2001 Ford Windstar complaints

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS AGO, THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE "O/D OFF" LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, THE SPEEDOMETER DIED AND THE ODOMETER CLEARED. I NO LONGER HAVE HEAT IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE , NOR AIR CONDITIONING. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK OR SO AGO, MY HUSBAND HAD JUST RETURNED FROM AN ERRAND AND WAS IN THE HOUSE WHEN HE HEARD A POP AND WENT OUTSIDE TO INVESTIGATE. HE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FUSES FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE DEALER INSPECTED THE REAR AXLE FOR RECALL 10V385000 SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY THEY ALSO LOCATED A FAILURE AT THE FRONT H FRAME WHICH WAS CORRODED AND SEPARATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WASN'T RECALLED, BUT IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN THE FUTURE HE COULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WASN'T REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,000 MILES. THE AC COMPRESSOR LEAKED WATER ONTO THE FRAME AND CAUSED IT TO ROT. UPDATED EVOQ 11/12/10*JB UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF UPDATED 04/13/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETECTED THAT THE SUBFRAME EXHIBITED SUBSTANTIAL RUST CORROSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS BROKEN THROUGH 2 REAR AXLES! ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF AS I AM DRIVING AND SOMETIMES COME ON AND STAY ON AND WHILE TURNED OFF WILL SOMETIMES DRAIN THE BATTERY AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WILL BLINK ON AND OFF AND THE HORN WILL BEEP. ALSO AT TIMES MY POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT FUNCTION. *TR

AFTER HEARING SOME NOISE WHEN TURNING I INSPECTED MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX AND FOUND THE SUBFRAME/CRADLE RUSTED OUT ON RIGHT SIDE REAR MOUNT. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING YET TO FIX IT (LOOKING FOR PRICES) BUT I KNOW THE SUBFRAME/CRADLE IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND CONTROL ARM RUSTED AT 116,000 MILES ONLY. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE ON ALL FORD WINDSTARS, MINE IS A 2001 MODEL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-75 IN TOLEDO OHIO AT 70 MPH WHEN MY REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN. LOST CONTROL BUT WAS ABLE TO NOT HIT ANYONE OR ROLL OVER. I HAVE HAD NO HELP FROM FORD AND NOTHING BUT A RUN AROUND FROM THEM HELP!!! I HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND NO TRANSPORTATION. MY ELDEST DAUGHTER HAS NO BUSING IN OUR COUNTY SO I HAVE TO TRANSPORT BOTH WAYS AND NO VEHICLE. NO WAY TO GET GROCERIES OR DR. APPTS. FORD PROMISED ME A RENTAL BUT 9 DAYS HAVE GONE BY AND NO HELP. WHAT DO I DO? THEY ARE TELLING ME IT WILL BE OVER THREE MONTHS BEFORE I CAN HAVE MY VAN REPAIRED. *TR

WENT FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE PASSENGER SIDE SUB FRAME IS ALL BUT RUSTED OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD EXTEND TO THE FLOORBOARD AND ABNORMALLY PULL THE VEHICLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES AT AN AUTOMOTIVE CENTER BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALMOST EVERY COMPONENT OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

REF. NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION PE10026: 2001 FORD WINDSTAR EXPERIENCED FRONT ENGINE CRADLE FAILURE ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION, 26 JUNE 2009. NO INJURIES BUT RATTLED NERVES. HALF SHAFT AND ENGINE CRADLE REPLACED - VEHICLE IMPEDED TRAFFIC FOR AN HOUR UNTIL REMOVED BY FLAT BED TRUCK. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2001 WINDSTAR SE SPORT. I KNOW OF ONE OTHER WINDSTAR IN OUR TOWN WHO HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH DOWNHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD, CRASHING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME CRADLE HAD FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COMPONENTS, TRANSMISSION, DRIVE TRAIN AND FRAME WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

AS MY WIFE BACKED THE VAN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN I STRAIGHTENED OUT I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL TURNED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. BEING CAUTIOUS NOW LISTENED FOR WARNING SOUNDS OF POSSIBLE FURTHER PROBLEMS, THERE WAS NO STRANGE SOUNDS OR SHAKING NOTHING TO INDICATE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT . AS I CONTINUED ON MY JOURNEY I WAS DRIVING 50KM AN HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY THE FRONT END OF THE VAN DROPPED SITTING ON BOTH FRONT TIRES, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKING. I SLID DOWN THE STREET EVENTUALLY CRASHING INTO THE CURB THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID POURING OUT ONTO THE ROAD. MY VAN WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANICS AND WE DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE FRONT SUB FRAME BRACKETS WERE TOTALLY ROUGHED OUT DUE TO BAD DESIGN IN THE SUB FRAME IN WHICH THE BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE FRAME WHICH HAS A BOWL LIKE BASE WHICH COLLECTS WATER AND SALT AND SPEEDS UP THE CORROSION TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR OTHER WINDSTAR VANS, IF I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DOING 100KM THIS WOULD OF BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. IF THIS WOULD OF HAPPENED THE POLICE WOULD OF DETERMINED THAT I WAS GOING TO FAST OR SOME OTHER REASON OTHER THAN THE CONTROL ARM BREAKING OF. THERE HAS BEEN A RECENT RECALL FOR THE REAR AXLE CRACKING AND SPLITTING IN HALF DUE TO BAD U SHAPE DESIGN OF THE AXLE IN WHERE AGAIN SALT AND WATER BECOME TRAPPED AND SPEED UP THE CORROSION TIME. SO I

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED : ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN IT GOES ON BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION NORMALLY AND CAUSE INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE WITHOUT WARNING. TWICE NOW INCLUDING TODAY I HAVE BEEN PARKING MY CAR (SO MAYBE 5 MPH) AND THE ABS BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND THE LIGHT LIT UP AND IF A CURB WAS NOT BETWEEN ME AND THE BUILDING I WAS PARKING AT ACTING AS A BUFFER AND HELPING SLOW THE CAR TO A STOP, I POSSIBLY COULD HAVE HIT IT OR CRASHED. I ALSO ALMOST HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME RECENTLY , POSSIBLY WITHIN AND INCH, WHEN IT SLOWED/STOPPED SOMEWHAT SUDDENLY (BUT NOT OVERLY SO) AND THEN I HAD TO SLOW/STOP AND MY ABS LIGHT THEN SUDDENLY CAME ON AND MY ABS BRAKES FAILED TO STOP ME IN THE USUAL WAY AND USUAL DISTANCE FOR THE PRESSURE I WAS APPLYING (WHICH WAS STOPPING FAST BUT NOT SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES) AND I COULD FEEL A SORT OF "STUTTERING" OR "VIBRATION" OF THE BRAKES AND "SLIPPING" WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE AS IF IT WERE TRYING TO ENGAGE BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGING. AT FIRST THIS INTERMITTENT ABS BRAKE LIGHT GOING ON WAS ONLY OCCASIONALLY BUT NOW IT IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE FREQUENT AND PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS TO WHERE EVEN THOUGH THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT TURNS OFF AS IF IT IS WORKING FINE AGAIN, I NOW KNOW IT IS NOT WORKING FINE AND THAT THE BRAKES COULD STOP FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AT ANY MOMENT. THE LIGHT ONLY GOES ON WHEN I AM PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE (BUT NOT EVERY TIME I BRAKE), IT DOES NOT LIGH

ABS ECM FAILER, FORD WINDSTAR 2001: THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AFTER 5-10 MIN. THE CODE FOR THE PROBLE IS C1185 OR RELAY PROBLEM. THE ABS CONTROLER IS A ABS EBC 430 MADE BY KELSEY-HAYES . THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IN 2007. I SEE THE EBC 430 UNIT MADE FOR THE GM WAS RECALLED. THIS HAS MADE FOR SOME CLOSE CALLS WHEN BRAKING IN BAD WEATHER. THIS IS A BIG SAFTY PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND MANY LINKS ON LINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS TO A 100% FAILER RATE. COVERS ALL WINDSTARS AND FREESTARS. THE ABS UNIT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS/BRAKE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND STAY ON. WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF, BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON. BRAKE PEDAL NEEDS TO BE PUMPED AND PULLED FOR LIGHTS TO TURN OFF. PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO, WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT IS NOW, AS OF 4 MONTHS AGO, HAPPENING EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. A FRIEND'S WINDSTAR IS DOING THE SAME THING, AND WHEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL BY FORD. *TR

NO ACCIDENTS YET, MY ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON WITHIN THE FIRST MILE EVERYDAY I USE MY WINDSTAR AND THE ABS ACTIVATES AND OFTEN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS AN UGLY NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATES AND THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO STOP, JUST LIKE IT WOULD IN AN ANTI-SKID SITUATION. I HAVE REPLACED FRONT BRAKES, ROTORS, CALIPERS, RF WHEEL SENSOR (PURCHASE ABS CODE READER AND STILL GET RF SENSOR CODES). RECENTLY I TOOK MY WINDSTAR TO FORD AND REPLACED THE BRAKE-CRUISE CONTROL RECALL. I QUESTIONED MY DEALER ABOUT THE ABS AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE ALMOST LIKE I NEEDED TO LEAVE IT AND THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT AND TRY TO LOCATE THE CAUSE. I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO START REPLACING PARTS THAT I HAVE REPLACED ESPECIALLY THE ONES I REPLACE MORE THEN ONCE. I HEAR ALOT OF TALK ABOUT A CONTROL MODULE BEING BAD SO I THINK IF THAT IS THE REMEDY IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE BY FORD AND I WON'T DEMAND THEY REIMBURSE TO ME THE MONEY I HAVE ALREADY SPENT TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. I LIKE THIS VEHICLE BUT WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS ABS PROBLEM FIXED OR DISABLE THE ABS. ALSO, ANOTHER OPTION FOR FORD IN MY CASE WOULD BE TO DISABLE THE ABS SO I DON'T GET THAT ANTI-SKID IN MY BRAKES ON A DRY DAY AND ALL WHEELS ARE ROLLING. ITS PRETTY UNNERVING WHEN YOUR CAR IS NOT IN A SKID CONDITION THE ABS TAKES OVER AND YOU ARE PANICKING TO GET THIS CAR TO STOP. I UNDERSTAND THIS ABS IS AN OPTION AND SINCE I DID NOT BUY THE CAR NEW I WOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER JUST DISABLING THE ABS SYSTEM BRAKES SO THEY WOULD WORK LIKE

MY WIFE PULLED OUT OF SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY AND WITHOUT A WARNING, THE FRONT END OF OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAD FALLEN OUT DESTROYING THE CONTROL ARM, STRUT AND POSSIBLY MORE DAMAGE. THE VAN GOT TAKEN TO A GARAGE WHERE IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE CRADLE HAD BASICALLY SPLIT AND IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A HIGH PERCENTAGE THAT MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED THANKS TO FORD MANUFACTURING DEATHTRAP PARTS. PARTS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE THE LAST THING TO EVER GO. WE BOUGHT THE VAN IN JUNE 2009 WITH ONLY 112,000 KMS ON IT. FORD SHOULD BE FOOTING THE BILL AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED IMMEDIATELY. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD EVER AGAIN. I WILL BE GETTING THE VAN FIXED NEXT WEEK AND I WILL BE KEEPING THE OLD CRADLE AS EVIDENCE AND MY RECEIPT FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WITH 154K MILES ON A RAINY NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A 3 LANE INTERSTATE WITH 5 CHILDREN ABOARD. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE AND LOST ALL CONTROL AS THE STEERING AND BRAKING WASN'T WORKING RIGHT. AS I TRIED TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER, IT KEPT SWERVING TOWARD THE LEFT, BACK INTO THE LANES. WHEN IT FINALLY STOPPED MOVING, WE WERE STICKING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND I FEARED WE WOULD BE HIT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWED ME THAT THE RIGHT TIRE WASN'T EVEN POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD ANYMORE AND SAID THAT THE AXEL PROBABLY BROKE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME CRACKED AND IN HIS OPINION, HE WOULDN'T RECOMMEND FIXING THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT ROTTED OFF WHICH PULLED OUT AXEL AND BROKE TIE ROD END AND SO ON, DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I RECEIVED ZERO DOLLARS FOR MY AUTO CLAIM AND MY FAMILY OF SEVEN HAD TO USE OUR 3 SEATER PICKUP TRUCK AS THE FAMILY VEHICLE FOR MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT. I LIVE IN A SNOW BELT STATE AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OCCURRED IN A MERE 8 YEARS. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE INCIDENT AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE10-026. MY HOPE IS THAT MY STORY IS USEFUL ENOUGH TO HELP PREVENT THIS SAME THING FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER 2001 FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS. *TR

MY 01 FORD WINDSTAR VAN SUB FRAME HAS LOT OF CORROSION. I HAVE NOTICE THIS AFTER READING REAR AXEL RECALL. *TR

WE BOUGHT VAN USED... FROM BEGINNING ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON DASH ARE CONSTANTLY ON. I BELIEVE THIS IS CAUSING THE ALSO CONSTANT BEEPING. WE HAVE GOTTEN A TUNE UP, CHANGED THE BRAKES, OIL, AIRFILTER AND HAD THE CODES CHECKED... LIGHTS ARE STILL ON AND STILL LOTS OF WARNING BEEPS GOING OFF !! *TR

SEPT 4, 2010, APPROX 5 PM ON INTERSTATE 80 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN ALTOONA, IOWA MY 2001 FORD WINDSTARS REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN 2 AND WE MIRACULOUSLY CUT ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC ONTO THE SHOULDER. I TRULY THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE END OF OUR LIVES. WE WERE NOT INJURED. THE HIGHWAY PATROL GOT US OFF THE INTERSTATE AND MY VAN IS NOW SITTING IN A JUNK YARD. THE AXLE IS COMPLETELY SEVERED AND MY TIRES ARE LYING FLAT. WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED BECAUSE FORD NEGLECTED TO INFORM ME OF THIS LIFE THREATENING DEFECT. WAITING UNTIL SEPT 27 TO START SENDING RECALL NOTICES MAY BE TOO LATE TO SOME VICTIMS. GOD TOOK THE WHEEL THIS TIME. I WILL NOT EVER DRIVE THAT VAN AGAIN. MY CHILDREN ARE TRAUMATIZED AS SO AM I. *TR

I DRIVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND WAS RELIEVED TO FIND OUT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A TICKING TIME BOMB SINCE MAY 2010 THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON THE SAME DAY I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT AND I HAVE REPLACED FOUR REAR TIRES SINCE. NOT UNTIL I HAD MY MECHANIC COME AND LIFT THE VEHICLE UP TO SEE WHY I COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE COMING TO WORK ONE MORNING DID I REALIZE THE SEVERITY OF THE MATTER ONLY AFTER MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT THE DAY BEFORE TO RUN ERRANDS. SCARY HOW THE LIFE OF MY CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN LOST BECAUSE OF SUCH NEGLIGENCE. THE VAN NOW SITS AT MY JOB AND IS UNDRIVEABLE, AND I FOUND OUT THE STATE I LIVE IN IS NOT UNDER THIS RECALL. WHAT EXACTLY WILL IT TAKE TO REALIZE THE WINDSTAR IS A HAZARD. I WILL FIGHT TO GET THIS STATE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST, DO WHAT I NEED TO DO, TALK TO WHOM EVER WILL LISTEN. *TR

THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SEL. WHILE DRIVING ON WET / SLIPPERY ROADS, THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM. THE FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM IS INDICATED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS AND BRAKE DASHBOARD LIGHTS. THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE IS ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING DURING WARM / SUMMER WEATHER AND LESS FREQUENTLY, BUT STILL ALMOST DAILY, DURING COOL / WINTER WEATHER. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN FULLY INSPECTED AND WORN OR SUSPECT PARTS REPLACED. AT THE LAST SERVICE VISIT (TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC THAN PREVIOUS VISITS) THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CODE INDICATED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTAR VEHICLES. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ON. WE TOOK OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE 09S09 RECALL REPAIRED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE; HOWEVER, WE ARE NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATING ON VEHICLE DASHBOARD. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED UP; HOWEVER, ILLUMINATES ON VEHICLE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING. ABS / BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE ON OCCASION AFTER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. BRAKING DISTANCES GREATLY INCREASED / AFFECTED WHEN WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL ALSO GREATLY INCREASED - PEDAL SLOWLY CONTINUES TO FLOOR WITH STEADY PRESSURE, ACCOMPANIED BY WHOOSHING SOUND WITH NO INCREASE IN BRAKING POWER. *TR

MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAD RECALL 09S09 PERFORMED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. MY BRAKE! LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON DURING SUMMER MONTHS ON MY FORD WINDSTAR 2001 MINIVAN. *TR

REAR AXLE FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING MY FORD WINDSTAR 2001. AS A RESULT I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

REAR AXLE ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IS CRACKED. NOTICED A BANGING SOUND WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH IS SHOWING SIGNS OF A SUB-FRAME CORROSION FAILURE SIMILAR TO THE ONE DESCRIBED IN INVESTIGATION PR 10-026. THERE IS A "U-SHAPED" SUBFRAME ELEMENT WHICH CONNECTS TO THE MAIN FRAME NEAR THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF BOTH FRONT SEATS AND EXTENDS FORWARD AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR. IT DOES APPEAR VARIOUS SUSPENSION AND STEERING MEMBERS ARE CONNECTED TO THIS SUB-FRAME. THE PASSENGER-SIDE END OF THIS SUB-FRAME WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE VEHICLE FRAME SHOWS SEVERE RUSTING AND METAL DELAMINATION AND A CRACK HAS FORMED ON THE END. THE DRIVER-SIDE END OF THIS SUBFRAME SHOWS NORMAL WEAR AND IS NOT IN IMMEDIATE RISK OF FAILURE. THE CORROSION TO THE PASSENGER-SIDE END IS EXCESSIVE AS COMPARED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND OTHER FRAME ELEMENTS IN THE VICINITY. SOMETHING IS ACCELERATING THE CORROSION ON THE RIGHT SIDE. IT MAY BE DUE TO THE CONDENSATE DRAIN FROM THE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM. AT THIS TIME, THE SUB-FRAME HAS NOT FAILED BUT THE VEHICLE REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK SINCE FAILURE-RELATED CRASHES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE IN EXCESS OF $2000 FOR FRAME REPLACEMENT. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD QUICKLY DEVELOP AND DEPLOY A MEANS OF REINFORCING THE FRAME MEMBER AND OFFER THE REPAIR VIA RECALL TO WINDSTAR OWNERS. SINCE THE PARTS ARE CURRENTLY STILL ON MY VEHICLE, I CAN TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE DETERIORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME ENDS. AS A SIDE NOTE: MY WINDSTAR IS EQUIPPED WITH THE REARSEAT AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE EVAPORATOR I

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) (2B264) LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER (BEHIND THE AIR FILTER) DEVELOPED A LEAK. THIS CAUSED A SHORT AND A FUSE TRIP, FUSE #10 IF THE ENGINE IS ON. THIS LEAK ALSO CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO WICK DOWN TWO WIRES TO THE ABS BRAKE MODULE (2C219). THE FLUID ACCUMULATED 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 ATTRACTS MOISTURE, ROAD SALT AND LEADS TO A FIRE WHEN THE FLUID AND MOISTURE ACT AS CONDUCTOR BETWEEN THE HOT LEADS AND GROUND. LIGHTS THAT STAY ON ARE: ABS,AND BRAKE, OD FLASHES. SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER DO NOT WORK. ALSO THERE IS NO HEAT OR AC. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED READING "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL". THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE SERVICE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY RECUR WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER APPROXIMATELY 4 TIMES WHERE THEY NEVER ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

LIGHTS IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SAYING "BRAKES AND ABS" COMES ON, EVERY TIME I HIT A POT HOLE. I GOT IT CHECKED AT 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND 1 DEALER, THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES OR ABS MODULE. OCCURS EVERYDAY. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ON. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN SUMMER TIME THAN WINTER. USUALLY HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN CITY DRIVING AFTER APPLYING BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES. WILL USUALLY NOT COME ON RIGHT AT STARTUP, BUT AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. AT THE TIME THE LIGHT IS ON, ABS SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK RESULTING IN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE ON SLIPPERY PAVEMENT. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE ECM MODULE TO FIX PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE CAUSE. *TR

MY 2001 HAS A BRAKE LIGHT, ABS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS AND ELECTRIC CIRCUIT BOARD PROBLEM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON THE DOOR CHIME COMES ON WHEN I TURN THE KEY OFF. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING ALL THE TIME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND I LOST BRAKE POWER. NO FLUID LEAKED OUT AND THE TRANSMISSION WORKS FINE. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO THREE CARS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AT 55MPH WHEN THE REAR OF THE VAN START TO SWAY AND PULL ERATICALLY I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE EXPRESSWAY AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE ON MY VAN HAD CRACKED IN HALF. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR VEHICLE SEEMED TO HAVE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF BOUNCING. REAR AXLE FAILURE THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 164000 MILES. 7/13/09 $868.90 AXLE TUBE AND HOOKS REPLACED. *TR

ALEX. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR FOR 4 YEARS, AND I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS 5 TIMES AND LOOKS LIKE I WILL BE ON MY 6TH REPLACEMENT SOON...THE ABS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD KEEPS ON IN THE ENGAGED AND WILL NOT RELEASE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE SPORT, 20,000 MILES ABS, BRAKE, & TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS COME ON AFTER FIRST STARTING CAR AND RUNNING FOR A WHILE.. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WITH ALL 4 NEW TIRES EQUALLY FILLED AT 35PSI. JUST BOUGHT THIS VAN. TRANSMISSION SLIPS, HAD IT DRAINED AND SERVICED 1 MONTH AGO WITH NO PROBLEM REPORTED. *TR

ABS LIGHT ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR STAYS ON & ALL ODOMETER FUNCTIONS & RADIO CEASE OPERATION & FREEZE IN PLACE! *TR

1. VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. 2. REAR AXEL BROKE IN 2 PLACES ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE. THE CAR VEERED UNCONTROLLABLY ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. 3. THE CAR WAS TOWED 90 MILES TO OUR LOCAL SERVICE STATION WHERE AXEL WAS REPLACED WITH A USED PART. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 2001 VAN. PERIODICALLY THE CHECK TRACTION CONTROL WARNING MESSAGE ALONG WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WAS COMING ON. NOW IT SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY WITHIN THE PAST MONTH OR TWO. *TR

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHEN COMING TO ROLLING STOP ABS BRAKES WOULD ACTIVATE AND VAN WOULD NOT STOP EVEN WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. THIS IS AFTER THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN WAS TAKEN IN AND HAD THE SWITCH RECALL DONE. HAD TO HAVE THE ABS MODULE REPLACED. *TR

AFTER HAVING THE FORD WINDSTAR OCT. 09 09S09 RECALL FIXED ON OUR 2001 WINDSTAR DUE TO LEAKS AND MALFUNCTIONING A/C AND CRUISE CONTROL, THE ABS AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE STILL INTERMITTENTLY LIGHTING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FORD DEALER WE TOOK IT TO SAID THAT WHEN THOSE ARE ON, WE HAVE NO ABS SYSTEM BECAUSE THE ECM IS MALFUNCTIONING AT THOSE TIMES. WE'RE SEEING INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN . ON TUESDAY, 8/24, I WAS DRIVING FROM RHINEBECK NY TO YONKERS, NY, MOSTLY ALONG THE TACONIC PARKWAY. THIS PARKWAY HAS MANY POTHOLES DUE TO THE GRATES SINKING OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR AND IT IS VERY HARD TO AVOID MANY OF THESE GRATES BECAUSE OF THEIR LOCATION ALONG THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE RIGHT LANE. AFTER DRIVING ALONG THIS ROUTE FOR A WHILE (NOT SURE HOW LONG) THE VAN STARTED TO SQUEAK ON SOME TURNS AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER THAT CAME AND WENT. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS MANAGING THE CAR OR CONTINUING TO DRIVE AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BREAKING. BECAUSE OF THE LATE HOUR (WE ARRIVED HOME AT 9 PM) I OPTED TO KEEP MOVING TO GET HOME AND NOT STOP ALONG THE ROAD. THE SQUEAKING WAS MOSTLY WHEN I MADE RIGHT TURNS - I COULD NOT TELL WHEN/OR WHY THE SMELL WOULD RETURN. UPON RETURNING HOME I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS A SORT OF 'CLUNK' AS I PARKED. NEXT MORNING I WENT OUT TO SEE THE VAN AND NOTICED THE REAR WHEELS WERE NO LONGER PARALLEL. I HAVE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SO I DID NOT GET DOWN TO LOOK AT ANYTHING AND THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE NEED FOR CAR SO WAITED FOR MY HUSBAND TO COME HOME. HE LOOKED AT THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE AND TOLD ME THE AXLE WAS CRACKED. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC WHO WAS SURPRISED I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME WITH IT AND ASKED ABOUT WHAT I 'HIT'. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING EXCEPT POTHOLES AND WAS NOT DRIVING ABOVE LEGAL LIMIT OF 55 MPH (TOO DARK AND AREA KNOWN TO HAVE DEER CROSSING SO WOULD NOT RISK GOING OVER

FORD WINDSTAR 2001 - PROBLEMS WITH ABS/BRAKE LIGHT: COMING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES IT WILL STAY ON FOR A LONG TIME, THEN GOES OFF. THEN WILL COME BACK. REPLACING BRAKE SHOES, DRUMS, BRAKE PADS, BLEEDING CYLINDERS, DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT COST ME OVER THEN $500 IN REPAIRS BUT PROBLEM STILL THERE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT CITY SPEEDS A LOUD CLUNKING WAS NOTICED IN THE REAR. NO LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED A REAR AXLE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS OWNED IN A "SALT-BELT" STATE, HAS 91,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN LIGHTLY DRIVEN AND WELL-MAINTAINED. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR WAS MAKING NOISES IN THE BACK FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. JUST RECENTLY, THE NOISE GOT MUCH LOUDER WHEN BACKING UP AND GOING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. BEFORE DRIVING TODAY, I LOOKED UNDER THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO SEE THAT THE REAR AXLE BEAM WAS CRACKED AT LEAST 95% ABOUT 18 INCHES FROM THE DRIVERS WHEEL. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND LOST CONTROL. I HAVE TO GET THIS FIXED AND CANNOT DRIVE THE VAN. *TR