There are 4 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 1997 Ford Windstarin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK CRACKED RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND EXPLAINED THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
FUEL ODOR ENTERED INTO VEHICLE. *AK THE FUEL VAPORS ENTER INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN FREQUENTLY. DEALER SAYS THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE FUEL VAPOR ODOR AND THAT IT IS ONLY A PROBLEM IN THAT LOCALITY BECAUSE OF THE HIGH ALTITUDE. CONSUMER ONLY EXPERIENCES THIS ODOR PROBLEM IN THE SUMMER. THE SOLUTION GIVEN BY THE DEALER IS TO RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER AT MAXIMUM. *JG
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, VAN HIT A POT HOLE, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO CRACK, FUEL TANK WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CJ
NO SUMMARY
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026