Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
2001 Ford Windstar. I took it to the dealership to have some safety recalls done. A few days later I was driving along and smoke started boiling out from under the hood so I pulled over and by the time I got stopped and got the kids out safely it quit smoking. I raised the hood and could see some burned wiring under the brake master cylinder. We got back in and drove on then the transmission started shifting wrong and the brake pedal didn't feel right,it felt spongy. I took it to my mechanic who is ase master and Ford senior master certified. He replaced the trans range sensor and told me that the fire was caused by a defective cruise control deactivation switch leaking brake fluid.he replaced the switch and advised me to take it back to the dealer and have them do the recall which is what they were supposed to have done in the first place. …
I bought this car used 1 yr and 8 months ago .. Haven't had any major problems with it. We received the recall for the rear axle, they checked it out was fine, we never received this last recall in 2011 but it May have helped if we did. On dec 2 I was pulling out of a school, was at a complete stop then started pulling out to take a right only going about 5 MPH we heard a bang (something fell in the front end) then the car just took over, there was no steering, the throttle stuck took us from 5 MPH to about 30 MPH in like 3 seconds crossing 4 lanes of traffic and just missing 2 vehicles, I crashed into a sign, 2 fences and a tree which made us stop, there was this awful sound that was getting faster and faster, we jumped out of the car because we thought it was going to blow up!!! Everything that is in the front end is laying on the ground!! …
While driving the vehicle at highway speeds, I heard a crunching sound in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then began to sway on the road. I had to slow my speeds and pull over at a safe spot, which was a parking lot to inspect what the issue was. After inspection, I noted the passenger rear tire was at an angle with the top of the tire inward touching the frame. I took the vehicle to the closest repair shop where I found from their inspection that the axle was broke and the vehicle was not driveable. My vehicle was part of the Ford Windstar axle recall, which was serviced by the local Ford dealer in 2012. This vehicle had the reinforcements added to the axle in 2012. The axle broke between the reinforced plates welded to the axle during the recall check. …
Recall rear axle cracks. I took my Ford 2001 Windstar for 3rd recall and learned that I have cracks in my axle. Ford dealer and customer services said that the offer f discounted replacement expired on October 30th 2016 where I need to pay full price to fix it. We cannot afford to pay and why is consumer paying for defective parts which was the original recall where deaths occurred? Instead of replacing the parts, Ford was allowed to put brackets to hold up the axle. The defect is still there and now consumer are driving unsafe and when realized of situation, a substantial cost by the consumer to correct Ford's negligence. Why it is allow and what can be done for working folks who cannot replace new cars. We took a lot of care of our car so we can have a car. Why is Ford not responsible to correct their problem at no cost to the consumer?
While driving with my three small children, the rear axle of my van broke. I was going at a minimal rate of speed and was able to pull over without injury. This vehicle has been subject to numerous recalls, several of which have included corrosion of the subframe and axle. Our local Ford dealership is telling me that I May be responsible for payment for repair of the recalled product. However, I do not feel safe driving this vehicle anymore. They have stated that they will repair the damaged part with the same rear axle that has been recalled numerous times. This is not a remedy. I am trying to get them to consider a trade-in or product buy-back. If they will not, I will be leaving a signed statement with new south Ford (meridian, ms) stating that I do not feel comfortable driving the vehicle off the lot due to the risk of rear axle corrosion/failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of an unknown recall regarding the rear axle. The contact took the vehicle to blackwell Ford inc (41001 Plymouth rd, Plymouth, mi 48170; [phone]) where it was determined that a repair was not needed. The recall was deemed completed. Approximately two years after the recall, the vehicle underwent routine inspection and it was diagnosed that the rear axle fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who informed the contact that, due to the vehicle passing inspection for the recall, they were unable to provide the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 113,628.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the rear of the vehicle failed to stay in position. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear driver side tire tilted inwards. In addition, the contact stated that while attempting to reverse after inspecting the vehicle, the axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 12V193000 (power train ) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,361.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear driver side tire was crooked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear axle cracked and needed to be replaced. In addition, the dealer informed the contact that the axle was replaced from a previous recall, NHTSA campaign number: 12v1930000 (power train); however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 194,000. The VIN was not available.
While driving axle broke on van while going down alley. Contacted Ford motor company end result they say reinike Ford a dealership in lima, ohio replaced the faulty support brackets in 2011. Which was a recall on van. While all along dealership wasn't telling me they did the recall work. I feel this needs to be addressed before someone losses there life. Which there were drivers that have lost there life and many seriously hurt because of the same issue. Ford has put there recall out. But something needs done with the dealer.
Driving home I heard a thud and my 2001 Ford Windstar spun off the road. Turns out the axle cracked in half and almost killed me. Towed the car into the Ford dealership and even though there is an open safety recall on my Windstar and Ford knows of thousand of axle problems they said that it is not covered. Ford's way of getting put of it even though my brothers 2003 Windstar axle failed and yet Ford covered that one. This is not right. They know there axles are bad and have had three safety recalls on these axles.
Related recalls
Power train › Axle assembly
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997, through July 3, 2003, and currently registered or originally sold in virginia. Over time, corrosion can weaken the rear axle making it susceptible to torsional stress.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2012.
Transmission complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 145 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Ford Windstar, 9% of the model year's 1,686 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (48 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Windstar transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-193 (axle assembly, May 3, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Windstar transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 107,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.