2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

THE CHECK ENGINE OR EMISSIONS LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD TO PAY $100.00 JUST TO HAVE THEM RUN THE CODES ON THE COMPUTER. CODES P0171 AND P0174 SHOWED UP ,AND DEALER SAID INTAKE GASKETS LEAKED, AND IT WOULD COST $671.00 MORE TO FIX. THEIR ESTIMATE INCLUDED REPLACING INTAKE GASKETS, INTAKE BOLTS, LEFT SIDE VALVE COVER, AND FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE PVC HOSE WAS OKAY. THE 2001 VAN ONLY HAD 59,000 MI ON IT. SEEMED LIKE FORD HAD A DESIGN PROBLEM , THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO STAND BEHIND.*AK

ON MAY 2, 2007 WE DETECTED AN ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC IN THE HOUSE. AFTER SEARCHING THE HOUSE I OPENED THE GARAGE AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE FILLED THE HOUSE. THE OCCUPANTS LEFT THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR, AND I PROCEEDED TO OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR AND WENT OUT WITH PHONE IN HAND. WHILE I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE A FRIEND'S SON INDICATED THAT THERE WERE FLAMES UNDER THE VAN. I WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE, GOT THE KEYS AND MADE AN ATTEMPT OF PUSHING THE VAN OUT OF THE GARAGE. AS I TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT OR PARK I NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE WINDSHIELD. I DECIDED THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO BE A HERO, AND I GOT OUT OF THE VAN AND GARAGE. WE WERE AFRAID OF AN EXPLOSION SINCE THE GAS TANK WAS FILLED THAT DAY. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHICH EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BEFORE IT SPREAD TO THE HOUSE. I ATTEMPTED TO GET A WATER HOSE TO TRY TO CONTAIN THE FIRE, BUT AFTER FOUR STEPS, MY RIGHT KNEE ON WHICH I HAD SURGERY THREE WEEKS BEFORE IT GAVE OUT ON ME AND I ENDED UP HAVING TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE VAN WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. MY DAUGHTER AND I DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH OF THE FORD WEB SITE , AND IN ALL CASES INVOLVING FIRES FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOT EVEN BLINKED AN EYE TO PAY ONE CENT. WHY CAN'T THE GOVERNMENT GO AFTER THIS COMPANY THAT KNOWINGLY PRODUCED A PRODUCT THAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND CONTINUED TO PRODUCE OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITHOUT TAKING SAFETY INTO CONSIDERATION. WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT THERE WERE NO DEATHS INVOLVED. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE? *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ABS ALARMS AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ABS DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DEALER RAISED THE ABS CODES AND THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED FOR 5 TO 10 MILES BEFORE IT RECURRED. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

WE PURCHASED A 2001 WINDSTAR. AFTER OWNING THE PRE-OWNED MINIVAN FOR A FEW SHORT MONTHS WE STARTED NOTICING THAT THE ABS, BRAKE, AND TRAC CONTROL LIGHTS WOULD COME ONE AFTER WE STARTED DRIVING. ADDITIONALLY WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON WE DO NOT HAVE ABS BRAKING OR TRACTION CONTROL AVAILABLE. I BELIEVE THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS DESIGNED. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN LESS FREQUENTLY DURING THE WINTER ABOUT 60% OF THE TIME DRIVING THE VEHICLE. DURING THE OTHER 8 OR 9 MONTHS THE LIGHTS ARE ON ABOUT 99% OF THE TIME. I BELIEVE THAT THE WEBSITE WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO IN PROBLEM 2 ACCURATELY DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

ABS LIGHT, RED BRAKE LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN DASH BOARD. *JB

2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS MODULE. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON IN WARM WEATHER OR WHEN CAR WARMS UP DISABLING ABS AND CAUSING LOUD SQUEALING. *TR

MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON WHEN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE GETS HEATED BY THE ENGINE. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT AS HAS MY NEIGHBORS WINDSTAR. NO ONE COULD TELL ME WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, BUT I FOUND AN EXPLANATION ON THE WEB AT HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/#PROBLEM2. THE VEHICLE STARTED DOING THIS ABOUT A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT IT AND IS DOING IT TODAY. THE TEMP HAS WARMED UP. WE HAD SOME FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM I ASSUME WAS WORKING. IF THIS ISN'T A DEFECT, WHY IS IT SO WIDESPREAD?? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE FIVE MINUTES AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT A NEW ABS MODULE WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH FORD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,600. UPDATED 01/09/08, *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10 AND 40 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FLOW SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INDICATORS COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DOES NOT SEEM TO AFFECT THE USE OF THE BRAKES, BUT IF THERE IS A FAILURE HOW WILL I KNOW IF IT IS TRUE OR FALSE? THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS OF FORD PRODUCTS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

IN THE FALL OF 2006 I BEGAN EXPERIENCING ISOLATED INSTANCES WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN THE BATTERY WAS DEAD BY THE END OF THE WORK DAY. FREQUENCY INCREASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. I FOUND I COULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BY LIFTING THE PEDAL SLIGHTLY FROM BEHIND. ON MARCH 12, 2007 THE PROBLEM BEGAN HAPPENING WITH EACH STOP, SO I REMOVED AND EXAMINED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. IT APPEARED TO BE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I EXAMINED ITS PLACEMENT ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER ROD. THE WEAR PATTERN APPEARED TO BE VERY SLIGHTLY OFF-CENTER. I REINSTALLED THE SWITCH, BUT INSERTED THE SPACER INSERT FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE. WHEN DISSASSEMBLING, THE SPACER WAS INSERTED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I REASSEMBLED IT, I INSERTED IT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 1200 MILES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED. I HAVE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AS AN ASE MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC.

MY 2001 WINDSTAR HAS BEEN BLOWING DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHTS. NOT ONLY DOES THE LIGHT BLOW BUT THE ENTIRE GLASS PART OF BULB BLOWS COMPLETELY OFF. THIS IS THE 6TH TIME WE HAVE CHANGED BULB. THIS TIME I WAS 60 MILES FROM HOME ON A ROAD FULL OF 18 WHEELERS. WHEN THE HEAD LIGHT BLOWS SO DOES MY TAIL LIGHTS. SO I MUST DRIVE HOME WITH 4 WAY FLASHERS ON. THE ONLY REASON I HAVE THIS VAN IS BECAUSE WE HAVE 5 CHILDREN AND HAVE TO USE A VAN TO GO ANYWHERE. WHICH MEANS MY CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS IN IT WHEN IT MESSES UP. THIS TIME ,ALSO, WHEN TRYING TO GET THE VAN BACK HOME, MY INTERIOR LIGHTS KEPT GOING ON AND OFF BY THERE SELF. AND AS ALWAYS THE MOTOR STUTTERS AND MAKES IT HARD TO GO UP ANY HILL. WE LIVE IN ALABAMA. EVERY ROAD I TAKE IS NOTHING BUT HILLS. *JB

INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. THIS CAUSES 2 PROBLEMS: 1. THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON WHILE DRIVING, AND 2. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, THUS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS NO LONGER WORK . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY STARTED WITH THE INTERMITTENT WIPERS WHICH WOULD NOT COMPLETELY WIPE THE WINDOW UNLESS ONE CONTINUEDT O WORK THE KNOB. SHE STATED THAT NOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DOESN'T WIPE THE WINDOWS AT ALL. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL 01V261000 FOR VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/ WASHER: MOTOR. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THIS RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY NOW, AND WOULD NOT HELP HER WITH ANY OTHER INFORMATION. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE APART OF THE RECALL SINCE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 74,000 MILES ON IT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *AK

PAINT BLISTERING AND COMING OFF, 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE, COLOR IS EMERALD. HAS COME OFF ON THE HOOD DOWN TO BARE METAL AND ALSO THE PANELS UNDER THE DOORS. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SEL. THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS OCCUR WHEN THE #10 FUSE BLOWS, WHICH IS EVERYTIME WE REPLACE IT. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, INTERIOR ILLUMINATION ON DASH BOARD(SPEEDOMETER, A/C, RADIO LIGHTS), AND THE DAY RUNNERS/AUTO HEADLIGHTS. SOMETIMES THE CAR DOES NOT TURN OFF....EVEN WITH THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE CAR DOOR OPEN; THE RADIO AND A/C WILL CONTINUE WORKING AND THEN THE HEADLIGHTS COME ON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY OF 07 AND THESE THINGS BEGAN HAPPENING SHORTLY AFTERWARD. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON OCCASIONALLY. *TR

