10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,385 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #203

Aug 312011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
I turned in my Ford Windstar on to the john West Ford diler, the ABS, and brake lights came on 3 days before to brought it for been diagnosed. 2 days after they gave me an estimate for $ $2400 dollars. That really surprise me and I answer no thanks do not fix my car. They put my van together and since that moment my van I didn't start again is like a death. They said the PCM and ABS module got burned. I think they made a mistake and kill my van PCM but I cant proved. I was reading the ABS recall about and sounds like there is nothing releated wiht the PCM module. Any way they sent my van back home onto a town truck and at this moment a can't find the problem yet. Oh I almost forgot some for sure they charge me $ $200 for diagnosis. If you want to confirm my history you can call[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Sparks, NV, USA

problem #202

Jul 182011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
The ABS and brake light began coming on intermittantly a couple of months ago. It seems that the ABS ECU module is the problem as multiple ABS codes were read. Now, two months later my cruise control no longer works. If you do the research online as well as in your complaint section for 2001 winstar it is an all too common problem. It seems to be a problem that was not addressed properly on an earlier recall by Ford (09S09) which included a scds wiring harness replacement only caused by brake fluid leaking onto wiring and causing a potential fire hazard. Many owners believe the fluid not only ran down the wiring continuing to run onto the ABS connector causing parts to short out and fail and also onto the cruise control connector causing it to fail. I truly believe this is the reason all these ABS modules are failing...it's amazing how many complaints with my same problem are on your website these are very expensive parts to replace (over $1000) plus labor. The absence of the ABS system does cause braking problems and can cause the brakes to lock up and skid...this happened to me...just missed having a wreck! the connector to the cruise is also being effected causing it to fail as well. I think Ford should be required to at least check these vehicle and replace these parts if they are found to be faulty before someone gets in an accident. They may have already.

- Salisbury, MD, USA

problem #201

Jul 102008

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 41,000 miles
ABS and brake dash warning lights are lit indicating failure of the ECM that controls the anti-lock braking system. Multiple requests for Ford to investigate and repair resulted in no assignable causes. Additionally, cruise control and overdrive functions have also now quit.

- Balston Spa, NY, USA

problem #200

Sep 012011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 176,000 miles
Brake lights stays on constantly, speedometer hand constantly jumps. Sometimes feels like they are air in the brakes, sometimes no power at all to the van. When going up hill van loose all pressure when air is on. Check and made sure all hoses was connect properly and still doing it. I just can't afford to put anymore money in this vehicle.

- Pikeville, KY, USA

problem #199

Jul 042011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The ABS and brake lights on the dashboard light up and stay lit. They will only go off after the key is turned off. It took several trips to the Ford dealership for them to diagnose these: Perform Q test ABS system found multiple dtc's cmdtc C1185 ABS pwr relay output circuit failure, C1194 lf outlet valve coil circuit fail, C1198 lf inlet valve coil circuit fail, C1210 rf outlet valve coil circuit fail, C1246 rr outlet valve coil circuit fail, C1250 lf inlet valve coil circuit fail, C1254 rr inlet valve coil circuit fail, C1446 brake switch circuit failure open or shorted to ground, U1262 scp data link fault, fail speed deactivation switch.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #198

Sep 022011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
Annual state inspection found rust at mount on right front subframe, ,passenger rear rocker panel has rust hole. ABS/brake lights stay on, even after they been fixed.

- Turner, ME, USA

problem #197

Mar 272007

Windstar

  • 85,000 miles
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.

- Jonesborough, TN, USA

problem #196

Jul 012011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS warning light would illuminate at any time. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer, but the manufacturer denied any assistance with repairs. The dealer did not assist with repairs either. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage was 96,855. The recall for subframe was repaired only, however dealer refused to do a state inspection due to other damage. Updated 11/03/2011

- Cross Junction, VA, USA

problem #195

Jun 262001

Windstar

  • 62,000 miles
We took a 300 mile trip to Chicago in our Windstar that we just purchased less than 2 months previously. While we were out of town, the van started acting up. When we would take off from a stop, the van would jerk and bounce like maybe the brakes were locked. We stopped driving it while we were up there until we had to leave. On our drive home, we were about 100 miles from home the O/D light came on. Then a little later, I noticed some type of liquid coming out the back. We tried to get home but at 90 miles from home the van totally quit moving. We were able to coast to the side of the road. Under the van was a large puddle of transmission fluid. After having it towed home ($240) we took it to a transmission shop. They had to replace a front seal and torque converter ($950). I'm filing this complaint because I have seen on the internet where the transmission seems to be a problem with the Windstar. Now the brake light and ABS light come on occasionally and won't go off until it's turned off and restarted. This also seems to a big problem with the Windstar. I haven't taken it in for that yet but dreading it. This is a very nice vehicle and I am rather disappointed in it.

- Granite City , IL, USA

problem #194

Jul 012009

Windstar

  • 95,000 miles
ABS module malfuntios. ABS warning lights. Brake warning lights. Traction control warning lights. Was told by Ford dealer that unit overheats - common problem.

