KnownCarProblems2001 Ford Windstar Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,686 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Windstar, most often about the brakes (29% of complaints, typically around 100,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Windstar model year since 2000 and has 15 recalls.
Most common 2001 Ford Windstar problems
Brakes
495 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, indicator light, brake fluid low warning.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact noticed a loss of brake fluid in the vehicle. The contact would add fluid one week, and the following week, it would almost be empty. The dealer stated that the master brake cylinder and accessories needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 101,000 and failure…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle sporadically loss excessive brake fluid. The dealer stated that the wiring harness that was connected to the vehicle speed cruise control failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $86.67. Secondly, the…
Suspension
416 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 123,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front, multiple axle.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle would make cracking noises while attempting to make a left or right turn. While undergoing a scheduled oil change, an independent mechanic found a huge crack in the rear axle. The manufacturer was called and instructed him to bring the vehicle…
I own a 2001 Ford Windstar and while driving the rear axle beam snapped in half this should not happen this is not a isolated event Ford should be held accountable for this.
Body and structure
293 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 116,000 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
I own a 2001 Ford Windstar. I noticed strange sound when cornering and brought car to dealer. The rear axle is severely cracked. Being a front wheel drive car, the rear axle is more of a stabilizer, an inverted, u shaped length of steel. Crack is half way up one side of u and over the top. $500 part plus labor would…
On november 3rd, 2009, the rear axle failed in my 2001 Ford Windstar while I was on the highway. The car had begun performing erratically so I was not traveling at high speed, but even at low speed it was essentially uncontrollable when the failure happened. In the weeks leading up to the actual failure, I had…
Electrical
223 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, instrument cluster/panel, starter assembly.
I have a 2001 Ford Windstar sel. The following problems occur when the #10 fuse blows, which is everytime we replace it. The anti-theft system, interior illumination on dash board(speedometer, A/C, radio lights), and the day runners/auto headlights. Sometimes the car does not turn off....even with the keys out of the…
2001 Ford Windstar brake,ABS brake,cruise control, and speedometer/odometer electrical problem-causing my brakes to almost fail with my two 2 year old twins in my van.
Transmission
145 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 106,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline, manual transmission.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving at 40 MPH, the contact noticed that the rear end of the vehicle was swaying left to right. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the contact was informed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were approximately 106,000.
The right front axle broke without warning while I was driving to the movies with all my kids in the van. Luckily no one was injured but my mechanic said that should not have happened without warning. He also said if we would have been on the freeway it would have been bad, really bad.
Speed control
127 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.
The brake pressure differential deactivation switch (2b264) located under the master cylinder (behind the air filter) over time develops a leak. This causes a short and a fuse trip, fuse #10 if the engine is on. This leak also causes brake fluid to wick down two wires to the ABS brake module (2c219). The fluid…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle sporadically loss excessive brake fluid. The dealer stated that the wiring harness that was connected to the vehicle speed cruise control failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $86.67. Secondly, the…
Engine
77 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Dt: contact states the automatic door on her vehicle will not stay closed. The door is located on the rear driver's side of the vehicle. While driving, the door will come open. She tried locking the door to keep it closed, but this does not work. The dealer installed a new part, but it did not correct the problem. The…
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that when driving she hears a loud squeaking sound coming from the bottom of the vehicle. Engine failure while driving increased the risk of vehicle crash. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility and a mechanic concluded that the motor cradle needed to…
Steering
70 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 122,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, linkages, rack and pinion, steering wheel/handle bar.
In 2011 Ford recalled over 400000 vans (1997-2003) due to serious corrosion of axles and other components. Special repairs were done at Ford expense. Recently my mechanic informed me that the rear motor mount and the van sub frame had continued to rust badly to the extent that the unit was a safety risk. A search of…
Complete separation of the front lower control arm attaching bracket from the front sub frame on the passenger side of the vehicle. This is the same problem that is described in the NHTSA recall no. 11v030. And Ford recall no. 11s16. The dealer that inspected the vehicle said it was not covered by the recall because…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Ford Windstar recalls
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on october 21, 2015. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15s27.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured september 2, 1997, to july 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10v-385, 12v-193, and 12v-195.
Suspension: control arm
Risk: A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft. Either condition could result in significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe and make the necessary repairs free of charge. The recall began on june 18, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the state of virginia. Corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments may occur.
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket on the rear axle or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be provided free of charge. The recall began on june 1, 2012. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, registered in puerto rico. Due to increased stresses caused by high cycles of torsional loading, specific to this market, the rear axle can crack.
Transmission: axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on june 19, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, and currently registered or originally sold in virginia. Over time, corrosion can weaken the rear axle making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which, if undetected, can increase and result in a complete fracture of the axle.
Body and structure: underbody shields
Risk: This could result in reduced steering control increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets, and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe, and make the necessary repairs free of charge. If repairs cannot be made to a vehicle, ford will offer to repurchase the vehicle. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before february 21, 2011. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, utah, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin. A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft.
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: As parts become available, dealers will inspect and if necessary install the rear axle reinforcement brackets free of charge. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and currently registered or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin. After many years of vehicle service in these areas, corrosion can weaken the rear axle, making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which if undetected can propagate and result in a complete fracture of the axle.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: If the latches on th4e second or third row seats of the vehicle release in a crash, the potential for occupant injury is increased.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat-to-floor latches on the second and third row of seats. Owner notification began on november 21, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain minivans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." during testing, a third row bench floor-to-seat latch released before the strength requirement was met. Identical latches are used in the second row of seats.
Equipment: trailer hitches
Risk: This could cause a short circuit in the electrical connector at the rear wire harness. A short circuit can lead to malfunctions of the rear lighting system, reverse park-aid system, or trailer tow electrical system. A sustained short circuit can result in melted connectors and potentially lead to a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the electrical connector and surrounding area for absence of body sealing and corrosion. If corrosion is present, dealers will service the body gaps, repair corroded connectors, and apply a protective patch to the connector assembly and body hole. If corrosion is not present but the body sealer is missing, dealers will service the body gaps and apply a protective patch to the connector assembly and body hole. Owner notification began april 5, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy withi
Full defect summary
In some minivans, water and other contaminants (dirt, salt, etc.) can enter into the right rear passenger compartment due to a missing body sealer.
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a new wiper cover with improved sealing and water resistance. Owner notification begain august 27, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: mini vans. Contaminants such as water, salt, and windshield washer solution can enter the wiper motor cover assembly through pinholes on the exterior of the cover that are used in the molding process. In addition, on certain of the vehicles built between february and august 2000, a switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat. Either of these conditions could potentially result in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, smoke, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Contaminant entry could also result in unintended wiper motor operation.
Equipment: air conditioner
Risk: The motor could potentially catch on fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a jumper wire that will ensure that the medium-low blower speed setting is protected by the thermal limiter. Owner notification began augsut 27, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: mini vans equipped with auxiliary rear air-conditioning. If the auxiliary air-conditioning blower motor stops turning while in the medium-low blower speed setting, there is the potential that the resistor may become hot and smoke.
Seat belts: buckle assembly
Risk: In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate occupant protection, increasing the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the front outboard seat belt buckles and if the buckle fails the inspection process, it will be replaced. Owner notification began july 25, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans. Equipped with seat belts supplied by trw. It is possible that the driver's and/or front passenger's outboard seat belt buckle may not fully latch. Ford crown victoria built at st. Thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 mercury grand marquis built at st. Thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. Lincoln town cars built at wixom assembly plant from 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. Lincoln navigators built at michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. Ford windstars built at oakville assembly plant from 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. Ford rangers built at twin cities plant from 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, and also at the edison plant from 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. Ford f-150 truck built at norfolk plant from 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; at ontario plant from 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; at kansas city plant from 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; and at cuautitlan plan
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: This can result in a stuck throttle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both front driver and passenger side floor mats in the vehicle. Owner notification began july 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: minivans equipped with an adjustable pedal option. The driver floor mat could interfere with the accelerator pedal.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk: In some cases, less than the intended level of protection in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rcm and crash sensors and, if necessary, replace them.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: minivans and passenger vehicles. A restraint control module (rcm) or a side or front crash sensor may have been assembled with one or more of the screws that mount the circuit board in the housing missing. If some or all of the screws are missing, the performance of the occupant restrains could be affected.
