2001 Ford Windstar Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2001 Windstar most often report rear axle fractures and front subframe corrosion, both of which the complaints commonly tie to earlier recall repairs that owners say did not hold up. A second large group of complaints describes ABS and brake warning lights along with brake fluid loss traced to a leak at the speed-control switch area. Most reports in the sample come in between roughly 70,000 and 160,000 miles, and many describe the axle or subframe failure happening suddenly at low speed.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Rear axle cracks or fractures

   • 338 complaints (20%)
   • median 127,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (303 state mileage)
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 31 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2023

   Owners describe a loud bang or screech from the rear, then finding the van's rear tire tilted inward and rubbing the wheel well, sometimes with smoke. Several say the axle broke at low speed over a bump or railroad tracks, and a number report the failure occurred after recall work (support brackets or inspection) had already been done. Dealers typically diagnosed a fractured axle needing replacement, and some owners say the repair was refused because the recalled bracket work had been performed. Mostly reported between about 80,000 and 180,000 miles, often on older vans with corrosion in the axle area.

   Recall 15V608000Recall 12V193000Recall 12V195000Recall 10V3850005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the rear axle for rust, cracks, and welds near the bracket areas, and ask for documentation of any rear-axle recall work and when it was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2001 Ford Windstar rear axle recall. I brought my van in for inspection for the rear axle recall (1os13) the Ford dealership condemned the vehicle and I was provided with a rental car. Ford has no parts to fix this concern and also has no timetable when this will be resolved. This is unacceptable to me and Ford needs to stand behind there products and show loyalty to there customers.”

   NHTSA complaint #10368595, filed 2010-12, 82,000 miles

   “On my 2001 Ford Windstar Ford installed these brackets on rear suspension subframe and almost 2 years later my axle has split from one side all the way around to the other and any tiny bump you hit the van jumps all over the roadway. They won't repair the axle because the brackets were installed properly .”

   NHTSA complaint #11388306, filed 2021-01, 170,100 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS and brake warning lights with fluid loss

   • 670 complaints (40%)
   • median 99,721 mi at 9.3 yrs old (558 state mileage)
   • 38 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 61 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2023

   Owners report the ABS, red brake, and traction-control lights coming on, sometimes with the speedometer and odometer dropping out, and often more often in warm weather. Several describe brake fluid leaking onto the wiring near the cruise-control deactivation switch, leading to a short, and a few report the pedal going soft or braking being lost until the vehicle was stopped. Dealers commonly replaced the ABS module, wiring harness, or switch, and some owners say the lights returned afterward. Typically reported from about 60,000 to 135,000 miles, with several owners noting the lights appear more in warm weather.

   Recall 09V399000

   What to check: Check for brake fluid weeping around the speed-control switch and master cylinder area, ask whether the cruise-control switch recall was completed, and confirm the ABS light goes out after a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Automobile leaking oil and smoking. Engine, ABS and brake lights constantly illuminated until they were removed by the dealer I informed him the vehicle would not pass inspection and told him of my saftey concerns regarding the same.”

   NHTSA complaint #10398252, filed 2011-04, 87,000 miles

   “I was driving my Ford Windstar 2001 when the brakes failed. The cruise control stop working and the ABS and the brake lights came on. The brakes became soft causing me being unable to stop the van.”

   NHTSA complaint #10579298, filed 2014-04, 133,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Front subframe and control arm corrosion

   • 240 complaints (14%)
   • median 116,000 mi at 10.2 yrs old (211 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 26 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2023

   Complaints describe rust-through at the front subframe, lower control arm mounting points, or engine cradle, sometimes found during an inspection or alignment. Owners report that the front end broke loose while driving, with a bang and loss of steering, and that a mechanic or dealer attributed it to corrosion on the subframe. Several owners say their vehicle identification number was not covered by the related recall, or that the van was outside the states listed in it. Reported from roughly 55,000 to 247,000 miles, generally on vans in rust-belt areas or after years of exposure.

   Recall 11V030000Recall 12V1940005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the front subframe, control arm attaching points, and body mounts inspected from below for rust or cracking, and ask whether recall 11S16 or similar work was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving at 35mph when I heard a loud boom and my Windstar careened wildly back and forth and felt like I had slammed on the brakes. The Windstar could not even be driven to the shoulder. The tow truck driver said the subframe was broken and possibly the tie rods had broken as well. The front wheels were pointed outward in opposite directions.”

   NHTSA complaint #10439667, filed 2011-12, 108,000 miles

   “In 2008, I experienced a failure of the subframe on my 2001 Ford Windstar cargo van. I do mostly small-town driving - I.e. Not over 45 MPH, with occasional trips on the nys thruway. I purchased the van used at 57,000 miles from johnson Ford, kingston, ny. The failure occurred at 85,419 miles. I drove my van to a local business at about 45 MPH, a distance of 4-5 miles. That day or the day previous I had heard a funny noise as I turned the wheel, but it was not repeated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10386167, filed 2011-03, 85,491 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Speed control switch overheating and cruise control faults

   • 58 complaints (3%)
   • median 96,966 mi at 8.3 yrs old (55 state mileage)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,050 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2015

   Owners report smoke or fire from under the hood while parked or idling, traced by a dealer to the cruise-control deactivation switch and wiring. Others describe the cruise control failing to disengage with the brake, or failing to hold speed, including some after recall repairs were done. Owners also describe the switch leaking onto the harness and blowing fuses. Reported between roughly 18,000 and 122,000 miles, including on vans that had already had recall service.

   Recall 09V399000

   What to check: Ask whether the speed-control deactivation switch recall work was completed, and check for a brake-fluid smell or residue around the switch on the master cylinder.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in an idle position, smoke began coming out from under the hood. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. Upon inspection, the cruise control deactivation switch and the brake master cylinder were observed to be completely burnt. The service dealer was contacted, and determined that the fire began in the deactivation switch. The dealer refused to offer a new cruise control deactivation switch and wiring for the electrical system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10169215, filed 2006-09, 87,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact had the cruise control set at 60 MPH when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to over 60 MPH. When the contact applied the brake, the cruise control did not disengage. When the contact shifted into neutral, the cruise control disengaged. The failure occurred twice after the vehicle was taken to the local dealership for repairs for recall 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). The contact planned to take the vehicle to the dealership for diagnosis. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10335106, filed 2010-06, 18,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh shifting and transmission slipping

   • 49 complaints (3%)
   • median 63,500 mi at 5.9 yrs old (42 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,800 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2014

   Complaints describe hard shifts, clunking into gear, and the transmission slipping into neutral while driving, sometimes at relatively low mileage. Some owners also report erratic fluid level readings on the dipstick or a persistent fluid leak. Dealers often recommended a rebuild or replacement, and a few owners say the dealer did not resolve the problem. Reported from about 32,000 to 125,000 miles, with some failures noted well under 50,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from cold through several upshifts, check the fluid level and condition, and ask whether the transmission has been serviced or rebuilt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On a recent road trip, I noticed the transmission jumping from high gear to low gear. I took it to a Ford dealer and was told the transmission needed replacement at a cost of over 1400.00. I bought my Windstar new and it only has 32,000 miles on it. I have always owned fords and was looking at a fusion for my next vehicle. However, I think I will see what chevy has to offer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10166243, filed 2006-08, 31,066 miles

   “I purchased a 2001 Ford Windstar in october 2001. I have had to have the transmission rebuilt in december 2003. I only have 46,640 miles on this vehicle. It has cost me $2158 to have this repaired. The transmission should not have been giving me problems with this few of miles on it. The transmission starting changing really hard and starting making loud clunking noises when shifting. It began to start slipping into neutral while driving down the road. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10052984, filed 2004-01, 46,640 miles

Buying note. This is an old van with well-documented corrosion and rear-axle concerns, so a pre-purchase inspection of the underside and axle is worth the cost. Ask for recall repair records, since several owners report failures after recall work had been performed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.