repaired · 2017 Q1
Axle: non-powered axle assembly
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 WindstarProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,353 owner complaints about the 2002 Ford Windstar, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 8 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-608 the manufacturer reports only 23% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 24, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2002 Ford Windstar has problems
1,353 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
324Service brakes, hydraulic21 crash/fire/injury
279Suspension14 crash/fire/injury
261Electrical system21 crash/fire/injury
233Service brakes5 crash/fire/injury
147Vehicle speed control17 crash/fire/injury
101Structure
97Power train
83Service brakes, electric
36Air bags
29121 other systems29 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 324 | 21 |
| Suspension | 279 | 14 |
| Electrical system | 261 | 21 |
| Service brakes | 233 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 147 | 17 |
| Structure | 101 | 10 |
| Power train | 97 | 7 |
| Service brakes, electric | 83 | 2 |
| Air bags | 36 | 21 |
| 21 other systems | 291 | 29 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
8 recalls
2002 Ford Windstar recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Power train: axle assembly
Risk. A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Front: control arm
Risk. A SEPARATION OF A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKET MAY RESULT IN A LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION.
no report yet
Axle: non-powered axle assembly
Risk. A FRACTURED AXLE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Show 4 more recalls
no report yet
Frame and members: underbody shields
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Axle: non-powered axle assembly
Risk. A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
no report yet
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk. IF THE LATCHES ON TH4E SECOND OR THIRD ROW SEATS OF THE VEHICLE RELEASE IN A CRASH, THE POTENTIAL FOR OCCUPANT INJURY IS INCREASED.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?
89kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 266 service brakes, hydraulic complaints. 62% were reported before 100,000 miles.
10under 30k miles165under 100k miles101100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Service brakes, hydraulic
25 owners mentioned a cost$900median
Middle half: $700 – $1,000
Electrical system
15 owners mentioned a cost$888median
Middle half: $600 – $1,400
Suspension
13 owners mentioned a cost$688median
Middle half: $300 – $1,000
Service brakes, electric
9 owners mentioned a cost$1,006median
Middle half: $600 – $1,300
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2002 vs. every other Windstar year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Windstar median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2002 Ford Windstar safety ratings
2002 Ford Windstar w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2002 Ford Windstar, and the recalls they led to.
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESLed to recall 09V-399
- Front Subframe Corrosion FailuresLed to recall 11V-030
- POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENINGNo recall
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESNo recall
- Rear Axle CrackingLed to recall 10V-385
- Front Subframe Corrosion FailuresLed to recall 11V-030
In owners' words
What Windstar owners report
Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
APPROX., A YEAR AGO MY ABS MODULE WENT BAD AND I HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC TO VERIFY THAT FACT. JUST RECENTLY MY SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WENT BAD AND LEAKED,. NOW I FOUND OUT THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN BOTH THE SWITCH AND THE ABS BAD MODULE. FORD DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THE ABS…
THE VAN HAD THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE PURCHASED BY MY PARENTS IN JULY 2003. PARENTS WERE TOLD BY DEALER THAT THERE IS NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM AND IGNORE THE LIGHTS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO INCIDENTS, LUCKILY THEY HAD NO EMERGENCY TO AVOID BY HARD BRAKING. NOW, AS I PREPARE TO SELL…
MY SPEEDOMETER, ABS LIGHT, AND O/D OFF LIGHT ALL ARE ON. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID EVERYWHERE. I REPLACED THE BOTTOM PART WITH A FACTORY FORD PART. THE LEAKING HAS STOPPED, HOWEVER THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER AND HAS CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD…
Own a 2002 Windstar?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.