2002 Ford Windstar complaints

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

2002 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES. VEHICLE HAS 104,000 MILES. WELL MAINTAINED AND NEVER ABUSED. I WAS SHOCKED AND IN AWE WHEN I NOTICED THIS TODAY WHILE I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND UNDER INVESTIGATION. I AM A SAFETY PROFESSIONAL AND A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS (ASE). MY TWO CHILDREN RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE EVERY DAY. SOME OF THESE VANS ARE USED AT DAYCARE DENTERS AND SMALL BUS COMPANIES. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT. I HAVE READ COMMENTS ABOUT PEOPLE DOWN-PLAYING THIS, AND FEELING THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME. THIS INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED AND RATIONAL. OWR VAN IS IN GREAT SHAPE AND SHOWING NO OTHER SIGNS OF MAJOR RUST OR DEFECTS. IF THIS HAD FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. THESE ARE FAMILY VEHICLES DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR TRANSPORTING A BUNCH OF KIDS. I DROVE TWO 5 YEAR OLDS TO A BIRTHDAY PARTY 40 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES. THANK YOU *TR

ABS/E-BRAKEWARNING LED'S COME ON WHEN VAN WARMS UP. ABS QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY ON WET ROADS. NEARLY CRASHED INTO SIDE RAIL. WHEN I GOT HOME CHECKED MY BRAKE FLUID AND FOUND IT EMPTY. FILLED THE FLUID AND TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY. MECHANIC SAID I HAD LEAKED FLUID ALL OVER, BUT THE MASTER CYL. LOOKED TO BE FINE. FOUND INFO ON LINE AND SOON AFTER GOT A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD. TOOK VAN TO FORD DEALER WHO INSTALLED THE FUSIBLE LINK, PER THE RECALL NOTICE IN NOVEMBER. MY ABS AND E-BRAKE LIGHTS ARE BACK ON AS OF ABOUT MARCH, 2010. THEY COME ON MOST OFTEN AFTER THE VAN HAS WARMED UP, OR IF THE TEMP OUTSIDE IS WARMER. AT THE SAME TIME THAT THESE WARNING DASH LIGHTS CAME BACK ON I LOST BRAKE LIGHTS ALL TOGETHER, NO TAIL LIGHTS, NO REVERSE LAMPS, NO REAR TURN SIGNALS, NO DOME LIGHTS, CC WORKS SOMETIMES AND OTHERS DOES NOT, AND THE AUTO LOCKS OFTEN DO NOT WORK TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE VAN. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD OFTEN STAY ON AFTER TURNING THE VAN OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY, AND NOW THEY DON'T TURN ON AT ALL. MY BATTERY WOULD DIE AND HAVE HUGE AMOUNTS OF CORROSION ON THE NEG. LEAD OF THE BATTERY. REPLACED BATTERY AND THE GROUND CHASIS LEAD AND THE GROUND BATTERY TERMINAL. I HAVE YET ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE FORD DEALER THIS WEEK. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING NOW FOR 8 MONTHS. IF MY VAN CATCHES FIRE, MY DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK IN THE REAR HOW WILL I GET MY CHILDREN OUT QUICKLY AND SAFELY? THIS IS DANGEROUS! *TR

REAR AXLE FAILURE; FORD WINDSTAR 2002. *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 118,000 MILES. REAR AXLE CRACKED. HAD TO REPLACE AXLE FOR 1000. MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. DO SOMETHING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH,THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A BOUNCING VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT STATED THERE WERE TWO CRACKS APPROXIMATELY ONE TO TWO INCHES LONG ON THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THERE WAS A FORD RECALL #09S09B TO CORRECT THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. I WENT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA ON 05/27/10 TO HAVE THE MATTER CORRECTED BUT AFTER I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH FEAR SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AND IT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. *TR

