2002 Ford Windstar problems
The 2002 Ford Windstar has 1,928 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (35%) concerns brakes. Next are suspension (15%) and electrical system (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,928 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 35% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 72 and 73
- Injuries and deaths
- 71 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 101,000 miles 1,576 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 58 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 45 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 96 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 219 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 323 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 269 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 226 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 143 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 92 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 64 |
| 200k+ miles | 41 |
What the data shows
Of the 1,576 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 101,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 95,000 miles (566 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 72 complaints mention a crash; 73 complaints mention a fire; 71 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 11 model years of the Ford Windstar with enough data (325 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 8 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Transmission in our 2002 ford windstar mini van made abnormal noises for about 2 months. Vehicle was taken to dealership of purchase for inspection, and they attributed the problem to tire and wheel alignment. All four tires were replaced with alignment. Also, transmission noise persisted,and vehicle was returned to dealership. Again nothing wa s found wrong on inspection with instructions to return later for more complete examination.
Cruise control switch recently replaced brake fluid was leaking may have faulty switch or master cylinder damaged during installation causing fluid leak that is highly flammable causing fire or smoke from 2002 windstar master cylinder and brake booster were faulty.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that both the yellow ABS and the red brake light illuminate intermittently. He stated that the lights would stay off for approximately 2-3 days and then illuminate again. The contact stated that the failure was caused by a circuit failure in the ABS unit in the computer programming. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall or service bulletin available. The failure and current mileages were 56,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. When the vehicle was started, the air bag indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicator would not dim once the vehicle was in motion. The following day, the contact called the dealer and was informed that the air bags would not deploy if the indicator remained lit. The dealer also stated that there were no recalls available for the failure; therefore, they were not liable for the repairs. The manufacturer was not notified.