2002 Ford Windstar: engine stalls while driving

Filed Apr 19, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · ID

Manufacture Recall # 09S09 the federal safety agency Recall # 09V399000 Instrument cluster has become faulty. Details listed below. Overdrive (O/D) light will randomly start flashing for no reason ABS will randomly engage Parking brake light will randomly turn on Speedometer with become sporadic Transmission has trouble shifting gears due to tachometer becoming sporadic Vehicle will randomly try to die/stall out at a prolonged stop or while coming to a stop, even after all charging components have been replaces i.e. battery, alternator, drive belt, and cables.

Filed Aug 23, 2016 · Suspension · 189,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While pulling out of the driveway, the vehicle stalled. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The tow driver, a certified mechanic, informed the contact that the front end axle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the front axles were not covered per a recall. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.

Filed Jun 20, 2012 · Engine · 41,200 miles · PA

As I put the heat, defroster, or air conditioning on, it jerks alot and when I stop at a red light or stop sign it stalls. I have to put my 4 ways on, shut the van off, and restart it without the heat or air on. I feel this is a very drastic safety issue due to the fact if I'm driving on a highway and I stop at a red light and it stalls, if there is traffic behind me coming rapidly I can be rear ended and cause an accident. This has happened to me in the november incident. Luckily the light was still red.

Filed Sep 26, 2011 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · MI

The windstar is my only means of transportation and when driving it the speedometer will freak out and ended up breaking the needle on the tacometer and this leads to the theft light popping up when I am driving down the road. This acted up when I was going over and intersection and ended up stalling the vehicle right in the middle and while a car was coming from one way luckly I got the vehicle started and time and got out of there but after taking it to the dealership they couldnt even figure out what could be wrong I dont feel like loosing my life.

Filed Sep 8, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 120,000 miles · PA

While driving down my hill, my brake light came on. Now my ABS light comes on with my brake light. Brake fluid is present, brakes are almost a year old. For over a year now, my van after it being turned on and off (errands, shopping etc), it does not want to start. Once it does start, as I turn the wheel while in park, it stalls. Now that my brake and ABS lights come on, as I turn the wheel it wants to stall while driving. When I am turning my vehicle off, I turn the key down very slow and all the way down, that seemed to only help it restart a few times. I had my vehicle at the ford dealer for the recall in 2010 dealing with the cruise control issues. My od light has been off for over a year now as well. While driving my vehicle, when I am stopped, I notice a white colored smoke coming out from under the hood, and no one can find where it is coming from, especially happens when it is damp or raining out, and engine temp is normal.(I can not take my van to an auto car wash due to the fact it starts shaking, smoking and won't run or stay started when the under carriage is being sprayed) fuel pump, starter and ignition coil are fine. Has new plugs and wires.

Filed Apr 26, 2010 · Acceleration · 90,000 miles · 00

Brought vehicle into ford for the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v399000, the federal safety agency action number: ea08021. Vehicle still getting a hot, burning smell. Abs and emergency icons still come on at various times lasting for hours or days then shutting off. Drives rough with a distinct "chugging effect" like it is going to stall. Complete tune up has been done including replacing spark plugs,intake valves and seals. Burns oil at a slow rate (approx 1/4 litre every 1 1/2 months) the ABS/emergency lights come on at least once a week and the "chugging" and burning smell is every time you drive it. The recall work was done and we were told the scds did indeed leak and personal research reveals that then the ECM connector needs replacing which ford refuses to do for us.

Filed Feb 10, 2010 · Body · AR

The rear door on the drivers side for more that a week now opens on it's own while I am driving along the highway. For more than two years the door have been a problem due to the fact that either of them will close on the first attempt when the automatic button to close them is used. 3 times in 2 weeks, car has stalled while driving at 25 miles per hour.

Filed Nov 20, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · 35,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving the vehicle would stall without any prior warnings. The vehicle was towed to a dealer twice. The technicians were able to restart the vehicle, but were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. The current mileage was approximately 75,000. Updated 12/22/09 *bf updated 12/22/09

Filed Sep 1, 2009 · Body · 152,934 miles · NY

When driving my 2002 ford windstar mini van on the highway we noticed a loud slamming noise from the rear causing the vehicle to lose control, swerving to the right shoulder and stalling with the tail end still in the middle of the two lane highway, as the tractor trailer behind us who was very alert nearly missed a rear end collision with our vehicle. Upon inspection of the underside of the vehicle we noticed the rear axle beam was split in two, rusted and rotted out and hanging to the ground, a tow truck was notified and the operator stared in disbelief that the axle had broken in half. This obvious defect could have cost us our lives. This defect needs to be addressed immediately before a some lives are lost as a result of the ford windstar rear axle beam breaking while occupants and passengers are riding in this vehicle. This incident was reported to the ford customer service assistance center and they took the information about the vehicle and the nature of the complaint advising me to speak to a ford service manger and for the defective vehicles broken axle to be inspected by a ford dealer.fords customer assistance rep advised me not to return a call to them because they have the incident on file and the ford service manager would follow up on the complaint. Upon speaking to the ford service manager he asked a bout the type of problem year and model of the vehicle. Being a 2002 windstar with 153,000 miles he stated that because of the mileage and the age of the vehicle ford would not assist me in getting this situation resolved. He also stated that the cost to repair this problem would be 5 hours labor charge @ $100.00 per hour and the cost of the axle beam would be $500.00 plus what ever other damages incurred. As these would be my out of pocket costs plus a $275.00 tow charge. Needless to say how costly this event became as well as the possible worst case scenario a fatal accident could have occurred as a result of this defect. This must be addressed.

Filed Apr 24, 2008 · Brakes · CT

The ABS and brake lights illuminate intermittently or either remains lit when the vehicle is running. The failure began in december 2005. The current mileage is 62,000. Also heater has stopped working in april 2008. Check engine light has been on since april 2006. Rpm's suddenly will drop under 1000 and car will start stalling and bucking. Need to put it in park and rev the engine.

Filed Jan 30, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · 25,000 miles · TN

Getting lean code p0171 and p0174. Dealer analyzed and from what I can tell it's tsb 03-16-1 (the federal safety agency sb# 16920) I have searched the internet (as you can) and it's a widespread problem (I know 2 other people personally who may have it). It is my belief that there should have been (or should be) a recall on this defect. In my case, the van will lose RPM's, then "rev" up on cold startup. When it does this, the van executes a "jerking" motion which to me could be dangerous. In other cases, it will stall or nearly stall at traffic lights.

Filed Jan 30, 2008 · Engine · 68,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While idling at a stop light or stop sign, the engine began vibrating and the battery light illuminated intermittently when the vehicle was placed into park. In addition, the RPM's decreased as if the vehicle were about to stall, but then went back to normal when the vehicle was placed into park. Two weeks later, the engine light remained illuminated. The dealer stated that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 72,914 and failure mileage was 68,000.