I HEARD UNUSUAL NOISES FROM UNDERNEATH MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. I BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE REAR AXLE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS CRACKED. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINI-VAN IS ON ALL THE TIME. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE FOR A PRICE OF $750.00 PLUS LABOR TO CORRECT THIS. THEN I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING A RECALL INVOLVING THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM WAS NEEDED TO MAKE MY WINDSTAR SAFE FROM A POSSIBLE FIRE. I HAD FORD DO THE NO-COST FIX WHICH AMOUNTED TO A JUMPER WIRE WITH A FUSIBLE-LINK. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT FIX THE EXISTING ABS PROBLEM. NOW, MY SPEEDOMETER IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS PROBLEM AND FIND THAT MANY WINDSTAR MINI-VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 1999 AND 2003 HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THEY ALL ARE RELATED TO THE ABS SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD COMPLETELY FIX THESE PROBLEMS AND OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY AN AMOUNT EXCEEDING $1000.00 TO DO SO. THESE PROBLEMS WERE APPARENTLY INHERENT IN THESE MODEL YEARS AND REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FORD, NOT THE VEHICLE OWNERS. I CAN STILL DRIVE MY WINDSTAR BUT WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM FIXED AT A MINIMUM (IF THAT IS POSSIBLE SINGULARLY). NOT HAVING THE ABS PROBLEM FIXED MAY LEAD TO FURTHER COMPLICATIONS, BUT I CANNOT AFFORD THESE COSTLY REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. *TR

PARKING BRAKE LIGHT, TRACTION LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THIS IS THE ABS MODULE GOING BAD. THE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY IN NO RANDOM ORDER. WHEN I SWITCH ON AND OFF THE LIGHTS GO AWAY. THE DEALER IS QUOTING ME $1300 TO FIX THIS, SAYING THAT THIS IS NOT LIFE THREATENING AND JUST THAT THE ABS FUNCTION MAY NOT FUNCTION IN CASE OF A REQUIREMENT. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR ME AS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TYPICALLY THE VAN IS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. FORD SAYS THIS IS NOT PART OF THEIR FORD WINDSTAR SAFETY RECALL AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS. HOWEVER READING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF WINDSTAR, LOTS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINED AND HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. I HAVE ALSO FOUND A RECALL OF ABS THAT IS VERY SIMILAR AND INCLUDING THE TWO LINKS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. I HOPE YOU CAN GET FORD TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND GET THEM TO FIX THIS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY MORE LEAVE ASIDE PUTTING KIDS IN THE CAR. HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/FORD/WINDSTAR/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM HTTP://FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/ . *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR. PICKED MY DAUGHTER UP AT COLLEGE TO COME HOME FOR THE SUMMER. COLLEGE 4 HOURS FROM HOME. MISSED A TURN TO GET ON HIGHWAY. TURNED AROUND IN A GAS STATION AND THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE AS THE STEERING FELT FUNNY. STOPPED, GOT OUT TO LOOK, HERE THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN ABOUT 12 INCHES IN FROM THE WHEEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. CALLED AAA, GOT TOWED, TOW DRIVER TELLS ME HE HAS PICKED UP AT LEAST 6 WINDSTARS IN LAST YEAR WITH SAME PROBLEM AND ALL IN THE EXACT PLACE WHERE IT HAS BROKE. I JUST THANK GOD I WASN'T BACK ON I 80 GOING 65 WHEN IT HAPPENED. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BY THIS. I WAS LUCKY. PLUS HAD TO MISS WORK, BUY A USED AXLE, STAY IN A HOTEL, ETC..... FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND REIMBURSE THESE EXPENSES. *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR MAKES POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT UP A DRIVEWAY. REPAIR SHOP FOUND A CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, BOTH REAR WHEELS WOULD CAVE IN AND THE AXLE WAS SPLIT IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT OFFERING WARRANTIES ON THE PART AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY THE LOCAL MECHANIC BY REPLACING THE REAR AXLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

WENT OVER A SMALL POT HOLE AND REAR AXLE BROKE. NEEDED TO REPLACE REAR AXLE. AXLE ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED FOR CRACK IN 2009. *TR

HEARD ABOUT AXLES CRACKING ON FORD WINDSTARS. TOOK MY 2002 WINDSTAR TO MY MECHANIC AND SURE ENOUGH IT IS CRACKED. HE ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE IT. I NEED VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK AND DO NOT HAVE $900.00 PLUS TO FIX IT. *TR

BACKING UP WHEN REAR AXLE BROKE ON VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. ON APRIL 6, 2010, WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE REAR AXLE AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,028. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

1. THE CAR STOPS ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING 2. THAT HAPPENS BETWEEN 2 AND 5 TIMES A WEEK 3. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK THEN RESTART IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO MULLIMAX FORD DEALER IN APOPKA, FL SEVERAL TIMES. I PAID FOR DIAGNOSTICS, THEY CANNOT FIND THE REASON OR THE PROBLEM. THEY USUALLY PERFORM NECESSARY REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT SOLVED. RECENTLY I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE CAR DIED. SEVERAL MOTORIST STEPPED ON THEIR BRAKE TO AVOID STRIKING MY VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS ON INITIAL STAGE, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR ANOTHER RECALL ON 11-25-09. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE AS THERE WERE NO WARRANTIES OR RECALLS FOR IT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

I GOT A LETTER RECENTLY ABOUT A RECALL ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL/BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. AS I WAS LOOKING ONLINE FOR THE NAME OF THE RECALL, I REALIZED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WINDSTAR'S AXEL PROBLEMS. IN SEPTEMBER 2009 MY WINDSTAR STARTED FEELING LIKE THE BACK END WAS FISHTAILING BUT THERE WAS NO ICE.IT SOUNDED WEIRD TO. MY HUSBAND FOLLOWED ME TO THE LOCAL SEARS AUTO STORE ABOUT 4 MILES AWAY. WHEN WE ARRIVED HE SAID THAT THE TIRES LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE AT A 45DEGREE ANGLE FACING OUTWARD. WHEN THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT, HE SAID THAT WE WERE LUCK TO BE ALIVE AND THAT THE AXLE WAS HOLDING BY A ONE INCH PIECE OF METAL. THEY SAID THEY WERE LUCKY THEY USED THE CAR LIFE INSTEAD OF THE CROSS LIFE OR IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN THE AXLE. NOT ONE OF THE MECHANICS AT THAT SEARS HAVE EVER SEEN A BROKEN AXLE BEFORE AND TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY NOT FIXABLE. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T LEGALLY LET US DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. HE DID FIX IT BUT IT COST OVER $1,000. I'M GLAD MY FAMILY IS SAFE AND WE WEREN'T DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND SAFETY ISSUES, WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS FORD PART. *TR

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON ROUTE 22 IN UNION, NJ, THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN TWO. THE VEHICLE STARTED EXHIBITING SOME CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END SWAYING PRIOR TO A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE DRAGGING TO A STOP. THE REAR TIRES RUBBED AGAINST THE INSIDE WHEEL WELLS PRODUCING ODOR AND SMOKE AT THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2002. IT CURRENTLY ONLY HAS ONLY 75,398 MILES. APPROXIMATELY, 1 WEEK AGE MY WIFE DROVE MY SON TO HIS SOCCER AND BASEBALL PRACTICE. WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY 2 OTHER SONS IN THE VAN, SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SUDDENLY A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK WHEELS. LUCKILY, SHE MADE IT HOME WITHOUT ANY INJURIES. AFTER SHE PARKED THE VAN, SHE NOTICED THAT THE WHEELS WERE SMOKING AND WERE SLIGHTLY TURNED IN. I HAD IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE MECHANIC CALLED AND STATED THAT THE REAR AXEL WAS CRACKED. HE SAID THAT HE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT, ESPECIALLY ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 75, 398 MILE. HE SAID THAT HE WAS GOING TO CALL AROUND AND TRY TO FIND A USED PART. AFTER A WEEK (OF NOT HAVING A VEHICLE), THE MECHANIC CALLED AND STATED THAT HE CALLED EVERYWHERE FOR A USED PART. HOWEVER, HE WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL IN LOCATING THE PART. ONCE AGAIN, HE STATED THAT HE NEVER EXPERIENCED NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCATE A PART. HE SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT SO MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT HE COULD PUT A NEW PART ON, BUT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,000. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VAN AND THEY STATED THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND TRYING TO FIND A USED PART ON MY OWN, I HAVE NOTICED THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IN FACT, THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FILED AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I THINK TH

