems: Speedo bounces @ 40,000 did not repair ($500) 3 sensors $250 for parts Intake, timing cover gaskets, water pump @110,000 ~ $2,000 Alternator @120,000, $130. Power steering pump hose $60. Weld front suspension supports $250. Intake manifold gaskets 2 hours Labor, $25 for gaskets Need to clean the sliding door contacts every few years (10 minutes a little steel wool)

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  Windstar? - 1997 Ford Windstar
  By Tom - December 20 - 6:02 am

  Bought demo 4600 miles, 22 mpg on trips, 16 city. Solid vehicle with unfortunately some flaws front stabilizer bar came loose ~ 70K shop welded both sides for $250, speedometer bounces 40K, $500 live with, intake leaked 115,000K, $1,500, stuck valve before I caught it and radiator leaked transmission fluid $450, water pump $300, couple sensors died $160 for parts. I have a cheap mechanic - cost might be double at dealer. It still runs like new, 10,000 miles on synthetic oil with no oil added. 3.8 still squeals the tires if you want. Advice: Change transmission fluid no problems. If you loose coolant find the leak and fix. Great vehicle, mainly need to fix the gasket problem.

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  What problems? Do preventative maint.!!! - 1997 Ford Windstar
  By ezrider - December 16 - 2:00 am

  If you take car of this vehicle, it will not give you many problems. Its true the front driver side door sensor was a little bit of a pain, an alternator went (its pushing 80K) but so what! It still has its original FoMoCo battery after almost 6 years of dependable service! This vehicle is as solid and reliable as any foreign car I have owned (about 10 Hondas)

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  Winnie Rocks !!! - 1997 Ford Windstar
  By evines - August 23 - 2:00 am

  "Winnie" has been the family workhorse for five-plus years without a problem. Strict preventative maintenance has proven to be sucessful during the past 50K+ miles. Hope same will avoid head gasket and transmission issues during the next 50K miles... Did buy an extended warranty in case problems arise to the 100K mark... Wife hauls kids, plants, small trees, even a tent trailer with ease. Plenty of guts when power is needed.

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  Bad apple, but I still like Ford - 1997 Ford Windstar
  By Fatherkey - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought this van at the dealership I worked at. Sold a few of them before I bought mine and everyone said that it was great and no problems. Bought mine and have had nothing but headaches. In the 26 months that I have had it, it has spent at least 6 of them in the shop. Pretty much every system of the vehicle has had work done to it, repairs totalling about $15,000. Fortunately I bought the extended warranty that covered all of it. When it runs it runs great, but it wont last more than a month or so before something else happens.

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  windstar - 1997 Ford Windstar
  By dlb - July 11 - 2:00 am

  The doors sensors act up every so offend. On our past vacation the door ajar light would come on an the interior lights would stay on. While out of the van the light would just come on so we had to take out the fuse which by the way so work the power windows. When we got home, I was told to spray all door latches with WD40. It seemed to have worked