2002 Ford Windstar Transmission Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT FAILED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED GARY CROSSLEY FORD AT (816) 781-4844 (LOCATED AT 8050 N CHURCH RD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64158) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED 2002 FORD WINDSTAR OUTPUT SHAFT FAILED CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF CRASH.*JB

NHTSA ID

11165119

Incident

Dec 5, 2018

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER RECALL RELATED TO THE POWER TRAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA ID

10794694

Incident

Oct 18, 2015

Mileage

134,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE ABS LAMP, TORQUE CONVERTER LAMP AND THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 10/06/11 *BF UPDATED 10/5/11 *CN

NHTSA ID

10426599

Incident

Sep 3, 2009

Mileage

58,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LAMP ILLUMINATED. ALSO, HE MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,240.

NHTSA ID

10406876

Incident

Jun 1, 2011

Mileage

67,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT WHEN THE CONTACT TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACTS MECHANIC DID NOT MENTION ANYTHING SPECIFIC THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE, ONLY THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND THAT IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID

10390260

Incident

Mar 12, 2011

Mileage

115,000 mi

SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 2002 FOR WINDSTAR DOWN 40 MPH ROAD AND TRANSMISSION STOPPED SUPPLYING POWER TO THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AND VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10384774

Incident

Feb 28, 2011

Mileage

87,294 mi

OVERDRIVE LIGHT AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10381569

Incident

Sep 20, 2010

Mileage

112,000 mi

2002 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT IN FOR INSPECTION FOR A RECALL THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE AXLE WAS CRACKED. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD BE 3-4 MONTHS BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS RETURNED TO HIM. PRIOR TO THE AXLE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR DOOR WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY OPEN. *JB

NHTSA ID

10370153

Incident

Dec 1, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE REOCCURRED SIX MONTHS LATER AND WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT PAID THE COST FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE FOR THE ONE RADIATOR REPLACEMENTS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE FRONT BRAKES AND FRONT ROTORS, WHICH HAD REQUIRED ANNUAL REPLACEMENT . ALSO, WHILE DRIVING THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10367160

Incident

Oct 12, 2003

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE LOW BRAKE FLUID LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS HEADED TO PULL OVER WHEN THE DASHBOARD WENT CRAZY. SAID THAT THE ABS WAS BAD, RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE CHECKED, TRACTION CONTROL ERROR, CHECK TRANSMISSION, MILEAGE WAS GONE ONLY --------- LISTED, A/C STOPPED WORKING, SAID FUEL DATA COMPUTER ERROR, SPEEDOMETER WAS OUT. I AM TAKING IT TO FORD TOMORROW TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL REPLACE AND I BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THE BRAKE FLUID MAY BE LEAKING ON EVERYTHING BECAUSE I DID SMALL A BURNING SMELL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10336555

Incident

Jun 15, 2010

Mileage

132,512 mi

2002 FORD WINDSTAR BAD TRANSMISSION PO CODE 734. *TR

NHTSA ID

10304388

Incident

Feb 3, 2010

Mileage

150,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY , MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE IN A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, IT WAS LIKE IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND STAYED THERE. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP IN FAST LANE ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, THEY WERE ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK. LUCKILY THEY ESCAPED HARM. THE VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE AND GAVE NO PROBLEM OF TRANNY PROBLEMS BEFORE. BROUGHT CAR TO GARAGE, IT NEEDED A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF TRANSMISSION AT A SIGNIFICANT COST. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR US, I DON'T FEEL THIS SHOULD HAPPEN TO A MINIVAN THAT HAS BEEN AS WALL TAKEN CARE OF AS MY WIFE'S. THANK YOU VERY MUCH*TR

