Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Ford Windstar
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Ford Windstar has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,353 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V608000 Axle Recall Remedy may been Performed Improperly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V193000 REAR AXLE CRACKING-VIRGINIA VEHICLES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V195000 REAR AXLE CRACKING PUERTO RICO NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V194000 CORROSION FRACTURES OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V030000 CORROSION FRACTURES OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V385000 REAR AXLE CRACKING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V399000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E056000 FUEL LEAK/FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V459000 FORD/FMVSS 225/FLOOR TO SEAT LATCH NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 324 complaints
- Suspension 279 complaints
- Electrical System 261 complaints
- Service Brakes 233 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 147 complaints
- Structure 101 complaints
Of the 1,353 complaints on file, 45 report a crash and 48 a fire; across all 1,353 complaints, owners report 53 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Poor
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Ford Windstar suffers from significant reliability issues, particularly concerning rear axle corrosion and braking system failures. Numerous recalls and high owner complaint counts highlight a pattern of serious mechanical problems, leading to substantial repair costs over time.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| rear axle | 60,000–100,000 miles | $800–$1,600 | very common |
| braking system | 70,000–110,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | common |
| electrical system | 50,000–100,000 miles | $300–$900 | common |
| vehicle speed control | 80,000–120,000 miles | $200–$700 | occasional |
| suspension components | 60,000–90,000 miles | $600–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid service
- Coolant flush
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Spark plug replacement
- Brake pad replacements
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual brake noise or vibration
- Difficulty controlling speed
- Electrical system malfunctions
- Unusual rear axle noises
- Clunking noises from suspension
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Ford Windstar at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.