1996 Ford Windstar. Consumer requests a refund for money spent on repairs as a result of the problem described in a recall the consumer stated the vehicle had a brake fluid leak which damaged the ABS module, closkspring and caused the cruise control not to work. The consumer stated in mid-late December she and her husband began to experience problems with braking and the ABS light would come on and go off at random. Braking was sometimes interrupted by a shuddering which delayed the action of the brake after the brake pedal was depressed, as if the ABS did not want the brake to engage. This happened during normal braking as well as a quick press of the brake pedal, but in either case the braking was prolonged. The consumer stated the dealer repaired the problem with a kit and she was reassured the brake leak was fixed and there should be no more problems and there was nothing wrong with the action of the brakes. Several days later, the consumer and her husband experienced the shuddering again while driving 65 mph. The consumers husband decided to purchase an ABS module from an online dealer. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, who agreed to install the part. The problem with the ABS light and shuddering has been resolved. When the consumer received the recall notice, he went to the dealership with the receipts from the repair, but was told his vehicle was not one of the years covered for a refund of previous repairs.

- Meadville, PA, USA

Complete brake loss when the brake was applied. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor without warning. Luck had it we were pulling into a parking spot with a concrete stop. The metal brake line located above the gas tank rusted completely. While the rest of the brake lines look fine, it's the area of the brake line that passes over the gas tank that is rusted. Because of the location of the gas tank, the line are hidden from normal view of an inspection unless the gas tank is lowered. Had this occurred at a busy intersection or highway at high speeds this could have been catastrophic. The brake lines were replaced. The old part is available. I am keeping this as a reminder how close my family came to death.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Brake failure lines rotted completly through.

- Mentor, OH, USA

ABS light on, brake light on, brakes failed due to broken brake line. This is the second time this happened. On 2 different brake lines. We replaced both brake lines.

- Romulus, MI, USA

My vehicle has a brake line that blew. The line that blew is subject to a recall from Ford. (recall # 02S36). On the phone Ford says that the recall was completed in 2002 and therefore does not apply to this vehicle even though the problem is the same as outlined in the recall.

- Groveland, MA, USA

Consumer has a 1996 Ford Windstar. He took vehicle to dealer for recall 02S36 repairs. The brake line was inspected on July 21, 2003 as stated in recall. The brake line was considered not a problem that needed replacement. On August 14, 2005 the brake line ruptured while the consumer's wife was driving on city road. Has taken vehicle back to dealer and has contacted manufacturer, and they told him that the recall was considered closed because they had already performed inspection. He felt that recall repair did not fix problem due to problem recurring. He thought brake line may have ruptured due to rubbing and rust.

- Redford, MI, USA

The vehicle's door locks locked and unlocked on their own. There were problems with the front driver side wheel and the engine light and the ABS light was intermittent. The consumer experienced an accident which may be due to the brake lines. Refer to recall#02V101000. The sway bar rattled, the tie rods were replaced.

- Rochester, NY, USA

The consumer received a recall for the front portion of the brake line. The consumer felt that the entire brake line should have been included in the recall because the entire line on his vehicle was rusted. The consumer also stated that he was nearly involved in an accident due to the defect with the brakes. No recalls found. A leaking brake line was found.

- Wyncote, PA, USA

While driving on the road and approaching a red light consumer applied the brakes and the vehicle did not stop. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. It was determined that when the brake pedal went to the floor fluid leaked. The brake line that led to the firewall was defective. Previously, recall 02V101000 concerning brake lines was issued. Consumer indicated that Ford performed recall repairs. However, the brake failure recurred.

- Edgewater, MD, USA

Consumer complained about a brake problem. The brake line ruptured, causing the vehicle to crash into a tree. A recall was issued on this make, model and year. But the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall.

- Kaneohe, HI, USA

The brake pedal when it was depressed went to the floor and smoke started coming from under the van. This occurred while in park with the engine still running. Upon inspection of the vehicle by a mechanic, they noticed a pin hole in the brake line. There's a recall for the brake line 02V10100, which the dealership did inspect the van's brake line as indicated in the recall letter, but no problem was found at that time so the part wasn't replaced.

- Rockville Centre, NY, USA

While driving 10-15 mph and applying the brake, the pedal went down to the floor and vehicle had no brakes. A rupture in the brake line was the cause of the failure.

- Lanham, MD, USA

Brake pedal when to floor. Resulting in no brakes. Metal brake line corrosion was the cause of the problem.

- Janesville, WI, USA

The consumers vehicle experienced symptoms of recall 02V-101000 which was related to brake line corrosion. The vehicle was not included I the recall due to VIN. The vehicle was manufactured at the plant with the recall during that time.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

While driving 25-35 mph the brake pedal went to the floor when depressed. The mechanic indicated that the brake line clamp rusted and caused a leak......

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

The vehicle experienced brake failure due to the corrosion of the brake line. The consumer felt that it is unfair to address the recall to the northern states when the southerners have had the same failure. The consumer was parked in the driveway when he applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. When checked underneath the vehicle, fluid was running off of the catalytic converter. The consumer has spent each winter in two northern states and has experienced salt/snow roads on numerous occasions. The consumer requested reimbursement. Recall#02V101000

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Failure occurred in parking lot, able to stop using emergency brake. Hydraulic fluid leaked on exhaust manifold, fire prevented by diverting leak. Contacted Ford customer care Oct 2002 who stated no recall on record and offered no repair despite my reference to your 02V101000 recall. I have digital pictures if you want. Repeated contacts with Ford get no resolution. Dealer listed on form was original purchase location and not involved.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Consumer states that while applying the brakes the pedal went to the floor and the consumer smelled smoke. The consumer took the vehicle to the local garage and they stated that the brake fluid had dripped onto catalytic converter and started a fire. The consumer put out the fire with an extinguisher.

- Menlius, NY, USA

Dealer made repairs for recall 02V101 for the front right brake lines, however consumer states that now the other brake lines are corroded, consumer feels all the brake lines should be included in the recall.

- Troy, NY, USA

While driving front brake line rubbed against vehicle's structure component, causing a hole to develop in line, and resulting in loss of brakes. Consumer stated brake fluid leaked onto catalytic converter.

- North Olmsted, OH, USA