Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2001 Ford Windstar
NHTSA data on file today
The 2001 Ford Windstar has 16 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,686 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V608000 Axle Recall Remedy may been Performed Improperly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V193000 REAR AXLE CRACKING-VIRGINIA VEHICLES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V195000 REAR AXLE CRACKING PUERTO RICO NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V194000 CORROSION FRACTURES OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V030000 CORROSION FRACTURES OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V385000 REAR AXLE CRACKING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V399000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E056000 FUEL LEAK/FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V459000 FORD/FMVSS 225/FLOOR TO SEAT LATCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V072000 FORD/TRAILER-TOW CONNECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V262000 FORD/AUXILIARY A/C BLOWER MOTOR WIRING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V261000 FORD/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V227001 FORD/TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V207000 FORD/ADJUSTABLE ACCELERATOR PEDAL/FLOOR MAT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V412000 FORD/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V270000 FORD/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Suspension 416 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 292 complaints
- Structure 292 complaints
- Electrical System 223 complaints
- Service Brakes 193 complaints
- Power Train 144 complaints
Of the 1,686 complaints on file, 66 report a crash and 62 a fire; across all 1,686 complaints, owners report 62 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,500–$14,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2001 Ford Windstar has multiple recalls involving the suspension, rear axle, and power train, contributing to its below-average rating. High numbers of complaints about brakes and structural integrity raise further concerns.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 70,000–100,000 miles | $250–$600 | very common |
| Rear axle assembly | 80,000–120,000 miles | $700–$1,200 | common |
| Electrical system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | common |
| Hydraulic system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $500–$900 | occasional |
| Structural components | 90,000–130,000 miles | $800–$2,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Coolant system flush
- Spark plug replacement
- Drive belt inspection
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Brakes making unusual noises
- Clunking from the rear axle
- Electrical short or fuse issues
- Vibrations when braking
- Uneven tire wear pattern
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2001 Ford Windstar at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.