Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 60 MPH in rainy conditions, the vehicle began to jerk. The entire instrument panel, headlights, windshield wipers, and power windows failed to operate. The engine warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road until the rain subsided. After restarting, the failure persisted. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where a code was not detected. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
I was driving down the road and our and and brake lights had came on. Took it to the local shop and was told about the c1185 code was on. We were driving on the way home, and it just comes and goes with every start up and shut off. Car was in motion. To my acknowledgement I'm not positive what is causing this issue but I've been researching and have read about many of the same issues in this particular van series. I've read about Ford's safety recall number 09s09 and and my vehicle is to be in that recall as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 15 MPH, a continuous chime sounded inside the vehicle. The rear passenger side tail light and brake light failed to illuminate when the brakes were applied. The contact replaced the bulbs herself; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to detect a trouble code. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000.
Our 2002 Ford Windstar had the ABS and brake warning light come on while driving this happens at intervals with no apparent connection to weather, driving speed, etc. The lights will go off when the van is shut off and restarted. I have not made an appt with my mechanic to check the problem as of yet. On 11/26/2008. While traveling at night on an interstate the ABS and brake light came on and shortly afterward the headlights dimmed. The air bag and battery light came on and the turn signals and headlights stopped working altogether. We were able to pull off the road completely. Shut the van off and it would not restart. Turned on the hazard lights and waited for help to arrive after calling 911 on cell phone. The hazard lights stopped working on the front of the van but continued to work in the rear. …
While driving home one night headlights, and signal lights stopped working (lights in back continued to function) odometer stopped illuminating, and message panel displayed inconsistently. ABS light came on randomly at times, and eventually, the speedometer stopped working. After several hours of labor tracking down the problem, the g.e.m. Module was replaced (at great cost). After replacing the g.e.m. Module, it became apparent that the instrument cluster was bad and needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, these parts are on backorder and our only car has now been in the shop for more than two weeks and nobody can give us any idea when the part will be available and when the car will be repaired. …
At drive-through, radio suddenly quit, and the ABS and brake lights came on. Right turn signal came on, vehicle began to pulsate and surge. Pulled over and shut van off, would not restart, lights and hazards began flashing and would not turn off. Retried ignition, lights and hazards went off, van completely died. Informed to replace battery, had battery tested, it was fine. Replaced battery, followed instructions to reset computer after battery replacement. Had to drive van 10 miles to complete, during which ABS and brake light came on, headlights quit (after dark) then began flashing. Turn signal came on to signal right turn on its own. Just before returning home, headlights quit entirely, and airbag light came on. Parked van, let it idle, and the tachometer surged from 500rpms to 3000rpms. …
I took my van in to do the recalls. Well they said they saw nothing wrong with the most last 2 recent recalls. 2010 and 2011 dealing with front end and rear end. My question is if it doesn't look broken they don't have to fix it? I thought these parts were manufactured wrong, right? Now how often should I take my van in to be inspected? At any given moment it could break and my 4 kids and I could go tumbling down the highway. They did do the speed odometer (which I'm watching closely for ABS/brake light to come on) and in process for child safety attachments. The anderson Ford dealership in cleveland tx will not do the other 2 recalls because it does not look broken, is this right? Anyways ABS/brake light remains on and off all the time on my Ford Windstar. Will have it check for brake fluid leakage running down to components.
The brake lights on my 2002 Ford Windstar van will turn on by themselves at night, or will stay illuminated constantly during driving. When I arrive at my destination and with the ignition turned off I have to pump my brake pedal until the brake lights go off. There is frequently a burnt electrical smell when this problem occurs. I am delivering my Ford Windstar van to the local Ford dealership for repairs, but found several online websites and forums of Windstar owners with the exact same problem. I am concerned for the safety of myself, my family, and other drives while operating this vehicle. I am on my 3rd brand-new battery for this van due to the brake light problem. From research I think this is a design defect rather than wear and tear on my vehicle. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Brake, ABS brake, cruise control, and speedometer/odometer electrical problems my dash lights are on and off all the time went to 3 mechanic they all checked my brakes, ABS and could not find a problem it goes on whenever it wants stays on for weeks then comes back on while driving this has been doing for over a year. I even put stickers over the lights that I can see while driving. I still think there is a electrical wiring problem it is very annoying. I can not afford to get another vehicle . I see there are a lot of complaint about same problem my niece has one does the same thing and my brother in law in west virginia his is doing it too so I really thing Ford needs to check into this before someone's van catches fire or hurt some one.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 55 MPH on normal road conditions; the "ABS" and "parking brake" warning light indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The warning indicators illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician stated that the failure was contributed to the brake light switch. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failures continued intermittently without warning. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 85,00. The current mileage was 109,000.
Headlight complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2002 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the lights of the 2002 Ford Windstar, 2% of the model year's 1,353 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Windstar headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2002 Ford Windstar, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Windstar headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.