Brake pressure deactivation switch is leaking brake fluid, which causes a short and blows the fuse controlling ABS, cruise control, speedometer, etc. This is in our 2001 Windstar mini van.

- Grampian, PA, USA

ABS and brake light on, O'd off flashes no odometer reading, we had smoke pouring out of hood fire dept. Said wiring burnt up. This week when all of these came on. It has been in shop again this week all week, this van has been nothing but a money pit! have had to replace transmission, fuel injectors, lost count of alignments, now they say it is electrical problem. Not safe.

- Hampton, VA, USA

I took my vehicle in to have it checked because my ABS indicator and brake light would not go out. I was informed that my brakes were okay but the brake switch was leaking brake fluid. About once a month I have to add brake fluid, then the lights go out. I purchase a brake repair kit but has not had it installed yet.

- Newport News, VA, USA

ABS light and brake light comes on. Had it in the shop 3 times since April 2008 most recent was Oct 15,2008. Light was coming as soon as brakes were applied after starting engine. Sensors have been cleaned. New brakes put on and some parts replaced.

- Desoto, MO, USA

While driving the van and approaching a stop, the brakes pedal went to the floor and the vehicle would not stop (had to use the emergency brake). We filled the master cylinder back up with fluid, and it worked for 1 day, until the fluid leaked out. Then the same issue occurred, but because we were aware of some sort of brake problem, we drove much more cautiously and hesitantly. We stopped the van and drove it home very slowly. The master cylinder has developed a leak where it connects into what I believe is the power booster. In my short research, I have found that this is common, but typically results in fire or faulty dashboard lights. At this point, I have not fixed the vehicle, but will be fixing it today. The failure has not been fixed as of yet.

- Schertz, TX, USA

ABS and brake light came on while driving. When the car was turned off and restarted the warning lights would go off. This occurred intermittently for about 3 months. After a long driving trip in which the warning lights came on the cruise control would no longer function. I searched the web and found a web site stating possible problems if this was not addressed. I took my van to a Ford dealer and they replaced the cruise control deactivation switch as well as the ECU and ABS sensor. These were all mentioned in the article on the web.

- Carol Stream, IL, USA

Brake light and ABS come on simultaneously.

- Hebron, KY, USA

I noticed a few months ago that my brake fluid was low. There was no visible leak. Just recently my 2001 Ford Windstar had to be taken to the dealer. During an inspection it was noted that the brake switch was leaking brake fluid. I was told that this needed to be fixed immediately as it could lead to a fire. However, the dealer did not have the part in stock. I was advised not to drive the vehicle till the part could be fixed. It will be fixed this weekend and I plan to keep the old part. This is extremely concerning considering that the reason most people get this type of vehicle is because they have children. Knowing that a vehicle could start on fire while children are being transported is extremely concerning to me. It is obvious from what I have found that this is a common problem that Ford is aware of.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, 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

2001 Ford Windstar - ABS and brake lights come on intermittently. Cooling the car seems to help, then turn off and restart. The lights will go out, but come back on.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

For months my 2001 Ford Windstar has been showing my ABS and brake light indicators. The first time it happened, I took it to the dealer because the manual indicated imminent brake failure. They told me it was my tire pressure and that my tires were worn and I needed 4 new ones. Did that. Lights still came on - they said there was nothing wrong with it. Lights still kept coming on. They told me that I needed new pads and rotors - even though there was no sound of grinding brakes - but I did that too. And still my indicator lights kept coming on. They told me it was something about the panel that could be fixed for $700 if I wanted but it was probably not worth it and not to bother. And then, 2 days ago, my brakes failed. I was lucky. I was going slowly down a hill and I stopped the vehicle by slowing applying my emergency brake. They are now telling me that they still can't find anything wrong with it. I do not believe them. And I cannot safely drive this car anymore.

- Glen Rock, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving 5 mph, the contact noticed smoke underneath the hood. He pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The smoke flow gradually lessened and became controlled. He called roadside assistance and they unplugged the master cylinder switch, which seemed to be the cause of the failure. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls pertaining to this failure. The current and failure mileages were approximately 91,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

ABS and brake lights turn on in warm weather or when car warms up disabling ABS and causing loud squealing.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

2001 Ford Windstar ABS light comes on intermittently code 1185 internal power relay sticking. Sensor on master cylinder leaking. Brake fluid goes down wires to controller, shorting it out.

- Castile, NY, 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

ABS brake light on Ford Windstar 2001, brake system has been checked and there should be no reason for the alarm. Check engine light on for ever after being checked and paid repairs, intake system replaced, hoses replaced etc.

- Miissouri City , TX, USA

My ABS & brake lights come at random at any speed. I had them to check it on the computer it said that the ABS module was bad. I found that the fluid level was low. Then I seen that the brake fluid was on the wires below the switch. I had the xw7Z*9F924 kit switch replaced. There said that it start a fire.

- New Palestine, IN, USA

My ABS brake light just started coming on it goes off but after a while of driving it comes back on. I took it to the shop and they couldn't find anything wrong they said the brakes looks good, they reset the ABS brake light then 1 week later it came back on and has been on since I took it back to the shop and they still couldn't find anything wrong they put it on a machine that read no failed signal.

- Passaic, NJ, USA

After filing a serious complaint about an ABS brake failure earlier this evening, I continued to research 'complaints on 2001 Ford Windstar on your website and was shocked at the number of complaints involving the ABS system. The false warning lights tied to an 'electrical' problem that are referred to throughout the complaint section are identical to an ongoing problem that we have tried to address with our local dealership for the past two years! on August 26th, the ABS failure that occurred in my vehicle while traveling on a highway could have resulted in a fatal accident for myself and my 9 year old son if it had occurred just seconds later. I would have passed the weigh station that allowed the vehicle to decelerate on an incline with the car in neutral and the emergency brake deployed.

- West Hyannisport, MA, USA