10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,258 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Ford Windstar brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 13 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #19

May 062008

Windstar

  • 73,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Both the yellow ABS and red brake warning lights illuminate on the instrument panel. Ford dealer code scan revealed a C1185 code: Power relay failure within the hcu/ECU.

- Lake St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #18

Jul 052008

Windstar

  • 90,000 miles
Dash brake and ABS lights come on. They can be reset by turning the engine off and restarting. Noticed leaking switch on bottom of master cylinder. Wiring damp with brake fluid. Cruise control doesn't work anymore.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #17

Jun 152008

Windstar

  • 63,400 miles
The ABS, brake and traction control warning lights in my 2002 Ford Windstar keep coming on intermittently. Brake fluid is normal and front brakes were recently replaced. Warning lights seem to appear when started after the vehicle has been sitting in the sun or after driving. I have not noticed braking problems but am worried that the brakes may fail when needed. Ford dealership says there is no known problem with the Windstar ABS system. I have read several forums where Windstar owners are reporting the same problems. My vehicle has 63K miles.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #16

May 062008

Windstar

  • 81,681 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The ABS traction control system intermittently fails. During an unexpected heavy stop of on warmer days the ABS traction control system stops responding and the warning light stating the system has been turn off, turns on. The vehicle has to be stopped, turned off then restarted for this to go away. It also has failed under normal driving conditions without braking on hotter days. This seems to be a dangerous problem.

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #15

Apr 142008

Windstar

  • 130,000 miles
Brake pressure switch leaks onto hot surfaces in engine compartment causing smoke.

- Broomall, PA, USA

problem #14

May 042007

Windstar

  • miles
I own a Ford Windstar and I am having the ABS/brake light problem and speed control problem.

- St.Louis, MO, USA

problem #13

Jun 162008

Windstar

  • 87,541 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Own a 2002 Ford Windstar and I am having a situation where both the ABS light and brake remain on while driving. I have read of problems with the "brake pressure differential deactivation switch" in other Windstar and decided to check it out on mine after reading of engine fires occurring because of it. On mine I have found a considerable amount of brake fluid underneath the master cylinder in the engine compartment. I had my son pump the brakes while I had the wiring to the deactivation switch removed and noticed that the brake fluid was leaking as the brakes were pumped. I have decided to replace the deactivation switch before a possible fire occurs.

- Hutchinson, KS, USA

problem #12

Nov 222006

Windstar

  • 90,000 miles
Our anti-lock brakes failed on our 2002 Ford Windstar. A defective switch had leaked brake fluid into an engine wiring harness causing the anti-lock brake system to fail. We were told by the Ford dealer that the repair would be about $1,500, we were no longer under warranty, and that the vehicle could catch on fire at any time. This included when the vehicle was not running and parked in the garage. The service writer also stated that he could not believe that Ford had not recalled the Windstar as the same failure of the anti-lock system on the pick-ups had been.

- Johnstown, CO, USA

problem #11

Jun 012008

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 12,300 miles
Brake oil leak from cruise control pressure switch on master cylinder. Fire hazard.

- Monroe, TN, USA

problem #10

Jun 082008

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 0 miles
On June 8, 2008, our 2002 Windstar experienced the following: ABS light went red: Brake red light went on. Speedometer, and tachometer stopped working. All will require repair to prevent the possibility of fire, crash or break down.

