Three problems related to power steering pump have been reported for the 2002 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Ford Windstar based on all problems reported for the 2002 Windstar.
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.
Whining noise in power steering. I took to the Ford dealer and they replaced the power steering pump, but less than 10000 miles later the whinning started again. I took it to another Ford dealer and they replaced the rack and pinion (and charged me $800. About 2 months later the whine is back and I know it is the power steering pump.
The power steering pump needed to be replaced for the second time since I purchased this vehicle. It was initially replaced 11/17/2003 at 27,000 miles. Now I am at 44,000 miles, 14 months later and the same problem occurs. The dealer and Ford refused to cover the cost of the replacement. The symptoms were a loud whining sound during slow speed acceleration and whining when turning the steering wheel at slow speeds. This is obviously a defect, but Ford refuses to do anything about it. In addition, the front end does not stay in alignment and front tires wear out very unevenly and quickly.