2002 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

BACKING UP WHEN REAR AXLE BROKE ON VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THERE WAS A FORD RECALL #09S09B TO CORRECT THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. I WENT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA ON 05/27/10 TO HAVE THE MATTER CORRECTED BUT AFTER I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH FEAR SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AND IT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT STAY ON. I AM TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IS NO GOOD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY NOW ON THE VAN AND IT IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE AS THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES OR RECALLS FOR IT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON ROUTE 22 IN UNION, NJ, THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN TWO. THE VEHICLE STARTED EXHIBITING SOME CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END SWAYING PRIOR TO A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE DRAGGING TO A STOP. THE REAR TIRES RUBBED AGAINST THE INSIDE WHEEL WELLS PRODUCING ODOR AND SMOKE AT THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD WITH OUR THREE YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE CAR JERKED, STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES, AND SMOKING. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE POURING FROM THE LEFT (DRIVER) SIDE. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE AND SAW THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS AT AN ODD ANGLE AS WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. WHEN THE TOW-TRUCK ARRIVED AND LIFTED IT UP, IT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THE AXLE HAD SNAPPED FOR NO REASON. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR A MAJOR ACCIDENT, NOR DID THE CAR CATCH FIRE BUT IT SMELLS OF BURNED RUBBER. *TR

I HEARD UNUSUAL NOISES FROM UNDERNEATH MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. I BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE REAR AXLE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS CRACKED. *TR

MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR VAN GEAR SHIFT PIN KEEP COMING UP AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP SO THEY CAN PUT THE PIN BACK IN 3 TIMES. MY GEARS DO NOT SHIFT RIGHT IT SHIFTS HARD. I BROUGHT THIS VAN BRAND NEW IN 2003. ALSO MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON THE AVIS FORD BODY SHOP SAID MY SENSOR IS RUSTED OUT, ALSO MY ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. I DON'T FEEL THESE THINGS SHOULD GO OUT. I HAVE HAD MANY FORD VEHICLE BRAND NEW FOR YEARS AND NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS. I STILL GOT TO GET THESE THINGS REPAIR. I ALSO HAD TWO FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORS PUT IN AND THE WIPES ARE STILL NOT RIGHT. IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE. *TR

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 BE DONE BEFORE PEOPLE DIE, IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE ACCURATE SPEED TRAVELED. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WOULD ALSO INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE REAR AXLE BROKE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

FORD WINDSTAR 2002 REAR AXLE CRACKED. WE WERE DRIVING AND NOTICED THE VAN WAS FISHTAILING AND THERE WHEN WE WOULD GO AROUND A CURVE WE NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VAN. MY HUSBAND GOT OUT AND CHECKED TIRES THOUGHT THEY MAY HAVE BEEN LOW. WE HAVE NEW TIRES ON VEHICLE. WE WERE DRIVING THE VAN THE NEXT DAY AND IT WAS FISHTAILING AND THE NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE VAN WAS GETTING WORSE. MY HUSBAND PUT VEHICLE UP ON RAMP AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE IS CRACKED. IT IS ONLY HOLDING BY A THREAD. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM DOCTORS OFFICE. I WAS TRAVELING 45 M.P.H. , IT WAS RAINING. I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE WHEN MY VEHICLE, 2002 FORD WINDSTAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL. I STOPPED THE CAR AND WENT AROUND CHECKING TO SEE IF I MIGHT HAVE A LOW TIRE. TIRES SEEMED FINE. I NOTICED A BUMPING NOISE WHEN I WOULD GO AROUND A CURVE. I GOT HOME AND PULLED THE VAN UP ON RAMPS AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH. I TOLD MY WIFE WE AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE BECAUSE THE AXLE IS CRACKED AND HOLDING BY A THREAD. I TOOK THE AXLE OFF AND UPON INSPECTING IT CLOSER THE OTHERSIDE IS CRACKING. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 86,597 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTA'S AND A SUZUKI, WHICH I PUT 250,000 MILES, ON THESE VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN AXLE. *TR

