2003 Ford Windstar complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE PRESENT AND THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED OVER TO AN EMERGENCY LANE AND PERFORMED A BRIEF INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V194000 (SUSPENSION) AND 12V195000(SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

2003 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE FAILURE AFTER LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP INSTALLED BRACKETS . IN AUGUST OF 2013, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN OFF OF A 45 MPH ROAD, MY AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ON 4.19.2011 MY 2004 FORD WINDSTAR. HAD RECALL, 10S13, PERFORMED WHICH ONLY RESULTED IN BRACING BRACKETS BEING INSTALLED. THE AXLE HAS SINCE COMPLETELY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAS EXPLAINED THAT DUE TO THE BRACKETS BEING INSTALLED IN 2011 THEY ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OTHER ACTION RELATED TO THE RECALL. THESE BRACKETS INSTALLED DID NOT REPAIR THE ISSUE AND THE AXLE HAS NOW COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS INCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING HAD THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, ODOMETER AND SLIDING DOORS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOTAL INTERGRADED POWER MODULE FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

THE FRAME CRACKED ON THE REAR FRAME UNDERNEATH THE BRACKET THAT WAS PUT ON FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE BRACKET DIDN'T HOLD. *TR

ABS BRAKE LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. ALSO, BRAKE (E-BRAKE) LIGHT COMES ON, INTERIOR LIGHTS OCCASIONALLY FLASH, ALL RUNNING LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT (REALLY BAD WHEN DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT NIGHT), AND LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL (RADIO, LIGHTS, HEATER FAN, DASH ILLUMINATION, HEADLIGHTS, RUNNING LIGHTS, ETC... ALL GO OUT AT SAME TIME). ALTERNATOR AND SEVERAL BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ELECTRIC WINDOWS WILL OCCASIONALLY STOP WORKING AS WELL. OBVIOUSLY THE HUGE ISSUE HERE IS THE FACT THAT THE ABS SYSTEM MAY BE DISABLED, DASH WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON AND OFF, AND ALL ELECTRICAL SHUTS OFF, WITH LOSING HEADLIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS BEING THE BIGGEST ISSUE! *TR

SIDEWALL SPLIT ON BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA SE 200, SIZE 215X70R15, DOT # WBM3 E20 0210. MILEAGE ON TIRE 39K, STILL GOOD TREAD DEPTH. I STILL HAVE TIRE IF ANY AGENCY WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT. DIDN'T TAKE IT BACK TO BRIDGESTONE B/C FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A POTHOLE ON THE ROAD, WHICH WAS DRIVEN OVER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL FRACTURED AND WAS DETACHED FROM THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 4/15/15*CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLES REAR AXLE SNAPPED CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND ALL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLES AXLES WERE ROTTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMEDIATELY. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, IT IS OFF, BUT THEN OUT OF NOWHERE, THEY COME BACK ON AND IT SEEMS IT IS A SOLDERING ISSUE WITH SOME MODULE. *TR

ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING AT ANY KNOWN SPEED. USUALLY OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLES HAS WARMED UP. THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT AFTER THE CAR HAS COOLED DOWN AND IS RESTARTED. BUT WILL USUALLY COME BACK ON AFTER SOME EXTENDED USE. THERE ARE NO KNOWN FIXES BY THE EVERYDAY USER. *TR

I HAVE RANDOM OCCURRENCES OF THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TURNING ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT AROUND 2009. THEY ARE OFTEN OFF WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR, BUT THEN TURN ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE TWO LIGHTS ALWAYS TURN ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. THOUGH ONLY THE ABS IS DISABLED WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, IT TURNS ON THE BRAKE LIGHT AND HENCE MASKS ANY OTHER BRAKE PROBLEMS THAT MAY OCCUR. I RECENTLY (OCTOBER 2014) HAD A LEAK IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND IT ALMOST WENT UNNOTICED BECAUSE IT WAS BEING MASKED BY THE ABS PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS VERY HIGH (1/3 OF THE COST OF THE VEHICLE), AND BASED ON REPORTS ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE PROBABLY MANY PEOPLE ACCUSTOMED TO DRIVING AROUND WITH BRAKE LIGHTS ON BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. IF THE PROBLEM ONLY TURNED ON THE ABS LIGHT IT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS DANGEROUS. ALSO, GIVEN HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, IT WOULD APPEAR TO BE A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE ABS MODULE. BACK IN 2011, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME "PULLED 8 ABS CODES DEALING WITH A POSSIBLE FAULTY ABS CONTROL UNIT." UNFORTUNATELY HE DID NOT RECORD WHAT THE CODES WERE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2-3 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE SHAFT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE SUB FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE SUB FRAME DUE TO SAFETY HAZARDS DURING THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CORRODED. ADDITIONALLY, THE ABS, BRAKES AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V195000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. DJR

MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HOME FROM CHURCH AND WHILE TURNING RIGHT ONTO OUR STREET THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, NO LONGER POWERING THE VEHICLE. SHE COASTED TO A STOP IN FRONT OF OUR HOME. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD WINDSTARS AND THAT HE HAS HAD TO PREMATURELY REPLACE MANY OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS. WE WERE VERY LUCKY DURING THIS INCIDENT. IT COULD HAVE EASILY HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND CAUSED A SEVERE CRASH, INJURIES OR DEATH. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS INFORMED ME THEY HAD NO RECALL ACTIONS UNDERWAY FOR THIS PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE, BUT TO SAVE ANY RECEIPTS IN CASE THERE WAS A FUTURE REIMBURSEMENT/RECALL EFFORT. *TR

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF. IT FINALLY JUST STAYED ON. THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE SENSOR AND HARNESS WITH A DIFFERENT UPGRADED PARTS OBTAINED FROM FORD. IT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME.THE NEW BRAKE SENSOR SEEMS TO BE DRY AND FREE OF BRAKE FLUID. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL PROBLEM AND IT WILL COST ME ANOTHER $100.00 TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT AGAIN. *TR

STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP WHILE TRAVELING 50MPH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR AXLE BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V195000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS WERE ATTACHED AND THE AXLES WERE NOT REPLACED. AS A RESULT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO COME TO A STOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND THE VACUUM HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

MY VANS BRAKES STARTED ACTING FUNNY WHEN I CAME UP TO A STOP. THE ABS SYSTEM IS ACTING AS IF THE VAN IS GOING INTO A SKID AND ACTIVATING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. IT CAUSES IMPROPER BRAKING DISTANCE WHICH HAS ALMOST LED TO AN ACCIDENT. AFTER OPERATING FOR AWHILE THE WARNING LIGHTS GO ON IN THE DASH FOR THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL, AT THIS POINT WHEN THE LIGHTS GO ON THE SYSTEMS ARE DISABLED. WHEN YOU SHUT OFF THE VAN IT RESETS AND THE PROBLEMS PERSIST WHEN YOU START IT BACK UP. I BELIEVE THERE IS PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER BOARD CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. IT CAN POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AND OR DEATH. *TR

ADD TO SAFETY COMPLAINT 106 649 11.... THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEMS 'STARTED AFTER VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH RECALL WAS DONE' (RECALL ID # 67506) AT THE FORD DEALER IN CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA. *TR

YELLOW ABS LIGHT AND RED BRAKE LIGHT COME ON DAILY. YELLOW AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WEEKLY. TOOK TO FORD DEALER 10/1/11, FOUND CODES C1185, 1198, 1194, 1254, 1246, 1250, 1248, 1214, 1210, B1869, B1470, U1262, B1676, B1246. INTERNAL MODULE FAILURE, RECOMMEND REPLACING ECU (VERBALLY QUOTED $1,000 OVER THE PHONE). IF RED BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON, I THINK IT'S THE ABS MODULE, BUT IF SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG, THIS COULD CREATE AN 'UNSAFE' VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT FLIPPED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

