The 2001 Ford Windstar has 10 recalls, the most serious being a rear axle that can crack and fracture from corrosion or stress, causing sudden loss of vehicle control. This axle issue appears across several filings, and one of those recalls specifically notes that prior repair attempts using bracket installations may not have been completed correctly, meaning some previously serviced vehicles may still be at risk. A separate chassis concern involves front lower control arm brackets that can corrode and fracture, allowing the control arm to separate and reducing steering control. There is also a recall covering underbody components that, if compromised, can reduce steering control as well.
On the driver input side, vehicles with the adjustable pedal option can have the floor mat catch the accelerator pedal and hold the throttle open, making the vehicle difficult to slow down. Two restraint-related recalls cover sensor mounting screws that may be missing from the crash sensor or restraint control module housing, which can affect airbag and seatbelt performance in a crash, and second- and third-row bench seat latches that can release under load, allowing the seat to move. Water intrusion through a missing body sealer near the rear of the vehicle can cause a short circuit in the rear wiring harness.