2002 Ford Windstar Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 97about this part
- Share
- 7%of 1,353 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 113,200miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 97 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Ford Windstar, 7% of the 1,353 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,200 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2002 Windstar recall I was driving down the road one day to find out all off all the shifters but neutral the van suddenly had stopped going we could not go in drive reverse or anything find out stuck in middle of intersection with cars coming our way this problem is still unknown”
NHTSA complaint #10862695, filed 2016-05, 25,000 miles“This is an addition to ongoing defect investigation #pe10016. I have a 2002 Ford Windstar. The rear axle housing cracked in half as I was driving on a highway, but luckily at a low speed in traffic. There was no warning, no accident and no pot holes. My tire began to smoke and the vehicle was inoperable. After the tow truck came I looked underneath the car and noticed the axle split completely in two.”
NHTSA complaint #10344970, filed 2010-07, 116,000 miles“Our 2002 Ford Windstar's axle fractured, as described in NHTSA campaign id number 12v193000. The dealership had installed brackets in 2012, and respond that we are outside the twelve month coverage window on this work, and decline to do anything else for us. Can we be sure of the state of the axle on inspection in 2012? I think that since the axle fractured, they cannot assume they have no liability, or that their choice to install brackets instead of replacing the axle was sufficient.”
NHTSA complaint #10629449, filed 2014-08, 162,000 miles“I was on high way, 35 MPH and my car unexpected loss of motive power. So I was unable to go to the emergency line, my mechanic put a new torque converter and fix the problem, the was in january 13 2012, cold weather.”
NHTSA complaint #10443783, filed 2012-01, 162,000 miles“I was on high way, 45 MPH and my car unexpected loss of motive power. So I was unable to go to the emergency line, my mechanic put a new torque converter and fix the problem, the was in november 2010, cold weather.”
NHTSA complaint #10443782, filed 2012-01, 149,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V193000May 3, 2012Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, and currently registered or…Covers: Ford Windstar 1998–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10016808Oct 11, 2005Erratic fluid level reading on transaxle dipstick-leaks-4f50n, ax4n, ax4s transaxle.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 29% |
| 2003 | 225 | 15% |
| 2002 | 97 | 7% |
| 2001 | 145 | 9% |
| 2000 | 271 | 16% |
| 1999 | 278 | 18% |
| 1998 | 332 | 23% |
| 1997 | 43 | 22% |
| 1996 | 322 | 23% |
| 1995 | 875 | 26% |
| 1994 | 8 | 35% |
| 1993 | 1 | 9% |
| 1990 | 1 | 17% |
| 1985 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Windstar
643 complaintsSuspension
279 complaintsElectrical system
261 complaintsVehicle speed control
147 complaintsBody and structure
101 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 30, 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