2001 Ford Windstar Engine Problems

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP STATES VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE SWAYS UNCONTROLLABLY. *JS

NHTSA ID

10919634

Incident

Oct 12, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID

11055474

Incident

Nov 1, 2017

Mileage

190,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL I'M LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON MANIFOLD IN THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR.

NHTSA ID

10915094

Incident

Oct 1, 2014

Mileage

8,500 mi

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. DURING SOME OF THE OTHER INCIDENTS IT ALSO SEEMED TO HAPPEN DURING LOWER SPEEDS SUCH AS 5 OR 10 MPH HOWEVER TWICE IT HAPPENED GOING HIGHER SPEEDS, ONCE AT 25 MPH AND THE OTHER AT 30 MPH. THANK YOU FOR CHECKING INTO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10760213

Incident

Aug 28, 2015

Mileage

193,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10693218

Incident

Mar 9, 2015

Mileage

133,000 mi

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE MINIVAN WHICH NOW HAS A RUSTED, CORRODED AND BROKEN PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE SUBFRAME WHICH RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I COMPLIED WITH THE EARLIER FORD RECALLS WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE (11S16) AND THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED (6/20/2012) AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. NOW AFTER 27 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 16,000 MILES LATER, THE ENGINE SUBFRAME BREAKS AND THE COST TO REPAIR OF ABOUT $5,000.00 EXCEEDS THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUES FOR THE VEHICLE. FORD HAS REFUSED ANY HELP AND CLAIMS THEY HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL WORK AND THE MATTER IS CLOSED. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SUPPORT BRACKET THAT WAS INSTALLED WAS NOTHING MORE THAT A BAND-AID APPROACH TO CORRECT A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH SUBSTANDARD ENGINE SUBFRAME PARTS. I HAVE ASKED FORD TO BUY MY VEHICLE BACK, AS THAT WAS AN OPTION UNDER THE RECALL(11S16) BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED AGAIN SAYING THE MATTER WAS CLOSED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE ENGINE SUBFRAME PARTS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 13 YEARS OR 97,000 MILES. AFTER ALL FORD SUGGESTS THE 1ST ENGINE TUNE UP FOR THIS VEHICLE AT 100,000 MILES. I GUESS I WON'T BE WORRYING ABOUT THAT IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE THIS VEHICLE NOW FOR A SHORT WHILE AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE BROKEN SUBFRAME. I WILL BE GETTING RID OF IT PROBABLY TO A JUNK YARD FOR SCRAP VALUE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT ALL THE OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS SAME POTENTIAL CONDITION ON OUR ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. I WANT YOU TO INITIATE A FOLLOW UP INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL FIX(11S16) AS SEEN ON MY VEHICLE AND OTHERS. AS A RESULT OF THIS EXPERIENCE, I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD IN MY LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10639916

Incident

Sep 11, 2014

Mileage

96,859 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE MOTOR DETACHED, FELL FROM THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED ALL THE CABLES FOR THE GEAR SHIFT. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, THE AIRBAG, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A REAR AXLE AND THE FRONT SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 236,000.

NHTSA ID

10618226

Incident

Jul 3, 2014

Mileage

236,000 mi

WHILE INVESTIGATING THE 50 MPH FAILURE OF THE PCM MODULE, AND THE ONGOING OFF/ON ACTION OF THE ABS MODULE, I RAN ACROSS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MISTAKE ON PAGE 43-3 OF THE FOMOCO "2001 WIRING DIAGRAMS/WINDSTAR" MANUAL (FCS-12255-01). I EXCHANGED SEVERAL EMAILS, CASE # CAS-4648613-L1X1R6 CRM:03259000003405, WITH THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER ABOUT THIS MATTER UNTIL THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT A DEALER. I SENT THE QUESTIONS TO MY DEALER ASKING FOR CORRECT INFORMATION, BUT THEY HAVEN'T ACKNOWLEDGED MY INQUIRY. WHAT I SUSPECT IS ALL WINDSTAR'S ON THE ROAD TODAY MAY BE OPERATING WITH ONLY ONE-HALF OF THE SCP (J1850 PWM) NETWORK OPERATIONAL. NOW THAT MANY OF THE DEFECTIVE ABS MODULES ARE FAILING, ARE OTHER WINDSTARS IN DANGER OF ENGINE FAILURE AT SPEED LIKE OURS? THE TWO SIMPLE QUESTIONS I ASKED FOMOCO ARE: 1) ARE YOU SURE CIRCUIT 915 (DATA BUS-) SHOULD BE GROUNDED AT THE ABS MODULE? 2) WHAT IS THE PROPER TERMINATION FOR THE FORD DATA BUS (CIRCUITS 914& 915), 120 OHMS, 650 OHMS, 3K OHMS, WHAT AND WHERE?

NHTSA ID

10614430

Incident

Jun 22, 2014

Mileage

159,288 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10610400

Incident

Jul 2, 2014

Mileage

236,000 mi

ALL PARTS ARE AFFECTED, MY CAR WHICH IS FORD WINDSTAR 2001 , IT GOT FIRED BY ITSELF AT EARLY MORNINGS WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND IGNITION WAS OFF, WE ARE THE VICTIM OF THE FORD WINDSTAR 2001,MY CAR IS TOTALLY BURNED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10524818

Incident

Jul 13, 2013

Mileage

98,000 mi

I TOOK MY VAN IN FOR THE 11S16 RECALL AND NOW PROBLEMS ARE TAKING PLACE AFTERWARDS. I GOT MY VAN BACK AND NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND COOLANT IS LEAKING EVERYWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10486496

Incident

Nov 27, 2012

Mileage

1,053,821 mi

7/21/2011 BOUGHT VAN FROM PRIVATE PARTY. RECALL COMPLETED IN MARCH OF 2011 REGARDING BACK AXLE. ON 7/13/2012 8PM, MY 18YR OLD SON, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM LACROSSE PRACTICE, NEARLY KILLED. UPON PULLING OUT ONTO THE MAIN ROAD, HE LOST ALL CONTROLS, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES AND NO POWER. HE COASTED AND PRAYED IT WOULD STOP. I ARRIVED, WE CALLED AAA. FLATBED TO MY HOME DRIVER COULD NOT BELIEVE HIS EYES. THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN OUT. 7/16/12 CALLED FORD IN MICH AND SPOKE TO REP. TO BE TOWED 13 MILES AWAY TO ROUTE 23 AUTO AT OUR EXPENSE. REALLY? ROUTE23 WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH ME (THEY DID RECALL). WENT BACK AND FORTH THEN PER RT23 "IT WILL BE A MONTH UNTIL WE CAN LOOK AT IT" GETTING KNOW WHERE. 7/18-22 BORROWED FRIEND CAR FOR TOURNAMENT. 8/1/12 CALLED MAGARINO FORD AND WITH GREAT CONCERN HAD A FLATBED THAT NIGHT. THIS TOW TRUCK DRIVER COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. FLUIDS RACED OUT AND DOUBLE STABILIZED FOR ENGINE SLIDING DURING TRANSPORT. 8/2/12 MAGARINO CALLED 9AM, PICTURES SENT TO FORD AND AWAITING REPLY. 8/5/12 T/C FROM M STATING FORD REFUSES TO BUY BACK AND SENDING A SUBFRAME. YOU MEAN A RECALLED ONE? MAGARINO CAUGHT IN MIDDLE I QUESTIONED WHETHER HE WOULD PUT HIS CHILDREN IN THIS VAN. HE SOFTLY REPLIED, "NO" WHAT AM I TO DO, OUT OF WORK 2 YEARS, SINGLE PARENT WITH NO CAR TO FIND WORK. 8/8/12 I QUESTIONED FORD WHY THIS VAN EVER LEFT RT 23 AUTO, ACCORDING TO RESEARCHED PAPER A PART WAS WAITING ON. YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT UPON THIS FIXED AXLE NOBODY NOTICED THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED FROM INSIDE OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FALL OUT THE NEXT SUMMER NEARLY KILLING MY SON! BUT THEY SIGNED IT WAS FINE! REALLY? NOW WE HAVE CASE # 1373091992 8/10/12 PICKED UP VAN. BROKE= A/C, R-WINDOW, HEATER ENGINE, AIRBAG, BRAKE LIGHT ON, RUNS HOT STEERING= THUMPS MAKES NOISE (FULL FLUID) SKIP GEARS, SWAYS, BARELY CAN GET UP A HILL. 11YR OLD SCARED TO DRIVE IN IT

NHTSA ID

10477821

Incident

Jul 13, 2012

Mileage

150,000 mi

ABS, BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL ON AT THE SAME TIME. VEHICLE SHAKES LIKE IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF. DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AT REPAIRS, STILL DOES IT AS OF TODAY (2012). *TR

NHTSA ID

10470507

Incident

Nov 10, 2010

Mileage

77,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ACTUATORS FOR THE DOOR LOCKS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10464778

Incident

Jan 11, 2011

Mileage

110,000 mi

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. *TT

NHTSA ID

10459123

Incident

May 16, 2012

Mileage

289,221 mi

WAS RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR JUST STOPPED AND SEEN TRANSMISSION OIL EVERYWHERE ON THE FLOOR AN NOW VAN WONT MOVE BUT TURN ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10454419

Incident

Apr 2, 2012

Mileage

146,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10452079

Incident

Mar 17, 2012

Mileage

186,950 mi

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE LATELY. CAR WOULD NOT START, POWER STEERING WENT OUT, OIL LIGHT STAYS ON, I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN EVERY WEEK, SEAT MOTOR STOP WORKING AND NOW THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. WE WERE DRIVING OUT OF TOWN WITH OUR 3 KIDS AND I WENT TO PRESS THE BRAKES JUST TO FIND THAT IT WAS NOT THERE - IT WAS ALL THE WAY UP UNDER THE DASH BOARD!!!

NHTSA ID

10405228

Incident

May 21, 2011

Mileage

125,655 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE EMISSIONS, ABS AND REAR BRAKES WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10403852

Incident

Aug 1, 2003

AUTOMOBILE LEAKING OIL AND SMOKING. ENGINE, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED UNTIL THEY WERE REMOVED BY THE DEALER I INFORMED HIM THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION AND TOLD HIM OF MY SAFTEY CONCERNS REGARDING THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10398252

Incident

Apr 21, 2011

Mileage

87,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY), AND DURING THE INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE REAR MOUNT ENGINE CRADLE WAS CRACKED WITH SUBSTANTIAL CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10374751

Incident

Sep 17, 2010

Mileage

130,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10365199

Incident

Sep 20, 2002

Mileage

17,055 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10356576

Incident

Jun 26, 2009

Mileage

78,349 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD, UNUSUAL EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND AXLE HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 11/19/10.*LJ ALSO, THE OIL PAN GASKETS WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 11/24/10

NHTSA ID

10347124

Incident

Aug 1, 2010

Mileage

110,000 mi

WHILE ON VACATIONING IN VERMONT. THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. IM A MECHANIC SO I HAD THE CODE READER FOR THE ABS SYSTEM. THE CODE WAS THE INFAMOUS TELL TALE C1185. I REPLACED THE ABS MODULE ONCE. UNFORTUNATELY THE PROBLEM HAS MANIFESTED AGAIN. I'M TEMPTED TO DO AWAY WITH THE SYSTEM, BUT THE WINDSTAR TRANSPORTS MY YOUNG CHILDREN AROUND. ITS LIKE HAVING A GUN TO MY HEAD. WHAT DO I DO? *TR

NHTSA ID

10344913

Incident

May 15, 2010

Mileage

89,000 mi