STARTED OFF WITH YELLOW ABS LIGHT ON WITH THE RED BRAKE LIGHT ON AS WELL. SEEMED TO COME AND GO AS IT WANTED. SOME TIME DURING THIS I NOTICE A CONNECTOR LOOSE OFF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND CONNECTED IT. LIGHTS STAYED ON EVEN LONGER, MONTHS AT A TIME. BRAKES STILL WORKED (ABS UNTESTED). HAD CHANGED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, AND THIS STILL HADN'T CORRECTED. AT SOME DATE THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. IN 2010 I HAD THE 'RECALL' SWITCH REPLACED ON THE FRONT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED AGAIN, BUT A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE LIGHTS WERE BACK ON. I CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND NOW THE BRAKES ARE EVEN SOFTER THAN BEFORE EVEN AFTER A LENGTHY BRAKE BLEEDING CYCLE. I STILL GET THE LIGHT, BUT THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS ON WHEN I START THE VEHICLE AS THEY WERE BEFORE. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS THAT HAVE COME ON, AND ALL OF THE TSB SEARCHES AND PARTS BOUGHT AND REPLACED I HAVE DONE IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE MY VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR FRAME WAS CRACKED. ON 02/23/07 THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED TO SEE IF THE CAUSE OF A LOUD NOISE WHICH CAME FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE COULD BE FOUND. SHE STATED THAT THE TIRE LEANED INWARD. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME HAD A CRACK ABOUT 3 INCHES FROM THE BRAKE DRUM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED ANYONE TO FIND OUT WHAT SHOULD BE DONE. A NEW FRAMED WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT SHE STILL HAS THE TIRE THAT CAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WILL SUBMIT PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND OF THE CRACKED FRAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90000.*AK THE AXLE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/05/07. *JB

ABS ECM FAILER, FORD WINDSTAR 2001: THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AFTER 5-10 MIN. THE CODE FOR THE PROBLE IS C1185 OR RELAY PROBLEM. THE ABS CONTROLER IS A ABS EBC 430 MADE BY KELSEY-HAYES . THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN 2007. I SEE THE EBC 430 UNIT MADE FOR THE GM WAS RECALLED. THIS HAS MADE FOR SOME CLOSE CALLS WHEN BRAKING IN BAD WEATHER. THIS IS A BIG SAFTY PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND MANY LINKS ON LINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS TO A 100% FAILER RATE. COVERS ALL WINDSTARS AND FREESTARS. THE ABS UNIT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACE. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL WIRES BURNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. THE FIRE WENT OUT BY ITSELF. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE AIR CONDITIONER, CRUISE CONTROL, AND RADIO FAILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE SWITCH ON THE MASTER CYLINDER AND NOTICED THAT THE SWITCH FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS COVERED WITH FLUID. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE NEW SWITCH ALSO FAILED. HE CUT THE WIRES TO THE SWITCH IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. HE THEN HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE LIFTERS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE KNOCKING SOUND CONTINUED. THE UPPER INTAKE WAS REPLACED AS WELL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

MY VAN STARTED TO HAVE SOUNDS OF A FLOCK OF BIRDS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT STALLED AFTER RUNNING 20 MILES, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS THE ONLY LIGHT ON. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CAM SENSOR. THEY FIXED THAT AND OFF I WENT. JUST TO GET DOWN THE ROAD ANOTHER 20 MILES AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONCE AGAIN. BACK TO THE DEALER I WENT THE VERY NEXT MORNING. THE SERVICE GUY I SPOKE WITH SAID" I DO NOT KNOW WHY THAT CAME ON, BUT WE WILL DO A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT AGAIN AND FIND OUT. BY THIS TIME I WAS PISSED OFF. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS PUTTING OUT CODES P0141 AND A P0147? ( ANYWAY IT WAS BANK1 AND BANK2) RUNNING LEAN. I ASKED HIM WHEN IT WAS IN YESTERDAY, DID YOU NOT NOTICE THE CODES AND HE STATED "I WILL HAVE TO PULL IT UP ON THE HARD COPY, BUT HE DID NOT DO IT. NOW ANOTHER DEALER AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION HAS IT TODAY(2-13-07) DIAGNOSTICS ARE ALMOST THE SAME BUT WITH ADDED FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEMS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON. MORE LIKE THE 3RD TIME, WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSTIC CODES. AND EACH TIME I HAD TO HAVE ALMOST THE SAME THING DONE TO IT( LIKE THE INJECTORS BEING FLUSHED OUT 2X, NOW FOR THE 3 RD TIME IN 2 YEARS). BUT EACH TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT WAS ALWAYS THE SAME CODES. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE COMPONENTS. *NM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CODES READ P0171 (LEAN BANK 1). FOLLOWED REPAIR PROCEDURE PER FORD TSB 03-16-1 (REPLACE ISOLATOR BOLTS AND PORT SEALS UNDER UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD). ALSO REPLACED VACUUM LINE FROM FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR TO INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB

DURING NORMAL DRIVING THE "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL" MESSAGE COMES ON AND THEN DEACTIVATES BOTH ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTING THE DRIVABLE IN WINTER CONDITIONS. I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY SIGNIFICANT EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. THE MESSAGE ISN'T ALWAYS ON, JUST PERIODICALLY ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS. *TR

I WAS COMIKNG HOME FROM WORK TRAVELING 45 MPH, HAD A GREEN LIGHT, AS I ENTERED THE INTERSECTION A POLICE CAR RAN THE RED LIGHT AND I STUCK HIM IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS CAR. MY VEIW WAS BLOCKED IN THE NEXT LANE SO I NEVER SAW HIM UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. I SLAMMED MY BRAKES AND TRIED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HIM BUT AT 45 MPH IT WAS NOT ENOUGH, I BRACED MY SELF WAITING FOR THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY BUT NEITHER THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGER WORKED. I SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO MY CERVICAL SPINE AND I AM UNABLE TO WORK. WHEN I REPORTED IT TO FORD THEY SENT ME A LIST OF ITEMS THEY NEEDED AND PUT A 45 DAY TIME LIMIT ON THE COMPLAINT AND REQUESTED INFO...SO I GUESS WE WILL SEE WHAT THEY DO FOR ME, THANK GOD I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT OR I WOULD BE DEAD! *JB

ERROR CODE 1085 FOR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE SYSTEM. BRAKE LIGHT ON HAD TO DISCONNECT ABS SYSTEM TO AVOID A FIRE. CREATES A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID WHICH IS FLAMMABLE. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HEARD A LOUD BANG.HE LOOKED AT THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE VAN WAS BEING FIXED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURE R, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THEY COULD NOT HELP HIM. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE HAD PICTURES, AND WILL HAVE THE PART TO SEND.*AK

ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN, AT ABOUT 62,500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE AMBER ABS LIGHT AND RED BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS A FAULTY HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT THAT WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ON THE ABS MODULE (ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS ABOUT $1,100. I HAD PREVIOUSLY RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, AND HAVE FOUND ENTIRE FORUMS OF WINDSTAR OWNERS DEDICATED TO THIS PROBLEM. USERS HAD CITED A FIRE HAZARD THAT IS CREATED BY THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ON THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ONE OWNERS VAN HAD CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THIS ON A LONG TRIP). I ASKED ABOUT THIS AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THIS COULD INDEED BE A FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE PULLED THE FUSES TO DE-ENERGIZE THE ABS ECU, BUT BECAUSE OF THAT, AM CURRENTLY OPERATING WITH NO ABS BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE LEAKING FLUID HAD ALSO DAMAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL CUTOFF SWITCH, SO I HAD IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

ABS LIGHT SHOWS BRAKES NEED CHECKING, WE HAVE NEW BRAKES, PADS , AND ROTORS ARE EXCELLENT. LIGHT CODES READ CHECK ENGINE, AND FAULTY BRAKES. THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY PART FROM MANUFACTURE THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE. NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR BUT CANNOT INSPECTION TEST IN UTAH WITH ABS LIGHT COMING ON. *TR

