2002 Ford Windstar Minivan

Not the van just luck

by minerissues79 on Mar 27, 2012
Vehicle: 2002 Ford Windstar LX Deluxe 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)

me and my wife just had issues with our dodge minivan motor went befor that tranny went 10,000 befor that in total it had 165,000 when it was retired so we were in trouble no 6kids and i was let go from job after 16yrs thanks obama/bush? both did it so no money no car got job at local fast food joint saved and found the windstar at local dealer about 3months ago for 1thousand dollars my wife was worried it needed little rust repair but didnt scare me off dodge had same issue and paid 5times the money for it so got it fixed it runs good for yr drives good to no probs has little tick in motor but all cars seem to over 150,000 oh yeah it had 178tho just miles not b nuyn new soon keep02 4me

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Weird engine noise

by frustrated69 on Oct 6, 2011
Vehicle: 2002 Ford Windstar LX 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)

So I over payed from a crook used car dealer.....I hear about a lot of issues.....i call the dealer and they tell me there are no recalls. So yesterday I'm leaving a stop and I hear a pinging noise.....and I think nothing of it....now it does it when the car gets warm......and I'm pretty sure it is not the engine as it doesn't do it in park.......transmission? Lets not forget that I called the dealer about the brake issues and they told me its not on the recall list and the dang brake and ABS lights go on and off like fireworks.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Not bad for the years

by FordNuts on Nov 9, 2010
Vehicle: 2002 Ford Windstar SEL 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)

The SEL was the cat's meow back then, leather seats, VCR/CD combo, seats 6, slider doors. Over the years we took the car everywhere and it was fairly reliable, 167K miles. It's doesn't handle like a truck and offered smoother and quieter ride, but sometimes stressed systems wore down. Replaced heat coil 2X, alternator 1X, battery 2X, frt. brakes and tires 3-4 times, & one slider failed. Just brought in for recall(s) on the back axle and it failed. It supposedly is a fairly low percentage of failures, but could be catastrophic if your axle fails.

Ambushed! 'til $4k do us

by fivelks on Sep 20, 2010
Vehicle: 2002 Ford Windstar SE 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)

Bought this unit in '04; lots of candy like the entertainment unit for our son just out of sixth grade at the time. My first minivan. It's been pretty solid up until this past August, when, like so many folks have written here, the thing simply collapsed. We'd loved the ride and the space; not so bothered at having to move the bulky back bench, since I'm a band director and it gave me room for tubas or drums when needed. Took it to the east coast several times. Did not expect all things to fold as they did this fall; all so simultaneously! Disappointing. PRICEY. Head gasket, brakes, alternator (did myself), then a.c. this week. The distance tow plus the repairs: $4000. Tradin' time!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Still happy after 8 years!

by Mom's Taxi on Jun 3, 2010
Vehicle: 2002 Ford Windstar SE 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)

I bought my 2002 Windstar new and it's been a great vehicle for 8 years. Now has 140,000 and still going strong. Originally bought an extended warranty which covered few minor problems up to 60k miles. Then practically nothing but routine maintenance needed after the warranty expired. New spark plugs & wires at 120k miles. Overall it has been an excellent vehicle that still looks and runs great. This convinces me that if you do ALL recommended maintenance your vehicle can last forever. I have the problem with the brake light and ABS light staying on. Apparently it's related to the recall for the speed control issue, working to resolve that.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Transmission failure @ 85,000

by Tim on May 28, 2010
Vehicle: 2002 Ford Windstar SEL 4dr Minivan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)

Bought it new as a dealer orphan and got a good deal. Have been satisfied with reliability, economy and utility until now. O/D light started flashing and check transmission warning came on. The dreaded Windstar tranny failure strikes. Very disappointing because we were hoping to push to 100k before major repairs. The van has been dealer maintained, garaged all its life, well cared for, and 50% of the mileage is long distance. We'll suck it in and pay $3k for a remanufactured tranny with 3yrs / 100k miles warranty. And then pray the engine isn't next. Time to start using high mileage additives for safety.