10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
141,659 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Ford Windstar suspension problems

suspension problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Ford Windstar:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 8 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #29

May 052013

Windstar

  • 133,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving 20mph down a road and noticed a load noise. Got out of the car and saw the tire inward, looked underneath and saw the rear axle was cracked. Took it in for the recall in 11-10 and the dealership coated it.

- South Lyon, MI, USA

problem #28

Apr 102013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,800 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he heard several popping noises and then the rear wheels wobbled. After parking the vehicle at his home, he noticed that the rear axle had fractured. The contact was informed of a recall for NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified but stated the VIN was not part of a recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 138,800. Updated 5/15/13 the consumer stated this vehicle can not be driven. It should have been included in the recall. Updated 05/28/2013

- Spruce Pine, NC, USA

problem #27

Feb 252013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the front passenger side wheel became detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the bolt that connects the lower control arm to the front end cradle had become rusted. The contact was informed of NHTSA campaign number: 12V194000 (suspension). The dealer was notified and stated that the recall repair had already been done two years prior. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 74,000. Updated 04/09/13 the consumer stated Ford Motor Company, did not repair the vehicle the correct way. The consumer stated the vehicle fixed the vehicle in a cheap and quick manner. The consumer believed the front end and lower control arm should have been replaced, instead of adding brackets. The left front wheel was not connected to the vehicle. The consumer was informed the front end cradle was completely rusted through and should have been replaced.

- Ft Thomas, KY, USA

problem #26

Feb 082013

Windstar

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that vehicle was included in and repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V195000 (suspension). After the recall repair was performed while the contact was driving approximately 35 mph, the driver heard a loud scrapping from the vehicle. Additionally, there was smoke coming from under the vehicle as the steering wheel began to jerk and shift abnormally. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- South Hampton, NJ, USA

problem #25

Feb 142013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 202,101 miles
I was driving down the road when I noticed my 2002 Ford Windstar was swaying like it did the first time when the axle broke and it was replaced and then that one was reinforced. I stopped and looked under the rear-end and saw what looked like a crack or break, maybe two on the right side or drivers side of the axle. I immediately took the vehicle to the Ford dealership for inspection and was told my axle was broken. So now the original axle broke and was replaced. That axle was reinforced, and now has also broken. Something needs to be done.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #24

Sep 102012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
I had my front tire replaced and the man that changed it told me that I need an alignment because of the way my tire wore out. About 3 weeks later, when I had the money, I took my car to get an alignment and the car shop called and said that both of my tire rods needed to be replaced before an alignment was completed. I've had the car for less than 2 years and although it is an older vehicle, the tire rods should have lasted longer than that (if properly checked). My steering shakes horribly from side to side at various speeds and often times my ABS/trac off lights come on and won't got off. I am still able to use my brakes though. I am not sure why that light comes on.

- Beckville, TX, USA

problem #23

Feb 152011

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V194000 (suspension:front:control arm) and was repaired. After the repairs, the contact noticed a clunking noise exhibited from the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that there was water dripping from the air conditioner line where the original corrosion occurred on the sub frame, which corroded the component that was added under the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician then advised that the sub frame would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Bloomingdale, IL, USA

problem #22

Sep 102012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
I have a bad vibration when im goin on the highway and when I hit bumps it makes a clunking sound and when I turn and makes a noise.

- Milford, IL, USA

problem #21

Sep 012011

Windstar

  • miles
The antilock brake system light as well as the traction control lights keep coming on. Garage can't tell the exact cause. The booster arm busted, keeping the brakes engaged as driven. The booster arm was replaced and the lights are still on. I reset it, and they reappear after a short time. I now smell the brakes when applied. I've had engine replaced at 101,000 miles, two transmissions, multiple brake jobs, rear axle repaired, front axle repaired, front tie rods repaired. The alignment on my vehicle could only be partially completed.... toe, and another alignment done, but the complete alignment would need a hole drilled in the frame and a bolt moved over - bad design by Ford. I've also had to have the oxygen sensor replaced at my own expense. The vehicle is a ticking time bomb, piece of crap.

- Pomfret, MD, USA

problem #20

Jun 232010

Windstar

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact was traveling 65 mph when the brakes were depressed and steering failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driver side front axle needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000 and the current mileage was 179,000.

