Brake pressure differential deactivation switch leaked brake fluid down wires to the ABS module, shorting the module and causing a brief but non-sustained fire with resulting smoke and melting of ABS module and wiring harness components. This disabled the speedometer, odometer, ABS system, cruise control, and activated ABS lights and brake system lights. Appears to have occurred while driving and smoke and smell was present when parked in garage after occurrence.

- Quartz Hill, CA, USA

ABS and traction control light on and system not working.

- Clermont, FL, USA

In our Ford Windstar our ABS system has completely gone out and the Ford place told us that was going to cause us electrical problems. Then our ABS light and brake light comes on, everyday. The airbag light has come on and then off. The check fuel cap came on and then went off. The RPM's almost hit zero when the ABS light and brake light come on. The Ford dealership told me that they keep extra ABS parts because Windstar have had problems with the ABS system.

- Morganton, NC, USA

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.

- Collegeville, PA, USA

2001 Ford Windstar brake, ABS brake, cruise control, and speedometer/odometer electrical problem-causing my brakes to almost fail with my two 2 year old twins in my van.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Many electrical problems over the last 4 years..the latest was smoke coming from the ABS unit. Had the mass air sensor burn up about 9 months ago.

- Parma, OH, USA

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.

- Wrens, GA, USA

ABS light come on every know and then for months prior to this incident, know, speedometer-odometer ac has stop working and ABS light is on constantly, when I check fuse box, fuse 10 was blown proceed to replace and kept burning them. I have replaced the fuse now for the 3rd time in as many days and fuses are still blowing.

- Tracy, CA, USA

ABS lights, brake light on dash is on, odometer does not work, speedometer, air conditioning/heater does not work, cruise control does not work. I'm looking for parts to fix problem.

- New Philadelphia, OH, USA

1. electrical short in engine bay of 2001 Ford Windstar LX caused blown fuse #10, loss of speedometer, cruise control, ABS and brake warning lights, odometer, A/C and temperature controls. Replaced fuse, blew again. 2. replaced fuse twice, same results. 3. searched online, found many posts and instructions on repair. Purchased a "brake repair kit" from local Ford dealer, replaced the brake pressure switch under the "nose" of the brake master cylinder; cleaned brake fluid off the wires and re-connected the old connector to the new wire connector. Replaced #10 fuse.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

Ford Windstar 2001 with brake, ABS brake, cruise control, and speedometer/odometer electrical problems.

- Arecibo, PR, USA

2001 Ford Windstar -brake light indicator, ABS light indicator, odometer inop, squealing brake noise during turns, air conditioning just stopped working.

- Phenix City, AL, USA

My 2001 Windstar was giving off intermittent brake light warning. After about 1 week of this going on and I couldn't find out why this was occurring, my van had the ABS light, brake light on constant. My overdrive light was flashing continuously. My speedometer, odometer and air conditioning stopped all at once. Blown #10 15A fuse. I looked into see what has gone wrong and noticed that the brake pressure relief switch that is connected to the bottom of the brake master cylinder was defective and leaking brake fluid onto the transmission range sensor and into the wiring harness that contains the wires for the brake pressure switch. This accumulation of fluid into the wiring harness has caused a short. I caught this fairly early for if I had not, this surely would have caused a fire. I have replaced the brake pressure relief switch and have not traced the short as of yet.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

Both ABS and brake warning lights come on intermittently and stay on until engine is turned off. Has occurred when starting engine, or while driving. On several occasions, 15amp fuse #10 has blown out, causing instrument panel gauges (speedometer and odometer) to turn off. Replacing fuse has not stopped problems from occurring. Running diagnostic tool on ABS module displayed codes C1185, C1194, C1210, C1214, C1242, C1246, C1250, and C1254. Other owners have reported that identical problem resulted in engine fires.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

ABS and brake lights on, no speedometer, odometer or cruise.

- Erie, PA, USA

Vehicle blew the #10 15 amp fuses twice, after that electrical smoke poured into the cab and stopped when vehicle was turned off. Also, the low brake fluid light was on. On August 22,2008 I put 1/2 a bottle of brake fluid in. Upon inspection I found the brake pressure differential deactivation switch(replacement part #sw-6351) was leaking into the electrical connector and onto the wire harness below. On August 27, 2008 I purchased replacement part (sw-6351) for $22 from my local Ford dealer. Old part is available.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

On 08/09/2008, the emergency brake light and the ABS light illuminated on the dashboard while driving at 60 mph under normal conditions. The vehicle then had to be jump-started, and I noticed a faint burning smell while driving. Upon exiting the vehicle, I noticed the burning scent was extremely strong. The vehicle is now inoperative. The battery, purchased at sears on 06/04/2005, can no longer hold a charge. The electrical system has gone haywire. For example, the headlights now come on, dimly, when the switch is in the off position. The mileage at the time of this incident was 119,200. I had one prior experience with the emergency brake light and the ABS light illuminating on the dashboard. In June 2007, both warning lights came on intermittently only when the vehicle was in reverse and were accompanied by a loud squealing sound in the brakes. Twice, on wet pavement, my brakes did not function normally. Although I avoided any collision, on one occasion I was forced to proceed through an intersection where the traffic light had just turned red. An independent garage inspected the brakes and could find nothing wrong. The computer diagnostic was code C1185. As a precaution, they flushed the brake system. Thereafter, the brakes functioned normally. The emergency brake light and the ABS light came back on intermittently again in May 2008. Again, this happened when the vehicle was in reverse and was accompanied by squealing brakes. I had a Ford dealership go over the vehicle and received a written report in May 2008 that showed the brakes to be in acceptable condition. There were no further incidents until August 2008. Because of the complaints I've read on the NHTSA website, I will mention that the cruise control deactivation switch on this vehicle has not worked in quite some time. I must use the brake pedal to turn off the cruise control. I urge you to continue your investigation into this dangerous situation.

- Dallas, TX, USA

2001 Ford Windstar sport SE # drove vehicle 2 hours, parked car for approx 2 hrs, returned and then unable to start vehicle, battery would fail then car needed jumped. This happened 3 times. Turn car on, ABS yellow light, E-brake red light on constantly when driving (intermittent) and will go off when car is turned off. Cruise control does not work any longer. Pulling E-brake from floor does not trigger red E-brake light. Looked behind air filter, brake fluid saturated on ABS brake module and wiring below the brake pressure deactivation switch, leaking coming from the brake pressure switch. Looked at the switch under drivers side door (below car), verified sticker on cover (next to ABS ECM module) indicated Ford (kelsey-hayes). Checked fuse #10 & #14 (was not blown). The failure lights continue to come on sporadically. Ford needs to make this a recall on the Windstar.. why is it that this is a recall on other Ford vehicles with the same parts and failures. This is a huge fire safety hazard. Please make Ford make this a recall.

- Westerville, OH, USA

My 2001 Ford Windstar ABS and brake warning lights have come intermittent on and my cruise control is intermittent. Searching the internet revealed that there is a problem with the "speed control deactivation switch" that is mounted on the front of the master cylinder. I have inspected my switch and it does have a fluid leak that is running down the wires. This has not caused any other problems yet.

- Florence, KY, USA

ABS light is on, brake light is on, A/C is blowing out warm air, odometer is not working, O/D off light is blinking. Replaced fuse #10 twice, but keeps blowing. We have not had it fixed yet.

- Hilliard, OH, USA