NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Windstar. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION) BUT THE DEALER ONLY HAD PLACED A SEALANT AS A REMEDY. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DEALER SHOULD HAD INSTALLED REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS TO SUPPORT THE REAR AXLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
AFTER READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS, I AM LITERALLY IN SHOCK! NOT TO MENTION SCARED TO DEATH NOT ONLY FOR MY CHILD'S LIVES, BUT FOR MYSELF/HUSBAND AND OTHER CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER'S & FRIENDS THAT HAVE ALSO TRAVELED WITH US PAST/PRESENT! THIS IS A SHAME, THAT THIS MANY WINDSTARS HAVE ALL HAD THIS MANY/RELATIVE PROBLEMS! I FOR ONE COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW EVERY REVIEW FROM SO MANY STATES WERE ALL LINKED! AS I READ MANY OF THESE REVIEWS/COMPLAINTS I HONESTLY HAD TO ASK MYSELF HAVE I POSTED HERE BEFORE? -AS YOU CAN TELL MY WINDSTAR IS YET ANOTHER VICTIM ADDED TO THE LIST. I TOOK MY VAN IN YESTERDAY TO A FORD DEALER FOR THE RECALLS, PICKED IT UP TODAY. I WAS GIVEN A INSPECTION REPORT CARD WITH DIFFERENT SYSTEMS/COMPONENTS/TIRE/BRAKE WEAR ETC... 3 BOXES ALONG SIDE OF EACH GREEN, YELLOW & RED WITH THE SIMILAR MEANING AS A STOP LIGHT. GREEN=OK, YELLOW=MAY REQUIRE FUTURE ATTENTION & RED=IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT MY TIRES BOX WERE CHECKED YELLOW FOR ALL 4. THIS SEEMED ODD TO ME CONSIDERING I HAVE A RECEIPT THAT SHOWS IT HASN'T BEEN A MONTH SINCE I HAD 2 BRAND NEW GOODYEARS PUT ON THE FRONT! HOWEVER, I DO AGREE WITH THE REMARK REGARDING THE BACK. BUT THIS CONCERNED ME AS TO WHAT TYPE OF INSPECTION MY VAN HAD WENT UNDER.?. AND NEED I SAY BEFORE I GOT HOME FROM A 25 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE FORD DEALER MY ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ARE BACK ON, SURPRISE! I'M GOING TO CONTACT FORD IN THE MORNING, IN REGARDS OF HOPEFULLY GETTING A HELPFUL ANSWER/EXPLANATION OR AT LEAST A ANOTHER APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR A SECOND OPINION REGARDING MY RECALL INSPECTION! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS) AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME AND MEMBERS HOWEVER, THE ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT WAS FOUND TO BE SEVERELY CORRODED AND CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO GUARANTEE THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE EFFECTIVE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE ENGINE MOUNT, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,526 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT STAYS ON IN THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES AT THE PRESENT TIME. AT ONE TIME THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF (WAS WORSE WHEN IT WAS HUMID OUT). HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS BRAKE PARTS. *TR
THE REAR AXLE OF MY 2002 WINDSTAR CRACKED WHILE DRIVING. *TR
MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN DRIVER SLIDING DOOR WONT OPEN AND DOOR LOCKS WONT CROSS OVER AT TIMES CAUSE SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY CHILD IF THERE WAS A FIRE OR SOMETHING NOBODY COULD GET OUT THAT DOOR IV SEEN NUMEROUS ISSUES ON-LINE WITH OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THERE DOOR AND DOOR LOCKS ON THERE 2002 WINDSTAR I HOPE SOMEONE WILL LOOK IN TO THIS ORDER A RECALL OF THE BAD PARTS OF THE LOCKS AND LATCHES. *TR
BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. ABS/ BRAKE LIGHT REMAIN ON. SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY (INACCURATE READING). *JS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V399000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE TO THE ABS. THE SPEEDOMETER WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE ODOMETER FAILED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE THE CURRENT MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 378860041 AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILES WAS 161,000 AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
I'M ONE OF THE LUCKY FOLKS THAT HAS A 2002 WINDSTAR SITTING IN MY LOCAL FORD LOT WAITING ON THE REAR AXLE TO COME IN SO IT CAN BE REPAIRED. WHAT I WANTED YOU TO KNOW IS THAT MY SUBFRAME IS VERY RUSTY TOO. I HAVEN'T HAD A FAILURE YET, BUT MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED I GET IT UNDERCOATED TO TRY TO STOP IT FROM DETERIORATING EVEN MORE. I'M VERY CONCERNED AS IT'S MY WIFE'S CAR USUALLY, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO INSPECT EACH ONE OF THESE CARS WHILE THEY'RE SITTING IN THEIR LOTS TO DETERMINE IF FAILURE IS IMMINENT (LIKE WHAT THEY DID WITH THE AXLES). THAT WOULD BE VERY LITTLE TO ASK AND EASILY DONE SINCE THEY'RE STILL TELLING US THE AXLES WON'T BE AVAILABLE TILL POSSIBLY LATE MARCH. THANK YOU./CGS