ABS LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF AT DIFFERENT TIMES. BRAKE FLUID WAS CHECKED, IT IS AT THE CORRECT LEVEL. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2000 MODEL WINDSTAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THEY RECEIVED A BRAKE REPAIR. *TR

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL SQUEAL FROM THE REAR TIRES. AS SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY. SHE HAD TO DRIVE WITH TWO HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT BOTH REAR TIRES WERE PROTRUDING FROM THE TIRE WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY HAD CRACKED. THE NECESSARY PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE THE REPAIR WERE ORDERED ACCORDINGLY AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

I OWN A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2002. IT CURRENTLY ONLY HAS ONLY 75,398 MILES. APPROXIMATELY, 1 WEEK AGE MY WIFE DROVE MY SON TO HIS SOCCER AND BASEBALL PRACTICE. WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY 2 OTHER SONS IN THE VAN, SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SUDDENLY A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK WHEELS. LUCKILY, SHE MADE IT HOME WITHOUT ANY INJURIES. AFTER SHE PARKED THE VAN, SHE NOTICED THAT THE WHEELS WERE SMOKING AND WERE SLIGHTLY TURNED IN. I HAD IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE MECHANIC CALLED AND STATED THAT THE REAR AXEL WAS CRACKED. HE SAID THAT HE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT, ESPECIALLY ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 75, 398 MILE. HE SAID THAT HE WAS GOING TO CALL AROUND AND TRY TO FIND A USED PART. AFTER A WEEK (OF NOT HAVING A VEHICLE), THE MECHANIC CALLED AND STATED THAT HE CALLED EVERYWHERE FOR A USED PART. HOWEVER, HE WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL IN LOCATING THE PART. ONCE AGAIN, HE STATED THAT HE NEVER EXPERIENCED NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCATE A PART. HE SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT SO MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT HE COULD PUT A NEW PART ON, BUT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,000. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VAN AND THEY STATED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND TRYING TO FIND A USED PART ON MY OWN, I HAVE NOTICED THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IN FACT, THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FILED AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I THINK THAT THIS MATTER COULD EASILY BE RESOLVED IF FORD WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE A RECALL TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. I REALIZE THAT I AM ONLY 1 OF A FEW THOUSAND THAT HAVE MADE THIS PROBLEM KNOWN. HOWEVER, I WONDER HOW MANY FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM YET OR WHO HAVE ELECTED TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT MAKE ME VERY FURIOUS TO KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AND WAS MADE AWARE OF, AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. HOW MANY LIVES WILL IT COST BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? *TR

REAR AXLE FAILURE; FORD WINDSTAR 2002. *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING ON THRUWAY 390 IN CORNING NEW YORK. I NOTICED A SHANK IN BACK END OF VAN AND SMELLED RUBBER BURNING. WHILE TRYING TO EXIT OFF THE THRUWAY THE TIRES COMPLETELY BLEW OUT AND LOCKED UP. AT 65 M.P.H. PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF THRUWAY AND REAR BACK AXLE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND ORDERED NEW PARTS. I HAVE ALL THE OLD PARTS CALL FORD THEY NEVER HEAD OF THIS HAPPENING. *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR. PICKED MY DAUGHTER UP AT COLLEGE TO COME HOME FOR THE SUMMER. COLLEGE 4 HOURS FROM HOME. MISSED A TURN TO GET ON HIGHWAY. TURNED AROUND IN A GAS STATION AND THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE AS THE STEERING FELT FUNNY. STOPPED, GOT OUT TO LOOK, HERE THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN ABOUT 12 INCHES IN FROM THE WHEEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. CALLED AAA, GOT TOWED, TOW DRIVER TELLS ME HE HAS PICKED UP AT LEAST 6 WINDSTARS IN LAST YEAR WITH SAME PROBLEM AND ALL IN THE EXACT PLACE WHERE IT HAS BROKE. I JUST THANK GOD I WASN'T BACK ON I 80 GOING 65 WHEN IT HAPPENED. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BY THIS. I WAS LUCKY. PLUS HAD TO MISS WORK, BUY A USED AXLE, STAY IN A HOTEL, ETC..... FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND REIMBURSE THESE EXPENSES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH, SHE HEARD AN UNUSUAL THUMP. IMMEDIATELY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

THE REAR WHEELS ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR BEGAN TO BOW OUTWARD AND THE CAR WAS NOW NOTICEABLY SHAKING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 25 MPH. WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A BAD ALIGNMENT. WE TOOK IT TO NTB AND FORTUNATELY, THEY TOLD US NOT TO DRIVE IT ANY MORE. THE REAR AXLE HAD CRACKED AND WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT.. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, I CONTACTED FORD'S REGIONAL OFFICE. I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD REGIONAL OFFICE TO REFER MY CONCERN TO MY DEALER HERE IN COLUMBUS, BUT, I HAD ALREADY DONE SO. FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THEM LEAD TO THE SERVICE MANAGERS DENIAL OF ANY COMPENSATION FOR THE FORD PART MALFUNCTION. REAR AXLES ON 2002 WINDSTARS OR ANY WINDSTAR WITH THOSE TAURUS CHASISES, SHOULD NOT CRACK AND SEPARATE CAUSING A DANGER TO MY FAMILY. THE MANAGER TOLD ME TO HOLD ON TO MY RECEIPTS FOR A MONTH OR SO BEFORE RESPONDING AGAIN TO FORD'S OFFICE. HE ASSURED ME THAT A RECALL WAS POSSIBLE. MEANWHILE, I AM OUT THE $1700.00 IT TOOK TO REPAIR A DEFINITE FLAW IN THE ENGINEERING. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. *TR

DROVE CAR AND PARKED ALONG STREET. WHEN I RETURNED AROUND 4 HOURS LATER I OPENED CAR DOOR AND SAT DOWN IN DRIVER SEAT. A LOUD BAG WAS HEARD AND I THOUGHT SOMEONE THREW SOMETHING OR SHOT MY VAN. GOT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. WHEN I DROVE AWAY MY LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED. THE NEXT MORNING I FOUND THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND CUT THE TIRE WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE AWAY. HAD I BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VAN. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH FORD COIL SPRINGS AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MODEL YEARS 1999-2001. *TR

DROVE CAR AND PARKED ALONG STREET. WHEN I RETURNED AROUND 4 HOURS LATER I OPENED CAR DOOR AND SAT DOWN IN DRIVER SEAT. A LOUD BAG WAS HEARD AND I THOUGHT SOMEONE THREW SOMETHING OR SHOT MY VAN. GOT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY MY LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED. THE NEXT MORNING I FOUND THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND CUT THE TIRE WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE AWAY. HAD I BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VAN. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH FORD COIL SPRINGS AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MODEL YEARS 1999-2001. *TR

INSIDE LIGHTS COMES ON AND FLASHES AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING, ABS AND BRAKES LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. *JS

MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR STARTED THIS YEAR IN MAY HAVING THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. I HAD THE SYSTEM CHECKED AT REYNOLDS FORD, NORMAN, OK IN JULY. THEY FLUSHED THE SYSTEM AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THE LIGHTS STILL COME ON REGULARLY! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CHECK THE BRAKE FLUID LEVELS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE COMPUTER COULD POSSIBLY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,807.

AFTER HAVING THE 2002 WINDSTAR SERVICED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL RELATED TO ABS FAILURE AND POSSIBLE FIRE WE NOTICED A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. THE SMELL LASTED THE ENTIRE DAY AFTER PICKING THE WINDSTAR UP AT THE DEALERS. WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE SERVICE DEPT TO REPORT THE SMELL AND THEY STATED THE BURNING SMELL COULD NOT BE RELATED TO THE SERVICE THEY PERFORMED. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON LATER THAT DAY AND HAS NOW BEEN ON INTERMITTENTLY EVER SINCE. WE HAVE NOTICED AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE IN WET WEATHER. WE HAVE NOW HAD THE WINDSTAR IN AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND THE CODES STATE THAT ALL 4 ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSORS HAVE FAILED. THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE BRAND NEW WHEEL SPEED SENSORS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN AN EFFORT TO GET THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO GO OUT. WHEN THE CODES ARE CLEARED THE ABS LIGHT WILL STAY OFF ANYWHERE FROM MINUTES TO HOURS DEPENDING ON EACH RESET. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE BRAKE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE RECALL. *TR

BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO FORD FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08021. VEHICLE STILL GETTING A HOT, BURNING SMELL. ABS AND EMERGENCY ICONS STILL COME ON AT VARIOUS TIMES LASTING FOR HOURS OR DAYS THEN SHUTTING OFF. DRIVES ROUGH WITH A DISTINCT "CHUGGING EFFECT" LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. COMPLETE TUNE UP HAS BEEN DONE INCLUDING REPLACING SPARK PLUGS,INTAKE VALVES AND SEALS. BURNS OIL AT A SLOW RATE (APPROX 1/4 LITRE EVERY 1 1/2 MONTHS) THE ABS/EMERGENCY LIGHTS COME ON AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND THE "CHUGGING" AND BURNING SMELL IS EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE IT. THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE AND WE WERE TOLD THE SCDS DID INDEED LEAK AND PERSONAL RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THEN THE ECM CONNECTOR NEEDS REPLACING WHICH FORD REFUSES TO DO FOR US. *TR

COMING HOME FROM CHURCH ONE SUNDAY, WE HAD TO BRAKE HARD & SUDDENLY TO AVOID A CAR THAT WAS ON MY SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VAN'S REAR WHEEL LEFT THE PAVEMENT AND JERKED TO THE SIDE. THE VAN HANDLED WRONG AFTER THAT, AND WE TOOK IT TO FORD TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY REPLACED FRONT DRIVE SHAFTS AND SAID THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE RUBBING THE WHEEL WELL, AND I NEEDED TO HAVE MY SHOCKS REPLACED. THE VAN STILL MADE THE SAME NOISES AND HAD BAD HANDLING AFTER THIS WORK WAS DONE, SO TOOK IT BACK & HAD THEM LOOK AGAIN FOR PROBLEM. THEY STILL DIDN'T SEE ANY PROBLEM. MY WIFE DROVE THIS VAN OVER 125 MILES ONE DAY TO TAKE HER SISTER FOR A MEDICAL PROCEDURE. SHE WAS NERVOUS ABOUT THE BAD HANDLING & SWAYING REAR END, SO DROVE SLOWLY AND STAYED TO THE RIGHT ON THE FREEWAY. SHE DROVE ALL THE WAY TO SOUTHERN CHARLOTTE, NC ON HWY. 85 FROM DAVIDSON COUNTY, NC. HUGE AMOUNTS OF TRAFFIC. WHEN SHE GOT HOME SHE PARKED THE VAN, & NEXT DAY I CAME HOME FROM WORK AND SAW THE TIRES WERE TILTED IN THE REAR. WENT UP & LOOKED UNDER THE VAN, AND THE AXLE IS BROKEN IN 2 PLACES. MY WIFE, HER MOTHER, AND HER SISTER WERE ALL IN THE VAN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A BROKEN AXLE, BECAUSE FORD TOLD US THAT OUR VAN WAS ALL RIGHT. CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT? YOU'RE DRIVING AN 8 YEAR OLD VEHICLE! BUY SOMETHING ELSE!" AND ALSO, "THERE IS NO IMPLIED WARRANTY. YOUR VAN IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT WE'LL BE GLAD TO DO THE WORK FOR YOU IF YOU BRING IT IN TO OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT". OR "FORD MAKES GOOD QUALITY VEHICLES. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THE NEW CAR BUYING INCENTIVES WE HAVE IN PLACE NOW?" GET REAL. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD IN MY LIFE. WIFE CALLED FORD AND SPOKE WITH THEM, AND THE AGE OF THE VAN WAS MENTIONED. SHE STATED THAT I DRIVE A 1986 TOYOTA TRUCK, AND THE AXLE IS NOT BROKEN ON IT YET. SHE SAID HENRY FORD DID NOT HAVE THIS IN MIND WHEN HE STARTED MAKING THE MODEL T. SHODDY WORK AND INFERIOR MATERIALS. *TR

ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILED - LIGHTS ON DASH AND "CHECK TRAC CTRL" ON DASH READOUT. THIS CAUSED ACCIDENT UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. *TR

