2002 Ford Windstar

● Typical for this model
2002 Ford Windstar
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Windstar Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1985: 5 complaints 1985 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 11 complaints 1994: 23 complaints 1995: 3326 complaints 1995 1996: 1386 complaints 1997: 192 complaints 1998: 1433 complaints 1998 1999: 1522 complaints 2000: 1675 complaints 2001: 1686 complaints 2001 2002: 1353 complaints 2002 2003: 1509 complaints 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaints 2005
2002: 1353 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19855
19906
19913
19922
199311
199423
19953326
19961386
1997192
19981433
19991522
20001675
20011686
20021353
20031509
200424
20051

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 19%

19% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 259 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 235 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 17%

17% of complaints: service brakes — 233 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

NEIGHBOR CAME BY EARLY AND TOLD ME THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. I WENT OUT TO INSPECT BUT DIDN'T SEE THEM ON. GOT IN THE CAR AN HOUR LATER AND NOTICED SMOKE AND HORRIBLE "ELECTRICAL" SMELL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121002

SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 171 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20250513

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CRUNCHING SOUND AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS ALSO PRESENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180503

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL PERTAINING TO THE AXLE IN 2011. SEVEN YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL BUMPING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180223

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 129 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20031121 — seats

CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." DURING TESTING, A THIRD ROW BENCH FLOOR-TO-SEAT LATCH RELE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT-TO-FLOOR LATCHES ON THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW OF SEATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 21, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Campaign 03V459000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040303 — PE (closed 20040701)

POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING

R 20060804 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN

Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Campaign 06E056000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080513 — PE (closed 20080917)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20080917 — EA (closed 20091014)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20091027 — vehicle speed control

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CO

Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20100513 — PE (closed 20100922)

Rear Axle Cracking

I 20100720 — PE (closed 20101220)

Front Subframe Corrosion Failures

R 20101020 — suspension

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, DIS

Remedy: AS PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY INSTALL THE REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN O

Campaign 10V385000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20101220 — EA (closed 20110317)

Front Subframe Corrosion Failures

R 20110221 — structure

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, K

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS, AND BOTH BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS AT THE REAR OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME, AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. IF REPAIRS

Campaign 11V030000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120601 — suspension

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

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE REAR AXLE OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL B

Campaign 12V195000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120618 — suspension

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 AT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BOTH BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS AT THE REAR OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BE

Campaign 12V194000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120619 — power train

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, CORROSI

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS, OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON

Campaign 12V193000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151021 — suspension

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.

Campaign 15V608000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Ford Windstar — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (259 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (235 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (233 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V459000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V385000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V030000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V195000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V194000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V193000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V608000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1997 ● 1996 ● 1998

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ● 2001 ● 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Ford Windstar reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Ford Windstar is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Windstar?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Windstar have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.