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Exterior lightingPart report

2001 Ford Windstar Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
31about this part
Share
2%of 1,686 total for the year
Median mileage
96,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2001 Ford Windstar, 2% of the 1,686 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“2001 Ford Windstar sel my brake light and ABS light are on frequently . . . I notice this during and after rain or when conditions are wet outside . . . Also after I hit a bump in the road they seem to come on. My vehicle has been like this for at least a year and the dealership told me I needed new brake pads on the front. I replaced them and the problem continues to occur.”

NHTSA complaint #10403891, filed 2011-05, 90,000 miles

“2001 Ford Windstar, ABS light and brake light constantly coming on. Mechanic says there are over 11 codes showing up. This is the third time I've attempted to have this problem fixed, nobody can fix it, just keeps happening. I've heard about fires occurring and am worried about the safety of my family.”

NHTSA complaint #10233722, filed 2008-07, 40,000 miles

“My brakes and ABS light stays on even after repairing brakes my ABS system is not working, one day while raining I try to stop my vehicle and it kept on going.”

NHTSA complaint #10471391, filed 2012-08, 113,000 miles

“Abs and brake lights have been off and on for years. Have had the brakes looked at many times and they are always said to be fine. Today, while driving along, the radio went off when I rolled up the window...thought that was strange so opened window....radio back on, closed window....radio off. Thankfully I was very close to home as the windows stopped opening and closing, radio shut off, odometer reading disappeared, clock lights disappeared. I made it to the driveway, turned it off and it did not turn back on. Came inside and started to search 2001 Ford Windstar ABS and brake lights on ..... …”

NHTSA complaint #10508094, filed 2013-04, 125,019 miles

“In the fall of 2006 I began experiencing isolated instances where the brake lights stayed on after the release of the brake pedal. I first noticed it when the battery was dead by the end of the work day. Frequency increased over the next several months. I found I could resolve the problem by lifting the pedal slightly from behind. On march 12, 2007 the problem began happening with each stop, so I removed and examined the brake light switch. It appeared to be functioning correctly. I examined its placement on the brake booster rod. The wear pattern appeared to be very slightly off-center. …”

NHTSA complaint #10185421, filed 2007-03, 74,000 miles

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2003352%
2002292%
2001312%
2000181%
1999151%
1998201%
199681%
1995221%

Other parts of the 2001 Ford Windstar

Brakes
544 complaints
Suspension
416 complaints
Body and structure
293 complaints
Electrical system
223 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
145 complaints
Vehicle speed control
127 complaints
Steering
70 complaints
Engine cooling
66 complaints
Other or unknown
61 complaints
Air bags
51 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
41 complaints
Wheels
28 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Windstar

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology