2002 Ford Windstar Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,353 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Ford Windstar, 1% of the 1,353 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“As I put the heat, defroster, or air conditioning on, it jerks alot and when I stop at a red light or stop sign it stalls. I have to put my 4 ways on, shut the van off, and restart it without the heat or air on. I feel this is a very drastic safety issue due to the fact if I'm driving on a highway and I stop at a red light and it stalls, if there is traffic behind me coming rapidly I can be rear ended and cause an accident. This has happened to me in the november incident. Luckily the light was still red.”
NHTSA complaint #10462368, filed 2012-06, 41,200 miles“We bought our van in march 2012. By april 2012 we began noticing problems with shifting. It shifts hard. The windows stopped working in may 2012. The lights on the dash for the ABS and brakes are always on. The brakes are not very good and the pedal must be pushed hard to get the van to stop. Our biggest issue is with the transmission. The mechanic at aamco would not even change the fluid because if he changed the fluid then the transmission wouldn't be able to shift. I don't know the details but I do know that my van is not safe to drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10523927, filed 2013-07, 97,000 miles“I was driving the van this afternoon on a public road when for no apparent reason the van started smoking from under the engine. I pulled into a automotive garage and got out of the van and it was still smoking badly. I individual who actually worked at the garage was on his way home from a restaurant and pulled into the parking area. He had me go into the vehicle to pull the latch to the hood and when he opened the hood the engine and other parts were engulfed with flames. They spread into the inside of the van and destroyed the dash board, windshield and other area. …”
NHTSA complaint #10614882, filed 2014-07, 166,000 miles“Abs light and traction control light illuminates after driving forward 150 yards. Heavily salted chicago streets have caused corrosion under car. Suspect ABS failure due to salt and water corrosion in electrical connectors. High amperage ABS electrical wires could short- out and cause a fire; an environmental, pollution and safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10683723, filed 2015-02, 120,000 miles“Abs light and brake light have been on for months off and on. Have a slight brake fluid leak. Was backing into my driveway and the o/d light came on and started flashing, the odometer went blank, speedometer stopped working and the A/C began blowing hot air. Checked fuse #10 and found it was blown. Replaced fuse #10. Odometer and speedometer work but other lights still on. Have an appointment to have the van looked at tomorrow.”
NHTSA complaint #10522419, filed 2013-06, 121,000 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Windstar
643 complaintsSuspension
279 complaintsElectrical system
261 complaintsVehicle speed control
147 complaintsBody and structure
101 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
97 complaintsOther or unknown
64 complaintsAir bags
36 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsExterior lighting
29 complaintsEngine cooling
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Windstar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology