2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

FORD WINDSTAR 2001 WITH BRAKE, ABS BRAKE, CRUISE CONTROL, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR, SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IN 2006, ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. IN 2006 WINDSTAR SUFFERED FRONT END DAMAGE, THEN ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ALWAYS ON. MECHANIC SAID AFTER INCIDENT, OH WE HAD A PROBLEM GETTING THE ABS TO WORK. MY SON AND DAUGHTER IN LAW HAVE A 2000 WINDSTAR THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ON DEC 8, 2007 I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN OXNARD AND CAMARILLO CA. CARS IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY HIT THEIR BRAKES I DID THE SAME, THE CAR STARTED SKIDDING OUT OF CONTROL, PIVOTED ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, TURNED 180 DEGREES AND ROLLED OVER. *TR

THE REAR AXLE ON MY 2001 FORD WINSTAR CRACKED AND BROKE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ENGINEERING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY FORD AND THE DEALER. *TR

VEHICLE HAS 76,000 MILES. POWER STEERING FLUID WAS BEING GRADUALLY LOST AND STEERING NOISE OCCURRED AS THE FLUID LEVEL WENT DOWN. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY EXPLAINED POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING. REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE AT ANOTHER SHOP AND TODAY ALL FLUID WAS LOST IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING, LEAVING ME WITH UNASSISTED STEERING. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP (WITH DIFFICULTY) AND THEY SAID THE NEW PUMP WAS FAULTY AND IS LEAKING AT THE SAME PLACE, HOWEVER, STAINS ARE NOW ON THE LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN THE PUMP IS ACTUALLY ON THE RIGHT. PREVIOUSLY, STAINS WERE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, NOW THEY ARE ON THE LEFT SO IT CAN'T BE THE PUMP AGAIN. SHOP WILL NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY ON PARTS/LABOR. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, OR START A FIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT POWER STEERING LEAKS ON THIS MODEL ARE VERY COMMON, SO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU COME UP WITH. *TR

LOSS OF ABS & TRACTION CONTROL. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL BOTH STOP WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ABS, TRACK OFF, AND BRAKE LIGHT ICONS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TWICE, BUT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 04/11/08 *BF

INTERMITTENT ABS WARNING LIGHT. *TR

ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE VAN REACHES APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON IN WARM TO HOT WEATHER. TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE THE ECU. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR.

ON OCTOBER 19, 2007 I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND BEGAN TO GO FORWARD WHEN I FELT AN ALARMING SENSATION IN MY CAR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT MY TIRES. ALL LOOKED FINE SO I RETURNED TO MY CAR, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AGAIN AND BEGAN TO GO FORWARD WHEN I FELT THE REAR OF THE CAR SWAY. I PULLED OVER AGAIN AND LOOKED UNDER THE BACK OF THE CAR WHEN I SAW THAT MY REAR AXEL HAS SNAPPED IN TWO. ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT MY CAR HAD 65,700 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC IN WAKEFIELD, MASS. BOTH THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE MECHANIC SEPERATELY TOLD ME THIS WAS SHOCKING AND NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO A CAR. AFTER ANALYZING MY CAR THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BROKEN AXEL WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THERE IS A CLEAN BREAK IN THE AXEL WHERE THE TWO BROKEN PARTS FIT TOGETHER SNUG LIKE A PUZZLE. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF AN ACCIDENT OR TAMPERING TO THE AXEL. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME WHERE THERE IS A PART OF THE AXEL WHERE WATER CAN GET IN, BUT THERE IS NO WAY FOR THE WATER TO ESCAPE. AS A RESULT THE AXEL RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE UNTIL IT WEAKENED AND BROKE. MY MECHANIC HAS PHOTOGRAPHED THIS PART AND IS HOLDING IT AT HIS GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. AS AN ASIDE, I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE OWNER OF STONEHAM FORD, MARK MELKONIAN, TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. HE LOOKED UP MY SERVICE ACCOUNT AND VERIFIED I HAVE "BEEN FAITHFUL IN THE MAINTANENCE SCHEDULE." I, LIKE MY MECHANIC, BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IN WHICH OTHER CONSUMERS WILL SOON, IF NOT ALREADY, EXPERIENCE AN AXEL BREAK. HAD THE AXEL GIVEN WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, THE OUTCOME MIGHT HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SEVERE. I AM AFRAID IF THIS IS NOT REVIEWED ANOTHER FAMILY MAY HAVE A CRITICAL OUTCOME IN THE COURSE OF THE AXEL GIVING WAY. COULD YOU PLEASE ADVISE WHAT I NEED TO DO TO HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT THIS PART OF THE CAR AND HOW IT SIMPLY CRACKED IN TWO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER CONSTANTLY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A NEW BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE FLUID WERE NEEDED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,600.

MY ABS LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT IS ON - STARTED 2007- WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 1200.00 DOLLARS TO FIX IT; THAT IT WAS OK TO USE THE CAR IN THIS CONDITION. 8/14/14- REPLACED THE WHEELS BEARINGS ON THE FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT WHEELS-AFTER THE BEARINGS / AND SWAY BARS WERE REPLACE STILL HEAR A GRINDING NOISE FRONT THE RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE. NOISE BECOMES MORE PRONOUNCED THE LONGER YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE . ALSO THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT IS STILL ON WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE HAD ABNORMAL DISCOLORATION AND WAS BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. TWO MONTHS LATER, HE NOTICED WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HOOKS HOLDING THE WINDSHIELD TOGETHER WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS REGARDING THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 56 MPH, POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE END SEALS OF THE RACK AND PINION, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT, IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, A WHOLE NEW RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM WAS NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SEALS. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $600 WITHOUT ANY REIMBURSEMENT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

BRAKE LIGHT ON WHEN IT SHOULD NOT BE. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT AT CONSIDERABLE COST. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ABS UNIT AND SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH ARE DEFECTIVE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO FIRE AS REFERENCED BY THE ATTACHED WEB SITE HTTP://WWW.2CARPROS.COM/FORUM/PREVIOUS-VT49767.HTML?POSTDAYS=0&POSTORDER=ASC&START= *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 70 MPH, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING ONLY IN WARM WEATHER. THE INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE OPERATING NORMALLY. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN UNRECOGNIZABLE ODOR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,209 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,650.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR - ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. COOLING THE CAR SEEMS TO HELP, THEN TURN OFF AND RESTART. THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT, BUT COME BACK ON. *TR

EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COME ON WHEN YOU DRIVE OR BACKUP VEHICLE PAID FORD DEALER OVER $3,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION AUG 28, 2007, REPLACE WIRING HARNESS AND ABS MODULE AFTER SERVICING THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO COME ON. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO DEALER FOR THE 5TH TIME. FORD ENGINEERS STATED THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM OR HOW TO FIX IT. MY 1 YEAR LABOR WARRANTY WILL EXPIRED AUG 28, 2008 AND FORD HAS YET TO REPAIR CAR. I WAS TOLD BY FORD DEALER THE CAR IS DRIVABLE AND DOESN'T POSE A HEALTH OR HAZARDOUS RISK. I TOTALLY DISAGREE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,492 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

BRAKE/ABS LIGHT COMES ON INADVERTENTLY, BECAUSE OF A GLITCH IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. I'VE GONE TO FORD MTRS TWICE AND ONLY CAN GET TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR, . I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL AREA. THAT SITUATION IS DANGEROUS, BECAUSE, IT MIGHT COME ON AND BE TRUTHFUL, YOU IGNORE IT AND WHEN YOU NEED THEM, YOU HAVE NO BRAKES. THE COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE FORDS COST, NOT THE CONSUMER. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET FAILED AND THE SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,000. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONSTANT-VELOCITY JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WERE REPEATEDLY REPLACED AND THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. ERROR CODES PO 174 AND PO 171 - MISFIRE, FUEL COMP, CAT LYST, EVAP 02 SENSOR, 02 HTR, EGR. UPDATED 10/03/2011 *LN *TR

THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON SOON AFTER START UP. THIS INDICATES A MALFUNCTION IN THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. ONCE HE TURNS OFF THE VEHICLE AND QUICKLY RESTARTS IT, THE WARNING LIGHTS WILL DIM. HE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,500.

MY FAMILY AND I WERE EXITING THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY AT EXIT 25A ON WED 8/8 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30PM. SPARKS WERE NOTICEABLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE SPARKS WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD. AS WE WENT THROUGH THE TOLL BOOTH AND ONTO THE EXIT RAMP TO ROUTE 7, SMOKE BEGAN COMING IN THE AIR VENTS. AT THAT TIME I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE RAMP AND LOOKED IN THE REAR OF THE CAR FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT HAVE ONE IN THE CAR. I THEN WENT TO ASSIST MY WIFE WITH GETTING OUR 5 YEAR OLD SON OUT OF THE BACK SEAT. AT THAT TIME I NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE LEFT SIDE. WE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND ANOTHER PERSON ASSISTED ME WITH GETTING VARIOUS BELONGINGS OUT. WE THEN WAITED FOR HELP TO ARRIVE. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK CARE OF WHAT THEY CONSIDERED THE VALUE (THIS VALUE WAS LOWER THAN THE NADA VALUE). I PROTESTED THIS BUT WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT CONSIDER NADA DUE TO ITS ACCESSIBILITY ONLINE. THEIR VALUE RESULTED IN MY HAVING TO PAY $1000 TO FULFILL MY LOAN OBLIGATION AND RELEASE THE LIEN TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I THEN CONTACTED FORD AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO WHICH THEIR REPLY WAS THE INSURANCE COMPANY COULD PURSUE RESTITUTION BUT NOT MYSELF. WHY IS IT THAT I AM THE ONE THAT SUFFERS THIS GREAT LOSS? WE HAVE SPENT $2000 TO SATISFY THIS LOAN AND PUT A DOWN PAYMENT ON A NEW CAR. THIS CLEARLY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FORD. CARS DO NOT JUST CATCH ON FIRE FOR NO REASON. THERE ARE MANY RECALLS ON FORD PRODUCTS. LAWYERS HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO MY MESSAGES REGARDING THIS MATTER BECAUSE NO ONE WAS INJURED. I AM ONLY SEEKING FOR FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS OR THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY THE PROPER VALUE OF MY VEHICLE. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE WARNING DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND ARE ONLY CLEARED WHEN VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. BRAKES CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP--NOT RELATED TO PROBLEM. DEALER SERVICE DEPT STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE DIAGNOSTIC CODE AND COULD NOT RECOMMEND REMEDY; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THIS CREATES A LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM FOR BRAKES, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO DRIVER IGNORING A REAL BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH INTERMITTENT BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. REPORTEDLY A FAILED ABS MODULE. *TR

WHEN DRIVING, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDS A NEW ABS MODULE. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE I HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PHENOMENON. DRIVING WITH NO ABS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! IT CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WITH POSSIBLE FATALITIES. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8 L AND THE ABS ANS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATE INTERMITANTLY DURNIG THE SUMMER MONTHS AND HOTTER WEATHER BUT DOES NOT COME ON DURING COLDER MONTHS. *TR

ABS CONTROL MODULE HEATS UP AND CAUSES THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES NOT TO FUNCTION. I HAVE SEE THROUGH RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I SENT AN EMAIL TO FORD WITH MY FINDING AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I CAN NOT BELIEVE WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE AFFECTED THAT FORD CONTINUES TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

ABS/ BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUAL SAID THAT IF THIS HAPPENS YOU SHOULD GO TO A GARAGE IMMEDIATELY. I WENT THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT AND SAID I COULD IGNORE IT. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND I WAS TOLD IT HAPPENS A LOT BECAUSE THE ABS COMPUTER DOES THAT WHEN IT GETS HOT AND IF THEY PUT A NEW ONE ON IT MAY DO THE SAME THING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THAT WAY EVER SINCE AND NOT IT IS JANUARY AND IT IS VERY COLD THE PROBLEM IS STILL HAPPENING. THE BRAKES STILL WORK BUT YOU JUST DON'T HAVE ABS. I THINK IF YOU PAID FOR A CAR THAT HAS ABS AS A SAFETY FEATURE IT SHOULD BE FIXED THE RIGHT WAY. I DIDN'T REPLACE THE UNIT BECAUSE THEY SAID IT COULD STILL HAPPEN.*CW

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. IT BEGAN SHOWING 3 LIGHTS ON THE DASH. (THE BRAKE LIGHT ABS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) I WILL BEGIN WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER READING MANY ARTICLES ON THE INTERNET OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME CODES P0174 AND P0171 I FOUND THE TSB. IT CALLED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE VACUUM LINE, ISOLATOR BOLTS, VALVE COVER, AND PORT SEALS. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CALL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WHOLE ABS MODULE. TO FIX BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY COSTLY. AND AFTER RESEARCHING, I HAVE CONLCUDED THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT ISOLATED. DUE TO THE HIGH PRICE OF LABOR AND PARTS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. I THINK THAT THE LOSS OF ABS ON SLIPPERY ROADS AND THE LOSS OF THE ENGINE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE GASKET PARTS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT, AND POSE AS A HUGE CONCERN. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY UPDATES...THANKYOU *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF. AFTER BRAKES WERE REPLACED THE LIGHTS STARTED THIS ACTIVITY. AFTER RETURNING TO THE SHOP WHERE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THEY PULLED THE FOLLOWING CODES OFF THE COMPUTER, C1185,1194,1198,1210,1214,1242,1246,1250,1254 AND U1262. A GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWED OVER 500 HITS ON ONE WEBSITE FOR THIS ACTIVITY. THE SHOP SAYS THE BRAKES WILL WORK, BUT ABS MAY OR MAY NOT WORK AS INTENDED TO. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. *TR

MID-SUMMER VACATION TRIP FROM WEST VIRGINIA TO NORTH CAROLINA. WITHIN A FEW MILES OF RETURN TO WEST VIRGINIA THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO LEAK AND EVENTUALLY LOST APPROXIMATELY 8 QUARTS OF FLUID. MAJOR SLIPPAGE STARTED WITHIN 6 MILES OF HOME. WE MANAGED TO LIMP TO OUR DRIVEWAY BEFORE THE SLIPPAGE WAS SO BAD WE COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD. I INSTALLED 8 QUARTS OF FLUID AND DROVE IT TO REPAIR SHOP -- NO SIGN OF LEAKAGE ON THAT 15 MILE TRIP. I SUBSEQUENTLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, ANOTHER 15 MILES WITH NO LEAKAGE. THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP PULLED THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACED THE FRONT SEAL AND REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER (SLIGHT GROOVE ON SHAFT THAT REPAIRMAN SAID WOULD CAUSE THE NEW SEAL TO FAIL IF THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS NOT REPLACED). VEHICLE HAD JUST UNDER 65,000 MILES ON IT WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. NOTE: THE SEAL FAILURE APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO AN OVERHEATING CONDITION. THIS IS MADE OBVIOUS BY THE FACT THAT NO LEAKS OCCURRED DURING TWO 15-MILE TRIPS SUBSEQUENT TO FAILURE AND BEFORE REPAIR WAS CONDUCTED. ANOTHE DOWNSIDE TO THIS EXPERIENCE IS THAT AFTER SPENDING $1100.00 FOR THE REPAIR THERE IS NO WARRANTY BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP DID NOT DISASSEMBLE AND INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER MAJOR EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION FUNCTION APPEARS TO BE OK BUT I WON'T BE TRUSTING THIS VEHICLE AGAIN FOR LONG TRIPS OUT OF TOWN. GIVEN THE 65,000 MILE FAILURE AND INTERNET HISTORY OF LOW-MILEAGE TRANSMISSION FAILURES WITHOUT RESOLUTIONS FROM FORD, THIS WILL BE THE LAST FORD I WILL OWN. *TR

THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE FOR NO REASON. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC AND BRAKE FLUID WAS FOUND IN THE CRUISE CONTROL CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CYLINDER AND THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

1. EVENT LEADING UP TO FAILURE: LEAKY BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH AT THE BASE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE SWITCH, WIRE HARNESS, AND ABS ECM. THIS EVENTUALLY CAUSED FAILURE IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH AND ABS ECM WIRING. 2. THE SYMPTOM OF THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT YELLOW ABS AND RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS IN DASH THAT COME ON AND REMAIN ON SHORTLY AFTER DRIVE OFF. THIS ALSO CAUSES LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY AS CRUISE CONTROL CAN NOT BE ACTIVATED. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM YET. AT MY EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY, I'LL HAVE THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH AND ABS ECM REPLACED. ACCORDING TO NUMEROUS AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS, THIS FAILURE HAS LED TO SPONTANEOUS FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWNTOWN TO PICK UP PIZZA FOR MY FAMILY, AS I BRAKED FOR A STOP SIGN AND CAME TO A STOP I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND EXPERIENCED A VERY HARD SHAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VAN AS IF I HAD BEEN HIT BY SOMETHING. AFTER INVESTIGATING AND FINDING NO VISIBLE DAMAGE O VEHICLE I DROVE HOME SLOWLY. AFTER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY A MILE OR SO I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING HOT. AS I BEGAN TO PULL OVER TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD I SAW SMOKE, AND THEN I EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AND THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TOWARDS THE GROUND. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND HEARD NO NOISES RELATED TO THIS. I AM NOW HAVING THE VEHICLE TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL FORD GARAGE ,WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE FRONT SPRINGS, AND ASSESS FOR ANY OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS INCIDENT. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE IS AT A TOW YARD. THERE WILL NOT BE AN INVESTIGATION TO FIND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE. THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL CASE # IS C07OFFO66334. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 190,000.

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LEAKING ONTO THE POWER CONNECTORS AND DRIPPING ON SURROUNDING PARTS.. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON FROM TIME TO TIME. BRAKE FLUID MUST BE ADDED ABOUT EVERY 2000 MILES. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON USUALLY WHEN ITS WET OUTSIDE OR GOING OVER A BIG BUMP, MOSTLY IN THE SUMMER BUT LATELY IN WINTER TOO. SOMETIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP IT ALSO TURNS ON. TURNS OFF AFTER ENGINE RESTART BUT USUALLY IS BACK ON AGAIN SOON AFTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE WIRING HARNESS. THE LEAK THEN FLOWED INTO THE ABS MODULE AND CREATED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT FILED A CLAIM WITH HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE PART FROM THE DEALER. THE CLAIM WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. WHEN THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTIFIED HER INSURANCE COMPANY, BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER DECIDED NOT TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $2,197.50 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 123,000.

UPON STARTING THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN TUESDAY MORNING SEVERAL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS STAYED ON, INCLUDING THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS. THE DIGITAL ODOMETER DISPLAY CHANGED FROM NUMBERS TO DASHES AND THE SPEEDOMETER REMAINED AT "0" WHEN DRIVING. ALSO, THE AIR CONDITIONING (A/C ) STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. IT TOOK THEM 2 DAYS TO FIND THE PROBLEM WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER SAID WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE VAN DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. HE TOLD US THAT THE SWITCH HAD COMPLETELY MELTED AND HAD CHARRED THE SURROUNDING WIRES. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM WHICH CAUSED THE MASSIVE FORD RECALL IN 2005, BUT FORD CLAIMS THAT THIS HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM IN THEIR MINIVANS. THE FORD DEALERSHIP DID REPAIR THE DAMAGE AT A COST OF ABOUT $700. I DID NOT THINK TO ASK AT THE TIME IF I COULD HAVE THE BURNED SWITCH. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO GO ON RECORD IN CASE THERE ARE OTHER VANS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PERHAPS THE FORD RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE WINDSTARS AS WELL. I CONTACTED FORD BY EMAIL AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE CURRENTLY NO SAFETY RECALLS INVOLVING THIS VAN.*AK

I HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON MY VEHICLE (ALL FOUR BRAKES) AND ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER HAVING THEM PUT ON I NOTICED MY BRAKES WERE WANTING TO FAIL. WHEN I GO TO STOP THE BRAKES SQUEAL REALLY BAD, ARE HARD TO GET TO STOP LIKE I AM PUSHING ON A BRICK (I HAVE TO PUT ALL MY BODY WEIGHT INTO BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE) AND SOMETIMES WILL KEEP ROLLING. I HAD THE LINES CHECKED AND NOBODY CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THEN FAILED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED TWO CRASHES. FOR BOTH CRASHES, THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BOTH TIMES AS WELL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IMPOSSIBLE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,500

ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR NO REASON. SENSORS REPLACED. LIGHTS STILL COME ON. STARTED JUNE/07. ONGOING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED FOR UP TO 20 MINUTES. AFTERWARDS, THE LIGHTS DIM AND BEGIN TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON FAILURE. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT IS DRIVING WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WAS INFORMED THAT WHEN THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED THE BRAKE SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS ABS WARNING LIGHT COMBINED WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED LIGHT CAUSING INTERMITTENT WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS APPX 145K MILES ON IT CURRENTLY. HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING DASH WARNING LIGHTS THAT WARN ME THAT MY ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. NEW BRAKES, INSPECTION AND CLEANING. RECENTLY BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CONDITIONS THAT LEAD UP THE WARNING ERRORS. BASED ON RESEARCH THROUGH THE INTERNET, CONVERSATIONS WITH LOCAL MECHANICS AND OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS, THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY COMMON BUT BECOMING ANTICIPATED. IT'S ALSO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED THE ABS SYSTEM IS NON FUNCTIONAL AND MY BRAKING ABILITY IS COMPROMISED. VARIOUS SOURCES POINT TO A FAULT IN THE MONITORING SYSTEM THROUGH THE DESIGN OF PARTICULAR COMPONENTS AND REPAIR/REPLACEMENT IS RUNNING AROUND $600. IT SEEMS CLEAR THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM THAT IS LEADING TO MY FAMILY'S SAFETY BEING COMPROMISED BY NOT HAVING THE ABS FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. *TR

I HAD NOTICE THE PROBLEM WITH MY ABS ON AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES A FEW TIMES. I WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHY FORD RECALL 09S09. THEN STARTED TO QUESTION WHY MY ABS LIGHT ON AND SUDDENLY GETTING THE RECALL DONE MY BRAKE LIGHT ON STEADY. THIS IS HOW I CAME ACROSS THIS RECALL ABOUT THE ENTIRE PROBLEM WITH FORD MINI VAN. MY LAST WINDSTAR ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABS LIGHT ON. I CALLED EAST COURT FORD IN CANADA AND THEY REPORTING THE PROBLEM WAS THEIR BEFORE DOING THE RECALL WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. THANKS FOR ALL ASSISTANCE GENERAL PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE. [XXX] *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC