2001 Ford Windstar complaints

FAILURE OF BRACKET HOLDING UPPER CONTROL ARM TO FRAME ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 58,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FAILURE CAUSED WHEELS TO GO THEIR OWN WAY CAUSING TOTAL LACK OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

ON NOVEMBER 3RD, 2009, THE REAR AXLE FAILED IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR HAD BEGUN PERFORMING ERRATICALLY SO I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED, BUT EVEN AT LOW SPEED IT WAS ESSENTIALLY UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED. IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE ACTUAL FAILURE, I HAD EXPERIENCED HANDLING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS AND REAR SHOCKS THE CAR STILL DIDN'T HANDLE RIGHT. THEY THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE BECAUSE THE REAR ALIGNMENT WAS NOT A LITTLE OUT OF SPEC - THEY WERE WAITING FOR SHIMS TO COME IN TO CORRECT THAT WHEN THE AXLE FAILED. IN ADDITION TO MY UNHAPPINESS ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS - THE VEHICLE KIND OF SWERVED WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS, ESPECIALLY HIGHWAY ON/OFF RAMPS - THE ONLY WARNING THE CAR GAVE IN THE WEEKS UP TO THE FAILURE WAS SEEMINGLY-RANDOM INDICATIONS FROM THE TIRE-PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT. IN END END, THE GARAGE I TOOK THE CAR TO ENDED UP REPLACING THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AND THE TWO REAR TIRES - WHEN THE AXLE FAILED THE TIRES HAD RUBBED AGAINST THE TIRE WELLS. WHEN SEARCHING ONLINE FOR OTHER REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL HERE, AND POSTED MY OWN. (MY OWN DESCRIPTION AS WELL AS FOUR PICTURES OF THE FAILED PART ARE ON THE SITE UNDER NOVEMBER 3RD 2009: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/WINDSTAR/2001/DRIVETRAIN/REAR_AXLE_SNAPPED_IN_TWO.SHTML. *TR

AROUND MARCH OF 2008 THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY THEN ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THEY CAME ON PERMANENTLY AND HAVE NOT GONE OUT. THE ANTILOCK BRAKES DO NOT WORK ANY MORE. A FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEMS AS BEING A BAD ABS CONTROL MODULE AND A LEAKING SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. SYMPTOMS ARE AS FOLLOWS. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKING BRAKE DEACTIVATION SWITCH BRAKE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD TROUBLE INDICATOR BRAKE LIGHT (RED) DASHBOARD TROUBLE INDICATOR ABS BRAKE LIGHT (YELLOW) SPEEDOMETER SHOWS 1/2 VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ACTIVATE FORD TROUBLE CODE C1185 AND OTHERS AN ON LINE SEARCH USING KEY WORDS 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SPEEDOMETER PROBLEMS OR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS PROBLEMS HAS FOUND MORE DESCRIPTIONS OF THIS FAILURE THEN I COULD COUNT. THIS WEB SITE ?HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/? LIST 12 SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM, I HAVE 8 OF THEM. THEY ALSO MAKE A REFERENCE TO THE NHTSA CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. NHTSA ID #636312, MARCH 01 2002 RELATED INVESTIGATIONS TYING THE LEAKING SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND THE FAILED ABS CONTROL MODULE HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/DEFECT/RESULTS.CFM?ACTION_NUMBER=EA08021&SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&SUMMARY=TRUE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08021 HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/DEFECT/RESULTS.CFM?ACTION_NUMBER=PE08035&SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&SUMMARY=TRUE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE08035. *TR

ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING IN THE SUMMER TIME. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AT ALL IN THE DEAD OF WINTER. *TR

