2002 Ford Windstar

1,353 complaints on file, page 1 of 68.

1. Filed Feb 24, 2026Failure Feb 3, 2026108,000 milesAltoona, PAFrame and members, Suspension

   The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) and 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). The contact stated that while approaching a traffic signal and driving slowly, the vehicle shook, and the engine shifted. The contact stated that the engine shifted to the right. In addition, the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that the RPMs became elevated. The contact pulled over into a parking lot and turned off the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle, and upon inspection, became aware that the subframe had detached and was dragging. The contact believed that the motor mounts were fractured. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic, and the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle remained at the tow yard unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11720212
2. Filed May 13, 2025Failure May 12, 2025Bloomington, INBody, SuspensionCrash

   Axle broke on rt side just underneath the bracket that ford installed for recall.i was only going 10mph when it happened no warning I was able to gain control and stop was towed into a shop not driveable if this seems to be a problem mine looked fine they must filled it up with expand foam I would think that would trap in more moisture but these are dangerous they should all be fixed or bought back from the customer

   NHTSA complaint 11660690
3. Filed Apr 19, 2025Failure Oct 23, 2024Post Falls, IDElectrical system, Engine, Vehicle speed control

   Manufacture Recall # 09S09 NHTSA Recall # 09V399000 Instrument cluster has become faulty. Details listed below. Overdrive (O/D) light will randomly start flashing for no reason ABS will randomly engage Parking brake light will randomly turn on Speedometer with become sporadic Transmission has trouble shifting gears due to tachometer becoming sporadic Vehicle will randomly try to die/stall out at a prolonged stop or while coming to a stop, even after all charging components have been replaces i.e. battery, alternator, drive belt, and cables.

   NHTSA complaint 11655566
4. Filed Jun 15, 2024Failure Jun 14, 2024Angola, INUnknown or other

   The rear axle passenger side broke.

   NHTSA complaint 11594551
5. Filed Jan 2, 2024Failure Dec 30, 2023160,000 milesHibbing, MNSuspension

   The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the contact pulled over and noticed that the tire was not straight inside the wheel well. While hoisting the vehicle on a lift at the residence, the contact noticed that the tire was rubbing on the inside of the wheel well and that the rear axle had fractured. The contact stated that the failure occurred at the site of the repair on the patch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed about a recall. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11563056
6. Filed Sep 22, 2023Failure Aug 25, 2023142,000 milesEnglewood, COEngine

   The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was wobbling uncontrollably and almost caused an accident. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11546076
7. Filed Sep 7, 2023Failure Jun 22, 2022139,619 milesBrownstown, ILSuspension

   The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and had the vehicle towed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the rear driver’s side axle had fractured. The axle was replaced. On another occasion while driving 20 MPH over railroad tracks, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact parked the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver’s side axle had fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who confirmed that the rear driver’s side axle had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was 139,619.

   NHTSA complaint 11543158
8. Filed Apr 21, 2023Failure Aug 18, 2022Menahga, MNSuspension, Unknown or other, Wheels

   Rear Axle . Fell on the highway split in half while I was driving on a state Hwy 71 at 45 mph. Cracked rear axle. 2002 Ford Windstar part of a recall for Rear axle. No warning was given and didn't know about the recall until after it happened. Inspection was preformed by a mechanic. I could have flipped or rolled or caused a major collision as this highway is very heavily traveled.

   NHTSA complaint 11518183
9. Filed Mar 14, 2023Failure Mar 10, 2023116,000 milesLebanon, OHSuspension

   The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic to replace the water pump, the mechanic determined that the rear axle was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the previous owner had the vehicle serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11511841
10. Filed Mar 9, 2023Failure Mar 9, 2023Hinesville, GABodyCrash

    The van took off without my control and the brakes stopped working and the fuel system it caused me to have two accidents within a week of each other

    NHTSA complaint 11511077
11. Filed Feb 17, 2023Failure Feb 9, 2023125,000 milesGrove City, OHAxle assembly, Suspension

    The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact lost control of the vehicle and drove off the side of the roadway. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic who discovered that the rear axle had fractured due to severe rust. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 125,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11507869
12. Filed Jan 30, 2023Failure Oct 15, 202259,839 milesGalloway, OHStructure, Suspension

    The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension) and 11V030000 (Structure) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the subframe was severely corroded. The failure mileage 59,839.