DRIVING HOME AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE LEFT REAR END OF THE VAN COLLAPSE ONTO THE TIRE. I LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MONETARILY, MYSELF AND MY THREE CHILDREN WERE VERY SHAKEN UP BY THE EXPERIENCE. THANK GOD WE WERE NOT DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS ANGLE UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL. UPON INSPECTION THE REAR AXLE HOUSING HAD CRACKED AND BROKE DOWNWARD CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VAN. CONTACTED RUSS MILNE FORD SERVICE DEPT. AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME OTHER THAN ME BUYING A BRAND NEW REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF DRIVING.NOW THE O/D OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASH. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF. I'VE HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED, AND THEY ARE FINE. WE CHANGED THE MODULE, WHICH WE WERE TOLD WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT IT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARMER, BUT IT DOES HAPPEN DURING THE WINTER, TOO. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ESPECIALLY, TO HAVE THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHING, AND IT COULD BE DANGEROUS. ALSO, I WOULDN'T KNOW IF THE BRAKES ACTUALLY HAD A PROBLEM. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. NO RHYME OR REASON BUT MAKE US FEEL UNSAFE. HAVE TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH ABS OR BRAKES. CAR ONLY HAS 56000 MILES ON IT NOW AND WE CAN'T TRADE IT OR SELL IT BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THOUSANDS OF ENTRIES WITH SAME PROBLEM. FOUND INDIVIDUAL ON EBAY THAT HAS BUSINESS REPAIRING ECU COLD SOLDER JOINTS SO THIS IS DEFINITELY A FACTORY DEFAULT. ABS AND BRAKES FUNCTION PROPERLY BUT THOSE LIGHTS SHOULD NOT BE COMING ON. IT APPEARS TO BE A COLD SOLDER JOINT WHICH IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. SINCE THE ECU SITS RIGHT UNDER MASTER CYLINDER A BRAKE FLUID LEAK LEAKING FLUID ON ECU HAS AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE.MMMFORD SHOULD REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE UNIT AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. *TR

ABS DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON, NO ABS WORKING. ABS LIGHT AND DTC C1185. *TR

ON THIS DATE, I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT SPEED WHEN THE SUB FRAME FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO DROP OUT, LEAVING ME WITH NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I NARROWLY MISSED AN 18 WHEELER DOING A TURN AND GOT STOPPED. FORD HAD MY VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 WEEKS, AND DIDN'T PROVIDE A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR 10 DAYS. FORD REFUSED TO COVER THE STEERING MECHANISM, EVEN THOUGH IT PLAINLY SAYS ON THEY'RE WEBSITE THAT WOULD BE A CONSEQUENCE OF SUB FRAME FAILURE. I HAVE MADE OVER 30 PHONE CALLS TO THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE, AND NOW THE DEALER IS TELLING ME MY VEHICLE IS FIXED, BUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PARTS PUT ON, AND A REPAIR I DID NOT PRE-AUTHORIZE.I AM A DISABLED VETERAN, AND I WANT SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN TO ME HOW A VEHICLE THAT WAS PERFECTIBLE DRIVABLE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED IS NOW BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY A DEALER UNTIL I COME UP WITH $140, BECAUSE THE MFGR PART FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE KILLED. THE FORD CASE NUMBER IS [XXX] .THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

