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.
Traction control & brake warning light comes on, goes off later. Been doing this for a number of years. Seems to be a huge problem with these vehicles if you read about it on the internet. Ford denies that it is a problem for then to fix on a recall. "??????????????????????"
ABS light and traction control light illuminates after driving forward 150 yards. Heavily salted Chicago streets have caused corrosion under car. Suspect ABS failure due to salt and water corrosion in electrical connectors. High amperage ABS electrical wires could short- out and cause a fire; an environmental, pollution and safety issue.
The lights come on after a few miles of operation and stay on until the engine is shout off. The next time the engine is started the car will travel a few miles and the lights will come on again.
- Paducah, KY, USA
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My ABS and brakes lights have been coming on at different times for my 2002 Ford Windstar for a long while, and stay on now that it is summer. I have tried to fix this problem on two occasions and changed the bad ECM with a new one and the problem has returned both times only after a few months. I made a left turn at about 5 mph with the two lights on and when I applied the brakes at the completion of the turn to stop at a red light the brakes seized and the car continued moving slowly into on coming traffic while making a metal grinding noise. I was able to quickly put the car in park to stop it right under the light. I then turned the car off and back on and the lights went off and the brakes worked normally again. A few blocks later the ABS and brake lights came back on but the brakes didn't seize this time. This issue is dangerous and I had both my wife and children in the vehicle with me. Ford needs to recall these cars and build a ECM that will not expand during warm months causing the ABS system to fail. Mechanics have told me that this is a major issue with the Windstar.
Follow-up on ODI # 10593430. On May 26, 2014, after Ford dealership in fort walton beach, fl kept my vehicle for a week to fix the cruise control and seat latches recall, I was finally able to pick up my van. They also checked the cause of odometer and speedometer to stopped working, ABS and brake light remained on, sliding doors not working, and O/D light flashing; I was told the cause is a defective ABS module. They charged me $114.27 to diagnosed the problem and quoted me $1,265 to replace the ABS module. I showed to Ford service advisor, andrew tompitch, a print-out from NHTSA website stating that part of fixing or remedy to the cruise control recall was to "inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary." "repairs will be completed free of charge." Yet Ford charged me for this service and told me that the problems were not the same since my vehicle's scds supposedly did not leak. How could I verified what he told me was true when he wouldn't let me enter the work bay to watch what the technician was doing to my vehicle? andrew admitted that the ABS module is defective and that they had replaced several modules due to the same problems as my van. But andrew said it's not part of the recall and wouldn't replace it free of charge. If Ford used defective parts such as the ABS module, then Ford should be responsible to replacing the defective ABS module and recall it before a life is lost!
All of the following happened at the same time: ABS and brake lights went on and stay on. O/D light flashing. Odometer and speedometer stop working. The electronic compass, remaining fuel info., automatic electronic diagnostic and electronic temp. Showing errors. Electronic sliding door would not open unless engine is not running. Power windows stopped working 6 months ago, not sure if it is related. I had a mechanic replaced the alternator and checked the brakes. It did not fix the problems and there was nothing wrong with the brakes. I took it to Ford dealer and I was told that the ABS module could be the problem because they replaced a lot of them. The ABS module supposedly messing up the whole electronic system. It has less than 65,000 miles and I'm scared to drive it because the electronic system might suddenly cause other problems and cause an accident. The electronic sliding doors already would not open unless the engine is not running. In case of an emergency or a crash, someone might not be able to get out and be trapped inside because the doors and windows would not open. I was told by a Ford customer service that there is no recall to fix the problem or look into it even though they admitted they've been having similar problems to a lot of Ford vehicles.
Check ABS light comes on along with check traction control and the hand brake lamp is illuminated. A code check reveals the code as C1185 - ABS relay. It is happening with increased frequency now. This happens sporadically under a variety of driving conditions. To clear it I pull over, turn off the engine; wait a few moments and restart the vehicle.
I keep having intermittent problems with dashboard warning lights: Yellow ABS light, yellow trac off light, and red brake light. Please note: On approx July 17, 2012 I took my Windstar to have this problem checked and have Ford recall 09S09 service done. The quick-service manager refused to check the ABS control module connecter even after telling them three times that it is required as part of the recall. I was told by a service advisor trainee, to bring vehicle back if problem persists and take to regular service dept. I took the vehicle back to same Ford dealership for resolution of this problem and was told there is a $92 diagnostic fee. I agreed to fee to see if the repair they recommend is same as repair which should have been covered under recall, and left van there on August 14, 2012.
The vehicle was checked by Ford dealer in alamogordo, nm 88310 due to a recall for "rear axle cracks, subframe corrosion" and "brake, ABS brake, cruise control, and speedometer/odometer electrical problems" on Aug/16/2011. They sad there is no problem / or they fixed it. After that date, the brake/ABS brake illuminated a couple of times, but went of after the engine was turned off/on again. Also the cruisecontrol stopped working since and isn't currently not working. I found that the "brake pressure differential deactivation switch (scds) (2B264) located under the master cylinder (behind the air filter) is leaking!!!. it is completely wet and the fluid is dropping down slowly. Pictures are available, taken today 04/04/2012.
The speed control would not shut off with (off button) located on steering wheel, only with brake pedal. The brakes seemed not to stop the vehicle as quickly as other times., and on came the lights (ABS & brake light) now the lights (brake and ABS come on everytime I drive the vehicle shortly after starting down the road.
Red brake light came on along with traction control and ABS light stopping distance was further than normal and van skidded on wet road. Need to adjust stopping distance as it was alot further to come to a stop. Light is an intermitant issue along with stopping distance.
Ford performed safety recall 09S09 in 2009 but only installed safety wiring harness 2002. Requested Ford to replace both speed control deactivation switch and ABS module due to the known failures included in the investigation, but Ford refused after a year the ABS and brake warning lights started to come on intermittently, now the warning lights come on everytime the car is driven after several miles. Based on research (www.2carpros.com/questions/Ford-Windstar-2003-Ford-Windstar-ABS-C1185-trouble-code), I can see that this is very common problem with this vehicle and the problem and it causes braking safety issues in addition to fire problem. The replacement of the speed control deactivation switch and ABS control module replacement should be required as part of 09S09 recall. The installation of the wiring harness only minimizes the occurrence of possible fire, but does not address the main cause of the problems of the defective deactivation switch and ABS module.
ABS, traction control, brake lights go on and off intermittently. Ford dealership can't seem to fix. I've had it 'fixed' several times, but in a couple months the same problem returns.
ABS and traction control lights light up on my dashboard intermittently on my 2002 Ford Windstar. I went to the Ford dealer and they reported that there was no problem as I would still have braking power just not ABS brakes which is one of the reasons I bought the car. Have lost the use of my car due to the axle recall since September but Ford issued a lease vehicle. Now I am worried about the ABS and traction control lights.
2002 Ford Windstar intermittent ABS light on. Brake switch recall done 6 months ago, no fire. I have reason to believe their is a problem with the ABS module due to code C1185 main relay issue. It has been reported of a solder joint on the ECM breaking due to expanding and contracting in heat and cold.
Braking distance suddenly increased due to ABS and brake light on all the time. I took Windstar sport 2002 in for a safety recall in Dec 2009. They said that they fixed it and for the past 8 months these two lights keep turning on and off about 3 times a week. Now for the last month, the light have been on constantly. I am concerned for vehicle setting on fire at any time due to this last recall and now a new recall of rear axle corrosion. I have a disabled 5 year old and I am very concerned. I would like these items fixed properly. Obviously, the last recall was not. The thought of my van setting on fire with my child in it did not occur to the mechanic maybe. I learned of the last recall not being fixed properly by investigating this new recall. I honestly couldn't figure out why my lights were staying on and Ford said that I needed an oil change maybe. I just had one done at the beginning of the month so that is not the case. I did own a 1996 Windstar that burst into flames in 2005 February way before the recall came out in 2009. I have told them 3 times that it has already set on fire and there is no van left but they keep sending me notices for it. I would like my current vehicle fixed right the first time. It is a safety hazard especially since it would take longer to pull my child out of vehicle if it set on fire spontaneously while in it. I use my vehicle daily to Transport my child to different therapies.
ABS light comes and goes, sometimes on and sometimes off. Will it be there when I need it. I drive on roads covered with ice and snow in the winter and carry my grandchildren. I worry for their safety.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bryn Mawr, PA, USA