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON MY FORD WINDSTAR COME ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES TIME. THE LIGHT TAKES LONGER TO COME ON DURING COLDER WEATHER, BUT WILL EVENTUALLY COME ON IF I DRIVE THE VAN LONG ENOUGH. I HAVE TESTED MY BRAKES DURING THE WINTER ON SLIPPERY ROADS AFTER THIS HAS HAPPENED AND HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT I LOSE MY ANTILOCK BRAKES. MY WHEELS LOCK UP AND MY VAN SLIDES UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING IT OCCURRED ONLY EVERY FEW WEEKS OR SO; NOW IT IS A DAILY OCCURRENCE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR MY WINDSTAR OWNERS. I HAVE NOT HAD MY BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIRED YET. I CANNOT AFFORD THE HIGH COST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF SHE DROVE OVER ANY ROAD BUMP, THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED JUNE 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED AND THAT THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULAR. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY ONLY HAD TO REPAIR THE FUSE WIRING HARNESS AND NOT THE ABS CONTROL MODULAR, WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 3/21/11 *CN UPDATED 04/25/11

TL* - WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH ON 12/26/06 THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE PROCEEDED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD AND THE EVENING WAS CLEAR. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE THEN RETURNED HOME AND INSPECTED THE TIRE AND FOUND NO PUNCTURES IN IT, BUT DID NOTICE A BUMP IN THE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED HE TOOK TIRE TO FIRESTONE TIRE CENTER THE NEXT MORNING , AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED BY A NAIL, BUT THERE WAS NO NAIL IN THE TIRE. THE TECHNICIAN DID SHOW HIM AN IMPRINT OF THE NAIL ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO FIND OUT IF THIS TIRE HAD ANY SAFETY ISSUES. THE INFORMATION ON THE TIRE WAS: 214/65R16, MODEL # FR380 AND DOT# W26V38B2306. THE CONTACT HAS THE DAMAGED TIRE, AND FIRESTONE DID REPLACE IT WITH A NEW TIRE. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD TO SCRAP THE INSIDE OF TIRE AND CLEAN IT UP BEFORE THEY GAVE THE DAMAGED TIRE BACK. *AK UPDATED 02/06/07. *JB

TIRE FAILURE

TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH THE ADJUSTABLE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THIS ACCELERATION CONTINUED FOR A NUMBER OF SECONDS. THEN, THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES IN ORDER FOR THE THROTTLE TO DISENGAGE. THE ROAD CONDITION ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT WAS FAIRLY DRY, SO CONTACT FEELS THAT THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS DEFINITELY NOT AN ISSUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO COVER HIS VEHICLE UNDER THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 01V207000 DUE TO THE FACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WASN'T BUILT UNTIL 06-20-01.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH ON A STREET IN RAINY WEATHER, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A BYSTANDER ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKE WIRING HARNESS WAS WET AND CORRODED FROM RAINWATER AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED.

FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED THROUGH FRONT END COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED AS FAR AS THE LOCK WOULD ALLOW. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF, AFTER REALIGNING THE DOOR, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE DOOR HAD TO OPENED MANUALLY TO GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE THE SAME DOOR SLAMMED SHUT, THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ALERTED.

FAILURE OF CRUISE CONTROL BRAKE SWITCH WHICH CAUSED FIRE CAR WAS "POWER BRAKING", CAUSING OVERHEAT OF ROTORS , BRAKES, TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. HAD THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE READ AND THE CODES WERE PO171 AND PO174 WHERE THE RESULT (BANK 1 AND BANK 2 SYSTEM TOO LEAN). DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND TSB 03-16-1 CONCERNING REPAIRS REQUIRED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE TSB STATES THAT FORD USED A LH VALVE COVER THAT CONTAINED A 1/8 HOLE ALLOWING OIL TO GET ON THE RUBBER GROMMETS OF THE ISOLATOR BOLTS WHICH CONTAMINATED THEM. THIS RESULTED IN BREAKDOWN OF THE RUBBER GROMMETS AND A VACUUM LEAK TO OCCUR IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE TSB ALSO RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE LH VALVE COVER GASKET, PORT SEALS, ISOLATOR BOLTS U-SHAPED VACUUM LINE, AND UPPER INTAKE HALVES SEAL TO PREVENT FUTURE OCCURRENCES. THIS PROBLEM IS A RESULT OF FAULTY PARTS USED IN THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED WITH PROPER PARTS. THE INTERNET IS FILLED WITH PROBLEMS THE OWNER OF WINDSTARS FROM 1999-2003 HAVE HAD. EVENTUALLY, THE ENGINE WILL RUN VERY ROUGH AND CAN STALL CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHILE DRIVING. *TR