THE REAR AXLE ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE IN TWO ABOUT 8-12 INCHES INBOARD OF WHERE THE TRAILING ARM IS WELDED TO THE ASSEMBLY. I HAD THE LEFT SIDE WELDED EARLIER FOR THE SAME FAILURE BEFORE IT WAS BAD SIX MONTHS EARLIER AND THIS TIME IT TOTALLY FAILED ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN EXACTLY THE SAME LOCATION. MY CAR IS THE THIRD WINDSTAR AXLE FAILURE I KNOW ABOUT IN MY TOWN. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. VAN HAS 60K MILES AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE HE WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SHIFTING INTO THE "REVERSE" POSITION. THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY FAILED TO OPERATE IN REVERSE. IMMEDIATELY, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO THE "DRIVE" POSITION; FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. THE DRIVER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS TURNED OUTWARDLY WHEN THE RIGHT SHAFT DISENGAGED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ENGINE CRADLE WHICH EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST AND CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BREAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE DTA MODULE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE . AFTER A COUPLES MONTHS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED A FUSE THAT BLEW. HOWEVER THE OVER-DRIVE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE ODOMETER FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96521. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH HIS REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR VERY WELL MAINTAINED RECORDS TO SHOW. ENGINE FAILURE (BAD ROD) WITH NO WARNING . NO LEAKS OR USE OF OIL EVER. MECHANIC SAID THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE EXCEPT FOR MAYBE A FAULTY ROD. *TR

OUR ABS LIGHT TURNS ON AFTER DRIVING THE VAN FOR 30 MINUTES OR MORE. IF THE CAR IS SHUT OFF THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND DOES NOT COME ON AGAIN WHEN RESTARTED UNTIL THE VAN IS DRIVEN MORE (I.E. HEATS UP). WE NOTICED THIS FIRST DURING A SEVERE RAIN STORM ON A LONG TRIP DURING AUGUST OF 2009. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE ABS AND SERVICE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE INSTALLED NEW BRAKES SHOES, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE REPAIRS COST $1200.00. ALSO THE LATCH ON THE SECOND ROW BUCKET SEATS HAVE FRACTURED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 131,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,000. UPDATED 11/10/09 *CN UPDATED 11/13/09

MY 2001 WINDSTAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT. LAST SUMMER WHILE STANDING AND RUNNING IT ALL OF A SUDDEN HAD SMOKE RISING ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE VAN ON THE DRIVER SIDE, MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE LOW BRAKE FLUID SENSOR LEAKING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. MY CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INTERMITTENT AND MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER HITTING A BUMP. A LOCAL SHOP STATED THAT A WIRE WAS LOOSE AND IT WOULD COST A $1000 TO FIND THE PROBLEM. TODAY I LEARNED THAT THE SWITCH IS LEAKING AND THE CONNECTOR TO THE WIRING HARNESS IS BURNED AND HAS BEEN SHORTED BY LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THANKFULLY THAT I DID SHUT DOWN THE CAR WHEN THE SMOKE APPEARED AND I DID NOT HAVE A FIRE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING WINDSTARS THAT HAVE HAD FIRES OR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. *TR

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER DEVELOPED A LEAK. MY FORD DEALER TOLD ME THIS WILL CAUSE A SHORT AND A FIRE!!!!!!!!. FROM WHAT I HEAR THIS LEAK CAUSES BRAKE FLUID TO WICK DOWN TWO WIRES TO THE ABS BRAKE MODULE. THE FLUID ACCUMULATES ON THE 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. FORD WANTS ME TO PAY THEM $2000 TO FIX THIS. I HEAR YOU ARE LOOKING INTO THIS FIRE ISSUE. *TR

THE MOUNTING EARS ON THE RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME (H-FRAME THAT ALL THE SUSPENSION, STEERING , AND DRIVETRAIN) THAT CONNECTS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME ROTTED OFF THE FRAME ALLOWING THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE ASSY. TO SWING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED WHEN TURNING LEFT AT A INTERSECTION AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY. THE WHOLE FRONT H FRAME HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS AN 01 FORD WINDSTAR WITH APPROX. 61,000 MILES, ALWAYS TAKEN GOOD CARE OF AND GARAGE KEPT. ORIGINAL OWNER NEVER ANY ACCIDENTS. *TR

ABS WARNING LIGHT GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. LIGHT GOES OFF AND STAYS OFF IF MOTOR IS SHUT OFF AND THEN RE-STARTED. SOMETIMES IT STAYS OFF AFTER RESTARTING VAN AND OTHER TIMES IT COMES BACK ON. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS BY CONCERNED OWNERS AND THAT IN SOME CASES A FIRE HAZARD HAS BEEN EXPOSED OR FEARED. PLEASE ADD MY VEHICLE TO THOSE OTHERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS. I UNDERSTAND A RECALL MAY BE IN THE WORKS. I INTEND TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED BY A RELIABLE MECHANIC SOON. *TR

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ON. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. SUBFRAME RUSTED AWAY WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE MAIN FRAME. CONSEQUENCES MIGHT BE LOSS OF STEERING, ROLLOVER OR OTHER SERIOUS ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1700 BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

WE COULD SMELL SMOKE IN OUR VAN, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS GOING CRAZY (WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON, SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATING BETWEEN SPEEDS). WE TOOK IT IN AND FOUND THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD SHORTED OUT BECAUSE OF BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ONTO THE MODULE AND WAS SLOWLY SHORTING OUT OTHER WIRES AND SENSORS, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. THEY ARE CHARGING US TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE AND THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS BECAUSE OF THE FRIED WIRES. *TR

I HAVE JUST CAME HOME FROM VACATION IN AZ AND MY VAN THE WHOLE TIME ON VACATION WAS MAKING THIS NOISE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS UNTIL WE BACKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS COCKED IN AT THE TOP SO MY HUSBAND JACKED THE VAN UP AND THE REAR AXLE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF I HAVE TO SAY FORD NEEDS TO PAY FOR ALL THE REPAIRS!!!! I DO HAVE PIC'S OF THIS I HAVE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE GUARDIAN ANGELS WATCHING OVER US TO MAKE IT HOME THIS VAN WAS DRIVEN ON VACATION 5,200 MILES THANK GOD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY!!! MY HUSBAND DOSE MECHANICS AND HE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER FORD WINDSTARS AND IT BREAKS IN THE SAME SPOT ON ALL OF THEM FORD NEEDS TO OPEN THERE EYES AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A FAMILY DIES FROM FORD WINDSTAR VANS!!!!!!!!! *TR

ABS AND E-BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AFTER A MINUTE OR SO OF DRIVING. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, THEY ERASED ERROR CODES AND CHANGED MY BRAKE FLUIDS AND BLED MY BRAKE SYSTEM. LIGHTS STILL COME ON. *TR

THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AFTER DRIVING FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. IT STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN MY ENGINE OFF. WHEN I TURN THE ENGINE BACK ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT IS OFF. IT MAY OR MAY NOT TURN ON AGAIN AFTER I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. THIS HAS JUST STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO. I DRIVE MY CAR EVERYDAY BUT THE LIGHT ONLY CAME ON, 4 OCCASIONS. ONE TIME ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO, AND THE LAST 3 TIMES WITHIN THESE PAST 2 DAYS. I AM GOING TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE BRAKES SEEM TO WORK FINE. I HAD THEM REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO AT A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, WHICH IS NO LONGER THERE SINCE IT HAS BEEN CLOSED DOWN. I DO NOT DO ALOT OF DRIVING AND HAVE LOW MILEAGE ON MY CAR. IT IS A 2001 BUT I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2003. IT WAS A LEFTOVER WITH NO MILES AND CAME WITH A FULL 3 YEAR WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN AUGUST 2006. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 56,230 MILES. I AM CONCERNED SINCE I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN. *TR

IN MY FORD WINDSTAR 2001 THE YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND RED BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON AFTER FEW MINUTES WORM WEATHER OR AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES IN COLD WEATHER. LOOKS LIKE THE FAULT IS RELATED TO THERMAL EXPANSION IN THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 2006 AND IS GETTING WORSE. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 2001 REAR AXLE BROKE ON HIGHWAY. VAN BEGAN TO SHAKE MY WIFE PULLED OVER AND VAN HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS SATURDAY (09-19-2009) I MADE A SHORT TRIP TO THE MARKET, THE VEHICLE RAN GOOD, WHEN I ARRIVED BACK HOME THE FAMILY GOT INTO THE VAN TO GO A SOCCER GAME AND WE NOTICED AN ODOR OF SMOKE. I UNLOADED THE FAMILY FROM THE VAN AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I COULDN'T FIND THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE. I DROVE THE VAN OUT OF THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT IN THE STREET, IN THAT SHORT TIME I SAW MORE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. STILL COULD NOT SEE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE SMOKE WENT AWAY. MONDAY MORNING I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, AFTER AN HOUR OR SO OF ISOLATING HE DISCOVERED MY ABS MODULE HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THE CONNECTOR AND WIRE HARNESS. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TODAY (09-21-2009), AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR SAFETY DEFECTS CONCERNING THE ABS MODULE OR ANY FIRE HAZARDS. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE $2000.00 TO FIX MY VAN. *TR

I HAD BEEN HEARING A DULL SQUEAKY, CLICKING NOISE FROM THE LEFT REAR OF MY VAN FOR APPROXIMATELY A MONTH. I TOOK MY VAN TO THE MECHANIC ON 8/31/09 AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW TIRES, AN ALIGNMENT AND SOME FRONT END WORK. I TOLD THEM AGAIN THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE BACK, SO I WASN'T SURE WHY I NEEDED FRONT END WORK AND NOT BACK. I PAID $767.00. ON 9/2/09 & 9/7/09, I TOOK THE VAN BACK BECAUSE I WAS HEARING THE SAME NOISE. THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR AND DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING. THEY PUT THE VAN ON THE LIFT, TOOK THE TIRES OFF AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. THE MORE I DROVE THE VAN, THE MORE I HEARD THE NOISE. I NOTICED THAT THE VAN WOULD "FISH TALE" OR SHAKE MORE WHENEVER I WENT OVER A BUMP. ON 9/20/09 I TOOK MY VAN TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I TOLD THEM THAT IT FELT LIKE I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT, ALTHOUGH I HAD JUST HAD ONE ON 8/31/09. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT THE TOP OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS BENT INWARD, CAUSING THE VAN TO LEAN TO ONE SIDE. THE MECHANIC PUT THE VAN ON THE LIFT AND SHOWED ME A CRACK SO DEEP THAT IF I HAD GONE OVER ONE BIG POTHOLE, MY DAUGHTERS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. I BECAME INFURIATED AT THE PLACE WHERE I TOOK MY VAN INITIALLY, BECAUSE I THOUGHT THERE WAS NO WAY THEY COULD HAVE MISSED THAT CRACK WHEN THEY CHANGED THE TIRES. I TOOK MY VAN BACK TO THE INITIAL MECHANIC. WHEN THEY PUT THE CAR ON THE LIFT, THEY SAID THAT THEY DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE NOTICED A CRACK THAT SIGNIFICANT IF IT HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE. I W

THREE MONTHS AGO, I BOUGHT A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX AND ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHT STARTED TO TURN ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY AND I NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE PEDAL WON'T COME BACK UP AS USUAL, I CHANGED BRAKE PADS, CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WHICH WAS LOW BUT THEN EVERYTIME I USE MY VAN THERE'S LIKE A PLASTIC OR FLUID BURNING SMELL THAT COMES FROM UNDERNEATH MY VAN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, MY CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING AND, I'M AFRAID SOMETHING BAD COULD HAPPENED IN THE FUTURE, I TOOK MY VAN TO A BRAKE SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ABS SYSTEM ON THESE VANS, I CHECKED FORDS WEBSITE ENTERED MY VANS VIN # BUT THERE IS NO RECALL SO LOOKING IN THE INTERNET I FOUND A WEBSITE THAT SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD REPORT THAT TO NHTSA BECAUSE THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION ALREADY OPEN AND FILLING THESE REPORT MIGHT HELP THAT INVESTIGATION ENDING IN A VOLUNTARY RECALL BY FORD. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR WAS MAKING A BANG IN REAR WITH RIGHT TURN TAKING TO THE MECHANICS FOR YEARLY INSPECTION AND REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN REAL PROBLEM HAD IT BROKE WHILE BEING DRIVEN SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR EVEN KILLED. NOW WAITING TO GET NEW PART AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO FIX. *TR

