2001 Ford Windstar problems & reliability
1,686 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford Windstar, alongside 15 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
47 complaints report injuries (62 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2001 Ford Windstar vehicles were involved in 16 fatal crashes with 9 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 416 | 25% |
| Structure | 293 | 17% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 292 | 17% |
| Electrical System | 223 | 13% |
| Service Brakes | 193 | 11% |
| Power Train | 145 | 9% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 127 | 8% |
| Steering | 70 | 4% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 66 | 4% |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 53 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 108,003 miles (middle 50% between 80,000 and 137,524 miles), based on 1,320 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the rear axle fractured. There was no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a stress…”
Suspension · filed Nov 13, 2023
“The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the front end of the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was a fracture due to corrosion on the front sub frame. The…”
Structure · filed Jul 17, 2023
“Rear axle cracked where bracket that was installed during previous recall. Van is not drivable and could have been a bad accident.”
Suspension · filed Mar 28, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Engineering Analysis EA10007 · opened Dec 20, 2010 · closed Mar 17, 2011 · led to recall 11V030000
- Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Preliminary Evaluation PE10026 · opened Jul 20, 2010 · closed Dec 20, 2010 · led to recall 11V030000
- Rear Axle Cracking
Preliminary Evaluation PE10016 · opened May 13, 2010 · closed Sep 22, 2010 · led to recall 10V385000
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA08021 · opened Sep 17, 2008 · closed Oct 14, 2009 · led to recall 09V399000
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE08035 · opened May 13, 2008 · closed Sep 17, 2008
- FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Engineering Analysis EA05004 · opened Feb 17, 2005 · closed Jul 6, 2005
- FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Recall Query RQ04011 · opened Oct 22, 2004 · closed Feb 17, 2005
- POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING
Preliminary Evaluation PE04022 · opened Mar 3, 2004 · closed Jul 1, 2004
Technical service bulletins
167 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford Windstar. The 10 most recent:
For 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 11S16 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a front subframe lower control arm (LCA) rear attaching flange or…
16-0065 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 20, 2020
Safety recall 10S13 - Rear axle corrosion - requests for recall service action
TSB160070 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
For 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 10S13 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the rear axle could potentially fracture. If the rear axle should…
16-0070 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
Safety recall 11s16 - LCA rear attaching flanges or rear subframe body mount corrosion - requests for recall service action
TSB160065 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 20, 2016
Summary to be provided on a future date.
CSP-15-N-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 29, 2015
Ford: safety recall on front subframe lower control arm (lca) rear attaching flange or rear body mount that can separate from subframe if vehicle is operated, for extended period, in high corrosion areas. Model 1999-03…
TSB-14-0168 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 9, 2014
Ford: safety recall concerning rear axle fracturing if vehicle is operated in high corrosion areas for and extended period. Model 1998-03 windstar. *pe
TSB-14-0167 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 9, 2014
Ford: on some minivans, rear axle will fracture, in high corrosion area, after operating for an extended time period, and vehicle handling ability will be affected. Model 1998-2003 windstar. *pe
TSB-14-0146 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 11, 2014
Ford: a safety recall has been issued on minivans where lower control arm (lca) of front subframe attaching rear flange or rear body mount can separate due to corrosion. Model 1999-2003 windstar. *pe
TSB-14-0145 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 11, 2014
Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for sale in california-federal emission…
CSP-08B01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 16, 2008
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2001 Ford Windstar has 15 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2001 Ford Windstar?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 108,003 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.