Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. The contact had just refilled the washer window fluid and pressed the button for the fluid a second time when he began to smell smoke. By the time he and his daughter exited the vehicle, flames were rising from under the hood. The vehicle was destroyed. The fire department extinguished the fire and a report was filed. NHTSA campaign id number 01V258000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer: motor) was referenced. The current and failure mileages were 124,004.
Have complained to dealer/Ford motor company re: foul odor when heat is running. Was told that I probably had a high sensitivity to allergies. Complained about having to replace breaks at 15,000 miles. Had to replace oil gasket pan twice within the same year. Dealership did not find this unusual. Car accelerates without warning sometimes. The motor is making a rushing noise. Was told that this was the normal sound of the motor although it did not start until six months down the road. Had to take car back to replace back/warped windshield after having it one day. Dealership will not even allow me to trade vehicle and does not acknowledge fact that too many things have gone wrong in too short a period of time. Purchased vehicle in 2002.
Problems with 2001 Ford Taurus brake rotors. The front end vibrated and the brake rotors were replaced numerous times, however the problem still existed. Ford was ordered to repair all repairs but they only turned the rotors. Also the passenger window dragged, the lights dimmed when the radio or heater was on, and also the transmission jerked at times and there was a vibration in the front of the vehicle, the mechanic stated it was due to tire wear.
The wiper switch/motor on my 2001 Ford Taurus has failed. I found out online that it has been under recall for 2001 tauruses, however when I contacted the dealer they refused repair. I contacted Ford company, they say although the problem is the same it's not been recalled. The main argument: it has 90K miles, so it's a coincident. It's incredible how they deceive!
Water leaks into the passenger floor board on my 2001 Ford Taurus. In researching it on the web I found a link to this site. It just started a few months ago. I found another complaint 10184014. This site said to mention recall number 03V087000. As widespread as this appears to be I feel that Ford should cover the design mistake.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 35 MPH the heating unit failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two separate occasions, and the thermostat was replaced. The failure mileage was 74,000. The current mileage was 94,600.
As with my 1992 Taurus my 2001 Taurus has the same problem with the windshield wiper switch or motor.presently not fixed because I do not want to pay for it. Also my trans. Slips and up and down shifts hard in and out of second gear. Once again I don't want to pay for it .
Approx. Mid-May 2008 noticed coolant smell in car and water on the passenger side floor inside 2001 Ford Taurus wagon. Within a couple of weeks, ac blower motor only worked on high. Took to sherwood Ford in salisbury, md end of May 2008 for repair. They replaced resistors to blower motor and stated problem was due to corrosion from water damage from leak in windshield/cowl. Blower worked fine until August 18, 2008 started working only on high again. Took back to sherwood Ford 8-25-08, they are currently replacing resistors again and state that blower motor should be replaced too because it is not working up to par due to water damage. Internet search of Ford Taurus cowl leak reveals many other people owning Ford Taurus/Mercury sable have the same problem and Ford will not issue recall. …
I reciently had the recall for the wiper motor cover repaired. Since the repair my wipers will not work when the weather is below freezing. Once the car warms up they will work fine (provided the temp is above 30 degrees). I have had the car back to the dealer 3 times to find out what is wrong, each time the wipers will work once there, and no action is taken. (my car is currently just over the free warranty mileage). I had no problems with the wipers before they were fixed and would like to have somthing done. The wipers act like there May be moisture in a connection that freezes and pushes the connection apart, or interferes with electrical conduction, until the car warms sufficently to get conduction to continue. Please contact me with some answers. Thank you.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that there was a water leak in the passenger side floorboard. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic, who diagnosed that the leak was caused by a defective blower motor and the blower motor resistor needed to be replaced. The contact also mentioned that she replaced the blower motor resistor a total of six times, but it failed to remedy the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 150,000.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began August 20, 2001.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2001 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2001 Ford Taurus, 2% of the model year's 1,037 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Taurus window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-258 (motor, Aug 8, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Taurus window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.