I was driving on the road and it had been raining earlier when I tapped my brakes to go around the curve I started sliding into the oncoming traffic and almost hit a van. I tried to steer back into my lane but it wouldn't let me.if the van hadn't been able to get out of my way I would have hit them. I wasn't able to get traction until I was off the pavement on the side if the road.

- Pioneer, TN, USA

First, the power steering wasn't working and parts of it had to be repaired and replaced. But the worrying thing is that the ABS yellow light and the red brake icon on the dashboard often come on and remain on while we're driving. That is worrying, as we don't know if it means the brakes are faulty or not. A Firestone mechanic said it was because of rust build-up, but I don't like that the yellow ABS and the red brake icons come on, because who knows if that means the brakes won't work or not. From my online research, this seems to be a common problem with Ford Windstar, and needs to be addressed!

- Allentown, PA, USA

While driving down my hill, my brake light came on. Now my ABS light comes on with my brake light. Brake fluid is present, brakes are almost a year old. For over a year now, my van after it being turned on and off (errands, shopping etc), it does not want to start. Once it does start, as I turn the wheel while in park, it stalls. Now that my brake and ABS lights come on, as I turn the wheel it wants to stall while driving. When I am turning my vehicle off, I turn the key down very slow and all the way down, that seemed to only help it restart a few times. I had my vehicle at the Ford dealer for the recall in 2010 dealing with the cruise control issues. My od light has been off for over a year now as well. While driving my vehicle, when I am stopped, I notice a white colored smoke coming out from under the hood, and no one can find where it is coming from, especially happens when it is damp or raining out, and engine temp is normal.(I can not take my van to an auto car wash due to the fact it starts shaking, smoking and won't run or stay started when the under carriage is being sprayed) fuel pump, starter and ignition coil are fine. Has new plugs and wires.

- Springdale, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the steering column made noise whenever the contact was making a left or right turn. The contact stated the fluid level was correct, but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated the failure was a manufacturers defect. The contact stated lights on the dashboard and the radio began to flash on and off. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer again and was told that the alternator needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 68,785.

- Akron, OH, USA

Ford Windstar van, which was already subject to rear axle recall, and the rear axle did break on it in may, and was replaced and I received reimbursement for the replacement from Ford. However, another incident happened in December. My 21 year old son was in an accident driving this van on Thursday, Dec. 16. the van lost traction and pulled to the right, pulling him into a ditch and down a steep embankment. The front of the van was ripped off, tires slashed, van almost flipped over, and the airbags never deployed. He hit a dirt embankment head on going about 30-35 mph. The roads were icy that day, and he was on a curve... the van would not respond to steering to correct the direction the van was going. I experienced something similar last winter; the van seemed to pull to the right, going off the road without allowing the driver to control the vehicle. However, when I went off the road, it was in a shallow ditch and it caused no damage to the van. My son was not as fortunate, and he could have been severely injured. I feel that this may have something to do with the current investigation into the front suspension... the van could not be controlled, and pulled to the right. Our insurance co. Is taking care of this, and I don't know the current location of the van. It is totaled, I know that. I asked state farm to check out the front suspension for weakness or rust, but don't know if they'll know what to look for, especially since the front is so damaged from the wreck that the tires are turned sideways, and I believe the front axle is broken. Please send someone to look at my van, and see what caused this wreck; my son could have been killed. Thank you for the work you've done so far.... your organization is so valuable to consumers.

- Denton, NC, USA

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately between 35-40 mph on normal road conditions; pressure was applied to the brake pedal the front btakes locked and the driver was unable to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle also skidded without warning. The failure continued to occur intemittently. The "brake" and "ABS" warning light indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The warning indicator remained illuminated until the engine was shut off by the driver. The contact was able to drive the vehicle with caution; however, there was an increase in the engine rpms. An authorized dealer replaced the intake manifold gasket and the alternator. On a separate occasion, the the air bag system failed to deploy with a level of impact to the rear of the vehicle. There were no personal injuries. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 119,336. The VIN number was rejected from the system which will be updated upon receipt of the safety complaint form.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

Vehicle pulls excessively to the right when in the right lane and to the left when in the left lane. This is an extreme unsafe condition bgought to the attention of two dealers and Ford main customer service dept with no resolution to the problem. Power steering also make a "whining grunt" noise and P/S fluid leaks through the rack and pinion end seals as recognized by Ford in their tsb 01-5-6 and 01-4-5. Ford is not accepting responsibility for this inherent defect and the dealers rely on the computer print out of the front end alignment machine. After only 20K mile front tire are totally worn out (unevenly) attesting to the fact that there is excessive and unsafe side pull. Peprhaps the three issues are related as they have been reported by other people as well.

- Burtonsville, MD, USA

Consumer states that when driving steering whell pulls excessively to the right, especially when raining. Vehicle has been checked by dlr who can not determine problem.

- Homestead, FL, USA