MY WIFE'S 2002 FORD WINDSTAR HAS HAD THE ABS & BRAKE LIGHT ON, ON OUR DASHBOARD FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. FORD DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO THINK IT A NON ISSUE OR A BRAKE ISSUE. ALL OF MY BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I HAVE NARROWED IT TO THE ABS ECM MODULE. *KB
2002 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES RECALL INSPECTION WAS DONE AND PAINT WAS REMOVED FROM LARGE AREA'S OF REAR AXLE FOR INSPECTION. AXLE HAS RUSTED HEAVILY IN THE THREE MONTHS SINCE INSPECTION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS REFUSED TO RESPOND TO LETTERS SENT *TGW
CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME WITH MY ABS-BRAKE LIGHT ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR? *TR
RED BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHT STOPPING DISTANCE WAS FURTHER THAN NORMAL AND VAN SKIDDED ON WET ROAD. NEED TO ADJUST STOPPING DISTANCE AS IT WAS ALOT FURTHER TO COME TO A STOP. LIGHT IS AN INTERMITANT ISSUE ALONG WITH STOPPING DISTANCE. *TT
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MY AIR BAG WENT OFF. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR AND JUST CROSSED A RAILROAD TRACK. THERE WAS NO COLLISION AND NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE APROX COST TO REPLACE AIRBAGS IS 2000 FORD SAYS THEY CANT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHY IT DID IT BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. *TR
FORD WINDSTAR VAN, WHICH WAS ALREADY SUBJECT TO REAR AXLE RECALL, AND THE REAR AXLE DID BREAK ON IT IN MAY, AND WAS REPLACED AND I RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT FROM FORD. HOWEVER, ANOTHER INCIDENT HAPPENED IN DECEMBER. MY 21 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVING THIS VAN ON THURSDAY, DEC. 16. THE VAN LOST TRACTION AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT, PULLING HIM INTO A DITCH AND DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT OF THE VAN WAS RIPPED OFF, TIRES SLASHED, VAN ALMOST FLIPPED OVER, AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. HE HIT A DIRT EMBANKMENT HEAD ON GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH. THE ROADS WERE ICY THAT DAY, AND HE WAS ON A CURVE... THE VAN WOULD NOT RESPOND TO STEERING TO CORRECT THE DIRECTION THE VAN WAS GOING. I EXPERIENCED SOMETHING SIMILAR LAST WINTER; THE VAN SEEMED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, GOING OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT OFF THE ROAD, IT WAS IN A SHALLOW DITCH AND IT CAUSED NO DAMAGE TO THE VAN. MY SON WAS NOT AS FORTUNATE, AND HE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. I FEEL THAT THIS MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION... THE VAN COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED, AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. OUR INSURANCE CO. IS TAKING CARE OF THIS, AND I DON'T KNOW THE CURRENT LOCATION OF THE VAN. IT IS TOTALED, I KNOW THAT. I ASKED STATE FARM TO CHECK OUT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FOR WEAKNESS OR RUST, BUT DON'T KNOW IF THEY'LL KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE FRONT IS SO DAMAGED FROM THE WRECK THAT THE TIRES ARE TURNED SIDEWAYS, AND I BELIEVE THE FRONT AXLE IS BROKEN. PLEASE SEND SOMEONE TO LOOK AT MY VAN, AND SEE WHAT CAUSED THIS WRECK; MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU'VE DONE SO FAR.... YOUR ORGANIZATION IS SO VALUABLE TO CONSUMERS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE O/D LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF..ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON AFTER I HAVE TURNED HE VAN OFF.. THIS HAS RESULTED IN A DEAD BATTERY AT THE END OF THE DAY. 2002 FOR WINDSTAR CARGO VAN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO CAVE IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PART BEING ON A BACK ORDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
YELLOW ABS DASH LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY AND ALSO THE RED BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON AT THE SAME TIME AS THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT AND IS ALSO RANDOM, SOME TIMES THEY STAY FOR DAYS AND GO OFF FOR A SHORT TIME BUT COME ON AGAIN LATER. *TR
