The 1997 Ford Windstar has 32 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 13% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.
32
Brakes complaints
13%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER IS RECESSED AND ORIENTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SO THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WARNING STATEMENT EMBOSSED ON BOTH THE TOP OF THE FILLER CAP AND THE SIDE OF THE RESERVOIR BODY ARE NOT ENTIRELY VISIBLE BY DIRECT VIEW. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
“WE BELIEVE THE SHEER NUMBER OF DEFECT ON THIS CAR IS UNBELIEVABLE. WE PURCHASED IT USED FROM MY PARENTS. TOTAL COST OF NON "WEAR AND TEAR" REPAIRS IS AROUND $5000. THIS IS OVER 25% OF THE VEHICLES ORIGINAL VALUE, AND OVER 50% OF THE VALUE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. WHILE NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED, WE…”
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the 1997 Ford Windstar brakes — 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 99V147000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.