Home › Ford › Windstar › 2001
2001 Ford Windstar: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2001 Ford Windstar has 1,686 owner complaints and 15 recalls on file with NHTSA[1][2]. The largest complaint groups are brakes, suspension and structure[3][4][5], and several recalls involve rear axle and front suspension corrosion[6][7][8][9].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 1,686 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 66 mention a crash, 62 a fire, 62 injuries and 1 a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.
Here are the five component groups with the most complaints:
| Component group | Complaints | Median mileage at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes[3] | 495 | 99,048 |
| Suspension[4] | 416 | 122,991 |
| Structure[5] | 293 | 116,000 |
| Electrical system[11] | 223 | 98,000 |
| Power train[12] | 145 | 107,148 |
Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints we read, 6 describe a loss of braking or a pedal that dropped to the floor, and 6 mention an ABS warning light or ABS failure[3]. Of all brake complaints, 12 mention a crash and 14 a fire[3].
Suspension. In a sample of 12 suspension complaints we read, 5 describe a broken part, such as a shock, axle, control arm or coil spring, and several describe noise or vibration[4]. Of all suspension complaints, 15 mention a crash[4].
Structure. In a sample of 12 structure complaints we read, 10 involve power sliding or rear doors, including doors that did not latch, did not close fully, or opened on their own[5]. In 5 of the 12, a door opened while the van was moving[5]. Of all structure complaints, 8 mention an injury[5].
Electrical system. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints we read, 4 describe electrical shorts or lighting problems and 3 describe the engine shutting off while driving[11]. Of all electrical complaints, 22 mention a fire[11].
Two smaller groups are speed control, with 127 complaints and 17 mentioning a fire[13], and engine, with 77 complaints[14]. Steering has 70 complaints[15].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 15 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- Rear axle brackets (15V608). Covers 283,413 vehicles from model years 1998 to 2003[6]. Earlier rear axle repairs may have had their brackets installed wrong. If so, the axle could break and hurt handling, which raises crash risk. Dealers check the brackets and replace the axle if one is wrong, free of charge[6].
- Rear axle corrosion, Virginia (12V193). Covers 27,000 vehicles registered or first sold in Virginia[7]. Corrosion can weaken the rear axle until it cracks and breaks. Dealers add reinforcement brackets or replace the axle, free of charge[7].
- Front control arm, Virginia (12V194). Covers 23,000 vehicles originally sold or registered in Virginia[8]. Corrosion can break a front control arm bracket or the subframe body mounts, which can cause a significant loss of steering control. Dealers inspect and repair, free of charge[8].
- Rear axle, Puerto Rico (12V195). Covers 9,192 vehicles registered in Puerto Rico[16]. Heavy twisting loads in that market can crack the rear axle and cause loss of control. Dealers add a reinforcement bracket or replace the axle, free of charge[16].
- Underbody and front control arm mounts (11V030). Covers 425,288 vehicles sold or registered in a list of 22 states and the District of Columbia[17]. A control arm bracket or the front subframe body mounts can separate, which can reduce steering control. Dealers inspect and repair, free of charge. Ford says it will offer to repurchase a vehicle that cannot be repaired[17].
- Rear axle corrosion, listed states (10V385). Covers 492,650 vehicles sold or registered in a list of states[9]. Corrosion can weaken the rear axle until it cracks and breaks, which affects handling and raises crash risk. Dealers inspect and, if needed, install reinforcement brackets, free of charge[9].
- Speed control switch (09V399). Covers about 4,500,000 vehicles across many Ford models[18]. A speed control deactivation switch can leak, overheat, smoke or burn, and a vehicle fire could happen even with the engine off. Dealers add a fused wiring harness, and on Windstars with a leaking switch they also check the ABS module connector[18].
- Child seat anchors (03V459). Covers 257,119 vehicles[19]. A third row bench latch released too early in a strength test, and the same latches are used in the second row. In a crash this raises the chance of injury. Dealers replace the second and third row seat latches[19].
- Rear connector water leak (02V072). Covers 417,037 vehicles[20]. A missing body sealer can let water and dirt reach a rear electrical connector. A short circuit can cause rear lights, park-aid or trailer wiring problems and may melt connectors, which can lead to a fire. Dealers inspect, repair and seal the area[20].
- Rear air conditioner blower (01V262). Covers 413,245 vehicles with auxiliary rear air conditioning[21]. If the blower motor stops on a medium-low setting, a resistor can overheat and smoke, and the motor could catch fire. Dealers install a jumper wire[21].
- Wiper motor cover (01V261). Covers 598,256 vehicles[22]. Water, salt and washer fluid can get into the wiper motor cover. The wipers could fail, or the cover could smoke or ignite, and losing visibility raises crash risk. Dealers install a better-sealed cover[22].
- Front seat belt buckles (01V227). Covers 1,400,000 vehicles across several Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models, and includes Windstars built at one plant in a set date range[23]. A front buckle may not fully latch, so the belt may not protect the occupant in a crash. Dealers inspect the buckles and replace any that fail[23].
