2001 Ford Windstar complaints

MY WIFE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, 2001 WINDSTAR, 71,000 MILES, RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ROD BROKE LOOSE FROM ENGINE CRADLE AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF STEERING. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT AT RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ROD MOUNTING, VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN IN WINTER,DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COULD HAVE RUSTED OUT AND CAUSED A POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. SUBFRAME HAS BEEN ORDERED, ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS FROM FORD DEALER IS $2,000.00. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, IT APPEARS THAT THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THIS FAILURE JUDGING FROM OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. IF THIS IS CAUSED BY WATER DRIPPING FROM THE AC COMPRESSOR OR A DEFECT IN THE SUBFRAME METAL, FORD SHOULD BE ASSISTING IN THESE REPAIRS. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER FOR 30 YEARS AND CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH THIS TYPE OF SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN HWY 18 S/B NEAR NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ AT APPROX. 45 MPH WHEN I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD "BOOM" FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE NOISE I COULD HEAR A RUBBING NOISE AND SEE SMOKE (FROM THE TIRE RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEELWELL). I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, LOOKED UNDER THE BACK OF THE VAN AND COULD PLAINLY SEE THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD SNAPPED IN HALF. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO FIXED THE VEHICLE(REPLACED THE REAR AXLE). THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR ADVISED ME THAT HE HAS TOWED 5-6 VANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND WHEN THE MECHANIC CONTACTED THE PARTS SUPPLY MAN, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS IN STOCK BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE NEW PART(AXLE) IS MANUFACTURED TO BETTER SPECS SO THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.(AS OPPOSED FROM GETTING A USED AXLE FROM A JUNK YARD). I HAVE PICTURES IF YOU NEED THEM. *TR

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON, THE BRAKE DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS BAD AND HAS CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND THE SWITCH, THE A/C HAS STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER. *TR

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) WARNING LIGHT COMES ON DURING WARM SUMMER MONTHS AND ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED. LIGHT GOES OFF STARTING IN THE FALL AND STAYS MAINLY OFF UNTIL LATE SPRING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE GOING 55 MPH IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. I WAS IN FRONT OF A SEMI TRUCK. I HAD MY 3 YOUNG KIDS IN THE VAN. THE VAN STARTED FEELING FUNNY AND I WAS LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF, WHEN THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN 2 PIECES. THIS CAUSED MY VAN TO START TO SPIN. WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY THE SEMI AND THEN WE ALMOST WENT OFF THE ROAD WHERE I AM AFRAID WE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ROLLED OVER. WE ENDED UP FACING THE WRONG WAY IN THE PASSING LANE WHICH THANKFULLY HAD CONSTRUCTION BARRELS UP SO IT WAS CLOSED OTHERWISE WE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY BEEN HIT HEAD ON. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, THE SEMI TRUCK DRIVER, THE POLICE OFFICER, MY HUSBAND AND MY FATHER ALL SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE AND THAT REAR AXLES JUST DON'T SNAP THAT WAY. WE NOW HAVE TO REPLACE BASICALLY EVERYTHING IN THE REAR OF MY VAN. AS WE WERE DOING RESEARCH TO PRICE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WE FOUND THAT THERE WERE MANY STORIES JUST LIKE OURS AND THAT IT HAD BEEN REPORTED TO FORD TO NO AVAIL. MECHANICS ARE SAYING THAT THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE NEAR THE WHEEL WHERE WATER CAN GET IN BUT CAN'T GET OUT SO THEY ARE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND SNAPPING. SO EVEN AFTER I REPLACE MY AXLE I STILL CAN'T FEEL SAFE B/C THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THE DESIGN FLAW AND APPARENTLY DON'T INTEND TO. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE ROAD WAS ANY DIFFERENT THAT DAY. I WOULD HATE TO SEE ANOTHER FAMILY NOT HAVE THE FORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE DID THAT DAY AND SOMEONE LOSE THEIR LIFE! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T LET FOR

THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AT SAME TIME AND STAY ON TILL VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. FUSE 10 WAS BLOWN. HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH ONCE AND THE FUSE SEVERAL TIMES. FUSE IS STILL BLOWING OUT. *TR

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LEAKING ONTO THE POWER CONNECTORS AND DRIPPING ON SURROUNDING PARTS.. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON FROM TIME TO TIME. BRAKE FLUID MUST BE ADDED ABOUT EVERY 2000 MILES. *TR

ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR I NOTICED ALL AT ONCE MY ABS, BRAKE, AND O/D LIGHTS ARE ON ALONG WITH MY ODOMETER HAS NO NUMBERS IN IT JUST ------ DASHES, AND MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, IT IS STUCK ON 0 MILES/HOUR... *TR

FIRE - SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH THE ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE INDICATORS HAVE BEEN ILLUMINATING ON THE DASH OFF AND ON, BUT NO PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN FOUND WITH EITHER SYSTEM. YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN A MILE, I WAS STOPPED BY A NEIGHBOR WHO HAD NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH MY HOOD. THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON AT THAT TIME. WHEN WE OPENED THE HOOD, A SMALL FIRE HAD STARTED BUT EXTINGUISHED ITSELF RATHER QUICKLY, RESULTING IN THE SCPS COMPLETELY SEPARATING FROM THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET, AS THE PART IS A SPECIAL ORDER ITEM. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE INCIDENT. *TR

REAR AXLE SPLIT ON A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX. AT THAT POINT, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS RESTING AGAINST ITS WHEELWELL AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. I WAS ONLY DRIVING 20MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH DEFECTIVE AND LEAKING ON TO MAIN WIRE HARNESS CAUSING FUSE TO SHORT OUT. DEFECTIVE PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THE PRESSURE ACTUATED SENSOR ATTACHED DIRECTLY BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED ALL OVER EVERYTHING BELOW IT(AFTER REPLACING THE MASTER MYSELF AND EVERYTHING IN THAT AREA WAS CLEAN I FIGURED THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF,BUT LESS THAN A WEEK WENT BY AND MY WIFE LOST HER BRAKES AGAIN .THANKFUL THAT SHE HAD THE SMARTS TO TAKE PROPER PRECAUTIONS.(THAT WAS THE THIRD TIME )SO NOW THAT IT WAS CLEAN I COULD IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM(THE SENSOR LEAKING)I WENT EVERYWHERE TO FIND THE PART (USING THE # OFF OF THE DEFUNCT ORIGINAL)NO ONE HAD IT.WENT TO DREW FORD EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM ,THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PART(OK IT WAS 25 BUCKS) THE THING ABOUT IT IS THAT IT WAS A PART THAT WAS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THE PROBLEM AND OF COURSE A NEW PART #(WHICH IS WHY I COULD NOT FIND IT,IT WAS RECALLED EVERYWHERE) ADDED TO THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ON THE DASH HAVE BEEN ON FOR QUITE A TIME OUR MECHANIC COULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN I REPLACED THE PART THE LIGHTS WENT OFF FOR A DAY AND A HALF BUT ARE BACK ON CONSTANTLY. MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE PLANNING A TRIP AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE NO PROBLEMS. THERE IS NO MORE FLUID LEAKING ,BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET. THE BEST SITE IS HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR ONCE THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AND STAY LIT UNTIL I TURN OFF THE ENGINE. SOMETIMES WHEN I RESTART THE ENGINE THEY ARE OFF BUT OTHER TIMES THEY ARE NOT. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T COME ON AT ALL. AS TIME GOES ON IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE, ABS BRAKE, CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS: BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON, ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENT, CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE. ABS SYSTEM DISCONNECTED BY FORD DEALERSHIP TO PREVENT FIRE. VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND I HAVE NOT ISOLATED IT AS OF YET. SINCE SEEING AN ONLINE RECALL ON THE SYSTEM, I WILL GET IT REPAIRED TOMORROW. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH ABS, BRAKE, CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I STARTED TO GET THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED FOR PRICING AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $450 JUST FOR THE PART. I DECLINED AND ASKED THEM TO DISABLE THE ABS SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ABS SWITCH LEAKING AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THOSE VEHICLES BUT NOT ON THE WINDSTAR. RECENTLY THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A LEAK. I HAVE BEEN ADDING BRAKE FLUID ON THE AVERAGE OF A PINT A WEEK. I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ONLINE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND CAME ACROSS WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO WHICH DIRECTED ME TO THIS SITE. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THIS PROBLEM COULD START A FIRE AND WILL BE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE SOON. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. I STARTED ENCOUNTERING LOSE OF CRUISE CONTROL ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO. THEN ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER JUST QUIT WORKING. I PAID $400.00 TO HAVE THE SPEED SENSOR REPLACED BUT THAT STILL DIDN'T WORK. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 2001 FORD WINDSTAR ON A 1-HOUR TRIP TOWARD HOME, I NOTICED THE BACK WHEELS FISH TAILING THAT OCCURRED IN EVERY ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT THE TIRE WAS GOING FLAT AND PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT. SINCE THE TIRES VISUALLY LOOKED FINE, I DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT TO A GAS STATION AND CHECKED THE TIRE AIR PRESSURE AND FOUND IT WAS AT PROPER LEVELS. I WAS STILL UNSURE WHAT COULD CAUSE THE "FISH TAILING" OR "HYDROPLANING" FEELING, YET I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WITHOUT A MAJOR ACCIDENT; ALTHOUGH MY CAR KEPT "FISHTAILING".. THE NEXT MORNING, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE WINDSTAR TO A SERVICE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE TIRES. WHAT HE FOUND WAS A REAR AXLE THAT WAS "RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT" ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY. THE MECHANIC'S INITIAL ESTIMATE IS $1000 (FOR REPLACEMENT OF NEW AXLE AND LABOR). WE ARE RELIEVED THAT THE REAR AXLE DIDN'T BREAK WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AS THE CAR COULD HAVE FLIPPED AND KILLED ALL OF US. WHAT COULD CAUSE CORROSION ON THE INSIDE? THE REAR AXLE SHOULD BE MADE TO NEVER CORRODE OR BREAK UNDER NORMAL ROAD DRIVING CONDITIONS. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND OTHER 8 YEAR OLD, SAME MAKE/MODEL WINDSTAR OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME CONDITIONS. THIS IS AN UNSAFE PART ESPECIALLY NOTING THAT PEOPLE ARE KEEPING THEIR CARS LONGER DUE TO ECONOMY. FORD SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS PART FAILURE AND RECALL AND REPLACE THIS PART AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS IMMEDIATELY! *TR

ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME ON AT ONCE.

ABS AMBER LIGHT, AND RED BRAKE LIGHT HAVE BEEN COMING ON. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID THROUGH THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH AND CODE C1185 ABS MAIN RELAY FAILURE CODE. NON-FUNCTIONAL CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

BOTH ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATED ON THE DISPLAY PANEL. NO ACCIDENT RESULTING YET. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IN THE SPACE OF LESS THAN THREE WEEKS, BOTH OF MY FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN AND GONE THROUGH THE FRONT TIRES. FORTUNATELY BOTH TIMES WE WERE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, BUT IF THIS HAD OCCURRED AT 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, IT WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I CHECK THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS ON THIS , BUT DIDN'T FIND ANY FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS ROTTED OUT. THE REPAIR COST WAS ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $500. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 110,000. UPDATED 04-23-09 UPDATED 04/24/09.*JB

BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER OVERTIME DEVELOPS A LEAK. THIS CAN CAUSE A SHORT AND A FUSE TRIP IS ENGINE IS ON. THIS LEAK FALLS INTO THE ABS MODULE. MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT IS ON AND I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. I COULDN'T MAKE A FULL STOP AT THE EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT AT WORK. ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR AND ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS. *TR

I STARTED HEARING A KNOCKING -- POPPING NOISE WHENEVER I TURNED THE WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT COULD BE THE BUCKLES IN THE STEERING RACK. WHEN I BROUGHT THE VAN TO BE FIXED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT MY PROBLEMS ARE WORSE THAN THAT. THE REAR AXLE CARRIER IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE FRONT SUBFRAME TO BODY IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HE STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ALOT IN 2001 FORD WNIDSTARS WITH MILEAGE OVER 100,000 MILES. MY VAN HAS 108,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN INCLUDING REPLACING STRUTS, STEERING RACK, ABS LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON THE DASH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. ALL THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND STILL NO RESOLUTION. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED. THIS LATEST "MECHANICAL" ISSUE GOING TO COST ME WAY ABOVE $2000. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN FORD CARS/VANS. I AM NOT SURE IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, IF I WOULD BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD. *TR

C1185 CODE. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES RIGHT AWAY. SOMETIMES AFTER A LONG TIME DRIVING. *TR

TRAC ACTIVE COMES ON, GEAR MESH SOUND FOR A FEW SECONDS, STOPS, ABS LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. *TR

LEAKING OF THE BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR CAUSING MY CRUISE CONTROL TO MALFUNCTION AND POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *TR

