2002 Ford Windstar Owner Complaints

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 ID

11720212

Incident

Feb 3, 2026

Mileage

108,000 mi

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 ID

11660690

Incident

May 12, 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 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 ID

11655566

Incident

Oct 23, 2024

The rear axle passenger side broke.

NHTSA ID

11594551

Incident

Jun 14, 2024

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 ID

11563056

Incident

Dec 30, 2023

Mileage

160,000 mi

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 ID

11546076

Incident

Aug 25, 2023

Mileage

142,000 mi

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 ID

11543158

Incident

Jun 22, 2022

Mileage

139,619 mi

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 ID

11518183

Incident

Aug 18, 2022

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 ID

11511841

Incident

Mar 10, 2023

Mileage

116,000 mi

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 ID

11511077

Incident

Mar 9, 2023

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 ID

11507869

Incident

Feb 9, 2023

Mileage

125,000 mi

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 ID

11504440

Incident

Oct 15, 2022

Mileage

59,839 mi

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 ID

11495404

Incident

Aug 16, 2022

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 ID

11495403

Incident

Nov 29, 2022

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 ID

11449963

Incident

Jan 26, 2022

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 ID

11433723

Incident

Sep 19, 2021

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 ID

11430350

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

Mileage

185,000 mi

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 ID

11425491

Incident

Jul 2, 2021

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 ID

11407771

Incident

Apr 12, 2021

Mileage

158,866 mi

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 ID

11390801

Incident

Jan 29, 2021

Mileage

200,000 mi

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. I DO NOT HAVE ABS FUNCTION WHILE THE LIGHTS ARE ON AND IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN WARMER WEATHER. WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF IT RESETS AND DOESN'T COME BACK ON UNTIL DRIVEN A FEW MILES AGAIN. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL FORUMS, THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING ON A LARGE AMOUNT OF FORD WINDSTAR'S SIMILAR TO MINE OR ASSEMBLED IN CANADA.

NHTSA ID

11385072

Incident

Dec 21, 2020

Mileage

130,200 mi

I TOOK MY VAN FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD I CANNOT GET IT INSPECTED BECAUSE THE REAR AXEL CORRODED AND HAS HUGE HOLE ON IT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A DANGER TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VAN LIKE. I'VE CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO LONGER A RECALL FOR MY VAN BUT YET THERE WAS A RECALL BACK IN EARLY 2010 TO 2015 AND IT'S EXACTLY WAS IS WRONG WITH MY VAN. I AM SCARED TO GET IN THE HIGHWAY OR DRIVE IT FOR THAT MATTER.

NHTSA ID

11364053

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE REAR AXLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING VEERING THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THOROUGHBRED FORD OF PLATTE CITY (1901 E. PRAIRIE VIEW RD, PLATTE CITY, MO 64079) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE REAR AXLE WAS TEMPORARILY FIXED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME HOWEVER, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED COMPLETELY WHILE LEAVING THE DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION), 12V195000 (SUSPENSION) AND 12V194000 (SUSPENSION) AS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.

NHTSA ID

11360208

Incident

Aug 18, 2020

Mileage

161,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REPLACING THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRES, THE TIRES STARTED TO WEAR TO THE INNER CORD. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE ALIGNED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT CALLED THOROUGHBRED FORD OF PLATTE CITY, INC. (1901 PRAIRIE VIEW RD, PLATTE CITY, MO 64079) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION) IN 2015 PRIOR TO VEHICLE OWNERSHIP. THE DEALER WAS CALLED BACK AND CONFIRMED THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

NHTSA ID

11360205

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

161,000 mi

ON SATURDAY AUGUST 29, 2020 I WAS DRIVING IN MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR DOWN A ROAD THAT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. THE SPEED LIMIT OF THE ROAD IS 35 MPH AND THERE IS A CURRENT BUMP IN THE ROAD AT AN ASPHALT ELEVATION CHANGE. AS SOON AS I WENT OVER THE BUMP IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING WAS SEVERELY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A LOUD "BANG" AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING WILDLY AND MAKING SEVERE NOISES. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT HAD OCCURRED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL ONTO A SIDE STREET SHORTLY THEREAFTER. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE WHEEL WAS ANGLED INTO THE BODY OF THE VAN. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, PEERING UNDER THE VEHICLE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE ACTUAL CAUSE WAS THAT THE VEHICLE'S REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED NEARLY COMPLETELY THROUGH (SEE PICTURES). IN THIS CONDITION BOTH REAR TIRES COLLAPSED INTO THE VEHICLE FRAME. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD ALREADY BEEN RECALLS RELATED TO THE REAR AXLE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. AFTER THE INSPECTION, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE TO INSTALL BRACKETS ON THE AXLE HAD BEEN PERFORMED IN DEC 2010 AND THAT THEY HAD BEEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY. DUE TO THIS, FORD'S POSITION WAS THAT THE RECALL WAS DONE ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO THE RECALLS AND REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SAFETY FAILURE ON THEIR VEHICLE. I TRIED TO CONTEND THAT THE INTENT OF THE RECALL WAS TO PREVENT THE AXLE FROM FRACTURING, WHICH OBVIOUSLY THEIR PREVIOUS RECALL "FIX" DIDN'T APPROPRIATELY ACCOMPLISH. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE TO HAVE AN AXLE FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, AND FORD'S PREVIOUS RECALL "FIX" FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM MAKING THE VEHICLE A HAZARD TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11352877

Incident

Aug 29, 2020

Mileage

160,500 mi