NHTSA ID

10294476

Incident

Nov 30, 2009

Mileage

68,000 mi

OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGINS FLASHING AND OVERDRIVE SHIFTS OUT OGF GEAR. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ON TWO CONSECUTIVE FORD WINDSTARS I'VE OWNED. A 1999 AND 2002. BOTH PROBLEMS OCCURRED AT THE 120,000 MILE MARK. IN BOTH CASES THE TRANSMISSION WAS DIAGNOSE AS NEEDING REPLACEMENT. IN BOTH CASES THE FLASHING O/D LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER THE TRANSMISSIONS WERE REPLACED AT GREAT EXPENSE. THIS TIME I REPLACED THE TRANS IN THE 2002 WITH A TRANS OUT OF A 2005 WITH 52,000 MILES ON IT. NOW 2 MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT IS FLASHING AGAIN BUT THE OVERDRIVE SEEMS TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IN THE CASE OF THE 1999 I HAD TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AFTER REPLACING THE TRANS WHICH I BELIEVED MIGHT HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE BECAUSE I DUMPED THE VEHICLE QUICKLY AFTERWARD. IN THIS CASE I'M GOING TO TRADE IN THE 2002 ON A CHRYSLER PACIFICA *TR

NHTSA ID

10227608

Incident

Dec 15, 2007

Mileage

118,000 mi

1.CONTINUING TRANSMISSION/OVERDRIVE FAILURES- FLASHING OVERDRIVE LIGHT. 2. HEATER DOOR CONTROL FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10218576

Incident

Nov 15, 2007

Mileage

116,263 mi

I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR IN 2005. IN OCTOBER I TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION AND NEEDED TO HAVE ALL FOUR TIRES (ONE OF WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED 6 MONTHS BEFORE), THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, A BREAK LIGHT BULB AND FRONT BRAKES REPLACED...NEEDLESS TO SAY IT FAILED AND I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT BACK IN (AFTER SAVING TO HAVE IT FIXED)! I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE COST, AS QUOTED BY THE SERVICE REP, WOULD BE ABOUT $1,500!!! I HAD JUST SPENT OVER $700 FOR THE OTHER REPAIRS! I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR! I HAVE SEARCHED SEVERAL WEBSITES AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH WINDSTAR OWNERS (OF VARIOUS YEARS 1995-2002), SOME OF WHICH WHO HAVE BEEN FORCED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM! I CANNOT CONTINUE TO SINK COUNTLESS DOLLARS INTO THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT TRADE IT UNTIL THE PROBLEMS ARE CORRECTED. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS ISSUE FOR THE SOMEONE LIKE ME, IN THE WORKING MIDDLE-CLASS. I WILL SOON NEED TO PICK UP A SECOND JOB JUST TO TAKE CARE OF REPAIRS! THIS IS CRAZY!! PLEASE HOLD FORD MOTOR COMPANY ACCOUNTABLE FOR SUCH TERRIBLE PRODUCTION...ESPECIALLY ON A ISSUE THEY HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF (TRANSMISSION) FOR YEARS! THANK YOU. *NM

NHTSA ID

10174391

Incident

Nov 25, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING FROM 10 MPH UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, ALMOST GOING OVER A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE PCM AND RE-FILLED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE SHIFTER WAS RE-ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT OCCASIONALLY, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INACCURATE. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO DIM AT TIMES. UPDATED 01/09/07.*JB

NHTSA ID

10173041

Incident

Nov 8, 2006

Mileage

4,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A GROWLING NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED AND THE CODE PO174 CAME UP IDENTIFYING A VACUUM LEAK. THE ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR REPLACEMENT WERE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND ASSOCIATED PARTS, OUTER TIE ROD END AND FRONT AXLE SEALS, TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET AND FILTER. THE INSURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR, WHO VERIFIED THE SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/5/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10172434

