2001 Ford Windstar Review
2001 Ford Windstar Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Top-flight safety equipment and ratings, plenty of interior features and options, sonar backup warning system.
Cons
- Floaty ride, restricted legroom for second- and third-row passengers, noisy engine.
What’s new
There are several model/series changes, as well as updates to the exterior, interior and powertrain. Ford says a new transmission has improved shift quality and the 3.8-liter V6 is standard on all Windstars. The base model is now called the Windstar LX three-door. The SE Sport is a new trim level and it includes driving lights, painted bumpers and body-side molding, a rear lift gate spoiler, a second-row bucket/console seat, a roof rack with brushed aluminum crossbars, black rocker cladding, and different wheels and tires.
Edmunds says
Safe and powerful, Windstar suffers most from poor packaging.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 Ford Windstar LX 3dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$225/mo for Windstar LX
Windstar LX
vs
$217/mo
Avg. Midsize Minivan
Vehicle overview
Much of the Ford Windstar's reputation is based on safety. And in the highly contested minivan market, that's a pretty good piece of turf upon which to stake a claim. In the many years it has been tested, the Windstar has earned the U.S. government's highest frontal crash-test rating for both the driver and front passenger. Additionally, the Windstar can be equipped with optional side-impact airbags that give the minivan top government marks for side-impact crash safety. Ford has gone even further for 2001, equipping its minivan with dual-stage airbags that deploy based on information provided by new crash severity sensors, seatbelt usage sensors, and a driver's seat position sensor. A low tire-pressure warning system is new, as are safety-belt pretensioners.
Windstar is offered in five different trim levels -- LX, SE, SE Sport, SEL and Limited. The LX is the only trim that can be ordered in three-door form; the rest are four-doors. Power-sliding doors are available on all but the LX.
The Windstar's interior in fairly agreeable, and for 2001 Ford has made minor trim upgrades. There is a new Family Entertainment System with an overhead screen to keep young children occupied. The Dual Media audio system is still available, which allows front-seat passengers to listen to one media such as radio or tape while rear-seat passengers can listen to a separate media (such as a CD) through headphones. Our main complaint about the interior of all Windstars is a lack of legroom for second- and third-row passengers.
On the top-line Limited, you'll now find power heated seats; a memory system for the driver seat, mirror and pedals; a wood and leather steering wheel; chrome door handles; and dual-blade sun visors. The Limited can be identified by its unique 10-spoke aluminum wheels and special Light Parchment Gold paint (black is optional). Inside, floor mats are embroidered with Limited script and door panels have wood grain trim.
Windstar has several new option groups worth noting. The Family Security Group II includes self-sealing tires, a perimeter anti-theft system, a reverse-sensing system and traction control. The Value Group includes an AM/FM cassette and tilt steering with cruise control. The Power Group adds adjustable pedals and a power driver seat. There is also the Convenience Group that includes adjustable pedals, a center-bin storage cover, an illuminated sun visor, interior storage nets and power-heated signal mirrors.
On the road, the Windstar comes up a bit short in terms of ride quality. But overall, it provides a good blend of everyday practicality, useable performance and innovative features. It is also wrapped in a shell that will protect your loved ones from all but the most serious crashes, when properly restrained. As long as you don't need to haul adults in back on a regular basis, it should serve your needs well.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2001 Ford Windstar.
5 star(24%)
4 star(31%)
3 star(26%)
2 star(17%)
1 star(2%)
95 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
No problems here
BigAl, 09/26/2016
2001 Ford Windstar Limited 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
We bought ours used with 171,000 miles. It seems to have been well taken care of. The recall had been out for a couple of years before we bought ours, so when I brought it in, the rush was over and replacement parts were plenty. They replaced the rear axle and reinforced the front subframe free of charge. The van now has 266,000 miles on it and other than routine maintenance, we really … haven't had any issues. The only gripe we have is leg room for the rear seats. You either don't have any in the middle to make the rear seat passengers comfortable or you don't have any in the rear to make the middle seat passengers comfortable. I find it amusing that people complain about having to do routine maintenance. After 100,000 miles you would expect to do struts and wheel bearings on any vehicle. Nothing lasts forever.
UPDATE: 16 years old and almost 280,000 miles and still kicking. This minivan owes us nothing. We've decided to upgrade and bought a 2013 Ford Flex. The Windstar is now my commuter car. It's running so well, there's no reason to get rid of it.
UPDATE: 291,000 on original engine and transmission. I was going to finally retire it at the end of the year, but it's running so well, we've decided to keep it another couple of years at least. It's nice having two separate vehicles capable of hauling the whole family.
UPDATE: 304,000 miles and still counting. Don't know what else to say other than I have no plans to replace her anytime soon.
UPDATE: 329,000 miles and no major issues. This is by far the most reliable and best "bang for your buck" of any vehicle I've ever owned. Don't get me wrong, I've had to do repairs, but nothing above routine maintenance..
UPDATE: 19 years and 337,000 miles. I'm finally putting her out to pasture. The transmission gave out on my way to pick up my son from school. At this point, it's no longer worth repairing. She has served us well. With all the complaints I've heard about the Windstar over the years, I've never experienced any of those issues and would gladly do it all over again if I had the chance. We will definitely miss "daddy's van".
5 out of 5 stars
Loved my van
Linda Studer, 11/16/2009
2001 Ford Windstar SE 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
We purchased our van new and it has been an excellent vehicle. The electric doors were a great feature new but after a few years they began to not work all of the time. Last year at 160000 had trouble with the break light, engine light coming on and it has stayed on. I would still be driving today at 209000 miles if I hadn't encountered a deer.
4 out of 5 stars
Lots of mileage on this van!
philwil21, 05/18/2012
2001 Ford Windstar SE 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
Our ford van has done us great in the past 11 years.
Yes it had all the recalls on it but ford fixed each one.
The reason we got rid of the van is at 298,000 miles it thrown a rod through the block. It was unexpected with no warning.
Only major repair I had to pay for was the intake gaskets leaking and manifold needed replaced. I fixed & maintained the rest except tires. No transmission … issues even at 298,000.
We feel lucky compared to some other reviewers.
Thank you ford
4.5 out of 5 stars
happy with windstar
massroor1969, 10/20/2013
2001 Ford Windstar SE Sport 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
I have ford windstar minivan and I am driving it from
2010 I naiver have any problem with it. I drive it across Canada along with towing UHALL container from Ontario to Saskatoon I really enjoy the comfort drive
2001 Windstar Highlights
LX
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $22,185 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $225/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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