    NHTSA complaint 11504440
13. Filed Nov 29, 2022Failure Aug 16, 2022Fountain Inn, SCDoor

    The driver and passenger side sliding doors tend to not open or close correctly sometimes you have to manually pull them open or they do not completely close and you have to bump the back end of it to close right

    NHTSA complaint 11495404
14. Filed Nov 29, 2022Failure Nov 29, 2022Fountain Inn, SCElectrical system, Engine, Vehicle speed control

    The gauges are acting crazy which causes the engine to jerk or the transmission and then it starts making the lights flicker in the interior and the gauges start sticking. It seems to make the overflow on the radiator to empty more because it is causing the sensors in the electrical for the parts to go crazy and run hot. Sometimes it only does it every so often but after getting the reserve hose on the power steering that connects to the reservoir to the coolant the battery was drained. Then going after getting it charged down the highway it caused the interior lights radio and seat and turn signals not to work when coming to a complete stop and it was idling the dashboard and all the lights were coming back on once given a guess it winded up not working again causing the battery to become hot or warm and acid you can smell in the air like rotten eggs. It is causing the overflow tank of the radiator to evaporate more or come out quicker and it is causing other component parts to react strangely which I'm afraid will cause a fire in the vehicle and the idling is not correct also on it now

    NHTSA complaint 11495403
15. Filed Feb 2, 2022Failure Jan 26, 2022Cape Coral, FLWheels

    The rear axle of my 2002 Ford Windstar completely fractured while traveling on Interstate 75. The rear axle broke while driving about 60 miles per hour on Interstate 75 in Florida. By the grace of GOD my passenger and I survived. In attempting to stop, the van hit the guard rail on the Highway. I was able to keep the van in the right lane. The van gave us NO warning. While waiting for the AAA tow truck, a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT} patrol vehicle stop to ensure we were alright. The FDOT driver inspected the Windstar, took pictures and stated he has never seen a broken rear axle like that before.

    NHTSA complaint 11449963
16. Filed Sep 20, 2021Failure Sep 19, 2021Blossvale, NYWheels

    My tire starting making a whistle screech sound and a sway and I look under my tire is crooked and my axel beam was cracked. Thankfully my kids were not with me and no one was hurt

    NHTSA complaint 11433723
17. Filed Aug 24, 2021Failure Aug 1, 2021185,000 milesSalina, KSUnknown or other

    The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle experienced severe vibration when the rear axle fractured causing the driver to almost lose control of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number 12V194000 (Suspension). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 185,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11430350
18. Filed Jul 19, 2021Failure Jul 2, 2021Peoria, ILSuspension

    Broken rear axle on the van. The axle has broken where the reinforcements were welded in from the recall in 2010. NHTSA action number is PE10016. So, the corrective action did not work and now I have broken axle as a result. The axle broke while driving the van and we were very fortunate to be driving at a slow rate of speed.

    NHTSA complaint 11425491
19. Filed Apr 12, 2021Failure Apr 12, 2021158,866 milesLeavenworth, KSSuspension

    THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. PRIOR TO BREAKING THE AXLE LOOKED TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE. UPON LOOKING IT UP FORD HAD PREVIOUSLY RECALLED THIS PART FOR THAT SPECIFIC REASON. I CALLED FORD AFTER THIS HAPPENED AND THE INFORMED ME THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL CURRENTLY. WHEN I CALLED THE PARTS DEPARTMENT TO ORDER A REPLACMENT AXLE I WAS INFORMED BY THE PARTS COUNTER THAT THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE FAILING IN THE SAME WAY RECENTLY. THIS IS A PACITULARLY DANGEROUS ISSUSE BEACUS IT LOOKS FINE FROM THE OUTSIDE UNTILL IT GIVES UP AND THE VAN IS NOT RUSTY IN GENERAL ANYWAY

    NHTSA complaint 11407771
20. Filed Jan 30, 2021Failure Jan 29, 2021200,000 milesClay, MISuspension, Unknown or other

    REAR AXLE CRACKED THROUGH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, EVEN AFTER A RECALL PATCH/REPAIR WAS MADE. NO COLLISIONS, NO HARD DRIVING. NOT A CORROSION ISSUE. METAL IS CRACKED PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXLE..ACROSS THE GRAIN. AXLE WAS HEARD TO MAKE NOISE WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, THEN VEHICLE FELT FISH-TAILING WHILE DRIVE DOWN PAVED NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. TURNING TO THE RIGHT MADE NOTICEABLE GRINDING NOISES FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL. ON CLOSER INSPECTION, THE REAR WHEELS WERE SEVERELY TILTED IN AT THE TOP, AND THE AXLE WAS CLEARLY, OBVIOUSLY VERY CRACKED OPEN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND APPEARS READY TO BREAK INTO 2 HALVES. THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN 2010 FOR AXLE DEFECTS, BUT THE REPAIRS MADE SEEM INADEQUATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEALERSHIP MAINTAINED.

    NHTSA complaint 11390801