ABS and brake light comes on -- for no apparent reason and goes off -- vehicle stutters and cuts off. Safety concern, because never know when it will happen. 2001 Ford Windstar.

- Hempstead, NY, USA

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar that has problems with the "brake" and "ABS" lights coming on 95% of the time. The issue has been checked by no less than 2 shops and both have determined that the issue is a faulty ABS module. After some online research I have found this to be a very common issue and I believe that it should be investigated. The ABS not working properly can result in issues when trying to stop in inclement weather.

- Liberty, MO, USA

Our ABS and brake warning lights in the dash have been coming on intermittently for around the last 2 years. We took the van to the Ford dealer and they said that the ABS should be working as long as the dash warning lights are off. On a recent trip, we were traveling at 35 miles per hour and needed to stop quickly for a car turning in front of us. I slammed on the brakes and the tires squealed (brakes locked-up) instead of the ABS activating, thus significantly increasing my breaking distance and nearly causing a wreck. There was no pulsing of the brakes like when the ABS is functioning correctly. The dash ABS and the brake warning lights were not on before nor after the incident. The dash ABS and brake warning lights have come on since then, but the warning lights go off once the car is shut off for awhile. Upon researching this issue on the internet, it appears this is a common malfunction (dash ABS and brake warning lights coming on) in 2001 Ford Windstar.

- Fremont, NE, USA

The ABS light and brake light both came on simultaneously. After turning engine off and on, indications returned to normal. Happened again a few months later. Dealer's service writer dismissed it. Now is happening regularly; sometimes multiple times per day. Checked brake fluid level and it appears to be okay. Brakes appear to function normally; no squeals, grabbing or sponginess, no apparent loss of braking ability. Car stops in a straight line. Brakes have been serviced.

- Houston, TX, USA

Vehicle show both brake and ABS lights intermittently. Apparently no failure to either. Brakes were serviced in 2005 and 2010 with no apparent fix to the above lights. Suspect ECM failure due to heat as shown on www.fordwindstarrecall.info/ shown as problem #2 on the website.

- Federal Way, WA, USA

I bought a 2001 Ford Windstar in April 2005. By August, the ABS brake came on. I promptly took it to al packer Ford and they charged me $545 to replace the ba control plus labor. Within two years (in August) the light came on again. I researched and found that many families are having a problem. It goes on and off frequently, and I am very concerned about a fire. I can not afford to pay for this piece every two years, especially when it is a defective part. Thank you

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Occurrence: 12 October 2010. Traveling I-95 Washington, DC/suitland, md. Vehicle: Ford Windstar, 2001. Speed : 60-65 mph. Traffic : dense. Failure of defective part : rear axle snapped in two parts while traveling on smooth highway, northbound. Explosive sound, lots of smoke, extreme consternation/fear of heart attack experienced by my wife and I ( my wife has a dangerous heart condition "ihss") at occurrence. I immediately turned on hazard flashers. Managed to maneuver across several lanes of traffic to get to highway shoulder safely!! thank god for the alert fellow travelers behind us!!! if we were hit by any 18-wheelers on the highway, I wouldn't be writing this complaint now!!! concern for our safety was shown to us by fellow travelers; particularly, md traffic safety person, who should be commended by his superiors for his professional and understanding actions!! he looked at the damage and said that he had never seen anything like it before; and he said that we were lucky to be alive!!! van was transported by professionals to the nearest Ford dealership where I first became aware that a recall notice was in force for my vehicle!!! at this point, I became greatly disturbed that I had no previous notification of this dangerous condition and that my wife, grand children, etal were traveling in potential rolling coffin! in my opinion, this seems to be criminal; particularly if greater profit motives might be involved! I certainly hope that inferior materials were not used in this regard!! I was informed that my van would have to remain at the Ford dealership until Ford Motor Company decides how I will be provided with a safe vehicle, since no replacement axles were available. (nb ; I have no idea whatever other damage exists as a result of this awful failure! I certainly don't want a duplicate axle replacement to replay this horrific catastrophe! in my wife's delicate condition, I cannot expect her to travel in this unsafe vehicle! justice!!!

- Ramsey, NJ, USA

Braking distance suddenly increased, yellow ABS brake light on this can result in crash.

- Providence, RI, USA

ABS and brake light come on when driving a few miles after starting car, anti lock brakes do not work. If you shut car off and start back up the lights will go off, they will come back on sometime or stay of for several hundred miles. There were no codes stored to bring up. The speed control deactivation switch has been change.

- Fort Mill, SC, USA

I have a 2001 Windstar, purchased at fines Ford bolton on, for the past year the brake light and the ABS brake light tend to be activated after the car warms up ( 5 min) during the summer. However during the winter months the problem seems to disappear. The colder the outdoor temperature the less likely the light seem to go on. The van has only 95 000 km, and drives approximately 10-15 km on a daily total commute. During the past year we ( my wife and I) have noticed that a burning smell seems to emanate from the van immediately when parked. Since we park the van in a garage the smell is more noticeable then. This past July we brought the van in to service the recall to fix the scds sensor. Although for a week the ABS and brake lights were not activated, the problem has resurfaced thereafter. It seems this recall only served to possibly protect a fire but not solve the real problem with the ABS lights.

- Bolton, 00, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that when attempting to stop, the brake pedal would extend to the floorboard and abnormally pull the vehicle when attempting to stop. The vehicle was repaired several times at an automotive center but the failure recurred. Almost every component of the braking system was repaired and replaced. The vehicle was not repaired for the failure. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000 and the current mileage was approximately 134,000.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Braking distance suddenly increased : ABS light goes on and off intermittently and when it goes on brakes do not function normally and cause increased braking distance without warning. Twice now including today I have been parking my car (so maybe 5 mph) and the ABS brakes failed to function properly and the light lit up and if a curb was not between me and the building I was parking at acting as a buffer and helping slow the car to a stop, I possibly could have hit it or crashed. I also almost hit a car in front of me recently, possibly within and inch, when it slowed/stopped somewhat suddenly (but not overly so) and then I had to slow/stop and my ABS light then suddenly came on and my ABS brakes failed to stop me in the usual way and usual distance for the pressure I was applying (which was stopping fast but not slamming on the brakes) and I could feel a sort of "stuttering" or "vibration" of the brakes and "slipping" with my foot on the brake peddle as if it were trying to engage but not successfully engaging. At first this intermittent ABS brake light going on was only occasionally but now it is becoming more and more frequent and putting me and my family in very dangerous situations to where even though the ABS brake light turns off as if it is working fine again, I now know it is not working fine and that the brakes could stop functioning properly at any moment. The light only goes on when I am pressing on the brake peddle (but not every time I brake), it does not light up without that as a pre-requisite. Then it will either stay lit for a few minutes and go away or it will stay lit until I turn my car off and go away the next time I start the car up.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

2001 Ford Windstar ABS/brake dashboard lights come on while driving and stay on. When car is turned off, brake lights remain on. Brake pedal needs to be pumped and pulled for lights to turn off. Problem started approximately two years ago, was intermittent, but is now, as of 4 months ago, happening every time the car is driven. A friend's Windstar is doing the same thing, and when researching on the internet, it appears to be a fairly common defect that should be subject to a recall by Ford.

- Eugene, OR, USA

ABS ECM failer, Ford Windstar 2001: The ABS and brake light come on after 5-10 min. The code for the proble is C1185 or relay problem. The ABS controler is a ABS ebc 430 made by kelsey-hayes. The problem first started in 2007. I see the ebc 430 unit made for the GM was recalled. This has made for some close calls when braking in bad weather. This is a big safty problem. I have found many links on line about this problem. This to a 100% failer rate. Covers all Windstar and freestars. The ABS unit needs to be recalled and replace.

- Marietta, GA, USA

No accidents yet, my ABS light and brake light come on within the first mile everyday I use my Windstar and the ABS activates and often my 2001 Ford Windstar has an ugly noise and the brake pedal pulsates and the car does not want to stop, just like it would in an anti-skid situation. I have replaced front brakes, rotors, calipers, rf wheel sensor (purchase ABS code reader and still get rf sensor codes). Recently I took my Windstar to Ford and replaced the brake-cruise control recall. I questioned my dealer about the ABS and they have no clue almost like I needed to leave it and they would check it out and try to locate the cause. I do not want anyone to start replacing parts that I have replaced especially the ones I replace more then once. I hear alot of talk about a control module being bad so I think if that is the remedy it should be replaced at no charge by Ford and I won't demand they reimburse to me the money I have already spent to remedy this problem. I like this vehicle but would like to get this ABS problem fixed or disable the ABS. Also, another option for Ford in my case would be to disable the ABS so I don't get that anti-skid in my brakes on a dry day and all wheels are rolling. Its pretty unnerving when your car is not in a skid condition the ABS takes over and you are panicking to get this car to stop. I understand this ABS is an option and since I did not buy the car new I would strongly consider just disabling the ABS system brakes so they would work like the old fashion brakes that skidded if you applied enough pressure...

- Seekonk, MA, USA

The vehicle is a 2001 Ford Windstar sel. While driving on wet / slippery roads, the stopping distance is increased due to a failure of the ABS system. The failure of the ABS system is indicated by illumination of the ABS and brake dashboard lights. The frequency of occurrence is any time the vehicle is running during warm / summer weather and less frequently, but still almost daily, during cool / winter weather. The brakes have been fully inspected and worn or suspect parts replaced. At the last service visit (to a different mechanic than previous visits) the mechanic stated that the computer code indicated that the ABS control module needed to be replaced. He also stated that this is a common problem with Ford Windstar vehicles. The failure has not been fixed due to the expense.

- Chaska, MN, USA

Braking distance suddenly increased. 2001 Ford Windstar brake light and ABS brake light intermittently on. We took our 2001 Ford Windstar minivan to our local Ford dealership to have the 09S09 recall repaired. The repair was made; however, we are now having issues with the ABS and brake light consistently illuminating on vehicle dashboard. The ABS and brake light does not illuminate when vehicle is first started up; however, illuminates on vehicle dashboard while driving. ABS / brake system warning lights continue to illuminate on occasion after recall repair performed. Braking distances greatly increased / affected when warning lights are on. Brake pedal travel also greatly increased - pedal slowly continues to floor with steady pressure, accompanied by whooshing sound with no increase in braking power.

- Mcminnville, OR, USA

ABS and brake lights turn on during summer months on my Ford Windstar 2001 minivan.

- Providence, RI, USA

My ABS brake light is still on. I had recall 09S09 performed at a Ford dealership. My cruise control does not work. My brake! light comes on and stays on intermittently.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

Lights in my 2001 Ford Windstar saying "brakes and ABS" comes on, every time I hit a pot hole. I got it checked at 3 different mechanics and 1 dealer, they say there is nothing wrong with brakes or ABS module. Occurs everyday.

- Troy, MI, USA