RECENT NOISE ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. REAR AXEL SNAPPED THIS MORNING WHILE MY WIFE WAS LEAVING HOME. I READ THE EXACT SAME INCIDENTS ON LINE WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR. CRACK APROX 12-18 INCHES IN FROM THE REAR LEFT SIDE. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND I WILL KEEP PHOTOS AND DAMAGED PART. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, SHE HEARD AN UNUSUAL BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE MAIN BEAM HAD FRACTURED. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BY WELDING THE BEAM SECURELY TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING SOUND AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD SPLIT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AT HER EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 91,000.

PARKING BRAKE LIGHT, TRACTION LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THIS IS THE ABS MODULE GOING BAD. THE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY IN NO RANDOM ORDER. WHEN I SWITCH ON AND OFF THE LIGHTS GO AWAY. THE DEALER IS QUOTING ME $1300 TO FIX THIS, SAYING THAT THIS IS NOT LIFE THREATENING AND JUST THAT THE ABS FUNCTION MAY NOT FUNCTION IN CASE OF A REQUIREMENT. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR ME AS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TYPICALLY THE VAN IS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. FORD SAYS THIS IS NOT PART OF THEIR FORD WINDSTAR SAFETY RECALL AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS. HOWEVER READING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF WINDSTAR, LOTS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINED AND HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. I HAVE ALSO FOUND A RECALL OF ABS THAT IS VERY SIMILAR AND INCLUDING THE TWO LINKS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. I HOPE YOU CAN GET FORD TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND GET THEM TO FIX THIS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY MORE LEAVE ASIDE PUTTING KIDS IN THE CAR. HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/FORD/WINDSTAR/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM HTTP://FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/ . *TR

AFTER PURCHASING USED VAN THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS LIT UP ON DASH, AND COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WEATHER SEEMS TO PLAY A ROLE WHETHER THE LIGHTS COME ON OR NOT IF ITS HOT OUTSIDE THE LIGHTS COME ON QUICKLY, AND IF IT'S RAINING THEY COME ON GOING THROUGH PUDDLES. ONCE THE LIGHTS COME ON THEY STAY ON UNTIL THE VAN IS SHUT OFF. HAD A DIAGNOSIS DONE A FORD DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A LEAK OVER THE ABS BRAKE MODULE THAT IS CAUSING IT TO SHORT OUT THE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. HE ASSUMED ONE OF THE TIRES HAD BLOWN OUT BUT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,000.

2002 FORD WINDSTAR HAD THE RECALL 09S09 DONE TODAY THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STILL KEEP COMING ON AND LOOSING BRAKE FLUID. *TR

FOR ABOUT THREE TO FOUR YEARS NOW, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END OF OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WE HAD NUMEROUS FRONT END ALIGNMENTS DONE. WE HAD THE CASTER/CAMBER WORK DONE TWICE AT A VERY HIGH COST. (THIS REQUIRES TAKING THE FRONT COWLING APART IN ORDER TO PUT IN NEW FONT END PARTS) AND STILL THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL IN EITHER DIRECTION AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IT WOULD AT TIMES WONDER BACK AND FORTH ON THE ROAD. ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY WIFE SAID SHE HERD STRANGE NOISES. (CLUNKS, SQUEAKS ETC.) THEN TODAY SHE WAS DRIVING THE VAN WITH MY KIDS TO CHURCH. LUCKILY IT WAS LOCAL. SHE SAID SHE HERD A BANG AND THE VAN STARTED TO SQUEAK AND WONDER ALL OVER THE ROAD UNCONTROLLABLY. SHE STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. SHE SAID THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED IN AN ABNORMAL POSITION IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VAN GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN SHE GOT HOME I LOOKED AT THE VAN SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE TILTED IN AT THE TOP. I CRAWLED UNDER AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE BEAM HAD CRACKED ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE CRACK WAS ABOUT 18 INCHES IN FORM THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE LOOKED AS THOUGH IT WOULD EVENTUALLY CRACK ALSO. WHEN I LOOKED CLOSER AT THE CRACK, YOU COULD SEE SHINING METAL AT THE TOP PART OF THE CRACK, INDICATING IT WAS A NEW CRACK. THERE WAS SURFACE RUST ON THE LOWER PART OF THE CRACK INDICATING THAT THE CRACK HAD BEEN THERE FOR SOME TIME AND HAD JUST GOTTEN BIGGER. THIS EXPLAINS THE WONDERING PROBLEM WE HAVE BEEN HAVING. BEING THAT THIS IS A 2002 IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A RECALL BY FORD. I AM SCARED THINKING WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. I AM ALSO SCARED THINKING THAT MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO JUST STARTED DRIVING ON HER PERMIT WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. THANK GOD THEY WERE DRIVING LOCAL AT THE TIME THAT THE CRACK WORSENED TO A POINT THAT IT IS NOW UNDRIVABLE. *TR

