The Lemon Index
200120032nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: airbags
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
93 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Toyota Sienna 802002 Dodge Grand Caravan 1232002 Honda Odyssey 160
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Ford Windstar
- Brakes: ABS module / pump113 complaintsmostly at 80,000–120,000 miles (129,000–193,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion87 complaintsmostly at 92,000–145,000 miles (149,000–233,000 km)
- Engine stalling57 complaintsmostly at 88,000–158,000 miles (142,000–253,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 1,353 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Windstar (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,800 and 33,000 miles (16,000–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 49 complaints, of all 93 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15V608000 (suspension), 12V193000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 12V195000 (suspension) done? It has 9 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 119 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Discharged battery after extended parking, over 30 days, if so, pull power drain”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 93 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 9K to 33K miles (16K to 53K km) on the car (49 of all 93 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While driving at 50 mph driver side air bag deployed without impact, knocking driver unconscious, and causing vehicle to crash.
2002 Ford Windstar owner · NHTSA complaint 10037784
More owner reports
Passenger side air bag deployed while driving down the highway. There was no impact or collision to cause this. Injury sustained to passenger. The vehicle was a 2002 Windstar se manufactured by Ford motor.
NHTSA complaint 10023155
Front impact on passenger's side with unknown speed, neither airbag deployed. No injuries.
NHTSA complaint 8013715
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 4.7M views · 1999–2003 Ford Windstar
Most-watched topics
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors459K views
2001 Ford Windstar fix for Check Engine Light code P1518 - Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck OpenEver-Curious Geek · 240K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank266K views
How to Replace a Fuel Pump on a 2002 Ford Windstar LX6speeddakota · 182K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors206K views
2002 Windstar Window Motor RepairFixinThatUp · 112K views · 5 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition173K views
2000 Ford Windstar No Start ProblemWatch out Mowers · 148K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system152K views
Coolant leak 2002 Ford WindstarDavid The Mechanic · 95K views · 2 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical145K views
Alternator replacement Ford Windstar 1999 - 2003 scope shows bad diode patternFixing cars and stuff · 102K views · 5 videos - Starter, alternator & belts73K views
Serpentine belt replacement Ford Windstar 3.8L V6 2000Fixing cars and stuff · 73K views - Heat, A/C & blend door58K views
2003 Ford Windstar Rear Heater FixMcVay Family Homestead · 19K views · 5 videos
Before you buy, watch
2003 Ford Windstar Problems (Shaking)Ace Jacobo · 47K views
Copy of FoRD 2003 WINDSTaR PROBLEMSRalph Harper · 9K views
FOR SALE 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED!! DEALER MAINTAINED!! STK# 20147A www.lcford.comLANCE CUNNINGHAM FORD · 22K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2002 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 119 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Discharged battery after extended parking, over 30 days, if so, pull power drain
- Inoperative/flickering dome lamp, lamp staying on all the time, coming on by
- Concerns with rattle/squeak noise from sliding doors
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 9
- Suspension · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA.
- Suspension · recall issued 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, REGISTERED IN PUERTO RICO.
Show all 9 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
- Body structure · recall issued 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARY…
- Suspension · recall issued 2010
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2003 AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, I…
- Speed control · recall issued 2009
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Seats · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." DURING TESTING, A THIRD ROW BENCH FLOOR-TO-SEAT LATCH RELEASED BEFORE THE STRENG…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedFront subframe corrosion failures2010–2011
- ClosedRear axle cracking2010
- ClosedFront subframe corrosion failures2010
- ClosedEngine compartment fires2008–2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,450 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Windstar year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 5 older years (1995–1999, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 9 Ford Windstar years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-windstar/?y=2002" title="Ford Windstar reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-windstar/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Ford Windstar reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Ford Windstar reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 61; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2002 Ford Windstar problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (19%), body structure (16%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Windstar have?
9 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Ford Windstar get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Windstar problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,800 and 33,000 miles (16,000–53,000 km) (the middle half of the 49 complaints, of all 93 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Ford Windstar have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Ford Windstar cost in fuel a year?
About $3,450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Ford Windstar have?
3.8L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Ford Windstar year than the 2002?
Not nearby: the 2002 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Ford Windstar years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works