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.
Antilock brake system (ABS) light on dashboard. Autozone free check reported code C1185 which according to other reports found on the internet relates to a bad solder joint on the ABS computer board.
The (mostly un-serviceable) ECU master relay has a bad soldier joint which fails prematurely and causes the ABS light and dtc C1185. It also causes the enhanced ABS braking system to become inoperable. If your ABS light is on.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated she received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) and received repairs at an authorized dealer. After repairs, the ABS warning light would continuously illuminate sporadically. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was discovered that fluid was leaking onto the ABS module. The dealer advised the contact that the repairs would be at her expense because the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall campaign. The manufacturer advised that the decision if the vehicle would be repaired a second time would be at the dealers disclosure and that recall repairs were a one time replacement of the failure. The contact stated that she did not experience any failures prior to having repairs under the recall. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 11/03/10 the consumer stated the dealer denied fluid was leaking was leaking onto the ABS and insisted the vehicle needed a new ABS sensor. Updated 11/04/10
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The ABS warning light was illuminated on instrument control panel. The vehicle was also leaking brake fluid. An independent made repairs referenced in recall campaign id number 09V399000( vehicle speed control ) at her expense. The failure mileage was 131,011 and the current was 132,000.
- Bronx, NY, USA
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The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving 55 mph there was a burning smell in the brake area. The contact observed that the smoke was coming from the front driver and passenger tires; however, after removing the tires he noticed that the rotors were black and smoking. One week later while driving, the contact noticed that the speedometer and mileage gage failed to operate normally. A local mechanic determined that the ABS was leaking brake fluid which caused the wire connected to the ABS had a shortage. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. No repairs have been made. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage 110,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. Whenever the contact starts the vehicle, the ABS light illuminates on the instrument panel. He took the vehicle to autozone and advance autoparts and was informed that he needed to take the vehicle to the dealer or a service shop. The contact has not yet taken the vehicle to be inspected by the dealer. He discovered that other vehicles were experiencing the same failure. Updated 05/19/08
Brake fluid found leaking from hydraulic control unit of antilock brake system. Have had issues with spongy pedal feel since car was three years old. Dealer would adjust rear brakes which provided some improvement. Recently ABS light would come on when braking to a stop down hill then would go out. This was traced to low brake fluid level. Investigation uncovered leak from control unit. There are a number of complaints listing pedal going all the way to floor. Wonder if this could be the problem? I am a hydraulic system engineer and have been fixing my own cars for over 30 years and have never seen a leak from an undamaged static seal in a braking system. This tells me that the hydraulic control unit was improperly assembled at the factory or has a material defect.
Car is currently at Ford dealer right now because of brake system. This problem began about 20,000. Whenever an emergency stop occurs, the anti lock brakes do not work. No repairs have N been made. Mechanic did road test the vehicle and found that the ABS did not work.
After pumping the brakes they could not stop the vehicle, and the check engine light was on. Dealer replaced the anti lock braking system, but the check engine light problem had not been repaired....also, overdrive light came on dealer replaced shaft sensor.
Consumer transmission failed on the bay bridge. Nar 1-22-03 the consumer was experiencing problems with the transmission prior to the failure. The transmission would hesitate from 1st to 2nd gear, but the consumer was told on 2 occasions it was normal. The ABS lamp illuminated and the dealer replaced the relay. The windshield washer warning light had come on, the washer bottle had to replaced. The vehicle also shuddered while braking.
The vehicle kept blowing fuses, and caused the transmission to mallfunction. The manufacturer refused the claim. The heater would make a thump noise inside and would not heat, the third light blew fuses and could not be shifted out of park, there was no out put from the ABS relay, there was possibly an intermittent short in the switch, the ABS light stayed on, the short was traced to the deactivator switch, leaking fluid into the switch.
The vehicles brake pedal traveled to the floor board which resulted in extended stopping distance. The dealer stated that this was normal for vehicles equipped with ABS systems.
Exciter ring came loose from axle assembly, causing ABS to intervene when it shouldn't have, with resultant loss of braking. This has occurred twice with this vehicle, the left axle in October 2001, at 24215 miles, and the right axle in May 2002, at 34625 miles. Both times we nearly rear-ended another car, when the ABS unexpectedly reduced braking power.
Rear brakes replaced for a cracked cylynder, numerous times returned for brakes feeling spongey, or none at all. We were told last Oct 2001, it was a master cylinder problem, yet told they adjusted instead of replacing the master cylinder. We continue to have braking problems. The dealer humours me by checking them, informing us they are okay. I just had them checked again 2/22/2002, they informed me they had to adjust the E-brake. I am paying for a vehicle I feel far from safe in. What are my options??
Brake pedal went most or all the way to floor, with very little ability to slow vehicle, producing rattling noise from wheel. Dealer reports "failed rf sensor ring, air bubbles in brake line, rear brakes need some adjustment".
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Woodbridge, VA, USA