ABS BRAKE LIGHT, BRAKE AND TRAC OFF LIGHT TURN ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT FEARED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD FAIL. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. FORD HAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM FOR SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH THE ABS AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON. I HAD A LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER. CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE FRONT DISK BRAKE PADS. BLED THE BRAKE LINES. WHEN THE VAN IS STARTED THE LIGHTS ARE NOT ON, BUT AS IT IS DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD THESE TWO LIGHTS WILL COME ON. THE BRAKES DON'T HAVE TO BE APPLIED FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. IT COULD HAPPEN IN THE FIRST 100FT. OR MAYBE THEY WILL NOT COME ON UNTIL IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES. I THOUGHT I HAD IT FIXED ONE TIME AS I DROVE 65 MILES WITHOUT THEM COMING ON, THEN THERE THEY ARE. THE VAN WILL STOP AND THE BRAKES DON'T FEEL MUSHY. *TR

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT GOES OFF SOMETIMES FOR A WEEK BUT THEN WILL COME BACK AGAIN. *TR

ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 24C. CHECKED, BUT THE SCANNER DIDN'T SHOW ANY OF THE CODES? THE MECHANIC SAID COULD BE THE MALFUNCTION OF THE COMPUTER? THE PROBLEM NOT FIXED BECAUSE REPLACING THE COMPUTER IS TOO EXPENSIVE AND THE BRAKE WOULD FUNCTION OK WITHOUT ABS. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR - RECURRING ABS & E-BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHILE DRIVING IN 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND STAY ON UNTIL VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, LIGHTS WILL COME ON AGAIN ONCE DRIVING HAS STARTED. MECHANIC UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. POSSIBLE FIRE DAMAGE. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN SPEED THING STOPPED WORKING SO I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SPEED I WAS GOING. MY MECHANIC SAID AFTER SEARCHING FOR 2 DAYS THAT IS PROBABLY BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND SAW MANY FORD WINDSTARS HAD SAME PROBLEM THAT HAVE EVEN CAUSED FIRES! THANKS *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS BRAKE ISSUE. THE ABS, RED BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS CONTROL UNIT ACTIVATES ON ALL STOPS FROM 5 MPH UNTIL A COMPLETE STOP. *TR

ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY A FEW TIMES EACH DAY. STARTED DOING RESEARCH AND FOUND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH MY EXACT SAME COMPLAINT AND TROUBLE CODES STORED IN THE COMPUTER. HAD PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AT FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY ITS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VAN. WE'RE GOING TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE TO TURN OFF THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, AND ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH ON THE MASTER CYLINDER TO HELP PREVENT CHANCE OF FIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION FOR AN OIL SERVICE, A MECHANIC LOCATED EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE ENGINES SUB FRAME. ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH.THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING SHE HEARS A LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING INCREASED THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE MOTOR CRADLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96217.

I HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE IN MY VEHICLE,I TOOK IT TO LOCAL GARAGE FOR INSPECTION OF PROBLEM THEY FOUND MY REAR AXEL IS ABOUT ONE INCH FROM SNAPPING IN HALF. I THEN CALLED A FEW OTHER LOCAL PLACES THAT FIX THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THAT IT HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES. I THEN CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR AXEL AND FOUND THAT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS. I DID A SEARCH ON THE WEB ON THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND SEVERAL STORIES JUST LIKE MINE ONLY SOME MORE SEVERE WHERE ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM THIS SAME BREAK IN THE REAR AXEL. I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THIS FIXED.I WILL NEED TO REPLACE MY REAR AXEL IT CAN'T BE WELDED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY SERIOUS AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURY BUT HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR

DROVE FROM ALBANY, NEW YORK TO VIRGINIA BEACH ON AUGUST 15-16, 2009. AS WE PULLED INTO OUR DESTINATION, ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON, O/D LIGHT FLASHED, SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER READINGS WENT TO --------, AND WE SMELLED SMOKE. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE CAR TO BEACH FORD IN VIRGINIA BEACH WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT BRAKE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING FLUID DAMAGING WIRING HARNESS AND MANY OTHER COMPONENTS. WAS TOLD THAT WIRING HARNESS PART NEEDED WAS OBSOLETE. HUSBAND WAS SHOWN BURNED UP WIRING HARNESS AND ABS UNIT BY MECHANIC. THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG WAS MELTED INTO THE ABS UNIT. THESE PARTS REMAIN IN THE CAR, UNPLUGGED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FORD THAT THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL FOR OUR VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND BELIEVE THIS TO BE UNTRUE. WE HAVE SPENT $500 GETTING THE LEAK REPAIRED SO WE COULD DRIVE HOME, AND AN ADDITIONAL $200 FROM OUR LOCAL DEALER TO TELL US THAT WE NEED TO SPENT $3000 MORE IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, WE HAVE NO SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER, ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON DUE TO BURNED PARTS, O/D LIGHT FLASHES. *TR

DROVE TO VIRGINIA- 3 HRS INTO TRIP WENT TO REST AREA AND BRAKES GAVE OUT TOTALLY- RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER MINI VAN, NO INJURIES. THE BRAKES CAME BACK, LATER BRAKE FLUID WAS 100% EMPTY, FILLED IT BACK UP, AND JUST LAST WEEKEND DRIVING BACK FROM ANNAPOLIS- 90 DEGREES -AND CAME OFF 100 ONTO RT 1 AND NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER!!! THEN ALMOST CRASHED =MADE VERY SHARP LEFT TURN AND SWERVED AROUND OTHER VEHICLES-SCARIEST MOMENT IN MY LIFT, THEN BRAKES CAME BACK AGAIN!! DID RESEARCH AND SEE THERE IS AN ISSUE AND FORD IS READY TO DO A RECALL---I'M SO UPSET AND HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE VAN SINCE-. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL BOTH STOP WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WIND STAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HE WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE OFF IN THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION HE NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON THE WIRE HARNESS. HE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND REPLACED IT WITH A 3 WAY VALVE TO STOP THE BRAKE FLUID FROM LEAKING ON THE WIRING HARNESS. HE WENT TO A DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN#01V207000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE OFFERED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS AND THE VIN ARE UNKNOWN. BL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WIND STAR. HE STATED THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND THIS CAUSES HIS CRUISE CONTROL NOT TO WORK. WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE USING HIS CRUISE CONTROL IT SLOWED DOWN AND HE COULD NOT PUT THE CRUISE CONTROL BACK ON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING AND NOT GOING INTO THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH WHICH OPERATES THE CRUISE CONTROL. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 115,500. BL

FORD 2001 WINDSTAR HAS REPEATED ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PROBLEM CLEARS EACH TIME THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. PROBLEM RE-APPEARS IRREGULARLY BETWEEN MINUTES AND DAYS AFTER THE CAR IS RESTARTED. CAUSES THE DRIVERS CONCERN AND DISTRACTION. *TR

SMOKE!! BROUGHT FORD WINDSTAR TO A LOCAL TIRES PLUS FOR SERVICE $310.03 - ABS LIGHT ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES OR MORE WHILE DRIVING. INTERMITTENT LIGHT. BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON FROM LEAK. NEED FLUID. ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I TURN VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART THE LIGHTS COME ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING I HAVE NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON THE SWITCH BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER AND ALSO ON ANOTHER SWITCH BANK IN THE AREA BELOW. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS AND WEBSITES EXPLAINING THIS PROBLEM. FORD NEED TO DO SOMETHING!! HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/. *TR

ON OR ABOUT 10 JULY 09, THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ON MY 01 WINDSTAR, WERE COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. ON 24 JULY 09, I TOOK MY WINDSTAR TO MERIDIAN FORD IN MERIDIAN, IDAHO TO BE CHECKED OUT. A LEAKING BRAKE SWITCH AND THE ABS MODULE SHORTING OUT WERE THE PROBLEMS FOUND. I OPTED TO PAY $174.42 TO REPLACE THE LEAKING BRAKE SWITCH, AND I CHOSE TO WAIT TO SPEND $654.00 TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. BOTH ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT STILL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, A/C COMPRESSOR SWITCH AND BLOWN FUSE (#10 IN FUSE PANEL, 15 AMP). FAILURE OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT TO REMAIN ENGAGED WHEN HOLDING A OCCUPANT. *TR

RED BRAKE INDICATOR AND YELLOW ABS INDICATOR COME ON RANDOMLY. THEY COME ON AT ANY SPEED AND USUALLY RESET AFTER TURN OFF AND TURN ON. THEY MAY COME BACK ON IMMEDIATELY OR NEXT DAY. SEEMS TO BE FALSE INDICATION. NO INDICATION OF BRAKE OR ABS PROBLEMS. *TR