AFTER HAVING A CRUISE CONTROL SAFETY RECALL DONE ON OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR, THE "ABS" LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME NOW! I AM ASSUMING THE "ABS" SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING AND WE MIGHT HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATIONS. *TR

I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR 2002. ITS ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON DURING SUMMER. IN THE RECALL LAST YEAR, A FORD DEALER CHANGED THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH ON THE CAR. BUT AFTER THAT, I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM: IN WARM WEATHER, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING. *TR

RECALL OF BRAKE SWITCH (09S09) ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH BUT I STILL HAVE ABS LIGHTS THAT COME ON PERIODICALLY. IT HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETELY FIXED AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. *TR

2002 WINDSTAR ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON THEN SUDDENLY BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASES. WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL THAT ABS MODULES OVERHEAT AND FAIL. VERY DANGEROUS!!! *TR

ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME WHEN I'M DRIVING THE 2002 FORD WINDSTAR SEL. IT STARTED LAST YEAR. I'VE REPLACED ALL THE PADS & SHOES AND BLED THE BRAKE FLUID. BUT IT'S STILL ON. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE AND WANTED TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE LIST HOPING FOR A FORD RECALL. *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR - THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON (TYPICALLY WHEN THE VAN IS WARM). RECALL 09S09 HAS BEEN PERFORMED BUT HAS HAD NO EFFECT ON THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON ISSUE. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED ( ABS BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON ). *TR

MY WIFE TOLD ME SHE HEARD A RUBBING SOUND IN THE REAR OF HER 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. I QUICKLY NOTICED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS TILTED IN FROM THE TOP. FIGURING IT WAS A WORN WHEEL BEARING OR BROKEN CONTROL ARM, I JACKED IT UP, PULLED THE WHEEL AND NOTICED THE AXLE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKEN ABOUT 8 INCHES LEFT OF CENTER. *TR

ACTS LIKE DYING BUT SURGES FORWARD WITH BRAKE ON. *TR

YESTERDAY, MARCH 15, 2010, I WAS DRIVING BACK TO WORK AFTER LUNCH AND NOTICED AN UNUSUAL RUBBING AND RATTLING SOUND AT THE REAR OF MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TO LOOK AT THE TIRES (I THOUGHT ONE MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE) - I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. I CONTINUED ON TO WORK (APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TO 1/2 MILE AWAY AND PARKED MY VEHICLE. I GOT DOWN AND LOOKED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY IN HALF AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS LEANING INTO THE FENDER WELL. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REMOVED TO A REPAIR CENTER. THE RESULT WAS THAT I HAD THE PART WELDED BACK TOGETHER BUT THE TIRES ARE STILL COCKED OUT AT AN UNUSUAL ANGLE WHICH I AM PRETTY SURE WILL CAUSE THE TIRES TO WEAR IN AN UNSAFE WAY. NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE REAR END OF THE VAN SITS AT AN ODD ANGLE NOW. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2009 AND IT ONLY HAS 52K MILES ON IT. I WENT ONLINE AND CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL VEHICLE WITH THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. I WAS SURPRISED THAT WERE SO MANY. I SENT AN INQUIRY TO FORD MOTOR CORP AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE IN REGARDS TO REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT PARTS SUPPORT. *TR