- Burke, VA, USA

problem #9

Oct 012006

Windstar

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2002 Ford Windstar that we purchased 2 yrs ago, ...morning after delivery battery was dead, took back to dealer and they checked it out and said should be fine. Occasionally still dies and has to be charged, alternator & battery check out fine. The most dangerous problem is that the ABS light is on and ABS doesn't work properly. We continuously have to add brake fluid (at least once a month) and can not find any leaks on the ground. Had the vehicle in for service on several occasions can not diagnose. The dealership hooked vehicle up to machine to read code and can not get any readings from system. Dealership seemed to think that it could be a wiring problem or ABS module. ABS will occasionally go out/work but not properly, ABS will kick in on dry roads not wet/snow covered. Tire pressure light is illuminated and tire pressures are all correct. Has been reset but comes back on after driving a few miles. Occasionally it will go out on its own but then the speedometer will bounce around (if going 55 will jump to 70,80). When opening the rear tailgate hatch and closing, the dash light stays on like it is still open and dome lights will not work properly. When driving the door chime will sound and the door ajar light will go out and works properly until gate is opened again. When driving the door light and chime will come on lights stay on. The door ajar light also comes on and off intermittently when using the driver side door controls to put windows up/down you hear louder then normal clicking. Also dims the lights when putting windows up/down. We can also smell what seems to be wires burning at times but can not find anything. We are at a loss of where to begin. We will not drive this vehicle any further then 50 mile radius from our home for fear of what will happen if we do. If we go further we rent a vehicle. Now to the point of purchasing a cheap, reliable vehicle (not Ford) and parking this one until we can pay down enough to trade in.

- Lockport, NY, USA

problem #8

Apr 292008

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 98,500 miles
2002 Ford Windstar with inoperable cruise control, odometer, A/C temp. Control, ABS light remains on and other related electrical malfunctions. Vehicle is leaking brake fluid and I have no doubt I'm experiencing the same problem thousands of other Windstar owners are with a contaminated "brake pressure differential deactivation switch". is Ford taking responsibility for this manufacturing defect and providing a fix - without charge"?"

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #7

Sep 212006

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles
Our 2002 Windstar has had numerous issues. From clunking front suspension; rattling sliding doors; interior lights and locks that would come on and off by themselves. However, there are two unresolved issues and it's been to dealers numerous times, and each time, they just blow me off. The transmission shudders between the first and second shift, and does a "two-step" shift. When it finally does the second half of the two-step and engages, there is an audible cookoo, just like a cookoo clock. The other infuriating problem and possible danger is the brake pedal. It squeaks like an old mattress and also sticks to the floor if you have to brake while you are driving at freeway speeds. You have to use the tip of your shoe to pull the pedal back up. Visit after visit after visit to 3 different dealers and they always claim there is nothing wrong. They were playing "beat the clock" with the warranty and now that's gone, and they are still doing it with the extended warranty. Infuriating. Nobody cares and nobody will help.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #6

Aug 112003

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
The brake light is on. Dealer can't find any defects with the brakes or why the light stay on. Since purchased vehicle on at least 25-30 occasions the brake light on the dash will remain on when starting car and going in reverse to back out of driveway/garage. When hand brake not engaged light stays on. Squeal is heard from rear often, until stopping and putting in drive. Stays on for several hundred feet until stopping.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #5

Nov 072003

(reported on)

Windstar

  • miles
2002 Ford Windstar suffered brake failure. (nar) dealer was notified.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #4

Jan 032004

Windstar

  • 61,000 miles
Brakes failed five times within one year.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #3

Jun 122003

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 9,781 miles
While driving at 20 mph, the driver stepped on the brake pedal and the brake pedal had a delayed reaction, which resulted in the vehicle hitting a wall head on. Dealer had been notified. When the first incident occurred, the brakes were engaged but did not stop the vehicle, the engine revved and the vehicle kept going. The vehicle had run into the corner of the flower wall of the stores sign. The second incident was similar, but the consumer was in a school zone at a stop sign and the engine revved, the consumer applied the brakes, the vehicle jumped but did not stop. Pressure was applied three times to the brakes, then the vehicle finally had come to a complete stop. The problem was unable to be duplicated.

- East Palestine, OH, USA

problem #2

Mar 042003

(reported on)

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When the vehicles brakes were applied there was a loud noise.

- Port Richey, FL, USA

problem #1

Aug 222002

Windstar

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Anti lock brake shifter is inoperative, this device is to prevent lever from shifting without brake depression.also, child was able to shift lever into drive gear while vehicle was parked.

- Ripon, WI, USA

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