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.
Most important is the brakes have been changed and checked. On several occasions the brakes have just failed and I would pump them enough just to get in a safe location. Aaa has had to pick me up and when the brakes where checked they were find and the fluid full. Also the rear just fell but I had that repaired by a local reputable shop on candler rd, Decatur/ there is a residue all around where I put the gas in. I've had the same mechanic for almost 30 years and he says the anti-lock brakes may be faulty. The brake and engine light will not go out even when repairs are made according to the codes that come up. The scariest time was when I was driving on university ave in atlanta and the car would not stop at the light at a normally busy intersection. I began blowing the horn and thank goodness no one was ahead of me. Aaa took their sweet time coming and by the time they got there the pedal was back up but I had them to tow me home anyways. My mechanic checked it and all was find but he was concerned and so was I. I did not contact Ford but it has happened again as I started it yesterday morning and the brakes were on the floor. This is just too dangerous. I told my mechanic not to come check it before contacting Ford.
Brakes continually have failed causing accidents. Pedal goes all the way to the floor before and after new brake pads and bring bled.throttle idle sensor causes vehicle to stall while driving. ABS light and brake light and check engine light keeps coming on. Now they just stay on. I need to know what, if any recalls have been repaired or any options that may be available.
This van looks fine on the outside, but the frame and floor are rusted out. I was driving on a city street when the brakes went out and when I took it to be repaired the mechanic at carls body shop, where it was ti be repaired told me it was beyond repair and unsafe to drive. The van is made to Transport a wheelchair and the area where the wheelchair is rusted the worst. The mechanic also took pictures of the under body to show me how bad it really was.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the brake pedal delayed in responding. The contact mentioned that when attempting to park, the brake pedal traveled to the floor board. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the vehicle would need to be towed to another shop in regards to it being a modified vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not safe to drive and that the frame was rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.
Rear axle break due to corrosion of acknowledged inadequately designed axle. Break happened in the reinforcement bracket installed do to initial axle recall for potential break due to corrosion.. car was on city street in motion to freeway onramp fortunately the axle broke prior to entering freeway. Axle break resulted in sagging axle and a wheel tilted inward at about 20 degrees and wedged against the inner wheel well. Tire started to smoke. Car is undriveable. The repair is estimated to $1400. Ford will not accept any financial responsibility for this break in the brackets installed to prevent the break. Additional components are also needing repair and replacement due to the break of the axle.
- Bloomington, MN, USA
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I was driving at around 30 mph, 2 cars in front slammed on brakes, I was approximately 1 1/2 car links back and hit the brakes. ABS failed, airbags failed, and slid into car in front of me. I was on a city street going straight.
The ABS and brake indicator lights randomly come on, stay on for different lengths of time, then shut off again for a while. There is no telling what causes this to happen. This issue was present when the vehicle was purchased. The previous owners had it checked out numerous times, could never find the cause. I have had them checked, same results.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the air bag, traction control and brake warning lights continued to intermittently illuminate. The contact noticed that a fuse blew and the vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. An unknown local dealer was notified, indicated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer confirmed that there were no recalls and offered no further assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was not available.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at a very slow speed, the front passenger side coil spring fractured also causing damage to the brake line. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was discovered that both the driver side and passenger side coil springs had been cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also indicated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and brake sensor warning lights would illuminate. The cause of the failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
I came up to a stop sign, the entire front axle broke off the frame, I lost steering, brakes, had to slam it into park to stop. I ended up across the road. There was a recall in 2011 for the axle mount and Ford decided it only needed a coating on it, 5 seconds later we would of been on the highway and killed. I emailed Ford and they said the recall was still open, the Ford dealer never closed it, so they won't help me. That is bull, the coated it and forgot to close it out, thats their fault, I can take pics if you want them.
My ABS and brake light have been intermittently coming on for some time. There wasn't any change in the brakes so I assumed there was a sensor switch or other computer related issue. I am not a mechanic and kept driving the vehicle. The brake lights started to intermittently stay on eventually burning out brake bulbs. Then frying the part that the bulb goes into. I am not driving the vehicle now because I feel there's a potential for fire the vehicle was always in motion when the lights came on and brake lights stayed on. I can't get them to go off even with the car stopped and turned off.
