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.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While operating the vehicle, the ABS sensor light and brake sensor light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician reset the lights in order to turn it off, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 64,000.
ABS system activated under normal breaking conditions, caused extended breaking distance. Has happened 13 times since the initial failure. Dealer unable to replicate but scanned for codes and found C1185 which they said was failure of the ABS controller/computer. They suggested $1200 in repairs but couldn't guarantee it would "fix the problem". have multiple ABS fault codes all the time now. C1198, C1194, C1254, C1246, C1250, C1242, C1214, C1210, C1446 which all point to multiple failures in the computer. Searching the internet it appears on www.fordwindstarrecall.info/ that a recall for this issue may be in the works as of 5/2014.
After purchasing used van the ABS and brake lights lit up on dash, and come on intermittently while driving. Weather seems to play a role whether the lights come on or not if its hot outside the lights come on quickly, and if it's raining they come on going through puddles. Once the lights come on they stay on until the van is shut off. Had a diagnosis done a Ford dealer, and was told there is a leak over the ABS brake module that is causing it to short out the ABS system.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the ABS and brake warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the pedal sank to the floor when the brakes were engaged and in order to stop the vehicle the pedal had to be depressed several times. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a diagnosis. The technician stated that the ABS power relay output circuit had malfunctioned. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 35 mph, the suspension was unstable, causing a strong vibration and noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact indicated that burning plastic fumes emitted into the vehicle. In addition, the contact mentioned went over a bump and the vehicle was not riding steady. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and upon further inspection, it was noticed that the rear frame, rear axle and the coil spring fractured. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop who diagnosed that the rear frame, rear brake drums and coil springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Since I purchased this van from steuben/yates county pro-action in nys wheels to work program, I have had numerous problems with my Ford Windstar. 1st problem was with emission code stating it needed a map censor; 2nd issue was the sway bar broke (was repaired under recall at Ford dealership in elmira, NY Jan 2012). After numerous complaints to the car dealer ship I purchased the Windstar from the garage, their mechanic replaced O-rings in the engine to fix the map censor in Jan 2012 as well. In February 2014 I invested a little over $1,800 in repairs to my mechanic for; tune up, struts and shocks, brakes all around, wheel bushings, and a wheel alignment. I keep the van well maintained with oil changes and lately my radiator is loosing fluid. I always stop in where I maintain it and the business is always topping off the radiator fluid and when scheduled oil changes are due, I am always a quart low on oil. Most recent incident: I will be driving along and the van turns off and turns back on while driving. At night when this would happen I have no headlights for a brief moment but that is still an unsafe van. Also, I get an electric shocked every time I touch the van as I get in to go somewhere. ****this is my first and last Ford!!****
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.
Van intermittently has ABS light, trac control off light, and emergency brake light all on at various times. If vehicle is turned off sometimes lights go off sometimes they do not. Also at random times the theft light will come on and van will immediately shut off (this occurs at speeds over 35mph). In addition the power steering reservoir will not hold fluid. Needs to have fluid added at least 2 times a day. With the exception of the power steering issue, the brake failure and the theft system failure is extremely dangerous. I have seen numerous complaints regarding these items. I took my vehicle to Ford for repair of the recall on the speed module and they told me that these other issues were not their problem. I called Ford customer service and the individual on the phone told me that if I felt it was unsafe then I should sell my van. This is an extremely dangerous problem with Ford vans....the brakes fail and the theft system is faulty!!!!!! they should not be allowed to manufacture any vehicles!!!!
I purchased the 2002 Windstar van on 7/15/14 with 155,400 miles. Shortly after that the ABS light and the brake light came on. I could not find any problem with the brakes nor with braking. The brakes seem to be working fine. The lights seem to reset themselves every so often but will come back on. (note: I am an old school mechanic not a modern day automotive tech).
I found seat latches had a recall plus needing a jumper wire installed in a recall so I made apointment at sunland Ford in victorville ca 92392 not even one block from leaving the dealer all dash lights came on and after a few miles after exiting the freeway I pulled over and turned off the engine restarted it the lights went out but after a few miles ABS and trac light went back on and stayed on now I noticed my door lights dont work know what could they have done "? [it's not a blown fuse I checked] I called them the nekt morning and they told me to pay them $105 and they will check it and tell me how much to fix it seems strange it was not doing this before I took it to them is it revenge for doing the recall??"
Wife was going to work and brakes just went out. The ABS and brake light stays on and has been on after purchasing the vehicle. I am going to look over vehicle again.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving 35 mph, the ABS and the brake warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that the electrical control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
My ABS and brake lights keep coming on and off. I have had the entire brake system replaced and the ABS sensors. There is no particular thing that causes them to come on. In fact sometimes I will be driving down the road and not even touching the brakes and they will just pop on. I don't feel that we as Ford owners should have to pay a costly repair bill to have multiple things done to the vehicle when this seems to be an issue with the vehicle itself not normal maintenance. I have always been a Ford owner and have sworn by Ford but this van is causing me to not want to own another Ford ever.
Approx., a year ago my ABS module went bad and I had it checked by a mechanic to verify that fact. Just recently my speed control deactivation switch went bad and leaked, . now I found out there is a connection between both the switch and the ABS bad module. Ford does not have a recall on the ABS system, but they do on the above switch. Very possibly the high cost of the module has kept them from having a recall!!! I have read complaints about the same problem from another Ford van owner. Also the switch was changed approx. 5 years ago and it went bad again.( per a Ford recall then) there should be a definite recall on Windstar van ABS systems and as a safety issue---Ford should replace the switch and wire harness again!..updated 08/12/14
The ABS light and the brake light will frequently light up on the dash. If I am able to pull over and cut the car off, the lights will occasionally not come back on when I start the car again. However, if they don't come back on, I have no idea if they will stay off or if/when they might come back on. If I am unable to pull over, the lights will stay on for the duration of the ride. I have no idea if this is doing damage to the brakes or if it is just some sort of electrical short.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus , OH, USA