PERIODIC ILLUMINATION OF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE ABS AND THE BRAKES, ESPECIALLY DURING SUMMER MONTHS, BUT DOWN HERE IN THE SOUTH, ALSO DURING WARMER WINTER DAYS. ACCORDING TO THE FORD MANUAL, THIS INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. IN LOOKING FURTHER, I FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE WIRES ARE WET WITH FLUID, LEADING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THE APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE IS THE FIRST OCCURANCE, BUT I HAVE HAD THE LIGHTS COME ON EVER SINCE BUYING THE VAN, USED, IN THE SPRING OF LAST YEAR. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WIND STAR SEL THAT HAD A CRACKED REAR AXLE TODAY. I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY CHURCH PARKING LOT AND HEARD A LITTLE STRANGE NOISE FROM THE BACK. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR STARTED SWAYING IN THE BACK AND WHEN I PULLED OVER I NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE AND THE TIRES WERE ANGLED IN BECAUSE OF IT. THANK GOD MY FAMILY WAS NOT WITH ME WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING AS THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT MIGHT HAVE AGGRAVATED THE PROBLEM AND THERE HAVE BEEN A ACCIDENT. I WAS QUOTED ANYWHERE FROM 700-1000 DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WILL BE DONE THIS WEEK. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A REAR AXLE WOULD BREAK SINCE I HAVE A FAMILY OF 3 KIDS AND THEY ARE SMALL SO WEIGHT IS NOT A PROBLEM AND I ALSO HAD MY SHOCKS REPLACED 1 YEAR AGO. THIS PUTS SERIOUS DOUBT IN FORD CRAFTSMANSHIP AND WONT BE BUYING ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND THE BRAKE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, BUT A TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,847 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,884.

THE CRADLE ON MY 2001 FORD WINSTAR BROKE OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO RUST. OTHER SIDE IS FINE. BUT IN THE PASSENGER IS TOTALLY BROKEN OFF, MAKING POPPING AND CRACKING NOISES. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPON APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, I HIT THE OFF BUTTON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DIS-ENGAGE. *TR

ON JANUARY 18, 2009, I WAS DRIVING ON THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY WEST, NEAR EXIT 40, IN THE LEFT LANE, WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I CALLED THE HIGHWAY PATROL, THE OFFICER THAT RESPONDED ADVISED ME THAT NO REPORT WAS REQUIRED SINCE NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED, AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE, A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR, TO A FORD DEALERSHIP SINCE AIRBAGS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY WITHOUT CAUSE AND THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TESTED EVERY 10 YEARS. *TR

BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKED BRAKE FLUID DOWN WIRES TO THE ABS MODULE, SHORTING THE MODULE AND CAUSING A BRIEF BUT NON-SUSTAINED FIRE WITH RESULTING SMOKE AND MELTING OF ABS MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS COMPONENTS. THIS DISABLED THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, ABS SYSTEM, CRUISE CONTROL, AND ACTIVATED ABS LIGHTS AND BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHTS. APPEARS TO HAVE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND SMOKE AND SMELL WAS PRESENT WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE AFTER OCCURRENCE. *TR

I OWN TWO FORD WINDSTAR LX'S, ONE A 2001 AND THE OTHER 2003. BOTH HAVE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS THAT COME ON TOGETHER. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN COLDER WEATHER. IN WARMER WEATHER, IT HAPPENS AS SOON AS THE VAN IS WARMED UP. *TR

SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH UP UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER IS LINKING AND CAUSED FUSE #10 TO SHORT OUT, I HAD TO DISCONNECT SPEED CONTROL AMP IN ORDER TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AND SYSTEM NOT WORKING. *TR

INTERMITTENT BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS. BOTH LIGHTS COME ON WITH GREAT FREQUENCY. REPLACED LEAKING BRAKE SWITCH ON MASTER CYLINDER BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEM. FORD DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW ABS CONTROLLER $1,0000. *TR

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IS FAULTY. THIS MAY CREATE A FIRE I WAS INFORMED. *TR

IN OUR FORD WINDSTAR OUR ABS SYSTEM HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT AND THE FORD PLACE TOLD US THAT WAS GOING TO CAUSE US ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THEN OUR ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON, EVERYDAY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THEN OFF. THE CHECK FUEL CAP CAME ON AND THEN WENT OFF. THE RPM'S ALMOST HIT ZERO WHEN THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON. THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY KEEP EXTRA ABS PARTS BECAUSE WINDSTARS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND WHILE DRIVING THE REAR AXLE BEAM SNAPPED IN HALF THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED EVENT FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS. *TR