- Galloway, OH, USA

problem #193

Jan 272011

Windstar

  • 140,000 miles
2001 Ford Windstar. I took it to the dealership to have some safety recalls done. A few days later I was driving along and smoke started boiling out from under the hood so I pulled over and by the time I got stopped and got the kids out safely it quit smoking. I raised the hood and could see some burned wiring under the brake master cylinder. We got back in and drove on then the transmission started shifting wrong and the brake pedal didn't feel right, it felt spongy. I took it to my mechanic who is ase master and Ford senior master certified. He replaced the trans range sensor and told me that the fire was caused by a defective cruise control deactivation switch leaking brake fluid.he replaced the switch and advised me to take it back to the dealer and have them do the recall which is what they were supposed to have done in the first place. He said that it also had a damaged ABS module and wiring and that was part of the recall.I called them and they said they only did the rear axle recall that was on the letter I got from Ford. My mechanic said that they were required by law to complete all safety recalls while it was in their possession. I am going to take it back but I'm afraid to drive it cause it hardly has any brakes. My mechanics said it was because all the brake fluid leaked out of the switch and got air in the lines.

- Booneville, MS, USA

problem #192

Mar 132011

Windstar

  • 115,110 miles
Subframe broke 8/2010 and replaced. Rusted badly 12/2011 Ford dealer fixed, also checked real axel and fixed, recall #11S16 for the brake pressure differential switch leaking, brake light now coming on speedometer not registering odometer not registering, ABS light on, information center says trans error fuel error temp error and also cruise control surges cuts out and the braking distance change suddenly and without warning, the ABS and ECM is wet with oil not covered properly. I think this is a ongoing problem with front the brake switch recall that still not fixed.

- Geneva, OH, USA

problem #191

Jun 172001

Windstar

  • 161,000 miles
When I started my minivan it was an afternoon. I noticed that when I started driving the minivan it was like forcing it self then I would change the speed and it would sound different but it felt like it was heavy, I would change it to N and it still make this sound like if I was driving on a wet highway and engine was still loud. When I would speed more than 30 mph it just wouldn't respond as it did before. I purchased this minivan not to long ago -I would say close to a month-. when taking it for a test drive everything looked good, sounded ok -other than the shocks that needed to be replaced- and no lights were on. But after two days had gone by the previous owner said that the ABS light would "sometimes" turn on and would turn off on its own. So, I had a mechanic inspect the minivan for the replacement of the shock wondering if this might take care of the problem, but after the work was done the ABS and brake light started to turn on. Went back to the mechanic because it came making weird sound on the left side so he told me that brake pads also needed to be replaced, so I thought to myself this would take care of the problem which it didn't happen. Now after close to a month of owning this minivan and weather becoming much hotter I noticed this problem. I had a mechanic look at it again today and he suggested that a take it to a Ford dealership to have the minivan inspected since he was also aware of a recall done on these types of vehicles. I am just afraid to keep on driving it because I can tell something is just not right and I feel that it's just going to brake down on me anytime soon. And since I have a baby I prefer not to drive or drive a long distance or even on a high speed.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #190

Apr 292011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 132,000 miles
Took 2001 Windstar into dealer for recall on rear axle Jan. 2011 was called to pick up vehicle on April 29th. When vehicle was picked up the brake, ABS and traction control off light were lighting up the dashboard, these lights were not on when van was taken in. Walked back into the dealer and told they had no one available to look at it but bring it back on Monday when they could run an analysis on it. Stated they had replaced the axle and any number of things could have happened. Asked if vehicle was safe to drive was told it was. Came back Monday morning had a total change of attitude without looking at vehicle was told it probably was not anything they did but would look at it and let me know in 10 minutes. Half hour later informed they think it was the main brain and could cost me up to $1500 to fix. Dealer stated that the Windstar had a lot of problems he still had over 100 to repair in his lot. Was told by dealer and Ford customer care that the problem was mine not theirs, replacing rear axle has nothing to do with brakes but work sheet shows they replaced the brake pads. Now I do not have ABS or traction control on my vehicle.

- Columbia Station, OH, USA

problem #189

May 212011

Windstar

  • 125,655 miles
There have been numerous issues with this vehicle lately. Car would not start, power steering went out, oil light stays on, I have to put oil in every week, seat motor stop working and now the brakes do not work. We were driving out of town with our 3 kids and I went to press the brakes just to find that it was not there - it was all the way up under the dash board!!!

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #188

May 312011

Windstar

  • miles
The ABS system light comes on while driving and it stays on until the car is turned off for some time.

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #187

Aug 012003

Windstar

  • miles
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While the contact was driving approximately 40 mph, the emissions, ABS and rear brakes warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The warning indicators remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The failure would recur whenever the engine was in operation. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was previously notified of the defect. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Germantown , TN, USA

problem #186

Apr 072011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
My ABS and brake lights stay on and the odometer and speedometer stopped working. I reported this earlier today but need to change the category.

- Farmington, CT, USA

problem #185

Apr 152011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
Good day. I have a 2001 Ford Windstar passenger van. On the bottom of the master cylinder, there is some kind of pressure switch. This switch constantly leaks brake fluid onto a wiring harness connector below it. My research has found that many Windstar of this era also leak brake fluid from this switch. My brake lights (on the rear of the car) sometimes stay on when the car is parked. Also, since the cruise control recall was repaired, the dashboard light indicator telling me that the cruise control is on no longer operates. Also, the cruise control will not work unless I pump the brakes prior to using it. I believe all of these problems are related. The Ford dealer told me he would gladly fix the problems but will charge me quite a lot of money to do it. I believe Ford should be responsible for the costs associated with the repairs of these safety items. Thank you.

- Linden, PA, USA

problem #184

Apr 082011

Windstar

  • 110,000 miles
The brake fluid at the master cylinder is leaking on the wires under it. Causing the ABS and brake light to stay on. I am afraid this will cause a fire, due to the fluid being flammable. Now I have a repair to pay for that I have never seen happen in a car. I am almost 55 and been driving 40 years and this is a first

- Charleston, SC, USA

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