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2001 Ford Windstar

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Windstar.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Ford Windstar is a VAN equipped with a 4-spd Automatic transmission that achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 16/22/18 mpg and requires 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API oil. Ownership records for this model year document 16 recalls and 1725 total owner complaints, with the Suspension identified as the top complaint area. Within the full model history spanning 1990 to 2005, the 2001 variant sits between the highest complaint volume of 3777 in 1995 and the lowest count of 1 in 2005. This positioning places the 2001 model in the middle of the complaint spectrum, showing a reduction from the 1995 high while remaining well above the 2005 low.

Model year2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	200.8 in
Overall width	75.2 in
Overall height	65.7 in
Wheelbase	120.9 in
Curb weight	3730 lb
Track (front / rear)	64.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 22 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	59 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	24 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	715 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	15 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque	5.0-11.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	10, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	2 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	Front A/C only, 2.75; front and rear A/C, 3.50. lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	68
Oil Capacity	Front A/C only, 10.00; front and rear A/C, 14.00. oz
Optional BCI Group Number	65
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	750 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	65

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30.0-45.0
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	40-125 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	2500 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.030 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.030
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.97 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	14 ft. lbs.	14 ft. lbs
2	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
3	36 ft. lbs.; Perform following 3 steps on each bolt; before moving to next bolt in sequence	36 ft. lbs
1	loosen 2-3 turns
2	if long bolt	30–37 ft. lbs
3	turn 175-185 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence	175–185 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., Step 2: 115-120

37 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2001 Ford Windstar sits at a pivotal point in its generation’s federal record. Complaints spiked dramatically in 1995 (3,777) and remained elevated through 2003, but the 2001 model year—with 1,725 complaints—marks a slight increase from 2000 (1,693) and precedes a gradual decline in subsequent years. Recalls and investigations followed a similar arc, peaking in 1998 (20 recalls, 15 investigations) before stabilizing at 16 recalls and 8 investigations for both 2000 and 2001. The top complaint areas for 2001—suspension (291), structure (183), and hydraulic brakes (180)—align with broader trends, though crash (67) and fire (64) complaints remain notable. This year reflects the tail end of the generation’s most scrutinized period, suggesting lingering reliability concerns but no new escalation. **Takeaway:** While not the worst year, the 2001 Windstar’s elevated complaint volume and recall history make it a less favorable choice compared to post-2002 models.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

182

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,725

Owner complaints

67 involved a crash · 64 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00’01’02 ’03 ’04 ’05

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,725 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension291

Structure183

Service Brakes, Hydraulic180

Service Brakes129

Power Train104

Electrical System90

Vehicle Speed Control57

Suspension,Structure44

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 16 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V608000Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle AssemblyReported 29/09/2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be…

12V193000Power Train:Axle AssemblyReported 03/05/2012

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 182 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
16-0065	2020-04-20	Structure	For 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 11S16 has been issued for vehicles that are…
TSB160070	2016-04-21	Suspension	Safety recall 10S13 - Rear axle corrosion - requests for recall service action
16-0070	2016-04-21	Suspension	For 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 10S13 has been issued for vehicles that are…
TSB160065	2016-04-20	Structure	Safety recall 11s16 - LCA rear attaching flanges or rear subframe body mount corrosion…
CSP-15-N-02	2015-09-29	Suspension	SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Windstar. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 Windstar take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Windstar have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Windstar get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.