VehicleVerdict

1997 Ford Windstar speed control problems

The 1997 Ford Windstar has 21 speed control complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

21

Speed Control complaints

8%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Speed Control complaints by year

Windstar speed control complaints by model year147 complaints1991: 1 complaints1995: 123 complaints1996: 83 complaints1997: 21 complaints1998: 76 complaints1999: 99 complaints2000: 140 complaints2001: 128 complaints2002: 147 complaints2003: 85 complaints2004: 4 complaints
Windstar speed control complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

FORD 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 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

What owners report

OUR 1997 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN THAT IS CURRENTLY SUBJECTED TO THE RECALL FOR THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH BURNED TO THE GROUND ON FEB 21, 2007 AS THE RESULT FROM A FIRE THAT STARTED IN THE ENGINE AREA. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 21, 2007 · fire

Common questions

How many speed control complaints does the 1997 Ford Windstar have?

NHTSA has 21 complaints about the 1997 Ford Windstar speed control — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Ford Windstar speed control?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the speed control: 09V399000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.