Air bags
Risk: This condition could result in personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rcm in these vehicles. Owner notification began september 14, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles, limousines, and mini vans were built with a newly designed restraint control module (rcm). In some cases, the rcm does not recognize certain system faults that could result in an air bag or seat belt pre-tensioner unexpectedly activating during the self-test sequence at vehicle start-up.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front subframe corrosion failures
Summary
In a january 26, 2011 defect information report, ford motor company (ford) notified the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address corrosion related fractures in the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe in approximately 425,288 model year (my) 1999 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles manufactured from april 1998 to july 2003 and either sold or currently registered in the following high corrosion (salt-belt) states:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new ham
Front subframe corrosion failures
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has identified 346 complaints to odi and ford alleging fracture, cracking and or excessive corrosion of the front subframes in model year (my) 1999 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles.approximately 97 percent of these complaints (334) involve vehicles that have been operated in salt belt states, which make up approximately 60 percent of the subject vehicle sales in the united states.the front subframe, sometimes referred to as the engine cradle, is a structural component of the windstar vehicles that carries the engine, transaxle, steering rack and certain front suspension components (e.g., lower control arm).for complaints with sufficient informatio
Rear axle cracking
Summary
In a letter dated august 26, 2010, ford motor company (ford) submitted a defect information report notifying NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 10v-385) to address a rear axle defect in model year (my) 1998 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles built at the oakville assembly plant from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and either sold or currently registered in high corrosion (salt-belt) states where the use of salt and other corrosive chemicals may be used to treat snow/ice covered roads.the following states are included in ford's recall:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan,
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Ea08-021 is closed with ford's actions in recall 09v-399 recalling approximately 4.5 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).with this recall ford has now recalled all of the approximate 16 million ford model vehicles that were manufactured from my 1992 through 2003 with a texas instruments scds.NHTSA will continue to monitor the recalled vehicles to ensure remedies installed by ford tomitigate the potential for scds related fires are effective.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for further details.
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Odi has received 134 consumer complaints, 285 manufacturer complaints, and 137 manufacturer warranty claims alleging incidents of engine compartment fire in model year (my) 1995 thru 2003 ford windstar vehicles.two of the odi complaints allege the fires caused structural damage to the complainant's home.of the 134 odi complaints, 36 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked, 72 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was running and 26 of the complaints do not specify if the vehicle was running or not.further review of the odi complaints shows that 72 allege that the speed control deactivation switch (scds) caused the fire and 10 allege that the scds leaked brake fluid on to t
Front seat belt buckle assembly
Summary
During the initial recall campaign in 2001, the subject vehicles were inspected by ford dealerships using a test tool that would detect a defective front seat outboard seat belt buckle assembly.approximately one million vehicles passed the inspection test for one or both front buckles.subsequent to the recall service action, odi received 15 consumer reports alleging that a passed inspection buckle subsequently failed to latch or inadvertently unlatched during use.in addition, ford has identified 543 owner and field reports alleging buckle failure subsequent to passing the inspection test.ford tested and examined over 100 warranty-returned buckles and found that 44% of the buckles had no prob
Front seat belt buckle assembly
Summary
Under recall campaign (01v227), ford recalled approximately 1.3 million vehicles to inspect and if necessary replace the front driver and/or passenger seat belt buckle.approximately 1.1 million owners responded by taking their vehicles to a dealer for inspection of the buckle using a specialized buckle test tool.ford reported that 829,927 vehicles had both buckles pass the tool test and another 167,336 vehicles had one buckle pass.odi and ford received complaints alleging seat belt buckle failure shortly after passing the original recall inspection service.complainants alleged that the buckle failed by either not latching or false-latching (partial engagement of the latch to the latch plate)
Power sliding door opening
Summary
The subject vehicles are equipped with single or dual power sliding doors (psd).approximately 111,000 vehicles have dual power sliding doors.the psd is opened by any of 5 methods, the inside or outside manual door handle, the key fob, the overhead console switch and the b-pillar switch.the door may be opened only under these conditions: ignition key is in off/accessories/on/start position, gear selector in park, vehicle speed less than 6 MPH, and door unlocked.the psd latch is located at the rear of the door and has a secondary and primary latch position.full and proper closure engages both the secondary and primary latch.with the ignition in the on position, as the gear selector is moved ou
Questions about the 2001 Ford Windstar
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Windstar?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (495 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); suspension (416 complaints, typically around 123,000 miles); body and structure (293 complaints, typically around 116,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Windstar have?
- 15 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 29, 2015 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Ford Windstar?
- It is the most complained-about Windstar model year since 2000, with 1,686 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.