10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,385 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #143

Jun 182010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
My 2001 has a brake light, ABS traction control lights and electric circuit board problem. The windshield wipers come on the door chime comes on when I turn the key off. The ABS and traction control light and brake lights comes on and off while I am driving all the time. The check engine light came on simultaneously with the brake light and I lost brake power. No fluid leaked out and the transmission works fine. I almost crashed into three cars while driving with the brake failure.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #142

Jul 202008

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
Braking distance suddenly increased. 2001 Ford Windstar brake light and ABS brake light intermittently on. Happens more often in summer time than winter. Usually happens more often in city driving after applying brakes several times. Will usually not come on right at startup, but after driving a few miles. At the time the light is on, ABS system will not work resulting in increase in braking distance on slippery pavement. Ford will not replace ECM module to fix problem which has been diagnosed as the cause.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #141

May 152010

Windstar

  • 120,000 miles
After having the Ford Windstar Oct. 09 09S09 recall fixed on our 2001 Windstar due to leaks and malfunctioning A/C and cruise control, the ABS and brake indicator lights are still intermittently lighting on the dashboard. The Ford dealer we took it to said that when those are on, we have no ABS system because the ECM is malfunctioning at those times. We're seeing increased braking distance with this problem.

- Shepherdsville, KY, USA

problem #140

Jun 012010

Windstar

  • 85,000 miles
When the ABS light and brake warning lights come on, the braking distance significantly increases. This is an intermittent problem that comes on with hot weather. On a cool morning or at night there will be no warning lights, but they come up when car heats up in the sun. The Ford recall 09S09 was done on this car and brakes are in very good condition. The ABS seems to work when the warning light are gone, but brakes seem to be slow to respond in hot weather when heat triggers the ABS warning lights.

- Blairstown, NJ, USA

problem #139

Aug 112010

Windstar

  • 137,437 miles
Customer brought vehicle in for ABS light on, found scds switch to be leaking brake fluid and replaced with a motorcraft updated switch. After service while vehicle was still in shop bay with ignition off, vehicle ABS unit started on fire. We then removed all power from vehicle and found that after removing the ABS module connector brake fluid was found inside of ABS module, and the connector was melted. We then called Ford dealership to see if the were any recalls concerning this vehicle and the ABS module and or switch, and were told that there were none. We have since found many articles online concerning this matter, and yet no recall ? another half hour and the doors would have been closed for the night, we would have lost our shop, all vehicles inside. Please make them stand behind this clear and evident problem.

- Clintonville, WI, USA

problem #138

Aug 052010

Windstar

  • 87,337 miles
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. White, puffy and cloudy smoke also flows through front and center air vents while lights are illuminated. We took our vehicle to mechanic who could not reproduce smoke; however, was able to pull the codes. The codes pulled are C1185, C1194, C1198, C1210, C1214, C1242, C1246, C1250, and C1254. It appears that the ABS module will need to be replaced. We are scheduling this repair to me made as soon as possible, as we have four young children who ride in this van on a daily basis, and this van is the main transportation for our large family.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #137

Jul 012010

Windstar

  • 85,000 miles
Braking distance suddenly increased.

- Holtsville, NY, USA

problem #136

Jul 212010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 99,808 miles
Had my 2001 Ford Windstar in for recall 09S09 (also described as 05S28 on my Ford service invoice). Speed control deactivation switch was replaced after burning odor was detected and a determination that unit was leaking. Service advisor at Ford told me my vehicle would need a new ABS electronic control module (ECM). I replied that my on-line research indicated that problems with the ECM could or might very likely be connected to the leaking scds. His answer was that they were "unrelated". considering my research, that statement appears to be untruthful. I have begun to notice an increase in braking distance. Both my ABS and brake lights are on, allowing no distinction to be made between an ABS problem and an actual brake problem. This in itself is a design flaw and defect! please note also that there is a design flaw in the ECM, the design of which causes noticeable expansion in the unit during periods of hot weather, and results in electrical contact issues within the unit. I believe this ECM issue also deserves the immediate attention of NHTSA, and an immediate recall from Ford. Thank you for giving this matter your most serious consideration and attention. This is a safety issue that concerns many thousands of us, and we appreciate your advocacy on our behalf.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #135

Jan 012010

Windstar

  • 92,000 miles
Antilock brake computer has failed.

