10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
153,608 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #88

Jul 272006

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
Speedometer not working accurately (occasionally speedometer will work than stops, which indicates defective part). Ford says speedometer and gear needs to be replaced now. Prior to that they said computer needed to be reprogrammed because of tire size.. cruise control did not work but was fixed by Ford via recall notice due to leaking speed control deactivation switch (scds). As I understand the dealer would also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. ABS and brake light are on all of the time which is a result ABS control module failure.

- Manitowoc, WI, USA

problem #87

Oct 032011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
ABS, and service brake, come on simultaneously. I am afraid that stopping distance shall be increased, thusly causing personal & property damage liability. Fear of braking distance suddenly increased, when driving, on a personal daily basis. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #86

May 182011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
1st incident happened while driving at highway speeds. ABS and brake light illuminated until car was turned off. Lights now come on randomly. I took my vehicle to a Ford dealership on Aug. 31 2002 for recall on front and rear axles. They installed shackles on suspension and said that everything was fine. After I came home with vehicle, I noticed a clunking sound coming from the R/F wheel area and my overdrive off dash light starts flashing randomly until car is turned off. Concerning the ABS issue, I took my vehicle to an independent garage and they told me I needed to replace the ABS control module, then he told me that they did the exact same repair on another 02' Windstar earlier that week and the repair would cost $700-$800 dollars. Coincidence"??"

- Monroe, ME, USA

problem #85

Aug 302011

Windstar

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 35 mph the brake light began to illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact added brake fluid and after restarting the vehicle all of the warning lights on the instrument panel began to illuminate. A certified mechanic from an authorized dealer examined the vehicle and informed that contact that fluid was leaking from the vehicle speed sensor and spilling onto the wiring harness. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where it was repaired under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The dealer refused to repair the failure associated with the wiring harness and gauges on the instrument panel, which were caused by the speed sensor leak. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000.

- Buchanan, VA, USA

problem #84

Aug 102010

Windstar

  • 98,000 miles
ABS and brake lights coming on for no apparent reason. Had recall service on cruise control and the warning lights for the ABS and brake lights have been coming on intermittently since that service was done. Talked with the local Ford service department and they are aware of this problem. Said that the previous recall on the cruise control didn't have anything to do with my warning lights for ABS and brakes (but they have had more issues with this problem than the cruise control recall). If I remember the correctly, the cruise control recall - it had something to do with brake fluid contact and potential for fire, my cruise was shorted out and not working - must have been from brake fluid. I am thinking that this flaw has something to do with electrical components connected from the brake and ABS system to the warning lights being shorted out in a similar way; it is just a guess, I am sure that the real mechanics know what is going on.... this is a safety issue and Ford needs to recall this design flaw; the warning device is not working as designed. I am sure that the $1,600 to fix the problem is an issue for Ford. Sometimes the lights turn on when I start the vehicle, sometimes I may be driving and they will turn on, at times the warning lights do not come on at all. The brakes are not effected from what I can tell and my fluid levels are normal. I hope that my brakes don't really experience a problem.

- Monticello , MN, USA

problem #83

Mar 082010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an increased stopping distance whenever the brakes were applied. This failure occurred after the vehicle was repaired under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The contact also stated that the anti-lock brake and brake lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The speed control deactivation switch was not leaking and there were no brake fluid leaks either, but the consumer was experiencing braking issues. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage is 115,000. Updated 9/13/11 updated 09/28/11

- Kane, PA, USA

problem #82

Jul 102010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Ford performed safety recall 09S09 in 2009 but only installed safety wiring harness 2002. Requested Ford to replace both speed control deactivation switch and ABS module due to the known failures included in the investigation, but Ford refused after a year the ABS and brake warning lights started to come on intermittently, now the warning lights come on everytime the car is driven after several miles. Based on research (www.2carpros.com/questions/Ford-Windstar-2003-Ford-Windstar-ABS-C1185-trouble-code), I can see that this is very common problem with this vehicle and the problem and it causes braking safety issues in addition to fire problem. The replacement of the speed control deactivation switch and ABS control module replacement should be required as part of 09S09 recall. The installation of the wiring harness only minimizes the occurrence of possible fire, but does not address the main cause of the problems of the defective deactivation switch and ABS module.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #81

Apr 012009

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that when coming to a stop with his foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on it's own. The vehicle crashed into the rear end of a vehicle, which caused the other vehicle to crash into a vehicle as well. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who had not diagnosed the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. Updated 09/20/11

- Orlanda, FL, USA

problem #80

Jul 012008

Windstar

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the brake and anti lock braking system lights would constantly illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the ignition light and cruise control switch did not function. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure milege was 100,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.