ABS and brake lights light intermittently in warm weather. Obd II code- C1185. Dealer says it likely needs ECU and hcu replaced. This is apparently a common problem. Https://duckduckgo.com/?Q=Windstar+C1185
My ABS light and brake light and tractoin controll lights are all on at all times nowand my speed domitor has slowly gone out on my 2001 Windstar sel the date below is an aprox
My ABS and brake lights continually come on and off and seems like a faulty issue with the electronics, but it renders the ABS entirely useless when on. I have asked around if there was an official recall as this seems to be a common issue and was directed to report this on this site. I recently had the codes scanned specifically and there were so many triggered it was ridiculous. I was told that it's a faulty issue with this make and model and a repair would cost in the thousands. It sure seems like Ford would have a recall on this faulty safety issue. Sometimes the light is on when I start the van, sometimes it comes on after a drive for a little, but once it's on it stays on until the van is stopped and shut off. I've read that it could deal with the heat and/or corrosion issue of expanding aluminum plate. Based on the inconsistency of the light it would appear that at times the computer and ABS is working when in cooler situations. It's been happening for a while now but is something I've been told that doesn't impact main braking so it's hard to justify the cost of fixing an electronic piece... is there a recall for this that I was not notified about being the second owner? I picked a random date for the 'when did this happen' as I'm unsure how long it's been occurring but was an issue with my dad before we purchased from him.
When I started the vehicle to go shopping everything seemed fine till I got about 25 miles from my house that is when I got stopped at my first red light that when I was waiting for the light to turn green the ABS and park brake lights came on so I pulled over at my nearest convenience shut the van off checked under the hood and everything looked fine, I got back into the van and the lights went out, finished my shopping the about 4 minutes after I started the van to come home while waiting in traffic the lights came back on but the brakes felt fine so I drove it home. I had a brake shop check it out and they determined that it was the ABS control module (ebcm to be exact) and that it was safe to drive it just wouldn't have ABS functioning when the light comes on, contacted Ford dealership about the issue but when they checked it the light was out and said there was nothing wrong and because it wasn't a recall nothing can be done about it and if I wanted it brought in to fix it it would cost me $785 dollars. So I looked online and it seems to be a common occurrence with this vehicle and to me a safety issue that should be addressed by the manufacturer and fixed as it seems that it is a bad solder-joint in the ebcm that is causing this error and could potentially cause a fire from what I read in online posts. I am not looking for a free fix I just want Ford to step up and fix the safety issues on vehicles they make
We wish to be contacted and have multiple issues to report. (1) ODI request for information regarding engineering analysis EA10-007 sub frame and (2) issues of compliance with safety recall procedures and what we believe to be fraudulent and illegal actions. Space is inadequate but will try to summarize. Vehicle subframe failed at both passenger and driver side rear mounts and thereby caused separation of the steering components and complete loss of steering, loss of brakes, and loss of transmission control. The owner used the only means available to stop the vehicle by turning off the ignition key and 'riding it out.' Subframe components and the engine/transmission had been in contact with pavement. Large portions of the subframe appear to be missing from the vehicle. The exhaust system was severed. The transmission linkage pulled away and as stated the steering components separated. What is believed to be the air bag cable became wrapped around the steering components. Vehicle was towed to a dealership which refuses to inspect, disclose, photograph, or allow to be photographed the massive damage while declaring the vehicle "repairable" and the "repairs have to be done." At issue are declarations that under the recall that "responsibility" rests with the owner and a "right to deny coverage." A demand that repairs be scheduled or the vehicle be towed from the car lot with a demand that a document be signed which amounts to a release and complete misrepresentation of the facts. The dealership has been told that we will lend no truth or validity to their forceful and manipulative demands, nor will we sign any document. It is our intent to destroy the vehicle. We have incurred multiple out of pocket expenses. In essence fraud and illegal acts, under the color of federal law are alleged. We desire to submit a written statement and request for investigation.
Intermittent ABS and brake warning lights on since 2009 - 6 years without reliable ABS braking system due to a poor manufacturing issue and still no recall. Please investigate!!
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- Decatur, GA, USA