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.
2000 Ford Windstar, ABS module began failing at around 70000. The ABS light on the dashboard comes on after the engine has warmed in winter or sooner during summer months. The module is poorly designed and not able to withstand heating and cooling. As a result, the module does not work as designed and does not provide the safety feature that anti lock brakes should.
2000 Ford Windstar...ABS light came on and odometer and speedo quit working. Had to replace the brake pressure switch under the brake fluid reservoir. I understand this is a common failure with these vehicles.
ABS ECM failure - ABS brake light. The ABS brake system does not function as designed by Ford. The issue seems to be caused by heat in the ABS (anti-lock brake system) ECM (electronic control module) (2C219) module causing expansion of a large aluminum plate (heat sink) in the ECM which is attached to the ECM main circuit board at all points. The expansion occurs when the unit gets warm especially in the summer months and causes intermittent electrical connection in the unit because the fragile board is being stretched and malformed. The code scans as code C1185 and shows on the dash board lights as a yellow ABS brake light. It appears the anti lock braking system works only on an intermittent basis depending on the outside temperature. This is not very safe and creates a severe safety hazard.
2000 Ford Windstar van yellow ABS dashboard light illuminated due to defective ABS brake electronic control module. Parts cost approx. $400, labor approximately $200.
Faulty brake pressure differential deactivation switch under master cylinder on my 2000 Ford Windstar. I noticed a fluid leak recently and about the same time discovered my cruise control had stopped working. After doing an online search I came across the information regarding the problem. The leakage around the above part dripped onto the wiring below where it is mounted. I went ahead and purchased a new switch to avoid having a fire and to fix the malfunctioning cruise control.
- Winton, NC, USA
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I have a Windstar and this morning I lost the speedometer, ac, cruise control, and the ABS light came on. I found this site linked from several others this morning when searching for solutions to the issue. Most of the sites listed issues caused by a faulty cruise control deactivation switch. I took the van to mechanic and the cruise deactivation switch had been leaking fluid and caused a short and fuse #10 to blow. I have had the switched replaced and the engine cleaned from the brake fluid. The van is now functioning again but would like to report this issue and find out if this is going to be recalled by Ford as it is a potential major safety issue with others failures having caused fires.
The ABS light came on first, then the odometer went to dashes, then the speedometer went to zero, the air conditioner stopped working and one of the times it went out my brake pedal went to the floor and the brakes were not working.
We own a 2000 Ford Windstar van. This van has had intermittent problems with the ABS light coming on and staying on during the duration of driving the van. The van has also had problems with rough idling and problems with valve seals that are around the injectors going bad (twice). Recently when driving the vehicle, the warning err came on and then a warning of "fuel computer data error" and "oil life data error" remained on. I also lost A/C power, odometer reading, and speedometer reading. The power steering and braking systems seemed to be out. When restarting the van, the idle was very rough. The van did run with the tachometer operational. I hope the fuel gauge, and temperature gauge were working. After research, we determined the #10 fuse was blown. When I tried to replace it, there was smoke coming from the back of the air filter area. There is a connector under the master cylinder that has corrosion, brake fluid and appears to be burnt on the inside. When I disconnected the connector, and restarted the van, the problems have appeared to be gone. I am afraid that this will only lead to more problems and more costly ones in the future.
Failure of ABS control system. Component replacement costs are unreasonable and prohibitive. New electrical modules are reported to inherit original design flaw and inevitable same stress-related failure.
Researching problems with my van I ran a search to see if there are any recalls or technical service bulletins for my current problem: A leaking rack and pinion. While searching I ran across a site (www.fordwindstarrecall.info/) regarding the brake pressure differential deactivation switch (2B264). I experienced the symptoms (without the fire) of the switch leaking and now have problems with the ABS light staying on and the dealer I took the van to told me the ABS module needs replacement. The electrical connector to the brake switch showed signs of heat like it shorted out. I asked the service rep at the time if there were any tsb's or recalls and I was told no. I replaced the switch and have had no other problems but I need to replace the ABS module. The switch was weeping fluid but failed unexpectedly and the brake master cylinder was nearly pumped out of fluid. Thinking about it had the master cylinder ran out of fluid and the ABS module rendered inactive from the dripping brake fluid the consequences could have been fire.
I am the owner of a 2000 Ford Windstar. My problem is typical of what has likely already been reported by many other owners. The brake light and ABS light were indicators that the wiring in my car had deteriorated due to a leak in the hose. I know this is an existing problem already reported by many Windstar owners.
Random ABS brake system failure. Web search indicates problem related to design defect in computer caused by excessive heat build up in module. My experience seems to confirms this, as failure is much more frequent in warmer weather.
To do with on going investigation on NHTSA action number : PE08035 NHTSA Ford / Windstar 1995-2003 component : electrical system electrical system:wiring vehicle speed control I have replaced two of these speed control items on my master cylinder and now am having problems with the ABS module, it is faulting out and was told it needs to be replaced. At nearly $1000 to replace has not happened yet...
I have an ABS light that intermittently comes on in my 2000 Ford Windstar van. When my van was under warranty I tried to get my dealer to check for the codes on the computer but the light wasn't on at the time and they said they would not be able to find the problem. With the light on Dec. 8 I was coming home from logan wv in a snow storm and the ABS failed to stop me on the rte. 73 bridge in logan the front tires locked up and I slid narrowly avoiding a collision.
I have had to replace the brake pressure differential deactivation switch. This was leaking brake fluid in the engine compartment. This leak has caused my cruise control to fail, and now I have intermittent problems with the ABS control unit. I believe this is a fire hazard and a design flaw. Please let me know if NHTSA is looking into this issue. My car is a 2000 Ford Windstar.
Problem started with an intermittent ABS light, which was more apparent in hot weather. Eventually ABS light was steady on. The consequence is that the ABS system is deactivated in this vehicle, resulting in safety concerns for control and stability in emergency stop situations. This is an extremely common problem as well as an expensive component (ABS computer) to remedy.
We had our brake pressure differential deactivation switch leaking fluid which has caused other parts on our vehicle to have to be replaced numerous times. I have found out by researching that this part has been involved in several vehicle fires. And I just want to report that I also have the bad or defective part on my vehicle and it scares me to think that my van could have caught on fire at any time...the part was recalled on several other Ford vehicles but not on mine.. I own a 2000 Ford Windstar LX sport.
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- Brentwood, NH, USA