Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
This vehicle has shut off on me while driving several times. During the latest event which occurred while going approximately 30 MPH and the minivan just shuts off without warning. There is not a stalling warning or anything. All lights appear on the dash and it is very difficult to steer the van when it happens. In order to get the vehicle to restart you have to turn it off with the key and then start it up again. I have investigated this problem online and there are many, many people complaining of this. I'm very surprised to see that a recall has not be made. With most of the complaints I've seen online many of the mechanics do not seem to know what the problem is. It's scary to see that many of us are complaining of the same thing. …
At approximately 16:45 after driving 6 miles that day, the Windstar van was stopped and the ignition key turned off. The delivery driver went inside his destination for about 5 minutes. While loading his cargo, he smelled smoke. Looking up, he noticed flames coming out of the engine compartment between the hood and the windshield wiper plastic shielding. Using an onboard 5 lb fire extinguisher, he attempted to extinguish the flames but to no avail. He dialled 9-1-1 on his phone. Employees at his destination also noticed the fire, and contacted the local fire department as well. The fire department extinguished the flames with severe damage to the rear portion of the engine, the fire wall, brake cylinder and glass windshield. The ambient temperature that day was in the 70 degrees range, windows were down in the van, and the A/C system was not in use.
Sometime between 10:30 pm of 28 June and 5 am 29 June, my 2001 Ford Windstar spontaneously combusted while parked in the garage of the rectory here at holy assumption church in marblehead, ohio. The van is a total loss as the entire engine compartment and most of the dashboard (on the passenger side) are burnt out or melted. This happened after I twice took my Windstar to an authorized Ford dealership in response to a recall to have a part replaced connected with the cruise control that has been reported as overheating and causing such a fire. There is damage to the interior of the garage (the local fire department does not know why the fire stopped before burning down the garage - since there is concrete evidence of the intense heat of the fire.
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.
Tl contact's parents own a 2001 Ford Windstar. While the contact's parents were driving 40 MPH, the vehicle completely lost power. They pulled over to the side of the road and noticed flames underneath the hood. After five minutes, the vehicle exploded four times and was destroyed. The fire department was called and a report was filed. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 70,000. Updated 11/17/08 the consumer stated he read on the internet that his make and model had problems with the cruise control . Updated 11/18/08.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving 50 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and exited the vehicle before it burst into flames. The vehicle is at a tow yard. There will not be an investigation to find the cause of failure because the vehicle only had liability coverage. The florida highway patrol case # is c07offo66334. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 190,000.
The engine cradle was severely rusted and had a catastrophic failure. I narrowly avoided getting t boned and crashed head first into a small hill. My fiance and my self were uninjured but where extremely shook up over this. I lost all control of the steering and the entire engine and transmission where on the ground. Thanks to this defect in fords design I am now without a car and either my fiance or myself could have been badly injured or died.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While stationary, the contact noticed that the front engine cradle of the vehicle was severely rusted and corroded. The contact stated that there were holes in the engine cradle. Matthews Ford oregon in oregon, ohio was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving at 30 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise and then the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.
Ref. NHTSA defect investigation pe10026: 2001 Ford Windstar experienced front engine cradle failure on passenger side while vehicle in motion, 26 June 2009. No injuries but rattled nerves. Half shaft and engine cradle replaced - vehicle impeded traffic for an hour until removed by flat bed truck.
Engine complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Ford Windstar, 5% of the model year's 1,686 complaints. The component named most often is engine (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Windstar engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Ford Windstar, though it has 15 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Windstar engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 8 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.