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.
I have a 2001 Ford Windstar and the plug that plugs into the master brake cylinder is leaking brake fluid. Through research to appears that this is a frequent problem with the Windstar.
Mid 2008 our family minivan ABS (anti-lock brake system) light started coming on which meant this feature was disabled. The owners manual states this not to be a problem unless the brake! light also comes on and stays on. For a number of years now the brake! light has come on and it is usually just that we'd hit a bump and the E-brake handle had moved slightly and would go off when handle was reset. Recently after driving 25 miles to work with no problem the rear brake seemed to freeze when it was time to go home. The minivan had to be towed to our dealer. We were told there were a number of failures when the car was hooked up to the computer but that the only noticeable problem was there was a cracked half-shaft and tone ring broke which could have caused false computer readings. These two items were fixed and we were sent on our way knowing that if the lights were to come back on there was a possibility the ABS module might have to be replaced - with nothing being said of any possible problems with this system, or any explanation of why our rear tire brakes froze. After some internet investigating is appears this problem is more frequent than stated and can result in a fire which is why this Agency is being reported to. Aside from the very expensive auto bills which we have already and will have to pay to get these problems fixed we don't want our family to burn up as we're driving down the road. Thank you for your time and we hope this input and others input will help resolve this problem.
On my Ford Windstar 2001 the ABS light and brake light come on mostly when it is warm. I have diagnostic done at harold ziegler Ford and they determined the problem in the ABS ECM.
The brake pressure differential deactivation switch (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 leak 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 attacks 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 the Windstar van yet. Notice the fluid that leaked on the part below it. This switch will cause cruise control problems, speedometer, odometer and ABS brake system problems.
- White Pine, TN, USA
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The ABS brake system does not function as designed by Ford. There is an intermittent failure 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 most commonly scanned by professional mechanics is code C1185 and is revealed as a yellow ABS brake light and the red brake light coming on in the instrument panel. The ABS ECM part is faulty and the Ford dealership says Ford will not take responsibility for my repair because there is no recall. This defective part affects the safety of the passengers because the ABS brake system is disabled when the failure occurs which is approximately 90% of the driving time. I ordered a new ABS ECM unit to replace the defective unit to protect my family. Original part has to be returned as there is a core charge associated with the purchase of the new unit.
My car experienced intermittent brake emergency light and ABS light signals on dashboard, and trouble code "C1185". dealership diagnosed ABS module failure. The repair was made. I discovered from www.fordwindstarrecall.info/ that an NHTSA investigation was initiated on this issue. The dealership which repaired the car still has the old part, but wants to charge me a $100 "core charge" to return it to me. I think that they are trying to discourage me from recovering the part. I would like to know if it is federal law that they must return it to me for free, so it can be used potentially for evidence.
The ABS warning light and red brake light come on intermittently. That is once or twice a week, usually on hot days, these lights come on. But when the car is restarted they are off. I have read on the internet that this is a common problem with Ford Windstar and is due to a malfunctioning ABS electronic module. Replacing the module does not guarantee that the problem will not come back. This can be serious problem since ABS system is not working when lights are on.
My ABS and brake lights are on and off intermittently throughout every day. The mechanic said that the ABS control module was faulty, but when we researched on the internet, we did some checking at the brake pressure deactivation switch and there is fluid leaking from the bottom of the connection. We took out the fuses, but we understand that this is the problem that causes fires. Please make Ford call this as a recall. We have already been through this with our 98 Ford Expedition.... we don't need to have another car as a fire hazard!
2001 Ford Windstar sport SE # drove vehicle 2 hours, parked car for approx 2 hrs, returned and then unable to start vehicle, battery would fail then car needed jumped. This happened 3 times. Turn car on, ABS yellow light, E-brake red light on constantly when driving (intermittent) and will go off when car is turned off. Cruise control does not work any longer. Pulling E-brake from floor does not trigger red E-brake light. Looked behind air filter, brake fluid saturated on ABS brake module and wiring below the brake pressure deactivation switch, leaking coming from the brake pressure switch. Looked at the switch under drivers side door (below car), verified sticker on cover (next to ABS ECM module) indicated Ford (kelsey-hayes). Checked fuse #10 & #14 (was not blown). The failure lights continue to come on sporadically. Ford needs to make this a recall on the Windstar.. why is it that this is a recall on other Ford vehicles with the same parts and failures. This is a huge fire safety hazard. Please make Ford make this a recall.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Menasha, WI, USA