Incident

Oct 30, 2006

Mileage

75,829 mi

OUR 2002 WINDSTAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES. FROM CLUNKING FRONT SUSPENSION; RATTLING SLIDING DOORS; INTERIOR LIGHTS AND LOCKS THAT WOULD COME ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. HOWEVER, THERE ARE TWO UNRESOLVED ISSUES AND IT'S BEEN TO DEALERS NUMEROUS TIMES, AND EACH TIME, THEY JUST BLOW ME OFF. THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND SHIFT, AND DOES A "TWO-STEP" SHIFT. WHEN IT FINALLY DOES THE SECOND HALF OF THE TWO-STEP AND ENGAGES, THERE IS AN AUDIBLE COOKOO, JUST LIKE A COOKOO CLOCK. THE OTHER INFURIATING PROBLEM AND POSSIBLE DANGER IS THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT SQUEAKS LIKE AN OLD MATTRESS AND ALSO STICKS TO THE FLOOR IF YOU HAVE TO BRAKE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. YOU HAVE TO USE THE TIP OF YOUR SHOE TO PULL THE PEDAL BACK UP. VISIT AFTER VISIT AFTER VISIT TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY ALWAYS CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THEY WERE PLAYING "BEAT THE CLOCK" WITH THE WARRANTY AND NOW THAT'S GONE, AND THEY ARE STILL DOING IT WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. INFURIATING. NOBODY CARES AND NOBODY WILL HELP. *NM

NHTSA ID

10168907

Incident

Sep 21, 2006

Mileage

2,000 mi

DT: THE CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE WITH GEAR SHIFT IN PARK AND ENGINE TURNED OFF WITH NO OCCUPANTS INSIDE. THE CAR ROLLED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND DOWN SLIGHT INCLINE IN DRIVEWAY STRIKING CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS. EMS AND POLICE WERE CALLED. NO INDICATIONS AS TO WHAT HAPPENED BUT OFFICER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND DID NOTE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND WAS IN PARK. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET HOWEVER THERE IS AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE DEALER TOMORROW. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT AND AN INSURANCE CLAIM AS WELL. CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW HOW THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. *CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE DEALER INFORMATION AFTER DECIDING TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT, WILL ADD LATER.* *NM

NHTSA ID

10128430

Incident

Jul 10, 2005

Mileage

50,000 mi

TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN MADE ABNORMAL NOISES FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE FOR INSPECTION, AND THEY ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO TIRE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH ALIGNMENT. ALSO, TRANSMISSION NOISE PERSISTED,AND VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP. AGAIN NOTHING WA S FOUND WRONG ON INSPECTION WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO RETURN LATER FOR MORE COMPLETE EXAMINATION. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2005 TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED ACCELERATING THE ENGINE TO 3200 RPMS WITH A SPEED OF 70 MPH. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE LEFT INTO A LEFT TURN LANE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH AN ILLEGALLY PARKED TRUCK AND TRAILER. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING. THE DRIVER, MY SON , WAS TRAPPED IN THE WINDSTAR MINI VAN DUE TO A COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT FRAME. AFTER A DIFFICULT EXTRACTION BY THE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT MY SON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10118758

Incident

Feb 10, 2005

Mileage

72,000 mi

WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED HEAVILY. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE FRONT ROTORS/PADS, BUT THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK HAD TO CHANGE WIPER BLADES ONE WEEK LATER, THEY WERE ROTTEN. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, HAD TO DRIVE IN 2ND GEAR ALL THE TO THE DEALER, ALSO HAS A STRONG CLUNKING WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE INTO ANY GEAR. *BF

NHTSA ID

10117265

Incident

Mar 17, 2004

Mileage

22,600 mi

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE CONSUMER ALMOST INJURED HER SON. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10051841

Incident

Sep 1, 2002

Mileage

8,000 mi

ANTI LOCK BRAKE SHIFTER IS INOPERATIVE,THIS DEVICE IS TO PREVENT LEVER FROM SHIFTING WITHOUT BRAKE DEPRESSION.ALSO, CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT LEVER INTO DRIVE GEAR WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.*AK

NHTSA ID

8018546

Incident

Aug 22, 2002

CONSUMER STATED FOR THE 4TH TIME IN LESS THAN 5040 MILES AND WITHIN 90 DAYS OF OWNING VEHICLE, IT HAS EXPERIENCED A TEMPORARY FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION STICKS INTO LOW GEAR THEN GOES INTO A COASTING MODE AND REVVING THE ENGINE AS HIGH AS 4000 RPM OR SHIFTING BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE HAD NO EFFECT, WHEN THE VEHICLE SPEED GOT DOWN TO LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION REENGAGED AND OPERATED NORMALLY AGAIN, THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE BUT NO FAULT CODES OR MALFUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION OCCURED.*JB

NHTSA ID

564407

Incident

Nov 20, 2001