- Roy , UT, USA

problem #79

May 202011

Windstar

  • 154,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS, brake and air bag warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) but the failure recurred. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted in regards to the most recent failure. The failure and current mileage was 154,000.

- Burns, TN, USA

problem #78

Mar 312011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 124,840 miles
Have had intermittent issues with ABS light and now told that I need a new speed control deactivation switch.

- Breckenridge, MN, USA

problem #77

Mar 132011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Cruise control switch recently replaced brake fluid was leaking may have faulty switch or master cylinder damaged during installation causing fluid leak that is highly flammable causing fire or smoke from 2002 Windstar master cylinder and brake booster were faulty.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #76

Feb 052010

Windstar

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS and brake lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The ABS would fail when the light illuminated. The cruise control and speedometer also malfunctioned. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000 and the current mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Ankeny, IA, USA

problem #75

Oct 272010

Windstar

  • 180,000 miles
ABS and brake lights keep coming on. Cruise control not working. Speedometer, odometer and airconditioning have also stopped working. Due to short in the cruise control disable switch aka brake pressure differential deactivation switch located under the master cylinder caused from brake fluid leaking onto it. This in turn blew the #10 fuse. This switch is covered with brake fluid and could start a fire at any time. I have stopped driving it until I can replace the switch and clean off the brake fluid.

- Germanton, NC, USA

problem #74

Nov 012009

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
I own a 2002 Ford Windstar and had recall 09S09 performed at my local dealership last November and now my cruise control does not work at all. Also for the last 6-8 months my (yellow) ABS and (red) brake lights come on and off on my dash. My power window on the driver side works only when it wants to and the passenger side window can be rolled down from the passenger side but has to rolled up from the driver side. And last but not least the rear door lock buzzes every time the doors lock which is every time I put the vehicle in gear.

- Wartburg, TN, USA

problem #73

Oct 152007

Windstar

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving 40 mph the ABS brake light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer five to six times for the failure. The dealer replaced the brake pads and advised her that the problem was electrical. The electrical failure caused the radio and all of the interior lights to shut on and off intermittently. The vehicle also leaked oil and power steering fluid. She stated that per the dealer the vehicle needed an axle, rack and pinion which also affects the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was purchased used in 2007 and the failure started as soon as she purchased it. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 116,840.

- Milledgeville, GA, USA

problem #72

Apr 012010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
Recall of brake switch (09S09) on my 2002 Ford Windstar. They replaced the switch but I still have ABS lights that come on periodically. It has not been completely fixed and the dealership says they will not cover it.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #71

Aug 152010

Windstar

  • 133,000 miles
I was driving on the highway and my ABS light came and I noticed the cruise control also didn't work any more. I took it to the Ford dealer and they did the recall for the leaky scds switch this fixed the cruise problem but the ABS no longer works on my Windstar.

- Imlay City , MI, USA

problem #70

Sep 012010

Windstar

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving 30-35 mph when he observed a cloud of smoking emitting from under the hood. The dashboard lights were also illuminated. The vehicle was shut off and when restarted, the vehicle was taken to a local repair facility. The mechanic discovered there had been a small fire under the hood and the control switch was disabled. In addition, the mechanic advised the contact of a potential recall on the vehicle under NHTSA campaign id number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) and referred him to an authorized dealer. The dealer replaced the fused wiring harness under the recall and also found that the instrument panel was damaged. There were separate damages as a result of the fire and the manufacturer advised they would not cover the repair expenses of the other components. The separate damages were not repaired. The failure and current mileage was approximately 68,000.

- Three Rivers, MI, USA

problem #69

Sep 122010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
Red (brake) light and yellow (ABS) light illuminate on instrument panel while driving. In this condition, the ABS does not work and hard braking results in rear wheels locking up even on dry road and partial loss of vehicle control. My mechanic says the ABS module is going bad and it is a common problem with Windstar. This vehicle was supposedly repaired in the 2009 cds recall. So far, lights come on about every 300 miles and are cleared (go off) once the vehicle is switched off and restarted. I think Ford should replace the ABS modules that are failing. Also, prior to the 2009 recall, the cruise control resume function stopped working and is still out. I understand that may well be a symptom related to the leaking of brake fluid from the cds.

- Decatur, GA, USA

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