2002 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

FIRST TIME I WAS RIDING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 65 MPH AND I HEARD A LOUD CRACK FOLLOWED BY A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. WHEN I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR THEIR WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK. I PULLED OVER AND MY REAR TIRES WERE POINTED INWARD AND THE AXLE WAS BROKEN IN HALF. THAT HAPPENED AROUND FEBRUARY 2010. I HAD IT REPLACED FROM MY MECHANIC WITH A USED REAR AXLE AND THE SAME THING JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 8TH, 2010. AFTER TALKING WITH MY MECHANIC, HE SAID HIS PARTS SUPPLY GUY IS GETTING A LOT OF REQUESTS FOR THESE AXLES. *TR

PULLING OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR VAN INTO OUR DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A LOUD CRACK FROM THE REAR OF THE VAN. I LOOKED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VAN AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN IN HALF. I HAVE PARKED THE VAN SINCE IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE CRACKED. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. NOW THEY COME ON ALL THE TIME. *TR

I, BEING THE REGISTER OWNER, OF THIS 2002 FORD WINSTAR LX, HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE,FOR TWO MONTHS. I HAVE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 4500 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LININGS. BUT STILL, THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT, AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT, KEEP COMING ON. I AM AFRAID, THAT THE VEHICLE BRAKING DISTANCE WILL BE SUDDENLY INCREASED,BECAUSE OF THE FORD DESIGNED ECM, HCU, AND SCDS SWITCHES. I AM HOPING THAT FORD WILL CORRECT THIS VEHICLE PROBLEM, SO THAT THE FIRE THREAT AND INCREASED BREAKING DISTACETHREAT, MAY BE RESOLVED, BEFORE THERE COULD, OR MIGHT BE ANY ACCIDENT, THUSLY, CAUSING BODILY INJURY, AND OR PROPERTY DAMAGE TO ANYONE OR ANYTHING. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) IS LEAKING. I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING, AND WHEN I WENT TO STOP THE BRAKING DISTANCE WAS SUDDENLY GREATER THAN USUAL. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE SCDS. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS PART OF A RECALL (09S09) DONE IN JANUARY 2010, HOWEVER MOST OF THE TIME FORD IS NOT REPLACING THIS PART. I'M FORCED TO PAY TO REPLACE THIS PART OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. IF NOT BRAKE FLUID WILL CONTINUE TO LEAK CAUSING LOSE OF BRAKES AND ALSO THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2002 FORD WINDSTAR. REAR AXLE BROKE AND WHEELS BOWED IN. GOING ABOUT 30 MPH WITH UNDER 115,000MILES ON ODOMETER. HEARD SOME RATTLING NOISES IN THE 2 WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE BREAK, THOUGHT THE SPARE UNDER NEATH WAS MAKING THE NOISE BECAUSE NOTHING ELSE WAS LOOSE. REGULAR CORROSION & DRIVING CONDITIONS. CAR WAS TOWED AND IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP. WHEN TOW TRUCK OPERATOR WAS LOADING ON FLATBED, AXLE COMPLETELY SEPARATED & HE HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING IT ON SAFELY. VEHICLE WAS PREOWNED BUT HAD A CLEAN CAR FAX AND WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS. *TR

MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AT RANDOM AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING. IT STARTED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, THEN STOPPED. OVER THE LAST 2 DAYS, IT'S STARTED UP AGAIN. IT'S ALWAYS AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES OF DRIVING. BRAKES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND ARE SUPPOSEDLY FINE. *TR

