2002 Ford Windstar Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 279about this part
- Share
- 21%of 1,353 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 133,100miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 279 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Ford Windstar, 21% of the 1,353 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 133,100 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Rear axle assembly snapped yet our VIN is not on recall list. This was not due to any accident or damage on our behalf this was simple daily in town five miles driving then snapped and not usable. We were driving and turned left and. Or even two blocks the vehicle made a snap sound almost like a popped tire. Both tired are inward and the vehicle ian now parked due to the snapping of this.”
NHTSA complaint #11073003, filed 2018-02, 176,000 miles“2554 enid ave broke and almost sent in to a pole and oncoming traffic I will never ever buy a Ford again I've got recalls on it but fixed them our selves because Ford does no honor anything but I however never got a recall for the rear axle garage we took it to said its a recall and its on us nice Ford you suck the old saying is true found on. Road dead (Ford) f. O. R. D.”
NHTSA complaint #10701374, filed 2015-03, 170,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10463458, filed 2012-06, 104,000 miles“My wife was driving down the highway to meet me for lunch and all of a sudden with no warning the back axle broke going 60 miles an hour which made her lose control and then crashed her van in a ditch Ford says they won't cover it because it's part of not part of the recall which is crap because they recalled 500,000 more vans just like it with the same problem but they say they won't do anything for me don't understand”
NHTSA complaint #10744422, filed 2015-07, 230,000 miles“The rear axle beam cracked completely and fell to the ground causing me to lose control. I then moved it out of the flow of traffic and noticed the left rear tire was rubbing up against the inner well. Unfortunately I was 60 miles from home and had to have it towed back to my house. In lost a days work due to the damage. I have owned the vehicle since 11/2011 and I purchased it with 79006 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10557518, filed 2013-12, 113,249 milesRelated recalls
- 15V608000Sep 29, 2015Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles…Covers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
- 12V194000May 3, 2012Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the state of virginia. Corrosion-related…Covers: Ford Windstar 1999–2003
- 12V195000May 3, 2012Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, registered in puerto rico. Due to…Covers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
- 10V385000Aug 26, 2010Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and currently registered or…Covers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10205035Apr 21, 2016Safety recall 10S13 - Rear axle corrosion - requests for recall service action
- 10183771Apr 21, 2016For 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 10S13 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the rear axle could…
- 10074725Sep 29, 2015Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10058105Sep 9, 2014Ford: safety recall on front subframe lower control arm (lca) rear attaching flange or rear body mount that can separate from subframe if vehicle is operated, for extended…
- 10058104Sep 9, 2014Ford: safety recall concerning rear axle fracturing if vehicle is operated in high corrosion areas for and extended period. Model 1998-03 windstar.
- 10056623Aug 11, 2014Ford: on some minivans, rear axle will fracture, in high corrosion area, after operating for an extended time period, and vehicle handling ability will be affected. Model…
- 10056612Aug 11, 2014Ford: a safety recall has been issued on minivans where lower control arm (lca) of front subframe attaching rear flange or rear body mount can separate due to corrosion. Model…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 9 | 38% |
| 2003 | 254 | 17% |
| 2002 | 279 | 21% |
| 2001 | 416 | 25% |
| 2000 | 356 | 21% |
| 1999 | 208 | 14% |
| 1998 | 229 | 16% |
| 1997 | 38 | 20% |
| 1996 | 111 | 8% |
| 1995 | 145 | 4% |
| 1994 | 3 | 13% |
| 1993 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Windstar
643 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 complaintsWheels
26 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Windstar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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