This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving, the ABS and traction control warning lights will sometimes illuminate at the same time with a warning chime. Until the vehicle is stopped and turned off/on; these lights will remain lit and neither the ABS or traction control will function.
Driving and light will come on and when you go to stop it will vibrate. And the brakes are new and that light will be off and then it will come back on and stop bad again.
The brake pressure differential deactivation switch (scds) (2B264) located under the master cylinder (behind the air filter) over time develops a leak. This causes a short and a fuse trip, fuse #10 if the engine is on. This leak also causes brake fluid to wick down two wires to the ABS brake module (2C219). The fluid accumulates on the (always on) power connectors for the ABS brake system which are powered by fuses 101 and 102 and are both 40 amp. The fluid attracts moisture, road salt and leads to a fire when the fluid and moisture act as conductor between the hot leads and ground. This switch has been the subject of other Ford recalls, just not my Windstar van yet. My wiring harness when inspected was wet with brake fluid, including the connections and the inline fuses, which basically permits electricity to jump past the inline fuses and continue to heat up the wiring harness. The fuses bodies crumbled when inspected. Since most double side door vans are predominantly driven by large families, the possibility of multiple fatalities per vehicle due to a horrific death from being burnt alive is a valid point to consider. Most vehicle fires spread so fast that unstrapping multiple small children from restraint seats would take an inordinate amount of time, especially with smoke inhalation and the heat of flames to prohibit rescue. Thank you for investigating this.
Low brake fluid/ brake light came on. Added a cap full of brake fluid as brake fluid was already full. 2days later light came back on and has been on ever since. Cannot fit any more brake fluid.
ABS light activates after hitting the smallest of bump then stays on the remainder of trip. This also causes the brakes and peddle to act up. If the vehicle is turned off the back on the light goes out and brakes work properly until the vehicle hits the next bump...
The ABS and check engine lights went on (again, after I had numerous items repaired or replaced on this van). I went back to my mechanic who found that a part was needed, called the C1185 and is part of the ABS module system. I then went to Ford dealership to see if this part could be replaced, and they told me that the manufacturer for this part had gone out of business and the part was no longer made! I have had these items repaired/replaced on this 2000 Windstar since I bought the vehicle in December 2013: 1) Ford dealership replaced ten-speed control deactivation switch per recall 2) my mechanic then repaired the electronic braking system, speedometer and odometer, which was tied in with the speed control deactivation switch (repairs were over $420) 3) my mechanic reinstalled improperly installed rear windshield wiper 4) my mechanic installed new battery
As I was traveling down the highway my ABS light came on and the front end is making a very loud popping noise on both sides. Since the front end began popping the steering is unbelievably hard to control.
ABS and traction control lights illuminated while braking on snow and ice, ABS stopped working and van skidded out of my control, pumped brakes until vehicle came to stop, luckily did not occur at next intersection, or would have slid into busy intersection !! brought to shop and they did some diagnostics and came up with van needing a new ABS/traction control module. Very expensive repair. Upwards of $2000, if both ABS module and ABS hydraulic control parts need to be replaced. Went online and have read many many complaints of this problem on this model of van. Ford knows and they wont issue or recall a major safety / brake recall......this could cause someone severe injury or death !!! brakes are there to safely stop a vehicles motion !!!!! dealer says very common problem with these Windstar.if Ford could fess up and make part very affordable then I could fix van myself. Rear axles, subframes breaking have been addressed. I believe this is a very important issue that needs to be addressed. Thank you for looking into this problem. Sincerely, [xxx] here is one link to a site I was on www.fordwindstarrecall.info/ information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
As I was driving down the highway, cruise control set to 60mph. My cruise shut off, my ABS and traction control lights came on. If you shut the vehicle off and let it cool down, it will stay off for a while, but usually comes on within a few moments of beginning to drive. And the brakes will work, but I will not have ABS or traction control at all.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sinking Spring, PA, USA