- Ridge Wood, NY, USA

problem #19

Jul 092012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At times when is col, D the ABS and brake light is off while driving, when it gets hot the ABS and brake light turns on and the ABS fails to work. Code C1185 ABS power relay output circuit failure. I got to a stop sign and the road was wet and the van skidded, the ABS did not work. No one was hurt and I have seen all the complaints that Ford owners are having. I don't know if my 2002 Ford Windstar had all the other recalls done, like the brake pressure differential deactivation switch (scds) and the rear frame welds that are breaking up on the chassis of many Ford owners. I would like to verify what has been done to my Ford Windstar that I bought two months ago. I just had the inner and outer tie rod ends done along with the sway bar links at the front suspension.

- North Bergen, NJ, USA

problem #18

Apr 142012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
To whom it may concern, I am seriously concerned about this vehicle and the way I am treated by Ford motors. The car suddenly while driving on highway came to a complete stop and almost flipped. Thank god that injuries were not that serious but the car is now total loss. After taking the car to private mechanics, it was determined that subframe broke and the axles, control arms all broke. It was then discovered that this was part of a recall. Car was towed to Ford motors dealership. A request has been made to provide me with safety report on the vehicle. Ford and its dealership forced me out of their dealership and kicked me out. The car is their for months and I have been sending Ford online messages via email and phone but they are not willing to buy the car or give me its value nor fix the car. I have been without a car for more than 4 months now and Ford is not doing the least to even trade the car for another one. I am seriously disappointed.

- Waterloo, FL, USA

problem #17

Jun 272012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
My girlfriend was driving the car and with no warning the rear axle just snapped in half. Ford says it was fixed by the previous owner and that the recall had expired and now I will have to pay out of pocket. Well if it was reinforced and still snapped I believe the work was not done properly and Ford should be responsible. She could have been seriously injured.

- Luzerne, PA, USA

problem #16

Apr 202012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 175,000 miles
The front driver side spring broke in two pieces. Due to the weight of the vehicle the stabilizer bar ended up getting bent. Also, because of the sharp edge where the spring broke it cut the front brake line. I'm grateful that it occurred overnight to where my family and I weren't driving it.

- Middletown, OH, USA

problem #15

Mar 242012

Windstar

  • 132,500 miles
The van was parked in a parking lot, I was in the vehicle at the time. A noisy metal braking sound & movement of the van, made me think I was hit by another car, but no one was around. The front left coil spring broke, in more than 1 place. I had 15 minutes before been on a busy highway in a lot of traffic, I am just glad nothing happened then. On the 1998 Ford Windstar, I know there was a recall for the same problem. The 2002 Ford Windstar has had 2 other recalls, in regards to corrosion problems, on back axle & front frame.

- North East, PA, USA

problem #14

Mar 102012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
While driving approximately 30 mph the drivers side front coil spring broke in two and caused the tire to blow out.

- Asbury , IA, USA

problem #13

May 172007

Windstar

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While examining the vehicle, the contact noticed rust along the filler pipe on the driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the contact was not informed what was causing the failure and the vehicle was not serviced. In addition, while traveling 30 mph, the contact noticed that the front end of the vehicle would begin to sway left to right. Moments later, the rear of the vehicle had also begun to sway from left to right. The contact examined the vehicle and discovered that the front torsion bars were hanging off of the vehicle and the rear axle was partially separate. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer nor repaired. The current mileage was 100,000 and the failure mileage was 65,000.

- Oxford, CT, USA

problem #12

Dec 192011

Windstar

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle cracked while driving 25 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- Bristol, TN, USA

problem #11

Oct 212011

Windstar

  • 70,302 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 5 mph there was a loud rubbing noise on the passenger side of the vehicle. After inspecting the tire he noticed the coil spring was rubbing and wearing down the tires. The tire was not punctured and he was able to drive the vehicle home without an incident. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a claim was filed; yet, they offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was 70302.

- Sandusky, OH, USA

problem #10

Oct 032011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 163,000 miles
Driving down highway, had to swerve for animal, van started to sway back N forth, heard metal scraping ground, got out looked to see rear sway bar hanging down. The bar had rotted out of frame...is this one of the components covered in the multiple recalls of the suspension and all the problems related to them...thanks

- Alden, NY, USA

Read the next 9 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?