Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the front end of the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was a fracture due to corrosion on the front sub frame. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V030000 (Structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The contact's husband owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while in reverse, she heard an abnormal noise. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the control arm was cracked. The contact was then informed by the mechanic of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V03000 (Structure). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that no recall was affiliated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
I was driving at around 30 MPH, 2 cars in front slammed on brakes, I was approximately 1 1/2 car links back and hit the brakes. ABS failed, airbags failed, and slid into car in front of me. I was on a city street going straight.
Car was in an single car accident. Steering and body damage. All fixed now. Need verification for salvage sticker.
1. Rear axle fractured severely & broke making the car un-drivable on 24 jan 2019 while in motion driving in city traffic. Ford put braces on this vehicle under recall# 10s13, but they failed to prevent further corrosion and metal fatigue. The axle was a bad engineering design from the drawing board combined with not e-coating the metal during manufacturing to prevent corrosion of the metal due to road salt. The axle fractured next to the brace on the driver side as shown in the 4 images below. I have one tow bill (flat-bed) to get the car off the downtown street to my home & will have another tow bill to transport it to where I can replace the axle. 2. Front cradle frame's mount rusted off that anchors the stabilizer bar so the stabilizer bar had to be removed. This happened several years ago. The cradle frame probable was not e-coated during manufacture either. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the dealer (gurley leep Ford Lincoln, 320 e ireland rd, south bend, in 46614, [phone]) indicated that they serviced an unknown recall from the manufacturer for the reinforcement brackets and that they had not been required to provide any additional repairs. The dealer replaced the rear axles due to the reinforcement brackets fracturing while the vehicle was being driven below 25 MPH. The dealer stated that they were not required by the manufacturer to reinstall reinforcement brackets. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested replacing the same OEM rear axles. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was not available. Consumer stated I feel the rear axles fail even with the recall brackets on, so I feel Ford should pay for the bill. The tires went bad and out when this happened. …
There is a re-occurring door failure and extensive rust damage on 2001 Ford Windstar. The first incident occurred in oct 2006 when the front stabilizer bar failed causing the van to loose control. Ford will not release the record of repair. My van is a modified wheelchair van and we are experiencing a severe sag in the floor on the passenger side, have had to replace the transmission, had multiple repairs due to rust and yesterday the top guide rail for the sliding door cracked and the top of door fell down almost hitting the car next to me. The tracks are extremely rusted and as the floorboard, becoming a safety hazard. I believe the rust issue in this vehicle are far more extensive than the 2 recalls currently in place. This May also be acerbated by authorized modifications to allow wheelchair access. In essence, the van is rusting apart.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving 5 MPH, the subframe completely fractured and fell apart without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic (spielmann service center mn; [phone]) where it was confirmed that Ford would not pay for the damage. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (luther north country Ford, located at 10401 woodcrest dr nw, coon rapids, mn 55433; [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the engine, transmission, and drive train needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at [phone] and stated that only the subframe could be repaired for free, but the damage for the engine, transmission, and drive train would have to be paid for by the contact. A case number was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 184,500.
Whilst turning a corner the front subframe mount sheared at the lower control arm connection. I lost steering and power. My car ended in a ditch at the side of the road. Myself and my one year old son were in the car at the time, we were both shaken but not injured. When the subframe failed the half axle left the transmission, thus losing power and the two front wheel were left pointing in opposite directions. We have not had this repaired yet but have been told that's parts will be in excess of $1800 plus labor. This could cost $2500. Worse still if this had have happened on the motorway, it does bear to consider the consequences! I have seen thousands of similar cases posted on various internet sites, this needs to be remedied before someone gets seriously hurt!
While backing out of my driveway the subframe fell out of my vehicle causing the throttle body to open all the way dropped out of reverse and went into drive lost steering ,lost brakes jammed vehicle into park to stop 1 foot from telephone pole. Had vehicle towed to Ford took 1 week to here anything from them ,was told I could not have a rental or loaner vehicle while they had my car. Called Ford customer service line was told I could only get rental car for 1 day for subframe and 1 day for rear axle recall , as of 7/14 2014 was told I would maybe have my vehicle back by next week after Ford evaluated my car for repairs. I did not receive a phone call from Ford dealer until 7/14/2014.
Related recalls
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania,…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets, and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe, and make the necessary repairs free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 346 complaints to ODI and Ford alleging fracture, cracking and or excessive corrosion of the front subframes in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 Ford Windstar vehicles.Approximately 97 percent of these complaints (334) involve vehicles that have been operated in Salt Belt states, which make up approximately 60 percent of the subject vehicle sales in the…
Power sliding door opening
The subject vehicles are equipped with single or dual power sliding doors (psd).approximately 111,000 vehicles have dual power sliding doors.the psd is opened by any of 5 methods, the inside or outside manual door handle, the key fob, the overhead console switch and the b-pillar switch.the door May be opened only under these conditions: ignition key is in off/accessories/on/start position, gear selector in park,…
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
In a January 26, 2011 Defect Information Report, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address corrosion related fractures in the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe in approximately 425,288 model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 Ford Windstar vehicles…
Body complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2001 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 293 complaints about the body & structure of the 2001 Ford Windstar, 17% of the model year's 1,686 complaints. The component named most often is frame and members (141 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Windstar body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-030 (underbody shields, Jan 26, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Windstar body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 116,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries to body & structure 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.