WHILE DRIVING OUR VAN FIRST SEEMED TO BE PULLING IN THE BACK TO THE RIGHT (REAR PASSENGER SIDE. MY HUSBAND INSPECTED THE TIRE AND THOUGHT MAYBE WE NEED TO GET NEW TIRES SOON. IT SEEMED TO BE SOMEWHAT DRIVABLE WHEN WE WERE ON THE DRY PAVEMENT, BUT WE HAVE ALOT OF SNOW COVERED ROADS AS WELL AND ON THESE THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY UNMANAGEABLE. IT WAS CONSTANTLY FISHTAILING THE WHOLE WAY DOWN OUR SNOW COVERED RURAL ROAD. WHEN WE FINALLY GOT HOME, MY HUSBAND PULLED IT INTO THE GARAGE. RIGHT AWAY HE NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS TURNED INWARD, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN VISIBLE A FEW HOURS EARLIER WHEN HE HAD INSPECTED IT. WHEN HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH, SURE ENOUGH THE BACK AXEL WAS BROKEN ABOUT 1/4 OF THE WAY FROM THE RIGHT WHEEL. I AM GRATEFUL WE MADE IT HOME SAFELY. THREE TIMES ON OUR WAY HOME OUR VAN WAS FISHTAILING AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND WE NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT. VERY SCARY! I COULDN'T DRIVE OVER 45 MPH ON THE PAVEMENT, OR 20 MPH ON THE SNOW COVERED, SLUSH COVERED ROADS. THE VAN FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIDING ALL OVER FROM THE BACK. *TR
THE BRAKE LIGHT, ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ARE LIT AND THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL MECHANISMS NO LONGER WORK. THIS RESULTS IN INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCES AND POOR PERFORMANCE ON SNOW AND ICE. THIS IS FOR A FORD WINDSTAR 2002. *LN
NOTICED AT THIS TIME AND SEVERAL OTHER TIMES THAT THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND I WOULD LOOSE THIS SYSTEM AND BRAKES WOULD LOCK AND ALSO HAVE NO BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY. WORSE IN HOT WEATHER THAN IN COLD. *TR
2002 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT IN FOR INSPECTION FOR A RECALL THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE AXLE WAS CRACKED. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD BE 3-4 MONTHS BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS RETURNED TO HIM. PRIOR TO THE AXLE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR DOOR WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY OPEN. *JB
2002 FORD WINDSTAR LX. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRAKE SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, ENGINE GASKET AND FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS COMES ON AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. DOES THIS PERIODICALLY EACH TIME IT IS DRIVEN. WAS TOLD BY FORD DEALERSHIP & INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT IT WAS A FAULTY ABS BRAKE MODULE & THAT THE REGULAR BRAKES WERE FINE BUT ABS WAS NOT WORKING CAUSING WARNING LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. *TR
I OWN A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH WAS RECALLED IN DECEMBER 2009 FOR THE LEAKING SCDS, FORD REF 09S09. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE SWITCH BY INSTALLING A JUMPER SWITCH IN THE HARNESS. TODAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2010, I HAVE HAD MY VAN BACK AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AS I HAVE HAD A MAJOR BRAKE FLUID LEAK FROM THE SCDS WHICH WAS LEAKING ONTO MY ABS MODULE SWITCH. I ASSUMED THIS WAS COVERED UNDER THE EXISTING RECALL, BUT FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND I HAD TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. I HAD THE SERVICE REP CONTACT FORD, CANADA AND AGAIN THEY REFUSED TO WARRANTY THE REPAIR. I AM DISGUSTED AT THE ATTITUDE OF FORD. I HAD TO PUT IN 500ML OF BRAKE FLUID INTO MY MASTER CYLINDER OVER A PERIOD OF 3 DAYS, THAT'S HOW BAD MY LEAK WAS. THE SERVICE REP AT FORD CONFIRMED THAT THE SCDS WAS LEAKING AND AFTER I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VAN FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STILL REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD DONE ALL THEY COULD UNDER THE EXISTING RECALL NUMBER 09S09 AND THAT WAS ALL THEY WERE OBLIGED TO DO. I WOULD LIKE THIS DOCUMENTED AS THIS WAS A SERIOUS BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND A POTENTIAL FIRE RELATED INCIDENT AND FORD OF CANADA REFUSED TO DEAL WITH THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THANKS *TR
LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. THE MINIVAN HAS BEEN RECALLED DUE TO LEAKING SCDS. AND WAS RECTIFIED BY FORD DEALERSHIP. OVER PAST FEW DAYS I HAVE HAD TO PUT IN BRAKE FLUID AND HAVE NOTICED FLUID UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER. *TR
2002 FORD WINDSTAR - HAVING ISSUES WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON, ABS LIGHT ON AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON. HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. BRAKING DISTANCE IS GREATLY INCREASED. ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY), HE WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 89,600.
