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.
On 5-22-09 my Ford Windstar caught fire sitting in the driveway and had not been driven since wed. Night around 9:00pm. It was burning under the master cyl. I called ken stopel Ford in kerrville tx. And they said mine was not covered under the recall. It's the same switch that is recalled on other vehicles but not mine. He said I was on my on with the repair. That just does not seem right.
I own a 2000 Ford Windstar, and the brake pressure differential deactivation switch has been leaking, causing blown fuses, malfunction of the A/C, malfunction of the ABS, loss of cruise control, and malfunction of the speedometer and odometer. My fiance found the website fordwindstarrecall.info/#leakage which detailed the problem, and per instructions on the website he removed the ABS fuses, removed the plug from the switch, installed a jumper in the plug so the cruise control would work, and re-installed the #10 fuse under the dashboard. Everything is now functional except the ABS; we are waiting to see if there is going to be a recall before replacing the switch at our expense. Luckily we found the problem before a fire was started.
The speed control pressure switch in our mini van caught on fire. There was thick black smoke pouring out from under our hood. Our cruise control no longer works. It is also linked to our master cylinder, for our brakes. This caused our brakes to stop working. We need a new pressure switch, and a new master cylinder for our vehicle. We were very lucky to have no injuries.
The speedometer, odometer and cruise control didn't work. The brake light would stay on. I searched the internet and discovered a fix ie) the brake pressure deactivation switch needed to be replaced. I changed it and replaced fuse #10. The total cost was $37.30 cdn - receipts available upon request.
My speedometer, odometer and cruise control didn't work for some reason. Also, the brake light would stay on. I searched the internet and discovered a fix ie) replace the brake pressure deactivation switch. I had to buy a new switch and a new fuse. Its now fixed. The total cost was $37.30 cdn - receipts are available upon request.
- Tecumseh, 00, USA
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Put new engine in the van mechanic left the brake deactivation switch connected. My gauges went out on the ride home from mechanic checked to see if switch was hooked up and it was took pictures of the switch and assembly looks like the switch melted as a result of a fire. Please contact me for the pictures of the switch through via E-mail call for any questions regarding the van.
2000 Ford Windstar SE. Speed control deactivation switch which is housed on the brake master cylinder is leaking, and has corroded the wiring harness beneath, rendering the cruise control inoperative. If this was not investigated, it could lead to an engine compartment fire, unannounced.
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 was parked on a street in my town when smoke began pouring out of the hood of my van. I drove to nearest mechanic, who discovered that the cruise control switch had burned and was spreading. Mechanic removed piece (it is in my possession). Had to have van repaired by Ford but they said it was not on recall list (I have a 2000 Ford Windstar mini van). I feel Ford should add my make and model to the list of recalled vehicles. They should also reimburse me for repairs and damages.
I previously reported in NHTSA ODI number 10242689 a failure of the speed control deactivation switch causing a dangerous leak of brake fluid onto the wires below. This has been recalled in several other models of Ford vehicles with the same year range (but not the Windstar) and was brought to my attention by the ABS light coming on within seconds of driving. As a follow up, I had the switch replaced by the dealer but was then informed that the leaking fluid had also damaged the ABS control module.
ABS light came on intermittently, took it in for repair at a local shop and was told it was just a malfunctioning sensor, but that ABS was still functioning. Recently ABS light began coming on again on a daily basis. This time I took it to the dealer and was informed brake fluid was leaking at the speed control deactivation switch at the master cylinder. I was informed that it was very dangerous and could result in a fire and that my ABS system would not function properly in an emergency braking situation. The dealer mentioned there was a recall to replace this switch and clean the wires for several Ford vehicles in my year range, but not the Windstar. A quick search found volumes of other Windstar owner complaints describing this very defect.
I purchased this vehicle about 2 years ago and began having problems right away. The ABS light comes on and goes off quite often. At about 125,000 miles I had problems with the brakes and could not drive the car. My O/D light also began to flash and my speedometer jumped up and down while I was driving. I took it to a shop and had to have a speed sensor replaced. A day later the problem happened again and I had to have the sensor replaced again. The ABS light began to come on again a few days later. Now I have a light on the panel (the master lighting switch). When I turn off the headlights and parking lights, the parking lights come back on. I used to be able to turn them off and sometimes they would stay off, but now I have to disconnect the battery every time I park and reconnect it to drive the car. Also, one by one, all of the power locks are going out. The only one that works correctly is the one for the rear door (trunk). The rear windows can open, but sometimes it takes days of trying before I can get them to close again.
The front driver-side floor mat that was replaced because of recall NHTSA campaign id number : 01V207000 is still defective. The recall replacement is actually worse than the original. The front driver-side mat curls in the upper-right and interferes with the gas pedal.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving 50 mph with the cruise control activated, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. He pulled off the road and small flames were present. The fire was extinguished with a rag. The underhood of the vehicle was burned. A worker at a local dealer arrived at the scene and disconnected the deactivation switch. The manufacturer stated that the year, make, and model was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control). The current and failure mileages were 97,000. Updated 02-13-08
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate after coming to a stop. Prior to the failure, the vehicle had been driven 25 mph. He had to shut off and restart the vehicle. The overdrive and check engine lights remained illuminated. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. As of December 14, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 45,000 and current mileage was 60,575.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While the contact, a mechanic, was repairing his vehicle, he had to replace the fuse because the antilock brake light was not working. As soon as he replaced the fuse, he smelled brake fluid burning and noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. He disconnected the vehicle speed control and noticed that the cruise deactivation switch was leaking and the brake fluid shorted out the wiring. The contact believed that the Ford Windstar should be included in the recall. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 104,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kerrville, TX, USA