Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Windstar, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension416
- Structure293
- Service brakes, hydraulic292
- Electrical system223
- Service brakes193
- Power train145
- Vehicle speed control127
- Steering70
- Engine and engine cooling66
- Service brakes, electric53
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 62 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 16 2001 Windstar vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 9 people died inside them, and 5 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2001 Ford Windstar failed the safety check 2.40% of the time — 20% more often than the average 2001 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 134,343 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 13.0 L/100 km (about 18 mpg US), CO₂ 299 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windstar Wagon · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 14.9 | 10.7 | 13.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
14 Transport Canada recalls for the 2001 Ford Windstar.
| 2019420 21 Aug 2019 | Other Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempere… |
| 2015437 29 Sept 2015 | Structure On certain vehicles that had rear axle reinforcement brackets installed as part of safety recall 2010-284, the brackets may not have been installed properly, wh… |
| 2011038 26 Jan 2011 | Suspension On certain vehicles, the subframe may not have been properly e-coated during the manufacturing process. As a result, the subframe of vehicles originally sold, … |
| 2010284 24 Aug 2010 | Suspension On certain vehicles registered and operated in areas where road salt is used on the roadways during winter months for extended time periods (Ontario, Quebec, Ne… |
| 2009292 14 Oct 2009 | Other On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei… |
| 2004170 20 May 2004 | Label Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 120. The Standard specifies that for vehicles other than passenger cars, the label information sh… |
| 2003273 7 Nov 2003 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the 2nd and 3rd row bench seat-to-floor latches do not meet FMVSS 225 load requirements and can release under load. Correction: Dealer wi… |
| 2002045 11 Mar 2002 | Electrical In certain vehicles, water and other contaminants (dirt, salt, etc.) can enter into the right rear passenger compartment due to a missing body sealer condition.… |
| 2001213 22 Aug 2001 | Electrical On certain vehicles contaminants such as water, salt, and windshield washer solution can enter the wiper motor cover assembly through pinholes on the exterior o… |
| 2001214 22 Aug 2001 | Electrical On certain vehicles, if the auxiliary air-conditioning blower motor stops turning while in the medium-low blower speed setting, there is the potential that the … |
| 2001194 16 Jul 2001 | Seats And Restraints Certain 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 fron… |
| 2001161 21 Jun 2001 | Accessories On certain vehicles equipped with adjustable pedal option, the driver floor mat could interfere with the accelerator pedal. This can result in a stuck throttle,… |
| 2000304 29 Dec 2000 | Seats And Restraints On certain 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 cir… |
| 2000243 24 Oct 2000 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may not recognize certain system faults that could result in an air bag or seat pre-tensioner unexpected… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
IN SOME MINIVANS, WATER AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS (DIRT, SALT, ETC.) CAN ENTER INTO THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DUE TO A MISSING BODY SEALER.
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.
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.
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 PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH AN ADJUSTABLE PEDAL OPTION. THE DRIVER FLOOR MAT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2001 Ford Windstar: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637838 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAL NOISE FROM THE FRONT BRAKES DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TT |
| 637833 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A INTERMITTENT HARD START AND / OR LONG CRANKING TIMES OF 4 TO 10 SECONDS. *TT |
| 637807 | SUBJECT REGARDING FAMILY OR REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM HANDLE CONCERNS. *TT |
| 637728 | SUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0156 - H02 / CATALYST MONITOR SENSOR (CMS) CIRCUIT FAILURE) CONTAMINATION. *TT |
| 637704 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION OF POPPING OR GRINDING NOISE ORIGINATING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *TT |
| 637589 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT MARCH 1, 2001 THROUGH JANUARY 2002 MAY EXHIBIT A WHISTLE / WHINE NOISE FROM THE STEERING SYSTEM DURING WARM UP. *TT |
| 637571 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1213, B1342, B1601, B2431. *TT |
| 637561 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A PARTIAL LATCH CONDITION WHEN USING THE POWER SLIDING DOORS FEATURE. *TT |
| 637558 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAL NOISE FROM THE FRONT BRAKES WHEN STOPPING. *TT |
| 637556 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AX4N/4F50N TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT A SHUDDER DURING A 3-4 SHIFT. *TT |
| 637546 | SUBJECT REGARDING REAR BRAKE LAMP ILLUMINATION AFTER EXITING VEHICLE. *TT |
| 637513 | AN AIR BAG LAMP ILLUMINATED AND / OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES B2296 OR B2295. *TT |
| 636412 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A ROLLING IDLE UPON STARTING THE ENGINE AFTER A 3-7 HOUR SOAK. *TT |
| 636364 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INOPERATIVE SLIDING DOOR LOCK. *TT |
| 636361 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT REAR DRUM BRAKES THAT DRAG OR WILL NOT RELEASE PROPERLY WHEN OPERATED IN WET CONDITIONS AND / OR BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. *TT |
| 636348 | INFORMATION ON VEHICLES WITH PROGRAMMABLE MODULES. *TT |
| 636312 | EXHIBITING INTERMITTENT ANTI-SKID BRAKE SYSTEM AND / OR RED BRAKE LAMP ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. *TT |
| 636308 | SLIDING DOOR(S) CONTACTING THE REAR QUARTER GLASS. *TT THIS INFORMATION UPDATES PREVIOUS INFORMATION, DATED 03/01/2002. *TT |
| 636141 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT THE REAR BRAKE LAMPS REMAINING ILLUMINATED AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE. *TT |
| 636112 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FRONT SEAT BACK FRAME(S) BENDING. *TT |
| 636065 | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT |
| 636011 | INFORMATION ON LOW TIRE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATION WITH NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES PRESENT. *TT |
| 636000 | BATTERY DRAIN SERVICE TIPS. *TT |
| 635987 | GRUNT / POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AT SPEEDS BELOW 20 MPH WHEN TURNING. *TT |
| 635966 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A POPPING / GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR MAKING TURNS. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Rear Axle Cracking
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation