2001 Ford Windstar complaints

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. I NOTICED STRANGE SOUND WHEN CORNERING AND BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER. THE REAR AXLE IS SEVERELY CRACKED. BEING A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR, THE REAR AXLE IS MORE OF A STABILIZER, AN INVERTED, U SHAPED LENGTH OF STEEL. CRACK IS HALF WAY UP ONE SIDE OF U AND OVER THE TOP. $500 PART PLUS LABOR WOULD BE $1000+ REPAIR. STILL DECIDING TO REPAIR OR SCRAP CAR. IT IS TOO UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER STATES THEY'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. ON WEB BOARDS, I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL CRACKED / BROKEN AXLE COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. AXLES SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY COLLISION OR INCIDENT AND DEALER CAN VOUCH FOR MAINTENANCE RECORD. DEALER THINKS CRACK STARTED SMALL AND GREW WITH EACH TURN - ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING OVER A HILL OR INTO A LOW POINT IN THE ROAD WHEN FLEX PRESSURE IS LARGEST. THEY'VE WORKED ON CAR SEVERAL TIMES OVER PAST YEAR ' REPLACING BRAKES . . . THE CRACK IS GLARING NOW AND HARD TO MISS. I AGREE THAT IT PROBABLY STARTED SMALL. AXLES ON WINDSTARS SHOULD BE EXAMINED CAREFULLY FOR HAIRLINE CRACKS WHICH WILL GROW. *TR

REAR AXLE FAILURE . AXLE ROTTED THROUGH AND DISABLED VEHICLE. *TR

THE LOWER CONTROL A-ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME CAUSING THE VAN TO DROPTO THE GROUND. THIS LUCKLY HAPPENED WHEN I JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A WENDY'S. *TR

MID 2008 OUR FAMILY MINIVAN ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) LIGHT STARTED COMING ON WHICH MEANT THIS FEATURE WAS DISABLED. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THIS NOT TO BE A PROBLEM UNLESS THE BRAKE! LIGHT ALSO COMES ON AND STAYS ON. FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW THE BRAKE! LIGHT HAS COME ON AND IT IS USUALLY JUST THAT WE'D HIT A BUMP AND THE E-BRAKE HANDLE HAD MOVED SLIGHTLY AND WOULD GO OFF WHEN HANDLE WAS RESET. RECENTLY AFTER DRIVING 25 MILES TO WORK WITH NO PROBLEM THE REAR BRAKE SEEMED TO FREEZE WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GO HOME. THE MINIVAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO OUR DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THERE WERE A NUMBER OF FAILURES WHEN THE CAR WAS HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER BUT THAT THE ONLY NOTICEABLE PROBLEM WAS THERE WAS A CRACKED HALF-SHAFT AND TONE RING BROKE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED FALSE COMPUTER READINGS. THESE TWO ITEMS WERE FIXED AND WE WERE SENT ON OUR WAY KNOWING THAT IF THE LIGHTS WERE TO COME BACK ON THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THE ABS MODULE MIGHT HAVE TO BE REPLACED - WITH NOTHING BEING SAID OF ANY POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS SYSTEM, OR ANY EXPLANATION OF WHY OUR REAR TIRE BRAKES FROZE. AFTER SOME INTERNET INVESTIGATING IS APPEARS THIS PROBLEM IS MORE FREQUENT THAN STATED AND CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHICH IS WHY THIS AGENCY IS BEING REPORTED TO. ASIDE FROM THE VERY EXPENSIVE AUTO BILLS WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY AND WILL HAVE TO PAY TO GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED WE DON'T WANT OUR FAMILY TO BURN UP AS WE'RE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WE HOPE THIS INPUT AND OTHERS INPUT WILL HELP RESO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND ENGINE CRADLE WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC FURTHER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS VERY UNCOMMON. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE FAILURE SEEMS TO ORIGINATE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY EXPECTED THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 108,000.

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (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 ATTRACTS 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. THIS SWITCH WILL CAUSE CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS, SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE CONTACT FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT SHUT OFF. THE RINGS IN THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. SHE ALSO HEARD A RUMBLING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE OPERATING NORMALLY; HOWEVER, AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING, THE CONTACT HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AFTER A NEW WINDSHIELD WAS INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE MOTOR WAS FOUND TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING ANTIFREEZE AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION HOSES WERE LEAKING. THE LEAK WAS REPAIRED. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD BUCK AND SHUT OFF. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. LASTLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD FISHTAIL OR WOBBLE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER INCLUDED IN THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,056 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS A CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET ABOUT SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING AND THE AXLE CRACKS IN TWO PIECES CAUSING AT LEAST THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVEN AT MODERATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE COULD BE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES. SO FAR I DON;T SEE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT FROM FORD. THE MILEAGE OF MY FORD WINDSTAR IS 71,000 MILES. IT SEEMS THAT THE AXLE IS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE BUT MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE IT WAS FIRST PURCHASED. I BELIEVE THIS INCIDENT SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETIES SAKE. I THINK ALL WINDSTARS WITH THIS AXLE DESIGN SHOULD BE RECALLED AND HAVE THE AXLE REPLACED. *TR

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAD A SQUEAKING NOISE IN REAR OF VEHICLE .NOTICED OVER BUMPS OR JUST ROCKING FRONT TO BACK. RESEARCHED ON INTERNET AND CAME ACROSS THE SAME COMPLAINT ABOUT REAR AXLE CRACKING AND BRAKING. INSPECTED AND FOUND THE AXLE CRACKED ON THE REAR AND HALF WAY AROUND. HAD NOT CRACKED ALL 360 DEG OR ELSE MORE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLY INJURY COULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FORD 2001 WINDSTAR BRAKE (PRESSURE DEACTIVATION) SWITCH LEAKING AND CAUSING LOSS OF PRIMARY BRAKING ON WWW.CARSTATS.COM/SAFETYSTATION.ASP. SEE ODI CASE NUMBERS 10247281, 10246739, 10245833, 10245178, 10245147, 10243519. AS TIME PROGRESSES THERE SEEMS TO BE MORE AND MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS BRAKING SYSTEM. HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO THIS? POTENTIAL PROBLEM? I MYSELF HAVE ENCOUNTERED UNANTICIPATED MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING WITH MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAVE HAD ONE OF MY WHEEL CYLINDER ACTUATORS REPLACED. *TR

REAR SUBFRAME AXLE ASSEMBLY PART #2F2Z 4B435 AA BROKE IN HALF CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE & LOSS OF BRAKES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WAS LEANING INWARD AND THE BOTTOM WAS LEANING OUTWARD. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE LINKAGE BETWEEN THE TWO WHEELS WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

ON MY FORD WINDSTAR 2001 THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON MOSTLY WHEN IT IS WARM. I HAVE DIAGNOSTIC DONE AT HAROLD ZIEGLER FORD AND THEY DETERMINED THE PROBLEM IN THE ABS ECM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AND SERVICE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TRACTION AND ABS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE COMPUTER MODULE AND THEY RESET THE CODES. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND HAD THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE CODES APPEARED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE ABS POWER RELAY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN IN REFERENCE TO THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT HE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE ABS MODULE AT THE COST OF $800. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, WHICH CAUSES A SHORT AND BLOWS THE FUSE CONTROLLING ABS, CRUISE CONTROL, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. THIS IS IN OUR 2001 WINDSTAR MINI VAN. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON, O'D OFF FLASHES NO ODOMETER READING, WE HAD SMOKE POURING OUT OF HOOD FIRE DEPT. SAID WIRING BURNT UP. THIS WEEK WHEN ALL OF THESE CAME ON. IT HAS BEEN IN SHOP AGAIN THIS WEEK ALL WEEK, THIS VAN HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A MONEY PIT! HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION, FUEL INJECTORS, LOST COUNT OF ALIGNMENTS, NOW THEY SAY IT IS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NOT SAFE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHENEVER DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE CRACKED IN HALF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HEARD A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,138. UPDATED 11-19-08 *BF UPDATED 11/20/08. *JB

HAD JUST GOTTEN ONTO HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 45 MPH ,CHANGED LANES TO ACCELERATE AND FELT LIKE A TIRE BLEW OUT ,HEARD SOMETHING DRAGGING, LUCKILY EXITED OFF QUICKLY PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT REAR AXEL HAD BROKE AND BOTH TIRES WERE ON THEIR WAY TO CAVING IN. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY-THANK GOD. CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NO RECALLS ON AXLES AND THIS WAS A "COMMON OCCURRENCE." *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS AT THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND SUDDENLY THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 148,000. PHONE UPDATE ON 10/28/08: MS. CORBY DROVE OVER A DIP ON THE ROAD AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD A LOUD CRACK. THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL AREA. SHE SAID THAT THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND AND THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD SEVERED. THE LEFT REAR TIRE SLANTED A LOT AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SLANTED LESS. NO PRIOR WARNING. SHE HAD FOUR CHILDREN IN THE VAN AT THAT TIME. SHE DROVE OVER THAT ROAD THOUSANDS OF TIMES AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM.

TL*THE CONTACT'S PARENTS OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT'S PARENTS WERE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THEY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AFTER FIVE MINUTES, THE VEHICLE EXPLODED FOUR TIMES AND WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT HIS MAKE AND MODEL HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL . UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB

MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS ..THE LATEST WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE ABS UNIT. HAD THE MASS AIR SENSOR BURN UP ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO. *TR

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED BECAUSE MY ABS INDICATOR AND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY BRAKES WERE OKAY BUT THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. ABOUT ONCE A MONTH I HAVE TO ADD BRAKE FLUID, THEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT. I PURCHASE A BRAKE REPAIR KIT BUT HAS NOT HAD IT INSTALLED YET. *TR

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. HAD IT IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES SINCE APRIL 2008 MOST RECENT WAS OCT 15,2008. LIGHT WAS COMING AS SOON AS BRAKES WERE APPLIED AFTER STARTING ENGINE. SENSORS HAVE BEEN CLEANED. NEW BRAKES PUT ON AND SOME PARTS REPLACED. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SEL. THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS OCCUR WHEN THE #10 FUSE BLOWS, WHICH IS EVERYTIME WE REPLACE IT. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, INTERIOR ILLUMINATION ON DASH BOARD(SPEEDOMETER, A/C, RADIO LIGHTS), AND THE DAY RUNNERS/AUTO HEADLIGHTS. SOMETIMES THE CAR DOES NOT TURN OFF....EVEN WITH THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE CAR DOOR OPEN; THE RADIO AND A/C WILL CONTINUE WORKING AND THEN THE HEADLIGHTS COME ON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY OF 07 AND THESE THINGS BEGAN HAPPENING SHORTLY AFTERWARD. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON OCCASIONALLY. *TR

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (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 LEAK 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 ATTACKS 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. NOTICE THE FLUID THAT LEAKED ON THE PART BELOW IT. THIS SWITCH WILL CAUSE CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS, SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN AND APPROACHING A STOP, THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP (HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE). WE FILLED THE MASTER CYLINDER BACK UP WITH FLUID, AND IT WORKED FOR 1 DAY, UNTIL THE FLUID LEAKED OUT. THEN THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED, BUT BECAUSE WE WERE AWARE OF SOME SORT OF BRAKE PROBLEM, WE DROVE MUCH MORE CAUTIOUSLY AND HESITANTLY. WE STOPPED THE VAN AND DROVE IT HOME VERY SLOWLY. THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK WHERE IT CONNECTS INTO WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE POWER BOOSTER. IN MY SHORT RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS COMMON, BUT TYPICALLY RESULTS IN FIRE OR FAULTY DASHBOARD LIGHTS. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE NOT FIXED THE VEHICLE, BUT WILL BE FIXING IT TODAY. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF YET. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. AFTER A LONG DRIVING TRIP IN WHICH THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND A WEB SITE STATING POSSIBLE PROBLEMS IF THIS WAS NOT ADDRESSED. I TOOK MY VAN TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AS WELL AS THE ECU AND ABS SENSOR. THESE WERE ALL MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE ON THE WEB. *TR

BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS COME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE CRACKING NOISES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. WHILE UNDERGOING A SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND A HUGE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INSTRUCTED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEATBELT WOULD NOT LATCH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE SEAT BELT AND STATED THAT THE LATCH COMPONENTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 141,000.

ABS LIGHT COME ON EVERY KNOW AND THEN FOR MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, KNOW, SPEEDOMETER-ODOMETER AC HAS STOP WORKING AND ABS LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY, WHEN I CHECK FUSE BOX, FUSE 10 WAS BLOWN PROCEED TO REPLACE AND KEPT BURNING THEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUSE NOW FOR THE 3RD TIME IN AS MANY DAYS AND FUSES ARE STILL BLOWING. *TR

ABS LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH IS ON, ODOMETER DOES NOT WORK, SPEEDOMETER, AIR CONDITIONING/HEATER DOES NOT WORK, CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. I'M LOOKING FOR PARTS TO FIX PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MIDDLE SEATS DETACHED FROM THE BASE WHILE BEING OCCUPIED BY TWO PASSENGERS. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS A BABY SITTING IN HIS CAR SEAT. THE BABY RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE NOSE AND FACE. THE OTHER PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE LEGS. THE WASHINGTON STATE POLICE REPORT NUMBER WAS 080297419. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

I NOTICED A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT MY BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE LEAK. JUST RECENTLY MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DURING AN INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY AS IT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TILL THE PART COULD BE FIXED. IT WILL BE FIXED THIS WEEKEND AND I PLAN TO KEEP THE OLD PART. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING CONSIDERING THAT THE REASON MOST PEOPLE GET THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE CHILDREN. KNOWING THAT A VEHICLE COULD START ON FIRE WHILE CHILDREN ARE BEING TRANSPORTED IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING TO ME. IT IS OBVIOUS FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD IS AWARE OF. *TR

1. ELECTRICAL SHORT IN ENGINE BAY OF 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX CAUSED BLOWN FUSE #10, LOSS OF SPEEDOMETER, CRUISE CONTROL, ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS, ODOMETER, A/C AND TEMPERATURE CONTROLS. REPLACED FUSE, BLEW AGAIN. 2. REPLACED FUSE TWICE, SAME RESULTS. 3. SEARCHED ONLINE, FOUND MANY POSTS AND INSTRUCTIONS ON REPAIR. PURCHASED A "BRAKE REPAIR KIT" FROM LOCAL FORD DEALER, REPLACED THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH UNDER THE "NOSE" OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER; CLEANED BRAKE FLUID OFF THE WIRES AND RE-CONNECTED THE OLD CONNECTOR TO THE NEW WIRE CONNECTOR. REPLACED #10 FUSE. *TR

THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED BY FORD. THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE CAUSED BY HEAT IN THE ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) (2C219) MODULE CAUSING EXPANSION OF A LARGE ALUMINUM PLATE (HEAT SINK) IN THE ECM WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE ECM MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD AT ALL POINTS. THE EXPANSION OCCURS WHEN THE UNIT GETS WARM ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND CAUSES INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE UNIT BECAUSE THE FRAGILE BOARD IS BEING STRETCHED AND MALFORMED. THE CODE MOST COMMONLY SCANNED BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS IS CODE C1185 AND IS REVEALED AS A YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ABS ECM PART IS FAULTY AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY REPAIR BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS DEFECTIVE PART AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS BECAUSE THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM IS DISABLED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 90% OF THE DRIVING TIME. I ORDERED A NEW ABS ECM UNIT TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE UNIT TO PROTECT MY FAMILY. ORIGINAL PART HAS TO BE RETURNED AS THERE IS A CORE CHARGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE NEW UNIT. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. HAD THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE READ AND THE CODES WERE PO171 AND PO174 WHERE THE RESULT (BANK 1 AND BANK 2 SYSTEM TOO LEAN). DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND TSB 03-16-1 CONCERNING REPAIRS REQUIRED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE TSB STATES THAT FORD USED A LH VALVE COVER THAT CONTAINED A 1/8 HOLE ALLOWING OIL TO GET ON THE RUBBER GROMMETS OF THE ISOLATOR BOLTS WHICH CONTAMINATED THEM. THIS RESULTED IN BREAKDOWN OF THE RUBBER GROMMETS AND A VACUUM LEAK TO OCCUR IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE TSB ALSO RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE LH VALVE COVER GASKET, PORT SEALS, ISOLATOR BOLTS U-SHAPED VACUUM LINE, AND UPPER INTAKE HALVES SEAL TO PREVENT FUTURE OCCURRENCES. THIS PROBLEM IS A RESULT OF FAULTY PARTS USED IN THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED WITH PROPER PARTS. THE INTERNET IS FILLED WITH PROBLEMS THE OWNER OF WINDSTARS FROM 1999-2003 HAVE HAD. EVENTUALLY, THE ENGINE WILL RUN VERY ROUGH AND CAN STALL CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHILE DRIVING. *TR

FAILURE OF THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS AT THE SUBFRAME OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING OR PRIOR SYMPTOMS. MY VEHICLE IS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 71K MILES. MY CHILDREN AND I WERE ON A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP APPROACHING HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SWING OUT FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE AXLE SHAFT TO PULL OUT OF THE TRANSAXLE. THE VAN SWAYED AND BUCKED WITH THE REAR END BOUNCING UP AND DOWN OFF THE GROUND NEARLY FLIPPING THE VEHICLE. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED FOUR OR FIVE SECONDS LATER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION WHERE IT REMAINS ABOUT 100 MILES FROM MY HOME. MY LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE SERVICE WRITER SAID I WOULD NEED TO CONTACT THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER WHO IN TURN INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NOT WITHIN FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S GUIDELINES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. LINDA, THE DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR, SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING SHE CAN DO, UNLESS THE NHTSA ISSUES A RECALL, BECAUSE THE VAN IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND OUT OF THE 5 YEAR RANGE THEY USE FOR MAKING "GOOD RELATIONS ALLOWANCES". I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN AT LEAST 12 OR 13 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SIGHT AND OTHERS ON BLOGS (IE ALLWORLDAUTO.COM ) SO I AGREE WITH ONE OF YOUR COMPLAINANTS THAT "THIS IS A SEVERE FAILURE THAT IS PREMATURE, NOT EASILY DETECTABLE, POTENTIALLY FATAL, AND WILL LIKELY OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AS THESE VEHICLES AGE". I TOO, STRONGLY URGE THE NHTSA TO CONDUCT AN ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION REGARDING THIS FA

FORD WINDSTAR 2001 WITH BRAKE, ABS BRAKE, CRUISE CONTROL, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR - ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. COOLING THE CAR SEEMS TO HELP, THEN TURN OFF AND RESTART. THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT, BUT COME BACK ON. *TR

FOR MONTHS MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS BEEN SHOWING MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INDICATORS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE MANUAL INDICATED IMMINENT BRAKE FAILURE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY TIRE PRESSURE AND THAT MY TIRES WERE WORN AND I NEEDED 4 NEW ONES. DID THAT. LIGHTS STILL CAME ON - THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. LIGHTS STILL KEPT COMING ON. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED NEW PADS AND ROTORS - EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO SOUND OF GRINDING BRAKES - BUT I DID THAT TOO. AND STILL MY INDICATOR LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE PANEL THAT COULD BE FIXED FOR $700 IF I WANTED BUT IT WAS PROBABLY NOT WORTH IT AND NOT TO BOTHER. AND THEN, 2 DAYS AGO, MY BRAKES FAILED. I WAS LUCKY. I WAS GOING SLOWLY DOWN A HILL AND I STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY SLOWING APPLYING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME THAT THEY STILL CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THEM. AND I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE. *TR

SEVERAL WEEKS PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 13, 2008, WE BEGAN HEARING AN INTERMITTENT CREAKING NOISE AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AS OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WOULD GO OVER BUMPS AT A SLOW SPEED (BEST EXAMPLE IS DRIVING OVER THE CURB LEADING UP OUR DRIVEWAY). ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12TH, WHILE HEADING ON A 45 MINUTE TRIP TO OUR WEEKEND HOME WITH MY WIFE AND 2 YOUNG SONS, I COMMENTED TO MY WIFE THAT I WAS PLANNING ON TAKING THE VEHICLE IN THE FOLLOWING MONDAY FOR AN INSPECTION. ON SATURDAY THE 13TH, WHILE ENROUTE TO A RESTAURANT, WE HEARD A "WHISTLING NOISE." WE GOT OUT AND DISCOVERED BOTH REAR WHEELS WERE LEANING IN AT THE TOP. WE HOBBLED THE CAR BACK AND UPON INSPECTION THE FOLLOWING DAY DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS NEARLY SEVERED IN TWO. IT APPEARED THAT IT HAD RUSTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE VEHICLE IS ONLY A 2001 AND IS NEARLY RUST FREE EVERYWHERE ELSE SAVE FOR A FEW TELLTALE SIGNS OS BEGINNING RUST IN THE USUALLY SPOTS (WHEEL WELLS). GIVEN THAT THE OUTSIDE OF THE AXLE IS RUST FREE, I'M NOT SURE HOW I WOULD HAVE DETECTED IT (OR EVEN EXPECTED IT TO HAPPEN IN 7-YEAR OLD VEHICLE) EXCEPT FOR THE CREAKING NOISE. I'M THANKFUL THAT THE AXLE DID NOT FAIL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE MY WIFE WAS USING THE VEHICLE (SHE USES IT DAILY TO GO TO WORK AND TRANSPORT OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL). I DID NOTE THAT THERE WERE 6 OTHER IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON "CARCOMPLAINTS.COM." I DO NOT HAVE THE CAR IN THE SHOP YET - ARRANGING FOR REPAIRS IS TODAY'S' TASK. GIVEN THE COMMENTS I'VE SEEN ONLINE IN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE SMOKE FLOW GRADUALLY LESSENED AND BECAME CONTROLLED. HE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY UNPLUGGED THE MASTER CYLINDER SWITCH, WHICH SEEMED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THIS FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 91,000.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY CODE 1185 INTERNAL POWER RELAY STICKING. SENSOR ON MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING. BRAKE FLUID GOES DOWN WIRES TO CONTROLLER, SHORTING IT OUT. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON IN WARM WEATHER OR WHEN CAR WARMS UP DISABLING ABS AND CAUSING LOUD SQUEALING. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR -BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR, ABS LIGHT INDICATOR, ODOMETER INOP, SQUEALING BRAKE NOISE DURING TURNS, AIR CONDITIONING JUST STOPPED WORKING. *TR

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF ABS MODULE ASSY. FORD CODE 1185. OCCURS RANDOMLY. HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION YET. HIGH EXPENSE ITEMS. *TR

ABS BRAKE LIGHT ON FORD WINDSTAR 2001 , BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN CHECKED AND THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR THE ALARM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR EVER AFTER BEING CHECKED AND PAID REPAIRS , INTAKE SYSTEM REPLACED, HOSES REPLACED ETC. *TR

MY 2001 WINDSTAR WAS GIVING OFF INTERMITTENT BRAKE LIGHT WARNING. AFTER ABOUT 1 WEEK OF THIS GOING ON AND I COULDN'T FIND OUT WHY THIS WAS OCCURRING, MY VAN HAD THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT ON CONSTANT. MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY. MY SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED ALL AT ONCE. BLOWN #10 15A FUSE. I LOOKED INTO SEE WHAT HAS GONE WRONG AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PRESSURE RELIEF SWITCH THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AND INTO THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTAINS THE WIRES FOR THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. THIS ACCUMULATION OF FLUID INTO THE WIRING HARNESS HAS CAUSED A SHORT. I CAUGHT THIS FAIRLY EARLY FOR IF I HAD NOT, THIS SURELY WOULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE PRESSURE RELIEF SWITCH AND HAVE NOT TRACED THE SHORT AS OF YET. *TR