MY BRAKES STARTED GETTING SOFT AND WE REALIZED THERE WAS A LEAK WE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WE REALIZED THAT THE LEAK IS COMING FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. *TR

1. EVENT LEADING UP TO FAILURE: LEAKY BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH AT THE BASE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE SWITCH, WIRE HARNESS, AND ABS ECM. THIS EVENTUALLY CAUSED FAILURE IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH AND ABS ECM WIRING. 2. THE SYMPTOM OF THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT YELLOW ABS AND RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS IN DASH THAT COME ON AND REMAIN ON SHORTLY AFTER DRIVE OFF. THIS ALSO CAUSES LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY AS CRUISE CONTROL CAN NOT BE ACTIVATED. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM YET. AT MY EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY, I'LL HAVE THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH AND ABS ECM REPLACED. ACCORDING TO NUMEROUS AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS, THIS FAILURE HAS LED TO SPONTANEOUS FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND THE PLUG THAT PLUGS INTO THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THROUGH RESEARCH TO APPEARS THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTAR. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE,ABS BRAKE,CRUISE CONTROL, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM-CAUSING MY BRAKES TO ALMOST FAIL WITH MY TWO 2 YEAR OLD TWINS IN MY VAN. *TR

NORMAL DRIVING OF 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. REAR AXLE BROKE AND CAR WAS NON DRIVE ABLE. REAR AXLE DESIGN IS OBVIOUSLY BAD AND CAN CREATE A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION AS THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLIES WOULD FALL OFF. AT HIGHWAY CONDITIONS THIS WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC AND WOULD BE LIFE THREATENING. VERY POOR DESIGN THAT DOES NOT ALLOW ROAD CONDITIONS FOR A FACTORY AUTO WITH 8 SEATS. VERY BAD ESTIMATES OF PASSENGER WEIGHT AND SAFETY FACTORS. VEHICLE NEVER IN A HARD CRASH OR HARD DAMAGE. NEVER USED TO CARRY HEAVY EQUIPMENT OR NON ORDINARY FAMILY TRAVEL. DESIGN OF BACK WHEEL ASSEMBLY IS A FORMED METAL AND NOT A SOLID STRUCTURE TO MEET NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. METAL SHEARED MOST OF THE WAY THROUGH. OBVIOUS DESIGN LIMITATIONS THAT WILL NOT MEET MULTIPLE PASSENGER OPERATIONS ON LOCAL ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. VERY-VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN AND FABRICATION SPECIFICATIONS. AXLE WAS WELDED TO MAKE IT SLOW ROAD WORTHY TO GET IT TO CAR REPAIR SHOPS. REPLACEMENT OF BAD AXLE IS NECESSARY FOR COMPLETE OPERATION. CALLS TO FORD DEALERS RESULTED IN CONVERSATIONS THAT FORD WOULD NOT FIX OBVIOUS FLAWS AT THEIR EXPENSE. LIFE THREATENING DESIGN, ENGINEERING, AND FABRICATION MUST BE CORRECTED BY FORD. CRITICAL FAILURE WOULD CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS. CAR SHOPS CLAIM THAT MATERIAL AND DESIGN CAUSED PROBLEM AS NO DAMAGE OR COLLISION WAS MADE. *TR

WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE REAR AXLE ON MY FORD WINDSTAR SNAPPED IN HALF. CLEAN BREAK WITH BOTH REAR TIRES HOLDING UP THE REAR OF THE CAR. *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE INTO TWO PIECES ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE WAY FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. REAR TIRES ARE RUNNING ON THE INSIDE EDGE WITH THE TOP INSIDE EDGE OF THE TIRE BEING TORN UP BY THE BODY OF THE CAR. *TR HANDLING WAS DIFFICULT FOR ABOUT A WEEK INCLUDING DRIVING ON HARD PACKED AND SLIPPERY SNOW. VERY HARD TO KEEP CAR TRAVELING STRAIGHT. BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A SHARP CRACK SOUND. ABOUT 10 MILES LATER THE AXLE SNAPPED, THE TIRES INTERFERED WITH THE WHEEL WELLS AND THE CAR STOPPED. HAD WE BEEN TRAVELING FASTER OR IN MORE CONGESTED CONDITIONS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS. *TR

ERROR CODE 1085 FOR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE SYSTEM. BRAKE LIGHT ON HAD TO DISCONNECT ABS SYSTEM TO AVOID A FIRE. CREATES A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID WHICH IS FLAMMABLE. *TR