- North Port , FL, USA

problem #134

May 152010

Windstar

  • 89,000 miles
While on vacationing in Vermont. The yellow ABS light and the red brake light came on. Im a mechanic so I had the code reader for the ABS system. The code was the infamous tell tale C1185. I replaced the ABS module once. Unfortunately the problem has manifested again. I'm tempted to do away with the system, but the Windstar Transport my young children around. Its like having a gun to my head. What do I do?

- Orrtanna, PA, USA

problem #133

Apr 152008

Windstar

  • 115,985 miles
The ABS, brake, traction control lights come on and whenever it is warm out and the ABS and traction control do not work! this is a serious safety issue effecting stopping and steering control and should be a Ford safety recall. A faulty computer board expands and contracts causing malfunctions in the system.

- Wildwood, MO, USA

problem #132

Mar 142010

Windstar

  • 90,000 miles
Braking distance suddenly increase.

- Buffalo Grove, IL, USA

problem #131

Mar 102010

Windstar

  • 90,000 miles
Braking distance suddenly increased on vehicle. ABS warning light came on and stays on.

- Buffalo Grove, IL, USA

problem #130

Jul 032010

Windstar

  • 82,065 miles
Failed brakes on 2001 Ford Windstar cause near miss collision. No fix available: I had been driving on the highway with no problems. Exited highway for dinner and attempted to stop at stop sign. Brakes were nonresponsive until pushed all the way to the floor causing a near-miss rear-end collision with the car in front. When brake pedal was released a "popping" sound was heard. This continued for several more stop signs until reaching town to look for assistance. Turned vehicle off for about 45 mins. Made calls but no service stations were opened. Restarted vehicle to return home since I was only at the beginning of the trip. ABS and brake lights appeared on dash but later disappeared. Took back roads home at low speeds and allowed extra time for braking. Brakes were fine for the next 10 minutes but then became unresponsive again. Took vehicle to Ford dealership when opened 2 days later. They could find nothing wrong after test driving. No repairs were made. We feel absolutely unsafe driving this vehicle given the unreliability of the brakes.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #129

Jun 102009

Windstar

  • 0 miles
My 2001 Windstar, has several issues, occasionally, not every time I drive it, the parking brake light and the ABS light come on and stay on.... and my brake lights will stay on occasionally also, again not every time I drive it. But, if they are on and I don't catch that they are on I can smell something hot, and I have to pull up on the brake pedal and then the lights will go off. I they are left on and I shut the car off and leave and come back to it, the battery will usually be dead.... is there a recall out there for this, and how do I get this fixed?

- Sedro Woolley, WA, USA

problem #128

Jul 032010

Windstar

  • 79,230 miles
Braking distance suddenly increased; ABS/brake lights came on even though the maintenance for the recall was performed earlier in the day.

- Hanscom Afb, MA, USA

problem #127

Jun 302010

Windstar

  • 78,000 miles
2001 Ford Windstar ABS warning light comes on intermittently with fewer incidence of low tire pressure warning light although all tires pressure reads 32psi when cold just had scds switch replaced under recall and was told had nothing to do with the ABS warning light.

- Pinckney, MI, USA

problem #126

Jun 282010

Windstar

  • 99,048 miles
Vehicle type - 2001 Ford Windstar during warm, summer months my ABS and brake lights will intermittently come on every day. There is no rhyme nor reason for when this happens other than only during warm weather. Braking distance does increase. When engine is turned off and restarted, the lights will go off. But lights will come back on after driving. This has been happening during the summer over the last 3 summers. Have had mechanic check my brakes multiple times with no leak found. Performed Ford recall 09S09 at Ford dealership but problem still is occurring.

- Binghamton, NY, USA

problem #125

Jun 142010

Windstar

  • 195,000 miles
2001 Ford Windstar - several instances of the ABS & bracket warning lights coming on. I have had the vehicle checked several times, but cannot replicate the issue. Very concerning that the ABS may not function, but cannot isolate.

- Basking Ridge, NJ, USA

problem #124

Jun 212010

Windstar

  • 110,785 miles
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.

- Riverton, WY, USA

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