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.
As I was driving from portsmouth nh to somersworth nh I noticed that the speedometer stopped working, the odometer had nothing but lines, no numbers, the overdrive light started blinking and the ABS and brake lights came on. I also noted that smoke has been coming from under the hood when I stop at a light or stop sign. These symptoms match what has been recorded on line as follows, the brake pressure differential deactivation switch (scds) (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 wick 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 attacts 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. Below is a picture of the switch in question. Notice the fluid that leaked on the part below it. This switch will cause cruise control problems, speedometer, odometer and ABS brake system problems. I will not allow other family members to operate this vehicle and it appears that the Ford Motor Company will not fix this issue even though there was a recall for this exact issue, recall #09S09 because they indicate that my vehicle is not covered under this recall. The recall states clearly that this issue can cause a vehicle fire with or without the vehicle running.
2003 Windstar ABS module has failed, causing both ABS and brake lights to stay on after driving about five minutes once module warms up. When system fails, the ABS system is disabled. Turning off the engine and re-starting will sometimes clear the problem, but then it will reappear in a few minutes, especially in warm weather. The problem is less frequent in cold weather (takes longer to come on) but still occurs. Replaced sensors in previous repairs. Reviewed symptom on line and found they are consistent with defective ABS controller problem caused by expansion of the controller heat sink after a few minutes of driving, causing a break in the attached circuit board. Must replace ABS controller to fix problem with this known defect.
The ABS and brake lights turned on in the dashboard, and I noticed that the stopping distance has increased every time the lights come on (they turn on on the warmer days). This has been happening since 1 year after I bought the new vehicle till now. Also the brake sometimes slips. What I mean is the even though the brake is pressed and I am stopped at a red light the lights would turn on and the brakes disengage and reengage causing the vehicle to move forward about a foot. The first time this happened was 4 years ago but now I am used to it and keep plenty of space between my vehicle and the vehicle in front of me. It is a Ford Windstar 2003.
This has been happening since we bought the car, although the incident date I have submitted is this past week. The ABS light and the brake light come on intermittently, but continually. The brakes pads have needed to be changed every 9-12 months. Often it ends up being the disc that needs to be replaced because when the problem starts, the mechanic looks at the pads and they are fine; then a few weeks later the discs are ruined. Now it has been only 6 months since the pads were replaced and they need replacing again. This is not normal. The problem begins by the ABS and brake lights coming on more regularly. Then the braking distance suddenly increases. As a result, the car does not have good control and I don't feel safe. We are constantly dealing with this problem and I have had enough. It is not safe.
- Cornwall, NY, USA
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For the past year my ABS and brake lights have come on intermittently. I took my car to a mechanic when this first started, he told me it looked like a fuse, we replaced the fuse but within a week the light started coming on again. I took my Windstar into the dealer for the recall on the speed control and the rear axle. After searching online I have found a whole bunch of complaints for this exact problem.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS system warning light illuminated while driving 5 mph. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic shop who ran a diagnostic test and informed the contact that two out of the four ABS sensors failed. The manufacturer was contacted and she was advised that there were no recalls for the vehicle and offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 86,000.
2003 Ford Windstar with intermittent (but very often) ABS and brake light warning lights illuminated. They will stay on for several minutes to several hours on a longer trip. No known leakage problems, just warning lights which indicate no ABS system active (dangerous in winter driving when ABS may be called for). Ford has been ignoring a multitude of complaints for several years and has been let "off the hook" by the NHTSA as far as I can tell. Shame on both parties!
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle was covered with rust and shaking violently while driving. The brake pedal also extended to the floorboard when it was engaged. All of the gauges on the instrument panel fell below zero, the brake light illuminated while all of the lights on the instrument panel began to shut on and off. The rear axle was cracked on each end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who added two plates on each side of the axle. The contact referenced recall 10V385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) & recall 11V030000 (structure: Frame and members:underbody shields) but was concerned with the remedies and stated that they were inadequate. The contact asked the dealer if they could guarantee that the axle would not break with the two plates but received no guarantee. The manufacturer offered no assistance. The current mileage was 127,000. The failure mileage was unknown.
Received my 2003 Ford Windstar with 70,000 miles back from rear axle recall. The front end shakes really bad and there is a grinding noise in the front. Called dealership and they claimed to have checked the front end on the new recall. They also claim that Ford told them to take my new 1000 cranking amp battery out and put a 750 cranking amp battery in it.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving 50-55 mph, the ABS, traction control off and brake lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The brakes were applied but they did not respond as quickly as normal. The failure only occurred once. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle had four recalls previously performed; the dealer stated that the brakes were fine. The contact never experienced a failure with the ABS light until the repairs for the recalls were performed. The current and failure mileages were 136,426.
Our 2003 Ford Windstar has been having mechanical failures for about 3 years. We have heard a loud grinding noise from the rear passeners side of the car that neither our local mechanic nor Ford could fix. We replaced shocks and most recently the tire rods on 9/24/10. We have had numerous electronical "bugs" inclluding ABS lights flashing on and off for 2 years requiring multiple fuse changes and electrical testing. Our transmission was replaced in 2009 at 59,000 miles. The power locks on the passenger side door and rear passenger doors do not open remotely or with power locks, only key or manual lifting. Needless to say, although we have not had any person injuries, we have spent a fortune to keep this car running in what we thought was safe manner.
2003 Ford Windstar 3.8L that has an ABS/brake light issue. The lights come on at what appears to be random and stay on until you turn off the engine and restart. May go days or a few weeks without this issue, then it might pop up 2-3 times in one day. Was told nothing to worry about.
Gas gauge doesn't read correctly. All gauges stops working while driving. ABS and tcs stopped working correctly in 2008. Lights have been on warning of them not working. Drivers side passenger door will not work correctly. Check advance track warning light stays on. This has been checked, but light stays on. RPM gauge stays at maximum. Often while driving, it feels as if we have the emergency brake on. We have to change tires often. When I apply the brakes the vehicle will either not stop, or makes a grinding sound before it does. I have had the brakes checked and the brake pads are fine.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated was driving 5 ph when the ABS and the emergency brake warning lights illuminated. The failure occurred on an intermittent basis. The contact also stated that the cruise control had failed and had become inoperable. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. When the contact started the ignition the brake and anti-lock braking system warning indicators illuminated. The warning indicators remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing who stated that the failure was related to the anti-lock brake system. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued to occur. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. Updated 12/14/2011 updated 02/23/11
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- Blackwood, NJ, USA