- Accelerator pedal and floor mat (01V207). Covers 45,800 minivans with the adjustable pedal option[24]. The driver floor mat can interfere with the pedal and cause a stuck throttle. Dealers replace the front floor mats[24].
- Air bag control module and sensors (00V412). Covers 16,000 vehicles[25]. Screws may be missing from the circuit board in a control module or crash sensor, so air bags and belts may protect less than intended. Dealers inspect and replace parts if needed[25].
- Air bag control module (00V270). Covers 18,500 vehicles[26]. The module may miss certain faults, so an air bag or belt pre-tensioner could fire unexpectedly during start-up self-test, which could cause injury. Dealers replace the module[26].
The facts list a repair or inspection for every recall above, and none is marked as not yet available.
Fuel economy
EPA rates the Windstar Van and the Windstar Wagon the same. Both have a 3.8L 6-cylinder engine with an automatic 4-speed, front-wheel drive and regular fuel[10][27]. The ratings are 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined MPG[10][27]. EPA's estimated annual fuel cost is $3,700 for each[10][27]. Treat that as an estimate, not a bill you will necessarily pay.
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this model year as not rated[28][29]. That means there are no star ratings to compare.
Engine and size
EPA lists a 3.8L 6-cylinder engine with an automatic 4-speed[10][27]. Size figures below are Canadian-market specifications for the LX, Sport, SEL and Ltd, converted to inches and pounds, and can differ slightly from US models[30].
How 2001 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 3,326 | 6 |
| 1996 | 1,386 | 8 |
| 1997 | 192 | 5 |
| 1998 | 1,433 | 11 |
| 1999 | 1,522 | 11 |
| 2000 | 1,675 | 15 |
| 2001 | 1,686 | 15 |
| 2002 | 1,353 | 8 |
| 2003 | 1,510 | 8 |
Across the nine Windstar model years in NHTSA's data, 2001 has 1,686 complaints[2]. Only 1995 has more, at 3,326[2]. The 2000 model year is close behind with 1,675[2]. The 1997 model year has the fewest at 192[2].
The 2001 model year has 15 recalls[2]. The 2000 model year also has 15, and no other year has more[2]. The count is 11 for 1998 and 1999, 8 for 1996, 2002 and 2003, 6 for 1995 and 5 for 1997[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so a higher count does not by itself mean a worse van.
Should you buy a used 2001 Windstar?
The record is mixed. A 2001 Windstar carries 15 recalls, including axle and control arm corrosion recalls, some of which cover only certain states[2][7][8][9]. Owner complaints are spread across brakes, suspension and structure, and in the samples we read, brake loss and sliding doors that open on their own come up often[3][5]. EPA rates it at 18 MPG combined, and NHTSA lists no star rating[10][28]. If you are considering one, ask for proof that recall work was done, and have the brakes, axle and sliding doors checked[3][5][9].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Windstar?
- NHTSA has 1,686 complaints, and the largest groups are brakes with 495, suspension with 416 and structure with 293[1][3][4][5]. In the structure complaints we read, owners describe sliding door trouble in a sample of structure complaints we read[5].
- How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Windstar have?
- NHTSA lists 15 recalls for this model year[2]. They cover rear axle and front suspension corrosion, fire risks, seat belts, air bags and more[6][7][8][18][23][25]. See the recalls section for each one.
- What MPG does the 2001 Ford Windstar get?
- EPA rates it at 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined MPG[10][27].
- Is the 2001 Windstar a safe van?
- NHTSA lists no 5-Star rating for it[28][29]. It has recalls for seat belts, air bags and child seat anchors, listed above[19][23][25][26].
- Which Windstar year has the fewest complaints?
- The 1997 model year has the fewest in NHTSA's data, with 192 complaints[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,686 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Ford Windstar (66 mention a crash, 62 a fire, 62 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Windstar model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 495 complaints name the brakes component group (12 crashes, 14 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,048). NHTSA vehicle records
- 416 complaints name the suspension component group (15 crashes, 5 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 122,991). NHTSA vehicle records
- 293 complaints name the structure component group (8 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 116,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V608, filed September 29, 2015: Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V193, filed May 3, 2012: Power Train › Axle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V194, filed May 3, 2012: Suspension › Front › Control Arm. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V385, filed August 26, 2010: Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Windstar FWD Van, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 223 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 22 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 145 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 107,148). NHTSA vehicle records
- 127 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 17 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,808). NHTSA vehicle records
- 77 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 8 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 70 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 121,937). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 12V195, filed May 3, 2012: Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V030, filed January 26, 2011: Structure › Frame And Members › Underbody Shields. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V399, filed October 13, 2009: Vehicle Speed Control. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 03V459, filed November 6, 2003: Seats › Mid / Rear Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 02V072, filed March 11, 2002: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V262, filed August 15, 2001: Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V261, filed August 15, 2001: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V227, filed July 16, 2001: Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V207, filed June 22, 2001: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V412, filed December 6, 2000: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V270, filed September 13, 2000: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Windstar FWD Wagon, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 3 HB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, WINDSTAR LX/SPORT/SEL/LTD: length 201 in, width 75 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 3,730 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov