2001 Ford Windstar Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 145about this part
- Share
- 9%of 1,686 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,574miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 145 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Ford Windstar, 9% of the 1,686 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,574 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The front right axel broke, I didn't have an accident nor did I run it into a ditch. The frame has cracked, its where the axle and the frame meet. It's a 2001 and yes, it's an old vehicle, but its the only transportation I can afford right now. If I can take it to a Ford dealership to be repaired I would. Some how, I believe their is a god.”
NHTSA complaint #10653726, filed 2014-11, 194,321 miles“Stopped at a stop sign, pressed the gas and nothing happened as if the van had been put in neutral. The transmission has failed. None of the gears will engage. Through my own research I've found numerous complaints with the Ford Windstar transmission and still no recall. The company should be held accountable. They will fix a small inexpensive censor but not the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10507063, filed 2013-04, 145,000 miles“Abs light is o in my 2001 Ford Windstar even after the recall in 2009 for ABS ECM failure - ABS brake light. The light continues to stay on for the past year almost and it is causing other defects in my vehicle. My vehicle will shut down on me completely and nothing in my vehicle will work until I get a jump ad it is causing issues with my brake system and transmission!”
NHTSA complaint #10363418, filed 2010-10, 72,000 miles“During a routine oil change on our Ford 2001 Windstar our mechanic noticed that the rear axle was cracked about 12 from the drivers side tire. If the axle had failed catastrophically while driving my family would have been seriously injured or killed. An internet search revealed numerous identical failure on windstars of the same model year.”
NHTSA complaint #10274390, filed 2009-06, 127,573 miles“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 milesRelated recalls
- 12V193000May 3, 2012Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, and currently registered or…Covers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10016808Oct 11, 2005Erratic fluid level reading on transaxle dipstick-leaks-4f50n, ax4n, ax4s transaxle.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 29% |
| 2003 | 225 | 15% |
| 2002 | 97 | 7% |
| 2001 | 145 | 9% |
| 2000 | 271 | 16% |
| 1999 | 278 | 18% |
| 1998 | 332 | 23% |
| 1997 | 43 | 22% |
| 1996 | 322 | 23% |
| 1995 | 875 | 26% |
| 1994 | 8 | 35% |
| 1993 | 1 | 9% |
| 1990 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Windstar
544 complaintsSuspension
416 complaintsBody and structure
293 complaintsElectrical system
223 complaintsVehicle speed control
127 complaintsSteering
70 complaintsEngine cooling
66 complaintsOther or unknown
61 complaintsAir bags
51 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
41 complaintsExterior lighting
31 complaintsWheels
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