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1997 Ford Windstar

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Windstar.

Body VAN

The 1997 Ford Windstar is a VAN with a 4.5-quart engine oil capacity and a 5W-20 API oil specification. Its reliability record is documented through 220 owner complaints, with Power Train issues leading the concerns and six recalls on file. Within the full 1990-2005 Windstar complaint history, the 1997 model sits far below the 1995 peak of 3,777 complaints and above the 2005 low of one complaint. That positioning makes it a comparatively moderate year in the model's reliability history, suggesting a less troubled ownership experience than the worst years without being the cleanest record in the lineup.

Model year2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim5.5-, 6-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	201.2 in
Overall width	74.4 in
Overall height	68.1 in
Wheelbase	120.9 in
Curb weight	3486 lb
Track (front / rear)	64.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	7.4 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	23-28 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55-65 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6-9 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15-22 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	59 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	170-202 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.042-0.046 in
Spark Plug Torque	7.0-15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	Front A/C only, 2.75; front and rear A/C, 3.50. lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	68
Oil Capacity	Front A/C only, 10.00; front and rear A/C 13.00. oz
Optional BCI Group Number	65
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	750 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	65

Service checks

Pressure Test	14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	183-190 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 DOHC ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	40-60 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	2500 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	85 ft-lbs / 11-14 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.030
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in / 0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.02 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.02 in / 0.472 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

30-34 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-120

30–34 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	59 ft. lbs.	59 ft. lbs
2	mum of one full turn
3	33-41 ft. lbs.	33–41 ft. lbs
4	63-73

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	14 ft. lbs.	14 ft. lbs
2	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
3	36 ft. lbs.; Perform following 3 steps on each bolt; before moving to next bolt in sequence	36 ft. lbs
1	loosen 2-3 turns
2	if long bolt	30–37 ft. lbs
3	turn 175-185 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence	175–185 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	35-40 ft. lbs.	35–40 ft. lbs
2	56-60

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., step 2: 19-24

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1997 model year shows a marked decline in complaints and recalls compared to the preceding peak years, falling from 3,777 complaints and eight recalls in 1995 and 1,484 complaints with nine recalls in 1996 to 220 complaints and six recalls in 1997. This reduction continues the downward trend seen after the 1995‑1996 surge, yet 1997’s figures remain well above the low‑complaint baseline of the early generation (1990‑1993 recorded 6, 3, 2, and 11 complaints with zero recalls). In contrast, the following year, 1998, experienced a resurgence to 2,440 complaints and twenty recalls, placing 1997 in a trough between two high‑activity periods. Compared with the later low‑activity years of 2004 and 2005 (24 and one complaint, respectively, with zero recalls), 1997 still exhibits a higher level of reported issues. Consequently, while 1997 offers fewer complaints and recalls than the surrounding peak years, a thorough pre‑purchase inspection is advisable due to the remaining elevated issue volume relative to the generation’s best and worst years.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

211

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

220

Owner complaints

6 involved a crash · 11 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96’97’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 220 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train37

Suspension34

Engine & Engine Cooling32

Vehicle Speed Control14

Service Brakes, Hydraulic13

Steering10

Structure8

Electrical System6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09V399000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 13/10/2009

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… 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…

00V168000Exterior LightingReported 19/06/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 211 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
16-0065	2020-04-20	Structure	For 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 11S16 has been issued for vehicles that are…
042107	2004-12-13	Power Train	GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT
04L23	2004-10-01	Wheels	LITERATURE PROGRAM 04L23. CUSTOMER MAINTENANCE REMINDER - ALUMINUM WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE…
17358	2004-08-01	Power Train	GROAN/BUZZ/VIBRATION WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS IN PARK WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED ON AN…
03203	2003-10-13	Electrical System	MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0442, P0455…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Windstar. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 Windstar take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Windstar have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.