WE HAD THE WIRING HARNESS RECALL PERFORMED IN JUNE 2010. SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED THE ABS, BRAKE & TRAC CONTROL LIGHTS STARTED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. WE HAVE REPLACED 2 ABS SENSORS AMONG OTHER THINGS HOWEVER THE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO COME ON. TOOK VAN TO DEALER TODAY FOR AXLE RECALL & INFORMED THEM OF ABS, BRAKE & TRAC LIGHT ISSUE. THEY SAID WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED & THERE WAS NO LEAKAGE @ THE TIME THEY REPLACED. I ASKED THEM TO PLEASE LOOK & SEE IF THEY NOTICED ANY SIGNS OF LEAKAGE AROUND ABS MODULE. AFTER 2 MINUTES THEY CAME BACK & SAID NO. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A SENSOR WHEN I TOLD THEM THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED THEY SAID WELL WE WOULD HAVE TO HOOK CAR TO MACHINE & CHECK CODES WHICH WOULD COST ME $80 (MIND YOU AUTO ZONE IS FREE). I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE MANY FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO FAULTY MATERIALS OR WIRING AND THAT ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT BECAUSE IT'S SO COSTLY FORD WILL NOT RECALL THE PART. I HAVE THREE YOUNG CHILDREN THAT ARE BEING DRIVEN IN THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE PROPER SAFETY FEATURES I WAS PROMISED - INCLUDING ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. FORD HOLDS A LOT OF PEOPLES LIVES IN THEIR HAND DUE TO THIS PROBLEM (WHETHER IT BE THE CAR CATCHES ON FIRE OR LOSES BRAKING POWER), THEY CAN'T REPLACE A LIFE OR AN ENTIRE FAMILY FOR THAT MATTER BUT THEY CAN SURELY REPLACE A FAULTY PART. PLEASE I AM BEGGING TO MAKE FORD RECALL THIS PROBLEM THAT IS AFFECTING SO MANY PEOPLE, MAKE IT PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL, IT'S ALL RELATED!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BREAK FLUIDS WERE LEAKING ONTO THE WIRING HARNESS AND AS A RESULT, THEY PERFORMED THE REPAIRS SPECIFIED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

WHILE DRIVING, DASH ABS LIGHT AND DASH BRAKE LIGHT COME ON. OCCURS MORE OFTEN IN WARMER WEATHER, BUT DOES OCCUR ON OCCASION IN WINTER (CINCINNATI, OHIO CLIMATE). DO I HAVE ABS BRAKES OR NOT WHEN LIGHT CHOOSES TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING? *TR

BOTH ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COME ON RANDOMLY AND STAY ON TILL CAR IS SHUT OFF AND STARTED AGAIN THEN AFTER A COUPLE OF MINS OR A BUMP LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN. *TR

ABOUT 2 PLUS YEARS AGO, MY VAN STARTED HAVING AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING, THE COMPUTER WOULD BEEP AND FLASH THE MESSAGE "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL". ALONG WITH THIS, THE ABS AND E-BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, AND ALSO THE "TRAC OFF" LIGHT. I COULD CLEAR THE MESSAGE FROM THE COMPUTER BY HITTING RESET, BUT THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON UNTIL I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. IT HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY NOW, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S HUMID AND HOT OUTSIDE. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER STARTED TO "STICK" OR NOT MOVE. SOMETIMES, THEY GO UP TO 30-40MPH, THEN STOP WORKING. OTHER TIMES, THEY JUST DON'T MOVE AT ALL. THE PROBLEM ALSO AFFECTS THE ACCURACY OF THE ODOMETER AND GAS GAUGE. THE VEHICLE CAN BE TRAVELING AT 70MPH, BUT BE READING 40MPH, AND THEN THE ODOMETER IS MARKING MILES TRAVELED ACCORDING TO 40MPH. SO, NOW MY ODOMETER NEEDS TO BE RESET AS WELL. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN, AND BEING A MOTHER OF TWO CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WITH #3, I NEED MY VEHICLE TO BE SAFE AND RELIABLE. I FOUND A WEBSITE THAT HAS RECALL INFORMATION, AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR WINDSTAR. I WAS ALREADY PART OF THE REAR AXLE AND SUBFRAME RECALL, AND THAT WAS SCARY ENOUGH TO KNOW MY VEHICLE COULD HAVE FALLEN APART WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF ELECTRICAL FIRE WITH THIS, AS ONE OF THE PROBABLE AND LIKELY CAUSES OF THIS IS THE WIRES ARE "SELF-GROUNDING" ON SOME METAL PART IN THE ENGINE OR BEHIND THE DASH. IF ANY FLUIDS LEAKED ON THESE EXPOSED AND SELF-GROUNDING WIRES, ONE SPARK COULD SET IT OFF. PLEASE MAKE SURE THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED IN A TIMELY MANNER, AS THERE ARE SEVERAL OF THESE VEHICLES ON OUR NATION'S ROADS. *TR

ALARM WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FOR ABS AIRBAG AND SPEEDOMETER AND TACH FAILS. *TR

WHILE EXITING NJ TURNPIKE, THE REAR BEAM OF MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR FRACTURED, CREATING SEVERE NEGATIVE CAMBER ON BOTH REAR WHEELS. BY THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK HOME ON A FLATBED, THE REAR BEAM WAS CRACKED IN TWO PIECES. CONTACTED FORD DEALER THE NEXT DAY, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT HE WAS UNAWARE OF ANY SUCH PROBLEMS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. I REQUESTED THAT HE SEND OUT A FIELD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE DAMAGE, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD ONLY HAVE A TECHNICIAN LOOK AT THE VEHICLE IF I TOWED IT TO HIS DEALERSHIP. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING WHETHER I WANT MY LOCAL INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP TO DO THE REPAIR OR THE FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR

2002 WINDSTAR RECEIVED RECALL TO FIX FIRE PROBLEM BUT NOW I'M HAVING ISSUES. ABS/BRAKE/TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ON AND MESSAGE BOARD SAYS CHECK TRAC CONTROL. ONLINE FORUMS I'VE READ SEEMS TO SUGGEST THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A DEFECTIVE E.C.M. IT WAS SPORADIC AT FIRST,BUT NOW A CONSTANT OCCURRENCE. PLEASE HAVE FOMOCO DEAL WITH THIS QUALITY DEFECT SO I DO NOT HAVE TO FORK OUT ANY MONEY I DO NOT HAVE TO SPEND. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED NEAR THE TWO DRAINAGE HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THEY WERE UNABLE TO SERVICE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL CRACKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO LOCATING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 121,000. UPDATED 09/15/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED THE AXLE WAS CRACKED WHEN HE WAS INSTALLING NEW SHOCKS ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED AND HE IS NOW SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. 09/16/10*JB

I HAVE 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ON 6-23-10 BECAUSE OF A RATTLING NOISE WHEN EVER IT WENT OVER A BUMP. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH. HE TOLD ME HE COULD GET ONE FROM A SALVAGE YARD AND FIX IT FOR AROUND $700. LUCKILY I HAD IT TAKEN CARE OF WHEN I DID BECAUSE WE WERE PLANNING A TRIP OUT OF TOWN THE NEXT WEEKEND AND IT SURELY WOULD HAVE BROKEN IN HALF ON OUR TRIP. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN. I TOOK THE VAN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY TRACTION CONTROL CHECKED BECAUSE THE LIGHTS(ABS,BRAKES,TRAC OFF) ON THE DASH COME ON AND STAY ON. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANY CURRENT RECALL ORDERS AND THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT. I HAD THEM CHECK MY VAN TO FIND OUT WHY THE LIGHTS ARE STAYING ON. THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD, THEY SAID THAT MY HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU)IS LEAKING FLUID ONTO MY ECU (ABS CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER) SHORTING THE SYSTEM OUT. THEY TOLD ME THE WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE ECU(ABS CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER) WHICH COST $2000. HOW IS REPLACING THE COMPUTER GOING TO FIX THE LEAK? ACCORDING TO RECORDS THE RECALL 09S09 (SCDS) WAS REPAIRED ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE THEIR IS STILL FLUID(BRAKE) LEAKING ONTO A ELECTRONIC COMPONENT WHICH POSES AS A FIRE HAZARD. ACCORDING TO COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON CONCERN FOR MANY OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS. THE ABS ISSUES ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE LEAKING SCDS(RECALL 09S09). I AM GOING TO PERSONALLY CHECK THE LEAK TO VERIFY THE PROXIMITY OF THE LOCATION OF THE LEAK TO THE SCDS. I FEEL THIS MAY BE A ISSUE FORD HAS TO ADDRESS. PLEASE NOTE I HAVE SENT A MEMO TO THEM FIRST, AND I HOPE TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE. I WILL NOT HOLD MY BREATH THOUGH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MAY HAVE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RELATED RECALLS. THE SERVICE LIGHTS HAVE CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.

TL* 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR TIRES WERE LEANING INWARD AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY BUT DID NOT RECEIVE REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD UNUSUAL GRINDING COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HER PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,500.

2002 FORD WINDSTAR REAR TRAILING AXLE BROKE COMPLETELY ,CAN NOT BE WELDED BACK TOGETHER. DRIVING ALONG A COUNTRY ROAD ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR AND IT JUST GAVE WAY. VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED RECENTLY WITH NO DEFECT RECOGNIZED. OWNERS NEED TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE PART WITH A NEW AXLE AS PART CAN NOT BE FOUND IN SALVAGE YARD IN OUR AREA DUE TO THIS BEING A VERY COMMON ISSUE. *TR

FORD 2002 WINDSTAR HAD A RATTLING SOUND WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS AND WITH A SLIGHT WHEEL PULL TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE AXLE BEAM BROKE WHILE CAR WAS TRAVELING ON RTE 4 NORTHBOUND AT ABOUT 35 MPH,IN N. KINGSTOWN RI AT APPROXIMATELY 2:15PM. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INJURY TO ANY OTHER PERSON OR VEHICLE. AXLE BEAM WAS CRACKED AND BENT CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE TO RUB AGAINST THE BODY OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS LOADED ONTO A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK AND THE AXLE BROKE CLEANLY DURING TRANSPORT. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL TO RUB AGAINST THE CAR BODY DURING UNLOADING. THIS CAR IS NOW PARKED IN A REPAIR FACILITY LOT. SERIOUS INJURY OR ACCIDENT WERE PROBABLY AVOIDED THROUGH THE FORTUNATE COMBINATION OF LOW SPEED OF TRAVEL IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE COMBINED WITH A LIGHT TRAFFIC SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AS I STARTED TO ACCEL I HEARD A LOUD THUMP. IMMEDIATELY MY CAR BEGAN SWERVING AND ALMOST TIPPED OVER, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE REAR TIRES FELL OFF. THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR AND I STRUGGLED TO STAY IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ULTIMATELY THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING AND OUT OF NO WHERE. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND WAS DRIVING SAFELY. LUCKILY THERE WAS A BREAK IN TRAFFIC OR I HAVE NO DOUBT I WOULD HAVE HIT OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. THE CAR CAME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO FLIPPING, IT TIPPED AT ONE POINT AND WOULD HAVE FLIPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IF NOT FOR MY QUICK REACTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND MY MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME AXLES DO NOT BREAK LIKE THIS AND HE ADVISED ME TO CALL FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS A MANUFACTURES PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT FORD HAVE EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS LIKE MINE AND MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. ONLY AFTER I CAME HOME AND SEARCHED THE WEB DID I REALIZE THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME KIND OF BREAKAGE AND I BELIEVE A MORE AGGRESSIVE INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE. THE AXLE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IT NEED TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

1.MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON RT59 IN STOW, OH AT 36 MI/HR. THERE HAD BEEN A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE THE WEEK PRIOR. WE HAD A MECHANIC WORK ON THE BRAKES AND FLUIDS AND ASKED TO INVESTIGATE THE SOUND. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE DETECT ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SO WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. 2. THE 2002 FORD WINDSTAR'S REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF CAUSING MY WIFE TO LOSE TEMPORARY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND PULL OVER, AVOIDING SERIOUS INJURY. 3.WE HAD THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. *TR

ABS LIGHT COMES ON, ABS SYSTEM NOT ACTIVE, OCCURS WHEN CAR AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE HOT. DIAGNOSTIC INDICATES ECM BOARD FOR ABS IS BAD. CURRENT RECALL FOR BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH HAD BEEN COMPLETED. BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED.

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

BRAKE LIGHT (RED) AND ABS BRAKE LIGHTS (YELLOW) STAY ON. I WENT TO REPLACE FUSE #10 AND IT KEEPS BLOWING OUT. SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER DO NOT FUNCTION. CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. A/C DOES NOT WORK. THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTS AND CONTINUES TO BLINK UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. I TOOK IT INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP TODAY TO HAVE THEM PERFORM THE 09S09H RECALL AND IT DID NOT CHANGE ANYTHING. ALL ISSUES SEEM TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS 'LEAKER' SCDS THAT WAS REPLACED, BUT THAT CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE ABS ECM UNIT CAUSING IT TO FAIL. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR LX. MY AN HAS BEEN RECEIVING REGULAR SERVICE EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN 2003. I'VE HAD A ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TURNING ON A RANDOM TIMES AND IT HAS BEGUN TO AFFECT BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE. I'VE LOOKED INTO THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTARS. MANY SAY THIS PROBLEM CAN BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE ABS ECM MODULE WHICH IS VERY COSTLY TO REPLACE. *TR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUALLY ON. BRAKING DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED..I FEEL IT IS VERY UNSAFE AS I TRANSPORT 3 YOUNG CHILDREN. I RECENTLY HAD THIS VEHICLE IN FOR THE REAR AXLE RECALL AND WAS GIVEN A RENTAL MINIVAN. THE BRAKING ON THAT VAN WAS VERY MUCH BETTER THAN ON MY VAN. I AM WORRIED. FORD DEALER TOLD ME HE WOULDN'T FIX WITHOUT RECALL NUMBER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THIS WILL BE ISSUED. PLEASE HELP. *TR

ABS LIGHT IS CONTINUALLY ON EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES, BRAKE LIGHT IS CONTINUALLY ON EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES, BRAKING TIME HAS INCREASED AS IF THEY BREAKS DO NOT ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY WORK, BRAKES TURN ON SQUEEL WITHOUT WARNING, BURNING SMELL. I AM ABOUT TO TAKE THE VAN IN AGAIN. I THINK THE BRAKE FLUID IS NOW LEAKING AND DAMAGING THE ENGINE. *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

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR, MY REAR AXLE HAS BROKEN IN HALF ALL THE WAY NOW, I TRIED TAKING IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP REGARDING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE A WARRANTY BUT I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT HAS RUSTED OUT AND BROKE. I AM LEARNING THAT THIS IS A BIG ISSUE AND THIS PROBLEM IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX ON MY OWN. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I AM FINDING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS REAR AXLE ISSUE. WE NEED SOMETHING DONE. *TR

I HAVE A FORD 2002 WINDSTAR. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY GOING 45 TO 55 MILES PER HOUR , I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND. SHORTLY AFTER I GOT OFF THE PARKWAY, I DROVE ABOUT A HALF MILE DOWN THE STREET. I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL, SO I PULLED THE VAN OVER TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. I NOTICED THAT MY REAR BACK TIRE WAS BOWED INWARD. THE TIRE HAD RUBBED AGAINST THE INSIDE PANEL CAUSING THE TIRE TO SMOKE AND MELT. IT GOT REALLY HOT TO THE POINT I COULDN'T DRIVE IT. MY REAR AXLE IS BROKEN. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE HIGH NUMBER OF PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING ABOUT 1999-2003 FORD WINDSTARS. I KNOW THE LORD WAS WITH ME AND MY FAMILY BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE VANS ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. THANK YOU KINDLY! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *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

I HAVE HAD A CONTINUAL BRAKE FLUID LEAK ON THIS VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 06/06/2010, THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON. IN SPEAKING WITH OUR FORD MECHANIC (FORD DEALER), HE REFERENCED HOW THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE ON MANY WINDSTARS. THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKS, ACCORDING TO HIM, HAS BEEN A POINT OF CONCERN. IS ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS? *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

THE REAR AXLE ON OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED BROKE WHEN BACKING OUT OF A DRIVE WAY LEAVING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. *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.

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. 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.

ABS LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST. AROUND 100,000 MILES. THEN IT CAME ON SOLID... WITH REGULAR BRAKE LIGHT ON AS WELL. FORD DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. IN JUNE I HAD A RECALL DONE ON MY BRAKE SYSTEM. (RECALL # 09509) I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMING ON A FEW MINUTES AFTER I START DRIVING. I HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED LAST WEEK WHEN I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE BACK AXEL WAS CRACKED. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS COMING ON BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT HE CHECK THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. BUT THE TO BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON EACH TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR. *TR

I OWN A FORD WINDSTAR LX 2002. I HAD THE ABS LIGHT RECALL DONE AND THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS STILL COMES ON AND WITH NO OBVIOUS REASON. ALSO IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKING DISTANCE HAS SUDDENLY INCREASED WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKES STILL WORK, BUT THE ABS SYSTEM IS SOMETIME SHUT OFF. LIGHTS RESET AFTER A FEW WEEKS, BUT THEN COME ON AGAIN AT RANDOM TIMES NOT RELATED TO BRAKING. ABS CODE ARE NUMEROUS AND ALL HIT AT THE SAME TIME AS THE C1185 CODE. THE OTHER CODES ARE FOR THE INPUT AND OUTPUT VALVE FAILURE ON EACH WHEEL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER TWO YEARS NOW AND I SEE THAT MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT POINTS TO THE CONTROL MODULE AND POSSIBLY BAD CIRCUIT BOARD SOLDER JOINTS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REAR AXLE CORROSION RECALL. *TR

ABS LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY COMING ON AND GOING OFF, TIRE SENSOR LIGHTS COMING ON AND GOING OFF WHEN TIRE PRESSURE IS OK. TOOK TO MECHANIC IN 9/2013 AND DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT ABS MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *TR

MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND OFF. I HAVE HAD THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED AND THE ABS SENSORS. THERE IS NO PARTICULAR THING THAT CAUSES THEM TO COME ON. IN FACT SOMETIMES I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND NOT EVEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES AND THEY WILL JUST POP ON. I DON'T FEEL THAT WE AS FORD OWNERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY A COSTLY REPAIR BILL TO HAVE MULTIPLE THINGS DONE TO THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE ITSELF NOT NORMAL MAINTENANCE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FORD OWNER AND HAVE SWORN BY FORD BUT THIS VAN IS CAUSING ME TO NOT WANT TO OWN ANOTHER FORD EVER. *TR