2002 Ford Windstar problems & reliability
1,353 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Windstar, alongside 8 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
34 complaints report injuries (53 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2002 Ford Windstar vehicles were involved in 9 fatal crashes with 5 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 324 | 24% |
| Suspension | 279 | 21% |
| Electrical System | 261 | 19% |
| Service Brakes | 233 | 17% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 147 | 11% |
| Structure | 101 | 7% |
| Power Train | 97 | 7% |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 83 | 6% |
| Unknown OR Other | 43 | 3% |
| Air Bags | 36 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 103,588 miles (middle 50% between 78,000 and 133,100 miles), based on 1,109 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Structure · filed Feb 24, 2026
“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…”
Suspension · filed May 13, 2025
“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…”
Electrical System · filed Apr 19, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Engineering Analysis EA10007 · opened Dec 20, 2010 · closed Mar 17, 2011 · led to recall 11V030000
- Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Preliminary Evaluation PE10026 · opened Jul 20, 2010 · closed Dec 20, 2010 · led to recall 11V030000
- Rear Axle Cracking
Preliminary Evaluation PE10016 · opened May 13, 2010 · closed Sep 22, 2010 · led to recall 10V385000
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA08021 · opened Sep 17, 2008 · closed Oct 14, 2009 · led to recall 09V399000
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE08035 · opened May 13, 2008 · closed Sep 17, 2008
- POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING
Preliminary Evaluation PE04022 · opened Mar 3, 2004 · closed Jul 1, 2004
Technical service bulletins
119 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Windstar. The 10 most recent:
For 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 11S16 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a front subframe lower control arm (LCA) rear attaching flange or…
16-0065 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 20, 2020
Safety recall 10S13 - Rear axle corrosion - requests for recall service action
TSB160070 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
For 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 10S13 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the rear axle could potentially fracture. If the rear axle should…
16-0070 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
Safety recall 11s16 - LCA rear attaching flanges or rear subframe body mount corrosion - requests for recall service action
TSB160065 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 20, 2016
Summary to be provided on a future date.
CSP-15-N-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 29, 2015
Ford: safety recall on front subframe lower control arm (lca) rear attaching flange or rear body mount that can separate from subframe if vehicle is operated, for extended period, in high corrosion areas. Model 1999-03…
TSB-14-0168 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 9, 2014
Ford: safety recall concerning rear axle fracturing if vehicle is operated in high corrosion areas for and extended period. Model 1998-03 windstar. *pe
TSB-14-0167 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 9, 2014
Ford: on some minivans, rear axle will fracture, in high corrosion area, after operating for an extended time period, and vehicle handling ability will be affected. Model 1998-2003 windstar. *pe
TSB-14-0146 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 11, 2014
Ford: a safety recall has been issued on minivans where lower control arm (lca) of front subframe attaching rear flange or rear body mount can separate due to corrosion. Model 1999-2003 windstar. *pe
TSB-14-0145 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 11, 2014
Safety belt retraction speed. *tt
042421 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 7, 2005
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2002 Ford Windstar has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2002 Ford Windstar?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 103,588 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.