The brakes on my 2001 Ford Windstar mini-van failed on a highway. I was in the right hand lane and was able to exit the highway into a weigh station (that was fortunately on an incline) and by using the emergency brake and placing the car in neutral I came to a stop at which point I was able to turn the engine off and exit the vehicle with my 9 year old son. If any of the cars in front off me had slowed and/or tried to exit at the same time as me, I would have had to drive off the road or I would have been in an accident.

- West Hyannisport, MA, USA

Brake/ABS light comes on inadvertently, because of a glitch in the computer system. I've gone to Ford mtrs twice and only can get to the customer service people. The vehicle is a 2001 Ford Windstar, . I have been told by a mechanic that it has happened to several other people in the local area. That situation is dangerous, because, it might come on and be truthful, you ignore it and when you need them, you have no brakes. The cost to fix this problem should be Ford cost, not the consumer. Thanking you in advance for your assistance in this matter.

- Elizabethtown, KY, USA

ABS light shows brakes need checking, we have new brakes, pads, and rotors are excellent. Light codes read check engine, and faulty brakes. This is due to a faulty part from manufacture that they will not fix at their expense. Nothing wrong with car but cannot inspection test in Utah with ABS light coming on.

- Woods Cross, UT, USA

Cruise control deactivation switch leaking and causing brake lights to stay on.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

My 2001 Ford winstar speedometer, odometer, A/C, O/D light flashing, cruise control does not work all at once. I was told it is a defictive brake switch.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact noticed that the brake and ABS warning lights would intermittently illuminate on the instrument control panel. Once he turns off the vehicle and quickly restarts it, the warning lights will dim. He has not had the vehicle inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 100,500.

- Simi Valley, CA, 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

2001 Ford Windstar has ABS warning light combined with emergency brake engaged light causing intermittent warnings. The vehicle has appx 145K miles on it currently. Have been experiencing dash warning lights that warn me that my ABS system is not working correctly. New brakes, inspection and cleaning. Recently but problem persists. Have not been able to determine the conditions that lead up the warning errors. Based on research through the internet, conversations with local mechanics and other Windstar owners, this problem is not only common but becoming anticipated. It's also my understanding that when the ABS light is illuminated the ABS system is non functional and my braking ability is compromised. Various sources point to a fault in the monitoring system through the design of particular components and repair/replacement is running around $600. It seems clear there was a design flaw in the brake system that is leading to my family's safety being compromised by not having the ABS functioning correctly.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

2001 Ford Windstar LX - failure of ABS control module - dealer performed test code 1185 brake / ABS warning lights have been off and on for the last 2 years, just recently they are coming on regularly so that a dealer could identify the problem.

- Brush Prairie, WA, USA

Emergency brake light come on when you drive or backup vehicle paid Ford dealer over $3,000 to fix the problem on basis of recommendation Aug 28, 2007, replace wiring harness and ABS module after servicing the brake lights continue to come on. Have taken the car in to dealer for the 5th time. Ford engineers stated they do not know what is causing the problem or how to fix it. My 1 year labor warranty will expired Aug 28, 2008 and Ford has yet to repair car. I was told by Ford dealer the car is drivable and doesn't pose a health or hazardous risk. I totally disagree.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Scary issue: ABS brakes started twice without any need and without warning causing the vehicle to roll forward while brakes were firmly applied. Once at an intersection while stopped and once when stopping for a stop sign at normal speeds/conditions. Additionally ABS and brake lights come on simultaneously and intermittently mostly when warm out and more consistently when both warm out and vehicle is stopped after reaching full operating temperature and then restarted shortly after (I.e. stop at a store and then return to vehicle after a few minutes or while driving slowly on highway because of traffic after driving at highway normal speeds. Stopping seems to allow more heat to collect to cause the problem as air does not cool the parts which may be the cause. Suspect exactly what is described in www.fordwindstarrecall.info/ problem # 2. my cruise control also stopped working over a year ago and the repair was to change the switch in problem #1. I did not incur a fire but the switch did fail.

- Danville, CA, USA

I have a brake problem with the van. I did a search on the internet to see if anyone could help only to find the exact problem. Lucky for my family I found the sight. It concerns the Ford Windstar 1999-2003 brake and ABS problems. I am afraid to haul my family around in this van until it is fixed. The site is www.fordwindstarrecall.info.

- Markle, IN, USA

Constant ABS and brake light indication after start up of vehicle.

- St. Joseph, MO, USA

Loss of ABS & traction control.

- Bay Shore, NY, USA

The ABS and brake lights are on in my 2001 Ford Windstar. This occurs because of a faulty ABS module.

- Hanover, PA, USA

When driving, the ABS and brake light will illuminate. I was told the car needs a new ABS module. Upon further research on this issue I have become aware that this is a widespread phenomenon. Driving with no ABS is a safety hazard! it can result in an accident with possible fatalities.

- Miami, FL, USA

Intermittent C1185 ABS code is being caused by heat in the ABS (anti-lock brake system) ECM (electronic control module) (2C219) module causing expansion of a large aluminum plate (heat sink) in the ECM which is attached to the ECM main circuit board at all points. The expansion occurs when the unit gets warm especially in the summer months and causes intermittent electrical connection in the unit because the fragile board is being stretched and malformed. This causes an intermittent ABS light due to the failure of the ABS relay. This is a manufacturing defect that has serious safety ramifications, and should be replaced by Ford under warranty.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Cruise control stopped working, and noticed intermittent ABS/brake light. After researching, found that the brake pressure switch was leaking brake fluid through the connector. Fluid had wicked into the cruise control module as well. Even though this switch is the subject of failures and recalls on numerous models, the dealer refused to replace or apply the company designed fix to the vehicle. I am concerned that this issue has led to numerous vehicle fires, and that the company is not responding to this issue by replacing the switch, but only installing a fuse. Repair charges were $210.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

2001 Ford Windstar brake failure. Consumer states that the brakes gave way while she was stopped. She states that the dealer would not remedy the problem. She said this past time she went over a cement strip and hit a ground fixture. The panel on the vehicle was damaged.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the brakes made a loud grinding noise and then failed while driving 5 mph. The failure has caused two crashes. For both crashes, the contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer both times as well. The dealer has been unable to determine the cause of failure and stated that the failure was impossible. The VIN, engine size, and purchase date were unknown. The current mileage was 110,000 and failure mileage was 109,500

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA