ECU module for ABS is shorted out and causes gauge cluster to short out. This causes ABS light & brake light to turn on and all gauges stop working and they jump around. This was diagnosed by Ford dealership in wi. Said brake fluid leaks in to ECU and shorts out wires. Told me. $2000 to fix. These problems are a safety issue. ABS and speedometer and gauges don't work. Should be a recall.

- Madison, WI, USA

The ABS, brake, and trac lights come on while driving down the road. This doesn't happen every time, but has become more frequent. Have not found a reason for it to come on, like hitting bumps or wet whether. The electrical system issues is rear windows won't open all of the time. The door locks don't work all of the time. The lights in and outside the van dim in and out.

- Austin, TX, USA

Well my ABS/ brake lights have been on and off ever since I bought this van and I have keep up on everything that need keeping up on. Now I am having problems with my wipers and they don't work on any of the speeds but high and next to high and the other speeds don't work. Another problem I have been having is the electronic slidding doors don't always close or want to stay shut. The doors have even tried to open when driving down the road which is very dangerous considering I have children ridding in the back of my van. I have had codes come up on my van that sound like a manufacturing problem and I have had about enough of this. I have not felt save in my van since they called me in for the recall they fixed on it at dick withems. I still think it needs an inspection by the company and they need to fix everything that is malfunctioning due to manufacturing problems. I put my children's and my life in Ford's hands when I drive this van and if anything ever happens to my children or me I will be getting ahold of Ford, my lawyer. I think that when vehicle's are built they should make sure there are less manufacturing problems as possible. Please contact me.

- Waterloo, IA, USA

I didn't have a crash I noticed that my ABS brake and tire pressure light was staying on and a short time after I started hearing a loud rumbling noise in the front end every time I slow an it's impossible to make sudden stops and at times my speedometer starts flickering back and forth as well as my cruise control is currently inoperable. I have limited driving this vehicle in which I purchased due to feeling it is not in a safe manner for my children to be in. I have had several shops as well as individuals that told me these areas are common to go out on this specific vehicle and that there is possible recall. I just want to be able to drive my van with out worrying if I'm going to be able to come to a stop when needed as well as not knowing if I could possible break down or something break in the front end while I am driving at somewhat high speeds. Thank you and hope to hear from someone soon in regards to this situation!

- Florence, KY, USA

My ABS light is on and have heard it is from ECU master relay has a bad soldier joint which fails prematurely and causes the ABS light and dtc C1185. It also causes the enhanced ABS braking system to become inoperable.

- Manchester, TN, USA

ABS trouble light keeps coming on and going off. It was checked and the mechanic said it was safe to drive if I didn't want to spend the money. I have found out that the connector is absorbing fluids and shorting out. This shorting out happens mostly in warm weather. In sub 0 weather the light pretty much stays off. There is still a chance of fire when it is shorting out. I complained to Ford and was told there was no recall on this item. They gave me a case number for my complaint. It is #[xxx]. this problem is a direct cause of fluids leaking on the modgular connector and heat from engine. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Birch Run, MI, USA

All gauges, including speedometer, suddenly became erratic, confusing driver by giving false sense of speed.

- Providence, RI, USA

Hi I am the owner of 2001 Windstar last week my van star be crazy with al the instrumental all the light was crazy smell like the cable was burning the positive battery was very hot I have to stop the car before get in fire that is the second time that is happen please take this very serious before some have any accident and car burn in the road.

- Dover, NJ, USA

ABS light and brake light on/ off more then 5 years every time driving, brake working fine. All the gauge moving crazy about 1 a week. Winter time the problem less.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

Intermittent increase in braking distance in an emergency situation. Due to ABS system failure related to the ECM control unit. Indicator at time of failure "yellow ABS brake light" and "red brake light" on dashboard of vehicle. Resulting in interment operating of ABS system. This becomes a large driving hazard when operating the vehicle during winter months when roadway is often covered in wet, snow and ice. These road conditions are typical for my winter driving months in the climate and area of vehicle purchased and operated. The cause of this ABS system failure is related to the ECM control unit. Root cause is identified as failure of circuit board solder joints with in the ECM unit, deactivating ABS system. Poor quality of connections, heat and stress, not robust enough for application. Need to have these quality and performance issue resolved by the oem.

- Boise, ID, USA

After repairing my speed controller my ABS and brake lights have been coming on the dashboard intermittently and are coming on more and more. Took it to the dealer and no codes show up, but I do not trust it.

- Salem, VA, USA

For months, the ABS light and traction control lights come on intermittently. Currently the lights are staying on and it must be jumped to start. The battery was checked and was okay. Something is draining the battery.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

The ABS light and the brake light appears on the dashboard even though the brakes are in good working order

- West Orange, NJ, USA

Interior lights flash on and off including dash lights taken in on numerous occasions but problem still exists to this day. ABS and brake lights come on constantly up to and including today. Noise that sounds like bones crunching from steering wheel or under foot? and buzzing from right front tire on left turns. Took into Ford dealer for all complaints, never fixed.

- Barling, AR, USA

Problems encountered: Rear windows not working, had motors replaced worked for about 6 months then intermittent then quit working within 6 months. ABS and brake light on dash goes on and off. A/C stops blowing for about 20 seconds then resumes blowing. Keyless entry works sometimes, sometimes it don't. speedometer slower than it reads and mileage may not be correct. Windshield wipers not working properly. Intermittent settings on wipers quit working and when you turn off wipers they stop in middle of windshield. I have an 88 year old father with no legs and this is the vehicle I have to drive him around in. Do not feel safe!!

- Pearl River, LA, USA

While sitting at the red light my brake light, ABS light, over drive lights all came on and then my speedometer would not register when I started to go when the light turned green.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

The ABS warning light comes on intermittently. From research on the web, this is a common problem starting with Windstar dating from 1999.

- Seattle, WA, USA

The ABS light has been on but no one can tell me why. It goes out when the vehicle is shut off but will light up again after about 10 minutes of driving. The cruise control would work sometimes and not others. If finally quit working all together. The fuses are all fine. The power windows and door locks work sometimes and not others or might work on one side of the vehicle but not the other.

- Loughman, FL, USA

ABS and brake lights have been off and on for years. Have had the brakes looked at many times and they are always said to be fine. Today, while driving along, the radio went off when I rolled up the window...thought that was strange so opened window....radio back on, closed window....radio off. Thankfully I was very close to home as the windows stopped opening and closing, radio shut off, odometer reading disappeared, clock lights disappeared. I made it to the driveway, turned it off and it did not turn back on. Came inside and started to search "2001 Ford Windstar ABS and brake lights on"......I'm appalled at how many complaints I have found. Husband and friend did a check and it may be the alternator....but after what I've read we will definitely be checking for fluid in the ABS control module. If it turns out it is the ABS control module (after reading the numerous complaints) I will be calling Ford to let them know what I think. For many, many years we let Ford service our van and I swear after each service we ended up with another problem within weeks of the service. I've not had trust in our local Ford dealership for a long time. Based on what I've read in the last 2 to 3 hours I am completely shocked and saddened that Ford hasn't stepped up and offered to rectify this problem. I love my Windstar! as long as we can be certain that it is still safe to drive we will keep it on the road. But when it is time.....we will never do business with Ford again.

- Monroe, NC, USA

All electrical went whacky.

- Columbus , OH, USA