ABS ANTI-SKID AND BRAKE LITES SUDDENLY APPEAR ON THE DASH MONITORING SYSTEM WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING WRONG. KEEPS ON OCCURRING WHEN BRAKES GET HOT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NOVEMBER 2010 FOR RECALL REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR:AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REMAIN AT THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
I OWN A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN AND HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT STAYING ON. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP FOR RECALL WORK AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I HAD THE ABS MODULE REPLACED AND THE LIGHT STILL STAYS ON. THE VEHICLE SMELLS LIKE BURNING FLUID AFTER BEING DRIVEN AND THE BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT TWICE NOW FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. *TR
BRAKE LIGHT (RED) SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STOP WORKING CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ACTIVATE OR DEACTIVATES WITHOUT WARNING ABS BRAKE LIGHT (YELLOW) FORD TROUBLE CODE C1185 PROBLEM CODES P0171, P0174, P0401 171,174,401, EGR OR SYSTEM TOO LEAN ISSUE. *KB
I WAS ON HIGH WAY, 45 MPH AND MY CAR UNEXPECTED LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER. SO I WAS UNABLE TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY LINE, MY MECHANIC PUT A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AND FIX THE PROBLEM, THE WAS IN NOVEMBER 2010, COLD WEATHER. *TR
I WAS DRIVING TO RENO NEVADA FROM CALFORNIA WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE, I PULLED OVER AND OPEN THE HOOD AND I SEEN THAT MY PLUG THAT GOES UNDER THE BRAKE FLUID BOX WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD. I LET IT COOL DOWN AND I DROVE FOR ANOTHER 10 MIN INTO THE ROAD AND I NOTICE THAT MY FUSE HAD BURN OUT , AT THE SAME TIME I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. WHEN I NOTICE MORE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD I PULLED OVER. I OPEN THE HOOD AND I NOTICE IT WAS FROM THE SAME PLUG THE ABS PLUG THAT IS. WELL IT WAS MELTING. I CALL A FRIEND TO MAKE SURE IT WAS ALRIGHT TO UNPLUG THE ABS PLUG OFF HE SAID YEA. WELL IM JUST WRITING THIS CAUSE I NOTICE ALSO THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS DRIPPING INTO THE PLUG .. TO ME IT SEEM THAT IT WAS SHORTING IT OUT. SO PLEASE FOR OUR SAFETY KEEP THIS IN MIND THAT THIS COULD START A FIRE.. *TR
FRONT HEAT NOT WORKING. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR. THIS FORD WINDSTAR WAS NOT..I SAY NOT BUILT FORD TOUGH! *TR
THE REAR AXLE OF MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE YESTERDAY. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN I HEAR A NOT TOO LOUD BANG AND WHEN I EXITED MY CAR AND SAW THE WHEEL, I KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I CONTACTED FORD THIS MORNING AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD TAKE MINIMUM 3-6 MONTHS TO FIX. *TR
BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. ABS WARNING LIGHT, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF INDICATORS ALL LIT, ALONG WITH "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL" MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER. STOPPED HARD SUDDENLY FOR A CHILD WHO DARTED INTO THE STREET AND ALMOST HIT HER AS THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE CAR SKIDDED. SINCE THAT TIME, THE WARNING LIGHTS RESET EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, BUT RETURN AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF DRIVING. *TR
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON. CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING. SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND AIRCONDITIONING HAVE ALSO STOPPED WORKING. DUE TO SHORT IN THE CRUISE CONTROL DISABLE SWITCH AKA BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED FROM BRAKE FLUID LEAKING ONTO IT. THIS IN TURN BLEW THE #10 FUSE. THIS SWITCH IS COVERED WITH BRAKE FLUID AND COULD START A FIRE AT ANY TIME. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING IT UNTIL I CAN REPLACE THE SWITCH AND CLEAN OFF THE BRAKE FLUID. *TR
I TOOK MY VAN IN TO DO THE RECALLS. WELL THEY SAID THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MOST LAST 2 RECENT RECALLS. 2010 AND 2011 DEALING WITH FRONT END AND REAR END. MY QUESTION IS IF IT DOESN'T LOOK BROKEN THEY DON'T HAVE TO FIX IT? I THOUGHT THESE PARTS WERE MANUFACTURED WRONG, RIGHT? NOW HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TAKE MY VAN IN TO BE INSPECTED? AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT IT COULD BREAK AND MY 4 KIDS AND I COULD GO TUMBLING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THEY DID DO THE SPEED ODOMETER (WHICH I'M WATCHING CLOSELY FOR ABS/BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON) AND IN PROCESS FOR CHILD SAFETY ATTACHMENTS. THE ANDERSON FORD DEALERSHIP IN CLEVELAND TX WILL NOT DO THE OTHER 2 RECALLS BECAUSE IT DOES NOT LOOK BROKEN, IS THIS RIGHT? ANYWAYS ABS/BRAKE LIGHT REMAINS ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME ON MY FORD WINDSTAR. WILL HAVE IT CHECK FOR BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE RUNNING DOWN TO COMPONENTS.
MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY EVEN AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. *TR
BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED DUE TO ABS ECM INTERMITTENT FAILURE. INTERMITTENT ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). HE WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS TO ARRIVE BEFORE THE REPAIR COULD BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIFFERENT RECALL WHEN THE DEALER INSTALLED A PATCH AND BRACKET MECHANISM BUT DID NOT INSTALL THE NEW AXLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE AS TO WHY THEY DID NOT INSTALL THE AXLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF HIM NEEDING A NEW AXLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.
2002 FORD WINDSTAR FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION EXTENSIVE CORROSION TO SUB FRAME MECHANIC INSISTS THE AUTOMOBILE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN CURRENT CONDITION. *TR
BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS TURN ON AT SAME TIME WITHOUT AN APPARENT CAUSE, THIS HAPPENS AFTER DRIVING VAN 5 OR LESS MINUTES AT A LOW SPEED. ONCE THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AGAIN, BOTH LIGHTS REMAIN OFF, AND AGAIN, AFTER DRIVING THE VAN FOR A SHORT DISTANCE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN. I ALREADY REPLACE BRAKE PADS AS WELL AS REFILLED BRAKE LIQUID DEPOSIT WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM. MY BIG CONCERN IS THAT MY WIFE USES THIS VAN TO TAKE AND PICK UP MY 4 KIDS AT SCHOOL. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR & WAS DRIVING ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHEN AN ANIMAL RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, I SWERVED TO MISS IT AND BANG...!!! I NEARLY LOST CONTROL BECAUSE THE REAR END STARTED BOUNCING AROUND. I PULLED OVER AT A BUDDIES HOUSE & FOUND THE REAR AXLE BROKEN. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER & THERE WERE 2 OTHER BROKEN WINDSTARS THERE AHEAD OF MINE & I HAD TO PAY FOR THE TOW!!! THE FORD DEALER RENTED ME A VEHICLE FOR $30 PER DAY BUT THEY WONT PICK UP THE TAX WHICH IS $2.67/DAY. FORD SAYS IT MAY BE FEBRUARY BEFORE IT'S FIXED SO THAT'S $80/MONTH IT'S GONNA COST ME FOR FORDS CRAP VAN!!!! I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE COULD BE LEGAL ACTION TAKEN AGAINST FORD FOR FULL COMPENSATION INCLUDING THE TAXES ON THE RENTAL, HAD I NOT BEEN A GOOD DRIVER, I MAY HAVE ROLLED THE VAN. THIS COULD COST ME $300 PLUS AND I'M NOT TOO HAPPY ABOUT THIS. *TR
ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES, MOTORIST FROM BEHIND SPED UP, APPLIED BRAKES, ABS LIGHTS FLASHED ON DASH, CAR DID NOT SLOW, PRESSED BRAKES HARDER AND REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING ME TO SIDE SWIPE GUARD RAIL. *TR ABS LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE REMAINED ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS. HAVE SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, TO NO AVAIL. BRAKES ARE INTERMITTENT AT BEST. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF; SUDDENLY SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND MASSIVE FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE SIX FOOT FLAMES AND INFORMED THAT THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I HAVE 2002 FORD WINDSTAR THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WAS LIT, AND NOT THE ONLY ONES, I LIVING IN BC CANADA. *TR
ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE CAR GETS HOT. WHEN THE CAR IS COLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES, COST TO REPLACE CIRCUIT BOARD 675 DOLLARS. THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD WARPED WHICH TURNED ON THE ENGINE REPAIR LIGHT, COST 950 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF