2002 Ford Windstar: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Dec 23, 2016 · Locks · 115,292 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While the vehicle was undergoing routine service, the dealer diagnosed that the sliding door latch and lock actuator needed replacement. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v643000 (latches/locks/linkages). The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 115,292. Updated 02/03/17

Filed May 22, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 64,500 miles · FL

All of the following happened at the same time: ABS and brake lights went on and stay on. O/d light flashing. Odometer and speedometer stop working. The electronic compass, remaining fuel info., automatic electronic diagnostic and electronic temp. Showing errors. Electronic sliding door would not open unless engine is not running. Power windows stopped working 6 months ago, not sure if it is related. I had a mechanic replaced the alternator and checked the brakes. It did not fix the problems and there was nothing wrong with the brakes. I took it to ford dealer and I was told that the ABS module could be the problem because they replaced a lot of them. The ABS module supposedly messing up the whole electronic system. It has less than 65,000 miles and I'm scared to drive it because the electronic system might suddenly cause other problems and cause an accident. The electronic sliding doors already would not open unless the engine is not running. In case of an emergency or a crash, someone might not be able to get out and be trapped inside because the doors and windows would not open. I was told by a ford customer service that there is no recall to fix the problem or look into it even though they admitted they've been having similar problems to a lot of ford vehicles.

Filed Nov 25, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 130,000 miles · MS

Abs and brake lights come on intermittently. I applied the brakes heavily and all 4 wheels locked up. The vehicle was uncontrollable while braking. The speedometer is erratic. The battery is dead sometimes after sitting overnight. The hazard lights come on by them selves. The door locks do not work properly. The tire indicator lights come on for no reason.

Filed Jan 3, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 118,000 miles · MI

After purchasing from a dealer in oct of 2010 the ABS light, check traction control light, brake light and air bag light started coming on intermittently. Had the vehicle serviced in mi for the axle recall. Was without the vehicle and had loaner car for 2 months. After getting vehicle back the lights were on more consistently the dealership noted this but did not offer any reason found for this. By summer of 2011 these lights were staying on almost constantly and this continued for a year, after investigating this issue online and seeing that other owners have invested hundreds of dollars trying to get the lights to go off and stay off only to have them keep coming back on we have decided to file a complaint as this issue is not a simple fix and obviously is happening in hundreds of vehicles. Our problem has progressed to where the speedometer and odometer go wildly up and down while driving at highway speeds and we are never sure of our speed. The lights on the dash go out and the power to door locks, radio and A/C power is lost as well as the blinkers for lane changes. This vehicle is very unsafe but we need it as we have 5 children and can not afford to buy a new one. The power window on passenger side as well as the power sliding doors do not work. When this issue happens if their happened to be an electrical fire because of it, we would be unable to exit the vehicle because the doors are locked and the knobs on the interior of this model are flush into the door when the vehicle is locked and can not be manually pulled up. With children, this is a very serious safety concern. Please please investigate this issue with the ford windstar. I have also contacted for with my complaint and they only would say there are no recalls on this issue right now but to save my receipts should I try to get it fixed in case one is issued in the future.

Filed Jan 28, 2011 · Body, Locks · 65,345 miles · IL

My 2002 ford windstar minivan driver sliding door wont open and door locks wont cross over at times cause safety issue for my child if there was a fire or something nobody could get out that door iv seen numerous issues on-line with other people about there door and door locks on there 2002 windstar I hope someone will look in to this order a recall of the bad parts of the locks and latches.

Filed Jan 3, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · ID

In my 2002 windstar the ABS and brake lights come on while driving and will go off only to come back on another time while driving. In 2009 we had the safety recall taken care of, but it did not resolve the issue. Now I am noticing while I have the van running, heat and radio on, the radio and clock lights will go on and off. Also, the back doors do not always unlock and it will take several times of pressing the power door locks to unlock before they will unlock. I am fearful there will be an issue and I will need to get my daughter out quickly and won't be able to because of the door lock issue.

