13 of the
249 complaints about the 1997 Ford Windstar are about the
steering — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
75,172 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FRONT SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL #01I007000: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
NHTSA complaint #10184352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,172 milesBakersfield, CA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATES HAS BEEN HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE 2002. ON APRIL 28, 2004 THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT PROVIDING AN ACCURATE SPEED READING. ON DECEMBER 9, 2004 THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR SLIDE PROPERLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE SLIDE WHEELS WERE DRY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DOOR LATCH, AND NOW IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. ON FEBRUARY 5, 2005 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 75, 172 MILES, AND ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005 THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10144086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, CT
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10076098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesCharleston, WV
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE RODS WERE WORN OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10022361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Pocono, PACrash
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
LEFT SIDE TIE ROD BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, ALSO, SUSPENSION JOINTS NEEDED TO BE WELDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER .
NHTSA complaint #884336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, WI
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL.
NHTSA complaint #534695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, OH
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
NHTSA RECALL 97V-097000 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEAKING OVER CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PROBLEM WITH STEERING LOSS. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #843859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
STEERING:LINKAGES
WHY WOULD TIE RODS FAIL AT 47000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #704771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wyoming, MI
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING LOCKED UP ON RIGHT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS. BY FORCING THE WHEEL TO TURN, THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE POPPING SOUND AND THEN THE STEERING UNLOCKED AND FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #538930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VT
STEERING
STEERING FAILURE CAUSED A VEHICLE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #535519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorktown Hgts., NYCrash
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING UP HILL AT 40MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO GUARDRAIL.
NHTSA complaint #823018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Munster, IN
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
SERVO COVER RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #604807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warrenvill, IL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. VEHICLE ROLLS AFTER BEING IN PARK ON SLIGHTEST INCLINE.
NHTSA complaint #523023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.