THERE IS A RE-OCCURRING DOOR FAILURE AND EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN OCT 2006 WHEN THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR FAILED CAUSING THE VAN TO LOOSE CONTROL. FORD WILL NOT RELEASE THE RECORD OF REPAIR. MY VAN IS A MODIFIED WHEELCHAIR VAN AND WE ARE EXPERIENCING A SEVERE SAG IN THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, HAD MULTIPLE REPAIRS DUE TO RUST AND YESTERDAY THE TOP GUIDE RAIL FOR THE SLIDING DOOR CRACKED AND THE TOP OF DOOR FELL DOWN ALMOST HITTING THE CAR NEXT TO ME. THE TRACKS ARE EXTREMELY RUSTED AND AS THE FLOORBOARD, BECOMING A SAFETY HAZARD. I BELIEVE THE RUST ISSUE IN THIS VEHICLE ARE FAR MORE EXTENSIVE THAN THE 2 RECALLS CURRENTLY IN PLACE. THIS MAY ALSO BE ACERBATED BY AUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS TO ALLOW WHEELCHAIR ACCESS. IN ESSENCE, THE VAN IS RUSTING APART. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN AN IDLE POSITION, SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WERE OBSERVED TO BE COMPLETELY BURNT. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE DEALER REFUSED TO OFFER A NEW CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND WIRING FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT WERE AVAILABLE WERE DEFECTIVE.

THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED BY FORD. THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE CAUSED BY HEAT IN THE ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) (2C219) MODULE CAUSING EXPANSION OF A LARGE ALUMINUM PLATE (HEAT SINK) IN THE ECM WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE ECM MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD AT ALL POINTS. THE EXPANSION OCCURS WHEN THE UNIT GETS WARM ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND CAUSES INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE UNIT BECAUSE THE FRAGILE BOARD IS BEING STRETCHED AND MALFORMED. THE CODE MOST COMMONLY SCANNED BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS IS CODE C1185 AND IS REVEALED AS A YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ABS ECM PART IS FAULTY AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY REPAIR BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS DEFECTIVE PART AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS BECAUSE THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM IS DISABLED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 90% OF THE DRIVING TIME. I ORDERED A NEW ABS ECM UNIT TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE UNIT TO PROTECT MY FAMILY. ORIGINAL PART HAS TO BE RETURNED AS THERE IS A CORE CHARGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE NEW UNIT. *TR

I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR VAN WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. TRANSMISSION AND VEHICLE HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED. NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING TRANSMISSIONS IN WINDSTARS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/03/06. *JB

ON A RECENT ROAD TRIP, I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION JUMPING FROM HIGH GEAR TO LOW GEAR. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER 1400.00. I BOUGHT MY WINDSTAR NEW AND IT ONLY HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED FORDS AND WAS LOOKING AT A FUSION FOR MY NEXT VEHICLE. HOWEVER, I THINK I WILL SEE WHAT CHEVY HAS TO OFFER. *JB

CONSTANTLY BEING TROUBLED BY THE BRAKE/ABS LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD. UPON GOING TO AUTO ZONE AND CHECKING WHAT KIND OF CODE COMES UP FOR THE PROBLEM, I RECEIVED 20+ CODES RELATING TO BRAKES/ABS PROBLEMS. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED IT WAS VERY POPULAR AMONGST FORD WINDSTARS FROM 1999-2003. I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND THIS PROBLEM IS VERY TROUBLESOME. UPON REQUESTING A QUOTE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, I WAS LOOKING AT $2000+ (PARTS, LABOR AND WARRANTY). IT SEEMS THE ABS MODULE IS BAD, AND IT ITSELF COSTS $550 JUST IN PARTS. THIS PROBLEM IS PERSISTENT AMONG A LOT OF FORD WINDSTAR AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO TAKE SOME SORT OF ACTION AND ISSUE A RE-CALL. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS CONSTANTLY DISPLAYED IN DASHBOARD DISPLAY. BRAKE INSPECTIONS CANNOT DETERMINE A CAUSE. I JUST LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THAT A RECALL FOR REPAIR MAY BE (OR HAVE BEEN) ISSUED. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST.