KnownCarProblems2002 Ford Windstar Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,353 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Windstar, most often about the brakes (42% of complaints, typically around 98,000 miles). It is 4th of 6 Windstar model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2002 Ford Windstar problems
Brakes
563 complaints · 42%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, fluid, brake fluid low warning.
2002 Ford Windstar with inoperable cruise control, odometer, A/C temp. Control, ABS light remains on and other related electrical malfunctions. Vehicle is leaking brake fluid and I have no doubt I'm experiencing the same problem thousands of other Windstar owners are with a contaminated "brake pressure differential…
The ABS and brake lights are intermittenly coming on and going off on my 2002 Ford Windstar sel. This started in may 2008 at 97,000 miles.
Suspension
279 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 133,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front, multiple axle.
I was driving my 2002 for Windstar and the roads were snowy and slippery. While driving the van seemed to slide and sway in the back. I assumed it was from the snowy roads and took the van home. 2 days later when the roads were pretty well cleared I took the van out again. While driving on clear pavement the van…
2002 Ford Windstar rear axle beam broke in half while making a left hand turn. The van started swaying in the rear earlier in the day and we thought it was because of ice and snow on the roads that day. On good pavement we did not experience any issues. We stopped and looked at the tires and they all looked fine , and…
Electrical
261 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
The ABS light came on. First yellow, then red. This was the first time this happened and after doing a google search I found this is a manufacturers problem caused by the expansion of a large aluminum plate in the ECM which is attached to the ECM main circuit at all points. The problem was temporarily resolved by…
Normal driving of van and both brake and ABS light came on, then the speedometer and odometer went out, took it to get repaired, repair shop said that the master cyd., cruise control sensor and p-tail needed to be replaced and that fluid was leaking everywhere! ! Old parts kept! !
Speed control
147 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.
Cruise control on 2002 Ford Windstar started working intermittently. Research online shows a defective switch on the master brake cylinder is a very common failure that causes this. This switch is used on many Ford vehicles and was subject of recall due to fire hazard. For some reason the recall doesn't apply to my…
My husband, my 7 month old baby and I were driving on our way to lunch at about 30 MPH when we noticed smoke coming out of the hood of our 2002 Ford Windstar. Immediately smoke filled up our cabin through the vents. My husband pulled over to the side of the road, and I quickly got my baby out of the van. My husband…
Body and structure
101 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 115,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
2002 Ford Windstar with 118,000 miles. Rear axle cracked. Had to replace axle for 1000. My family could have been killed. I have seen many complaints about this. Do something.
1.my wife was traveling east bound on rt59 in stow, oh at 36 mi/hr. There had been a knocking noise coming from what we thought was the rear driver's side tire the week prior. We had a mechanic work on the brakes and fluids and asked to investigate the sound. The mechanic was unable detect anything wrong with the…
Transmission
97 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 113,000 miles. Parts named most often: axle assembly, automatic transmission, driveline.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving between 65-70 MPH he lost vehicle control without prior warning. He was able to safely pull the vehicle to the side of the road. Upon further inspection he noticed that the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. The…
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving 25 MPH when there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact discovered the rear axle was fractured. The contact was concerned that if she were driving at a faster speed she could potentially have been involved in a crash. The…
Service Brakes, Electric
83 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles.
1-1-08, smoke from engine on a road trip, noticed leak from hoses connected to ABS, (brake fluid). Connector melted and was removed. Melted deactivation switch, continual loss of brake fluid, new brakes installed to no avail, continual squeak of brakes. Complete loss of brakes over the last few months. Almost in two…
1. City driving, frequent stops, and warm weather. 2. Abs and brake warning lights come on. Abs is intermittent at best. Sometimes loss of braking. 3. Stopped driving vehicle. Wait for ECM/ABS module to cool down. 4. I am not an engineer, but it doesn't make sense to me to have a heat sink on the other side of a…
Other or unspecified
43 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
The ABS and brake light indicators turn on sporadically and remain on until the car is restarted. I have watched for some patterns, but seen few. Cooler weather keeps them off longer and when it is hotter out, then they turn on quickly. I might also drive the car for 30-45 minutes before they turn on, and when I…
2002 Ford Windstar; the rear axle broke in two while driving at 40 MPH. Both tires tilted out, axle cracked a little to the left of center while looking at it from the rear of the vehicle. Fortunately my wife was able to control the van. I understand this has happened in hundreds of windstars, and something needs to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Ford Windstar recalls
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on october 21, 2015. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15s27.
Full defect summary
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 cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for NHTSA recalls 10v-385, 12v-193, and 12v-195.
Suspension: control arm
Risk: A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft. Either condition could result in significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe and make the necessary repairs free of charge. The recall began on june 18, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the state of virginia. Corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments may occur.
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket on the rear axle or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be provided free of charge. The recall began on june 1, 2012. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, registered in puerto rico. Due to increased stresses caused by high cycles of torsional loading, specific to this market, the rear axle can crack.
Transmission: axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
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. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which, if undetected, can increase and result in a complete fracture of the axle.
Body and structure: underbody shields
Risk: This could result in reduced steering control increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets, and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe, and make the necessary repairs free of charge. If repairs cannot be made to a vehicle, ford will offer to repurchase the vehicle. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before february 21, 2011. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, utah, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin. A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft.
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: As parts become available, dealers will inspect and if necessary install the rear axle reinforcement brackets free of charge. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and currently registered or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin. After many years of vehicle service in these areas, corrosion can weaken the rear axle, making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which if undetected can propagate and result in a complete fracture of the axle.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: If the latches on th4e second or third row seats of the vehicle release in a crash, the potential for occupant injury is increased.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat-to-floor latches on the second and third row of seats. Owner notification began on november 21, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain minivans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." during testing, a third row bench floor-to-seat latch released before the strength requirement was met. Identical latches are used in the second row of seats.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front subframe corrosion failures
Summary
In a january 26, 2011 defect information report, ford motor company (ford) notified the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address corrosion related fractures in the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe in approximately 425,288 model year (my) 1999 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles manufactured from april 1998 to july 2003 and either sold or currently registered in the following high corrosion (salt-belt) states:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new ham
Front subframe corrosion failures
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has identified 346 complaints to odi and ford alleging fracture, cracking and or excessive corrosion of the front subframes in model year (my) 1999 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles.approximately 97 percent of these complaints (334) involve vehicles that have been operated in salt belt states, which make up approximately 60 percent of the subject vehicle sales in the united states.the front subframe, sometimes referred to as the engine cradle, is a structural component of the windstar vehicles that carries the engine, transaxle, steering rack and certain front suspension components (e.g., lower control arm).for complaints with sufficient informatio
Rear axle cracking
Summary
In a letter dated august 26, 2010, ford motor company (ford) submitted a defect information report notifying NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 10v-385) to address a rear axle defect in model year (my) 1998 through 2003 ford windstar vehicles built at the oakville assembly plant from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and either sold or currently registered in high corrosion (salt-belt) states where the use of salt and other corrosive chemicals may be used to treat snow/ice covered roads.the following states are included in ford's recall:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan,
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Ea08-021 is closed with ford's actions in recall 09v-399 recalling approximately 4.5 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).with this recall ford has now recalled all of the approximate 16 million ford model vehicles that were manufactured from my 1992 through 2003 with a texas instruments scds.NHTSA will continue to monitor the recalled vehicles to ensure remedies installed by ford tomitigate the potential for scds related fires are effective.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for further details.
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Odi has received 134 consumer complaints, 285 manufacturer complaints, and 137 manufacturer warranty claims alleging incidents of engine compartment fire in model year (my) 1995 thru 2003 ford windstar vehicles.two of the odi complaints allege the fires caused structural damage to the complainant's home.of the 134 odi complaints, 36 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was parked, 72 allege the fire occurred while the vehicle was running and 26 of the complaints do not specify if the vehicle was running or not.further review of the odi complaints shows that 72 allege that the speed control deactivation switch (scds) caused the fire and 10 allege that the scds leaked brake fluid on to t
Power sliding door opening
Summary
The subject vehicles are equipped with single or dual power sliding doors (psd).approximately 111,000 vehicles have dual power sliding doors.the psd is opened by any of 5 methods, the inside or outside manual door handle, the key fob, the overhead console switch and the b-pillar switch.the door may be opened only under these conditions: ignition key is in off/accessories/on/start position, gear selector in park, vehicle speed less than 6 MPH, and door unlocked.the psd latch is located at the rear of the door and has a secondary and primary latch position.full and proper closure engages both the secondary and primary latch.with the ignition in the on position, as the gear selector is moved ou
Questions about the 2002 Ford Windstar
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Windstar?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (563 complaints, typically around 98,000 miles); suspension (279 complaints, typically around 133,000 miles); electrical (261 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Windstar have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 29, 2015 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Ford Windstar?
- It is 4th of 6 Windstar model years by number of complaints, with 1,353 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.