Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Brakes continually have failed causing accidents. Pedal goes all the way to the floor before and after new brake pads and bring bled.throttle idle sensor causes vehicle to stall while driving. ABS light and brake light and check engine light keeps coming on. Now they just stay on. I need to know what,if any recalls have been repaired or any options that May be available.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. When the contact first purchased the vehicle, it shut off. The rings in the engine had to be replaced. She also heard a rumbling sound when the brake pedal was depressed. An auto repair shop stated that the brakes were operating normally; however, after much complaining, the contact had the front brakes replaced. The windshield wipers stopped working after a new windshield was installed. The vehicle was diagnosed and the motor was found to be the cause of the failure. The motor was replaced. A couple of months later, the vehicle began leaking antifreeze and was towed to a repair shop. The contact was informed that the fuel injection hoses were leaking. The leak was repaired. Three weeks later, the vehicle would buck and shut off. She was informed that the catalytic converter was completely destroyed. …
Repeated failure and replacement of various parts of the electrical system including wiper motor, rear wiper motor, fuel pump, fuel pump fuses, alternator, repeated replacement of battery, repeated replacement of brake lights and light sockets and brake light switch, repeated failure and replacement of electric door locks, repeated replacement of coil wire, replacement of EGR valve. Constant stalling of vehicle in rain or humid weather. Vehicle stall when air conditioner is in use. Rough idle and stalling when vehicle is stopped and engine is running. All of these complaints have been constant and ongoing despite repeated replacement of electrical components since delivery of the vehicle in December of 2000.
Over thirty separate warranty repairs over two years. Faulty electrical door locks (kids couldn't exit), transmission leakage, transmission failure, front-end defects with loud thumping noises and several body problems. Most notable body problems are wind noise and water leakage through doors and windows. Most recently, the fuel pump failed (@ 37,000 miles). Ford has all along refused to acknowledge the problems. Now that the vehicle is out of warranty, they have again said they will not doing anything. The vehicle is unreliable and unsafe to operate.
When the windshield wipers are engaged they will either work for a few seconds and quit or not work at all. Dealership replaced the wiper motor twice, and the front electronic control module. But problems still exists. Recall 01V261000 was issued, but this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN. Also, clunking on the front driver side at low speed or when turning left. Dealership checked the vehicle and later replaced the brake rotor. Starter were also replaced.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving there was a gasoline odor emitting from the vents of the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over and the hood was opened for inspection. The plastic fuel line failed where the plastic line connects with the steel line. As a result, fuel sprayed onto the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for replacement of the entire fuel line which corrected the problem. The intake manifold failed. Updated 06/12/06. 8jb
1) 2001 Windstar minivan stalled at low idle while making a turn. 2) driver nearly wrecked due to loss of power. Vehicle stalled several more times while moving before repair was done. 3) dealer diagnosed problem as bad fuel intake gaskets which were replaced. Problem persisted until iac valve was cleaned. My conclusion is that the iac valve is to blamed, and could cause accidents due to loss of power while driving.
Frequent stalling and inconsistent engine idle, especially when car is stopped but still in gear (at traffic lights, etc). Parts repaired and/or replaced include: coil wire, cam sensor, cylinder wire and fuel pump. Repeated blown fuses for fuel pump. Even after repairs car still stalls when stopped and engine idle is inconsistent, worse when stopped. Has been a problem with this vehicle since 2002.
Smelled gasoline and found both fuel lines spraying gas at front of engine. Fuel lines appeared to have disintegrated. Took car to Ford dealership - don chalmers in rio rancho, nm. Dealer replaced fuel lines from tank to engine - had to be ordered from michigan. Total cost $667.03 dealer retained parts.
Replaced fuel pump and gas gauge is showing empty when there is 10 gallons of gas in the tank. I have tried to reset it but that doesn't work. Please recall this and fix them. I do a lot of traveling and I do not want to take the chance of running out of gas.
Fuel System complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2001 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2001 Ford Windstar, 1% of the model year's 1,686 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Windstar fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.