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 gauges are acting crazy which causes the engine to jerk or the transmission and then it starts making the lights flicker in the interior and the gauges start sticking. It seems to make the overflow on the radiator to empty more because it is causing the sensors in the electrical for the parts to go crazy and run hot. Sometimes it only does it every so often but after getting the reserve hose on the power steering that connects to the reservoir to the coolant the battery was drained. Then going after getting it charged down the highway it caused the interior lights radio and seat and turn signals not to work when coming to a complete stop and it was idling the dashboard and all the lights were coming back on once given a guess it winded up not working again causing the battery to become hot or warm and acid you can smell in the air like rotten eggs. It is causing the overflow tank of the radiator to evaporate more or come out quicker and it is causing other component parts to react strangely which I'm afraid will cause a fire in the vehicle and the idling is not correct also on it now
I have my vehicle in a shop to replace the transmission. While working on the vehicle the mechanic noticed the front reservoir of the master cylinder was empty. Upon further examination, he found that the speed control sensor under the master cylinder was leaking and brake fluid is leaking on all the components below, I.e. transmission, steering components, etc. I looked the issue up online and I found that there was a recall for this very issue with Ford. When I checked my VIN for active recalls, the NHTSA website states that there are no unresolved issues with my vehicle.
The ABS light comes on and stays on the red brake light comes on and stays on it is throwing 9 code starting with C1185 and 8 other that are connected with the first code I ave tried and tried to fix the problem many times it will not pass a safety check. I have done research and his can be dangerous and very unsafe I know it can catch a fire and also the brakes may lock up.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving various speeds, the speed control warning indicator flashed and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that several years ago, the ABS module was replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 372,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While attempting to accelerate from a traffic light, an abnormal sound emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle kept gaining forward momentum. The contact stated that the power steering also failed to operate as intended. As a result, the vehicle jumped the sidewalk and struck two small trees. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by turning the ignition to the off position. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained whiplash and muscle spasms, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the subframe fractured, which caused the throttle to seize in the open position. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 11V030000 (structure) and 15V608000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,064.
- Lakeville, MA, USA
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The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving various speeds, the speedometer would become stuck at 20 mph. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
The ABS sensor light comes on after a minute of driving. Sometimes the emergency brake light will come on when braking. This happen to me after putting in new wheel bearings. Then I put in new ABS sensors still have problem. Alot of other people on the internet are having same issue as me. The I put in speed control deactivation switch. Still have same issue.
Used the vehicle to go on a trip about 200 miles from home, the cruise control was working but the brake light stayed on. When I got back home and parked the vehicle for a couple of days, when I went to go back out in the van on another short trip and got on the interstate the cruise wouldn't work again. The brake light stays on all the time when before the cruise stopped working it was only intermittent. Now the light is on all the time and the cruise isn't working at all. I can't use the van on trips O when I go a few miles away from home because the cruise don't work. I have a bad back and joints and rely on that cruise to help me get from point a to point B. thanks....updated 01/07/15 the consumer stated the issues are on recall. Updated 01/17/15
While driving on a highway with cruise control engaged, the brake and ABS lights came on. The brakes were unaffected. We stopped and checked on finding a mechanic in the town we were going through, but when we re-started the van, the lights were back off. The brakes remained unaffected. The problem recurs sporadically at intervals of a few weeks to a few months. Sometime later, we had to have the cruise control repaired due to two bad switches (damaged by leaks). I mention this because evidence suggests a link between the cruise control and the ABS problems.
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.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact also stated that the instrument panel gauges spiraled back and forth. In addition, there was smoke coming from the front end of the hood. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.
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
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!
My vehicle was taken in to ace Ford in woodbury, NJ as part of a series of recalls. The 09S09 speed control campaign was one and they did the fixes as well as the rear axle. After getting my vehicle I noticed my ABS light was on, my odometer has all dashes, my brake light is on, my speedometer does not work and my O/D light blinks fast constantly. Service was closed at the time so I drove it home. Upon driving every bump I hit it felt like my back end was going to fall off. I took it back the next day on May 21st, 2014 and complained about the issues. They did not seat my rear axle properly and they say they fixed it. As for my dashboard issues, I was told that the 09S09 speed control was installed and it then made another part fail. They said (dealer and corporate Ford), they will not replace it for free. I have to pay $390 for the part and then labor. I have been in talks with Ford to no avail. I did some minimal research on the internet and found many other people have had the same issue. Ford will not replace the part.
On June 16, 2006, while vehicle was parked in a parking lot, someone informed us that my 2002 Ford Windstar was smoking from under the hood. An internal fire occurred, damaging the wiring harness and windshield wiper motor. Unaware to the cause of said fire the damaged parts were replaced. Then other problems started to arise, the vehicle cruise control stopped working, the ABS/brake light remained on and the speedometer was not working properly (not accurately reading). The local Ford dealer was informed of the before-mentioned problems including the internal fire that had occurred, at the time of the initial brake pressure deactivation switch recall. The dealer stated that the brake pressure deactivation switch indeed was leaking and that they supposedly checked the ABS control module. Still the ABS/brake light remained on and the speedometer did not work properly. On 3/14/14 the Windstar was taken to a local garage to diagnose the ABS/brake issues again. It was determined that said unit needed to be replaced. The ABS module was subsequently removed and examined the control module (3/21/2014). The ABS module suffered an internal fire and the wiring harness connector was melted and damaged. Also found was evidence of significant burning around the pins at the connections. This evidence included the blackened fluid, severe discoloration, and lifted traces, all of which are clearly apparent in photos of the module interior. The local dealer refused to repair or replace the module under the recall claim, stating that it was not part of the recall, and that said recall was closed. Ford has been negligent in this matter and luckily the vehicle prior to today, has not become a runaway fire event and burned to the ground!! at this time the vehicle has not been repaired, and is sitting idle. I have kept the damaged control module for examination.
The ABS and red brake light as well as the traction control light, and now my battery light come on and off intermittently. The ABS system kicks in at unnecessary times making it difficult to stop. The speedometer is now also bouncing up and down intermittently, but no other gauges seem to be affected.
My ABS light & traction light are now on. Also, needles jump on dash {odometer, speedometer, fuel & heat level} and cruise control does not work any longer {this has been happening since receiving my van back from the Ford garage after 7 months from the axle recall repair over a year ago}. tried to bleed my brakes after replacing pads and caliper but cannot bleed front left or rear right. Was told by a Ford mechanic that this may be a problem in the ABS module. As pertaining to a Ford recall in October, 2009, all of the above problems may be connected to this recall. My van was inspected and nothing was done to it because, at the time, because it was deemed safe. I have since replaced the electrical tape on the wiring harness that they were suppose to be inspecting because it was falling off due to brake fluid on it (reason for said recall}. I plan on calling the garage in the am to have them reinspect my van for this recall because I cannot afford to replace any more parts in it. I have put a lot into it just since getting it back after the axle recall because it deteriorated sitting in their driveway for the winter due to salt. I hope nobody else is going through this. I love my van and have owned it for 11 years but it is getting too expensive for a one-income-household to repair due to bad parts or service. Please have Ford work to fix these problems so I can afford to keep my van. Thank you!
ABS and brake warning lights light up randomly and cruise control stops working. Main brakes still function. I see lots of similar complaints online. Had brakes repaired twice and the mechanic always mentions a loss of brake fluid. Even after that, the problem persists. I do not believe my VIN was ever part of the scds switch recall but I am suspicious this may be somehow related (?). if so, there could be risk of a fire and I do not feel safe. I'd like some answers before I spend any more money at local mechanic fixing this car. Calling Ford dealer tomorrow to see if there is anything they can do.
ABS light and brake light have been on for months off and on. Have a slight brake fluid leak. Was backing into my driveway and the O/D light came on and started flashing, the odometer went blank, speedometer stopped working and the A/C began blowing hot air. Checked fuse #10 and found it was blown. Replaced fuse #10. Odometer and speedometer work but other lights still on. Have an appointment to have the van looked at tomorrow.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fountain Inn, SC, USA