2002 FORD WINDSTAR Complaints and Recall Information
The 2002 FORD WINDSTAR has 5 complaints and 6 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with the instrument cluster causing erratic warning lights and speedometer behavior. Other common problems include transmission shifting difficulties and axle failures leading to vehicle disablement.
- Instrument cluster malfunction. Overdrive light flashes randomly, ABS activates without warning, and the parking brake light turns on unexpectedly.
- Speedometer and tachometer issues. Speedometer operates sporadically and tachometer irregularities cause transmission shift problems.
- Stalling risks. Vehicle tries to stall at stops or when slowing down despite replacement of battery, alternator, drive belt, and cables.
- Axle breakage. Axle fractured on the right side under the recall bracket at low speed, resulting in loss of drivability and requiring tow service.
- Recall bracket concerns. Reports suggest foam used in recall repairs may trap moisture and worsen axle corrosion.
There are six recalls affecting multiple systems on the 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. The recalls primarily focus on rear axle corrosion and structural frame issues. These defects risk vehicle handling and steering control, increasing crash potential. Recall repairs involve inspections, bracket reinforcements, and component replacements.
- Rear axle corrosion. NHTSA 10V385000 covers 492,650 vehicles in northern states. Corrosion weakens rear axle leading to cracks and possible fractures that impair handling. Dealers inspect and install reinforcement brackets free of charge.
- Frame and underbody shields. NHTSA 11V030000 affects 425,288 vehicles. Separation of front lower control arm rear brackets and front subframe body mounts may reduce steering control. Repairs or vehicle repurchase offered at no cost.
- Rear axle cracking in Puerto Rico. NHTSA 12V195000 involves 9,192 vehicles where torsional stress causes axle cracks. Dealers inspect and reinforce or replace axles free of charge.
- Rear axle corrosion in Virginia. NHTSA 12V193000 covers 27,000 vehicles. Corrosion leads to rear axle fractures that compromise handling. Dealers inspect and repair with brackets or axle replacements at no charge.
- Front suspension corrosion. NHTSA 12V194000 affects 23,000 vehicles in Virginia. Fractures in front lower control arm brackets and body mounts may cause loss of steering control. Necessary repairs are made free of cost.
- Incorrect rear axle bracket installation. NHTSA 15V608000 covers 283,413 vehicles. Misinstalled brackets from previous repairs limit protection against axle fractures. Dealers verify and replace axles if brackets are misinstalled, with no charge to owners.
Owners with repeated repairs or unresolved safety defects related to axles, suspension, or instrument clusters may have rights under state lemon laws. Those affected should consider consulting legal professionals specializing in consumer protection and automotive defects.
2002 FORD WINDSTAR Summary
2002
Model Year
5
Total Complaints
6
Total Recalls
1260543
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2002 FORD WINDSTAR
283413 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
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.
Risk: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
2002 FORD WINDSTAR
9192 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
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.
Risk: A FRACTURED AXLE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2002 FORD WINDSTAR
23000 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
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.
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.
2002 FORD WINDSTAR
27000 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
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.
Risk: A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2002 FORD WINDSTAR
425288 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
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.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2002 FORD WINDSTAR
492650 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
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.
Risk: A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Complaints
2002 FORD WINDSTAR
ID: 2091151STRUCTURE:BODY
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
2002 FORD WINDSTAR
ID: 2091150SUSPENSION
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
2002 FORD WINDSTAR
ID: 2083827ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
2002 FORD WINDSTAR
ID: 2083826ENGINE
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.
2002 FORD WINDSTAR
ID: 2083825VEHICLE 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.