Filed Dec 2, 2010 · Electrical · 103,000 miles · OK

Serious intermittent electrical issues with 2002 ford windstar. Break and ABS light have been illuminated intermittently in the instrument cluster panel since purchasing the car in october 2007. Then in march 2010, after smelling electrical burning, the battery light began intermittently illuminating and go off when gas is applied for a few moments. Assuming possible alternator or battery issue, changed out the two components. Break and ABS light and battery again began illuminating, and door locks began not working. Ford dealer performed 2009 ABS recall correction, but electrical issues remained. Then all electrical components stopped while I was driving with my children on a busy street. Lost power steering, doors all locked, breaks went out, oddly the interior lights blinked on and off like an airplane emergency lighting would during a crash landing. Unable to unlock back door to remove my toddler from the car seat, and had to pray no one would slam me from behind while I crawled into the backseat and unlatched him (because back lights were not lit) then exited the car. Had to be jumped to restart. Changed 3 batteries and 4 alternators (2 were motor craft) since march 2010. One alternator blew within moments after the car was started after changing it. Mechanic mentioned he noticed an arc flash prior to its blowing. Replaced all new wires going into and out of the alternator, all new battery cables. Replaced serpentine belt and several fuses. Battery light still comes on. Took van to ford dealership, where they witnessed and acknowledged the illuminated battery light, hooked van up to electrical test equipment, and found nothing ($100). Hooked it up to the regular diagnostics test equipment (another $100) tried to sell me an intake manifold for $500 including labor (I didn't bite). They replaced the 2 door actuators on the front doors ($300) and then told me they were unable to diagnose the actual electrical problem. Lights still lit. Car reliability gone

Filed Nov 11, 2010 · Acceleration, Locks · TN

I own a 2002 ford windstar and had recall 09s09 performed at my local dealership last november and now my cruise control does not work at all. Also for the last 6-8 months my (yellow) ABS and (red) brake lights come on and off on my dash. My power window on the driver side works only when it wants to and the passenger side window can be rolled down from the passenger side but has to rolled up from the driver side. And last but not least the rear door lock buzzes every time the doors lock which is every time I put the vehicle in gear.

Filed Jun 14, 2010 · Brakes · 93,000 miles · ID

Abs/e-brakewarning LED's come on when van warms up. Abs quit working while driving on freeway on wet roads. Nearly crashed into side rail. When I got home checked my brake fluid and found it empty. Filled the fluid and took car to mechanic the next day. Mechanic said I had leaked fluid all over, but the master cyl. Looked to be fine. Found info on line and soon after got a recall notice from ford. Took van to ford dealer who installed the fusible link, per the recall notice in november. My ABS and e-brake lights are back on as of about march, 2010. They come on most often after the van has warmed up, or if the temp outside is warmer. At the same time that these warning dash lights came back on I lost brake lights all together, no tail lights, no reverse lamps, no rear turn signals, no dome lights, cc works sometimes and others does not, and the auto locks often do not work to lock or unlock the van. My brake lights would often stay on after turning the van off and removing the key, and now they don't turn on at all. My battery would die and have huge amounts of corrosion on the neg. Lead of the battery. Replaced battery and the ground chasis lead and the ground battery terminal. I have yet another appointment with the ford dealer this week. This has been ongoing now for 8 months. If my van catches fire, my door locks will not unlock in the rear how will I get my children out quickly and safely? This is dangerous!

Filed Apr 23, 2010 · Body · MD

The passenger door does not close all the way vehicle was not in a accident had placed in shop numerous times but to know avail. There was a recall on the 1999 windstar for body but not on the 2002. Could this also apply to my other vehicle since I do not feel secure driving my children in this vehicle. The shop said as long as the door locks I have nothing to worry about. Please call or email me at [xxx] or holden_[xxx] . Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 18, 2008 · Brakes, Lights · TN

Abs warning light comes on then goes off after vehicle shut off for a period of time. Headlights dim and interior lights don't shut off at times for a long period of time. Sliding door and door locks don't work properly at times and power window on passenger side doesn't open at times. Sliding door has opened on it's own at times after the vehicle has been vacated and locked.

Filed Aug 30, 2007 · Locks · MI

Ford windstar 2002. The doors frequently open up again after I have hit the auto door close button and it takes several times to get it to latch. One door wouldn't open for 6 months, but now will occasionally. The most serious issue is that lately the sensor has been saying that the door is closed properly, however it has opened 6 times now while I am driving with my kids in the car. I took it in to the shop once when it was malfunctioning but not opening while I am driving, paid $500 to get it fixed, and it still never worked well. When I take it back in to the dealer, they say that there is nothing wrong with it. It is back in the shop now and I basically had to say there was going to be a lawsuit filed if one of my kids was hurt or killed if the door opened up while I was driving again, to get them to take another look...they said they would look at it and get back to me with an estimate to get it fixed!