WHILE DRIVING ON A ROAD WITH OUR THREE YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE CAR JERKED, STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES, AND SMOKING. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE POURING FROM THE LEFT (DRIVER) SIDE. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE AND SAW THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS AT AN ODD ANGLE AS WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. WHEN THE TOW-TRUCK ARRIVED AND LIFTED IT UP, IT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THE AXLE HAD SNAPPED FOR NO REASON. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR A MAJOR ACCIDENT, NOR DID THE CAR CATCH FIRE BUT IT SMELLS OF BURNED RUBBER. *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR; THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN TWO WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. BOTH TIRES TILTED OUT, AXLE CRACKED A LITTLE TO THE LEFT OF CENTER WHILE LOOKING AT IT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VAN. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS HAPPENED IN HUNDREDS OF WINDSTARS, AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE PEOPLE DIE, IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED ( ABS BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON ). *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING ON THRUWAY 390 IN CORNING NEW YORK. I NOTICED A SHANK IN BACK END OF VAN AND SMELLED RUBBER BURNING. WHILE TRYING TO EXIT OFF THE THRUWAY THE TIRES COMPLETELY BLEW OUT AND LOCKED UP. AT 65 M.P.H. PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF THRUWAY AND REAR BACK AXLE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND ORDERED NEW PARTS. I HAVE ALL THE OLD PARTS CALL FORD THEY NEVER HEAD OF THIS HAPPENING. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM DOCTORS OFFICE. I WAS TRAVELING 45 M.P.H. , IT WAS RAINING. I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE WHEN MY VEHICLE, 2002 FORD WINDSTAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL. I STOPPED THE CAR AND WENT AROUND CHECKING TO SEE IF I MIGHT HAVE A LOW TIRE. TIRES SEEMED FINE. I NOTICED A BUMPING NOISE WHEN I WOULD GO AROUND A CURVE. I GOT HOME AND PULLED THE VAN UP ON RAMPS AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH. I TOLD MY WIFE WE AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE BECAUSE THE AXLE IS CRACKED AND HOLDING BY A THREAD. I TOOK THE AXLE OFF AND UPON INSPECTING IT CLOSER THE OTHERSIDE IS CRACKING. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 86,597 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTA'S AND A SUZUKI, WHICH I PUT 250,000 MILES, ON THESE VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN AXLE. *TR

EVERYTIME I FEEL MY GAS TANK UP IT SPITS GAS OUT AT ME. I CRINGE AT THE THOUGHT OF PUMPING GAS. I LET IT GO PRETTY LOW BEFORE RESORTING TO A GAS SHOWER. AS SOON AS I START PUMPING (S L O W L Y) IT WILL START IMMEDIATELY. THERE'S MORE GAS ON THE GROUND THEN IN MY TANK! SO PATHETIC! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH OVER A POT HOLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY LOW TO THE GROUND. THE REAR AXLE WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

COMING HOME FROM CHURCH ONE SUNDAY, WE HAD TO BRAKE HARD & SUDDENLY TO AVOID A CAR THAT WAS ON MY SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VAN'S REAR WHEEL LEFT THE PAVEMENT AND JERKED TO THE SIDE. THE VAN HANDLED WRONG AFTER THAT, AND WE TOOK IT TO FORD TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY REPLACED FRONT DRIVE SHAFTS AND SAID THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE RUBBING THE WHEEL WELL, AND I NEEDED TO HAVE MY SHOCKS REPLACED. THE VAN STILL MADE THE SAME NOISES AND HAD BAD HANDLING AFTER THIS WORK WAS DONE, SO TOOK IT BACK & HAD THEM LOOK AGAIN FOR PROBLEM. THEY STILL DIDN'T SEE ANY PROBLEM. MY WIFE DROVE THIS VAN OVER 125 MILES ONE DAY TO TAKE HER SISTER FOR A MEDICAL PROCEDURE. SHE WAS NERVOUS ABOUT THE BAD HANDLING & SWAYING REAR END, SO DROVE SLOWLY AND STAYED TO THE RIGHT ON THE FREEWAY. SHE DROVE ALL THE WAY TO SOUTHERN CHARLOTTE, NC ON HWY. 85 FROM DAVIDSON COUNTY, NC. HUGE AMOUNTS OF TRAFFIC. WHEN SHE GOT HOME SHE PARKED THE VAN, & NEXT DAY I CAME HOME FROM WORK AND SAW THE TIRES WERE TILTED IN THE REAR. WENT UP & LOOKED UNDER THE VAN, AND THE AXLE IS BROKEN IN 2 PLACES. MY WIFE, HER MOTHER, AND HER SISTER WERE ALL IN THE VAN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A BROKEN AXLE, BECAUSE FORD TOLD US THAT OUR VAN WAS ALL RIGHT. CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT? YOU'RE DRIVING AN 8 YEAR OLD VEHICLE! BUY SOMETHING ELSE!" AND ALSO, "THERE IS NO IMPLIED WARRANTY. YOUR VAN IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT WE'LL BE GLAD TO DO THE WORK FOR YOU IF YOU BRING IT IN TO OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT". OR "FORD MAKES GO

FORD WINDSTAR 2002 REAR AXLE CRACKED. WE WERE DRIVING AND NOTICED THE VAN WAS FISHTAILING AND THERE WHEN WE WOULD GO AROUND A CURVE WE NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VAN. MY HUSBAND GOT OUT AND CHECKED TIRES THOUGHT THEY MAY HAVE BEEN LOW. WE HAVE NEW TIRES ON VEHICLE. WE WERE DRIVING THE VAN THE NEXT DAY AND IT WAS FISHTAILING AND THE NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE VAN WAS GETTING WORSE. MY HUSBAND PUT VEHICLE UP ON RAMP AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE IS CRACKED. IT IS ONLY HOLDING BY A THREAD. *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR WOULD WANDER WHILE DRIVING,FOUND REAR AXLE CRACKED IN CENTER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL SQUEAL FROM THE REAR TIRES. AS SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY. SHE HAD TO DRIVE WITH TWO HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT BOTH REAR TIRES WERE PROTRUDING FROM THE TIRE WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY HAD CRACKED. THE NECESSARY PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE THE REPAIR WERE ORDERED ACCORDINGLY AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH, SHE HEARD AN UNUSUAL THUMP. IMMEDIATELY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR SEL. IN OCTOBER OF 2009 MY VAN STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT AND BECAME HARD TO CONTROL ON THE ROAD. WHEN I LOOKED AT MY VAN FROM THE BACK I COULD SEE MY BACK TIRES WERE BOWED OUTWARD. I TOOK MY VAN TO THE AUTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE BACK AXLE WAS CRACKED AND READY TO BUST. I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER CONSUMERS WITH 2002 WINDSTARS AND I THINK IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. I HAD A LARGE REPAIR BILL AND MY BRAND NEW BACK TIRES WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE BOWING OF THE TIRES AS A RESULT OF THE BUSTED AXLE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR SEL AND MY ABS/BRAKE LIGHT HAVE BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS. AT THIS POINT THEY ARE ON ALMOST ALL THE TIME. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THERE IS A RECALL, BUT ONLY IF THERE IS LEAKAGE AND A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. SINCE SO MANY CONSUMERS ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THESE LIGHTS COMING ON (AND STAYING ON) I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE FIXING THIS ISSUE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A POTENTIAL OF FIRE. I WAS TOLD A DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR OF THESE SENSORS COULD BE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE (DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF TIME INVOLVED IN LOCATING EXACTLY WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM). *TR

THE REAR AXLE ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN CRASHED AND IS MAINTAINED VERY WELL WITH NO VISIBLE RUST. THIS CAUSES LOSS OF CONTROL BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED WITHOUT INCIDENT. IN AN INTERNET SEARCH I SEE THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON FAILURE AND WONDER WHY THIS IS NOT BEING INVESTIGATED. IT VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

DROVE CAR AND PARKED ALONG STREET. WHEN I RETURNED AROUND 4 HOURS LATER I OPENED CAR DOOR AND SAT DOWN IN DRIVER SEAT. A LOUD BAG WAS HEARD AND I THOUGHT SOMEONE THREW SOMETHING OR SHOT MY VAN. GOT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY MY LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED. THE NEXT MORNING I FOUND THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND CUT THE TIRE WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE AWAY. HAD I BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VAN. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH FORD COIL SPRINGS AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MODEL YEARS 1999-2001. *TR

DROVE CAR AND PARKED ALONG STREET. WHEN I RETURNED AROUND 4 HOURS LATER I OPENED CAR DOOR AND SAT DOWN IN DRIVER SEAT. A LOUD BAG WAS HEARD AND I THOUGHT SOMEONE THREW SOMETHING OR SHOT MY VAN. GOT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. WHEN I DROVE AWAY MY LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED. THE NEXT MORNING I FOUND THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND CUT THE TIRE WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE AWAY. HAD I BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VAN. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH FORD COIL SPRINGS AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MODEL YEARS 1999-2001. *TR

ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILED - LIGHTS ON DASH AND "CHECK TRAC CTRL" ON DASH READOUT. THIS CAUSED ACCIDENT UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. *TR

WE OWN A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR AND PARTICIPATED IN THE RECENT RECALL FOR THE SPEED CONTROL. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE RECALL FIX, OUR BRAKE LIGHTS (INCLUDING ABS) CAME ON. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC, HE SAID THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS DAMAGED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB, IT APPEARS THIS IS A WELL KNOW ISSUE (ABS ECM FAILURE - ABS BRAKE LIGHT). WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS ISSUE, AND WOULD LIKE THE FORD DEALER TO SUBMIT A RECALL. THANK YOU *TR

BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO FORD FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08021. VEHICLE STILL GETTING A HOT, BURNING SMELL. ABS AND EMERGENCY ICONS STILL COME ON AT VARIOUS TIMES LASTING FOR HOURS OR DAYS THEN SHUTTING OFF. DRIVES ROUGH WITH A DISTINCT "CHUGGING EFFECT" LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. COMPLETE TUNE UP HAS BEEN DONE INCLUDING REPLACING SPARK PLUGS,INTAKE VALVES AND SEALS. BURNS OIL AT A SLOW RATE (APPROX 1/4 LITRE EVERY 1 1/2 MONTHS) THE ABS/EMERGENCY LIGHTS COME ON AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND THE "CHUGGING" AND BURNING SMELL IS EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE IT. THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE AND WE WERE TOLD THE SCDS DID INDEED LEAK AND PERSONAL RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THEN THE ECM CONNECTOR NEEDS REPLACING WHICH FORD REFUSES TO DO FOR US. *TR

THE PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY VEHICLE WAS NOT IN A ACCIDENT HAD PLACED IN SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES BUT TO KNOW AVAIL. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 1999 WINDSTAR FOR BODY BUT NOT ON THE 2002. COULD THIS ALSO APPLY TO MY OTHER VEHICLE SINCE I DO NOT FEEL SECURE DRIVING MY CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE. THE SHOP SAID AS LONG AS THE DOOR LOCKS I HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME AT [XXX] OR HOLDEN_[XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY AND PUT CAR IN PARK AND WENT INTO BACK OF MY WINDSTAR TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE AIRCONTIONING VENTS WERE WORKING PER THE REQUEST OF MY SON. I WAS BACK THERE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I GOT OUT AND WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE DRIVERS OPEN FRONT DOOR TO TURN OFF CAR. MY SON WAS IN BACK SEAT WITH HIS DOOR OPEN AND OUT OF SEAT BELT. WHILE STANDING NEXT TO OPEN DOOR MY CAR STARTED TO BACK OUT OF DRIVE WAY WHILE IT WAS IN PARK. I TRIED TO STOP IT WITH MY ARM BY TRYING TO JUMP INTO CAR TO TURN IT OFF SINCE MY SON WAS IN CAR. IT KEPT ROLLING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AS I TRIED TO CATCH CAR. IT STOPPED BY CRASHING INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN THE STREET. THE CAR WAS STILL IN PARK .POLICE CAME. FILED CLAIM WITH INSURANCE COMPANY. I WENT TO HOSPITAL FOR MY FOOT THAT WAS DRAGGED ON PAVEMENT DURING MY PURSUIT TO CATCH MY CAR. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY. I FILLED OUT CLAIM AND I JUST RECEIVED LETTER SAYING THEY CAN'T DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A DEFECT. I READ IN THE PAPER LAST WEEK THIS HAPPENED TO A WOMAN WITH A FORD EXPEDITION BUT HER CAR RAN OVER SOMEONE. ALSO A FORD SERVICEMAN JUST SAID KEEP PUTTING EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND NEVER GET OUT OF CAR WITH CAR RUNNING. I WAS ALSO TOLD I CANT' HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BECAUSE FORD WANTS ORIGINAL PARTS AND WON'T PAY FOR ANYTHING UNTIL WE CAN PROVE A DEFECTIVE PART. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. SINCE THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE FORD'S SERVICE MAN'S ADVICE BY ALWAYS MA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING SOUND AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD SPLIT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AT HER EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 91,000.

RECENT NOISE ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. REAR AXEL SNAPPED THIS MORNING WHILE MY WIFE WAS LEAVING HOME. I READ THE EXACT SAME INCIDENTS ON LINE WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR. CRACK APROX 12-18 INCHES IN FROM THE REAR LEFT SIDE. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND I WILL KEEP PHOTOS AND DAMAGED PART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. HE ASSUMED ONE OF THE TIRES HAD BLOWN OUT BUT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, SHE HEARD AN UNUSUAL BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE MAIN BEAM HAD FRACTURED. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BY WELDING THE BEAM SECURELY TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,500.

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AFTER A SHORT TIME AND STAYING ON AFTER THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. VEHICLE LOCKED UP THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING, DEALER STATES THAT THE ECU NEEDS TO BE REPLACED-RELATED TO THE FORD RECALL 09S09. *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR HAD THE RECALL 09S09 DONE TODAY THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STILL KEEP COMING ON AND LOOSING BRAKE FLUID. *TR