PER RECALL 10V385000 / PE10016 MY 2003 WINDSTAR WAS REPAIRED WITH THE AXLE PATCH IN 2011. ON 11/07/14 MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (DAVE KNAPP FORD) FOUND THAT THE RECALL FIX DID NOT PREVENT THE AXLE FROM CRACKING. ON 11/10/14 PHOTO'S OF THE CRACK WERE SENT TO FORD AND THEY DENIED COVERAGE. I ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH FORD ON 11/11/14 CASE# [XXX] AND WAS TOLD THAT FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE THE AXLE. PER THE PE10016 INVESTIGATION IT STATE'S, "TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT", " OWNERS WHO HAVE VEHICLES WITH CRACKED AXLES WILL EITHER BE OFFERED A REPAIR OR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE". I HAD THE RECALL REPAIR DONE AND THE AXLE STILL CRACKED AND NOW I AM BEING TOLD THAT FORD WILL NOT COVER IT. THE CRACK IS DIRECTLY BELOW THE FACTORY RECALL PATCHED AREA. THE CRACK IS SUFFICIENT ENOUGH THAT THE LEFT REAR TIRE CAN NOT BE ALIGNED CORRECTLY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DRIVING DOWN ROAD ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEELS START SCREAMIN GET IT HOME AND BOTH BACK WHEELS ARE LEANING IN AT TOP AND OUT AT BOTTOM SO I GET WHEELS OFF AND ITS JACKED UP AND THE DAGON AXEL IS CRACKED AND THIS IS EVEN AFTER THE SUPPOSED REAR AXEL RECALL AND IT BEING FIXED IT FREAKIN BROKE NE WAYS NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 WINDSTAR FORD MINI VAN. ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AGO THEY PUT A PATCH FIX ON THE REAR AXLE THAT WAS SO WHEN THE AXLE BREAKS INSTEAD OF THE WHEELS SEPARATING IT HOLDS IT TOGETHER. WELL RECENTLY I WAS ON MY WAY TO A MAJOR HIGHWAY I THOUGHT MY BRAKES LOCKED UP, BUT IN ACTUALITY THE PATCH FIX BROKE AND SO DID MY AXLE. SO A BIG THANKYOU FOR ALMOST KILLING MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT, DOES FORD MOTORS CARE? NO THEY DON'T! BECAUSE WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID FORD IS AWARE OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND WILL NOT FIX IT AGAIN. BUT I CAN BUY ANOTHER PART FOR $800.00. IF THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE PATCH WAS NOT A SAFE FIX THEN WHY BOTHER AT ALL! I FEEL THIS COMPANY SHOULD PUT THEIR CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT AND THEN MAYBE THEY WOULD ACTUALLY CARE TO FIND A SAFE FIX. *TR

I WAS ON A 65 MPH HIGHWAY AND HAD TO STOP FOR A STOPLIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I PUT IN 2 THEN 1 AND THEN REVERSE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AS I WAS AFRAID OF BEING AT A GREEN LIGHT AND GETTING REAR ENDED WITH THE OTHER CAR GOING AT LEAST 65 MPH. I PROCEEDED TO SHUT THE VAN OFF, TURN IT BACK ON AND PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT JERKED FORWARD, BUT I COULD TELL THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO CONTINUE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO GET IT TO A SAFE PLACE WHERE I FINALLY HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. I HAD MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WITH ME AND HAD WE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND, WE BOTH COULD HAVE DIED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND THE BRAKES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND SHOES. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

A FEW DAYS AFTER BUYING THE VAN THE ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON, IT GOES ON AND OFF. MY INTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE FLASHED ON AND OFF, MY PASSENGER WINDOW NO LONGER WORKS! AND THE GEAR SHIFTER IS LOOSE AND SOMETIMES HARD TO GET INTO PARK. *TR

DANCING GAUGE NEEDLES. *TR

ABS LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW ARE ON ALL THE TIME. THIS VEHICLE LATER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH LEAKING OUT MOST OF BRAKE FLUID. FORD REPLACED THE SWITCH AND FIXED THE BRAKES BUT WANTS $2000 PLUS TO REPLACE THE ABS/HCU. *TR

THE REAR AXLE ON MY 2003 WINDSTAR CRACKED AND SPLIT ABOUT 10 INCHES FROM WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE WHEEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VAN. WHILE LOOKING INTO HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO FIX, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT EXACT PROBLEM. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD HAVE TO BE LOOKED AT AND COULD TAKE ABOUT A WEEK. I HAD IT TOWED IN AND WAITED FOR A RESPONSE. A WEEK WENT BY AND WHEN I CALLED, THE RECEPTIONIST TOLD ME THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WAITED A FEW MORE DAYS AND CALLED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME I ENDED UP SPEAKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE SAID THE VAN HAD ACTUALLY BEEN "REPAIRED" ONCE BEFORE THROUGH A PREVIOUS OWNER/RECALL AND THAT THE ORIGINAL SERVICING DEALERSHIP DID NOT PERFORM THE WORK PROPERLY. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS FIXED, THEY SOMEHOW REINFORCED THE AXLE BUT APPARENTLY DID NOT PUT THE "REINFORCEMENT" IN THE RIGHT PLACE. THAT BEING THE CASE, HE SAID THAT THE CURRENT DAMAGE NOW DEFAULTED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY SERVICED. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE FRONT OF THE VAN WAS RUSTED UNDERNEATH BUT I DO NOT SEE ANYTHING EXCESSIVE AND I AM NOT CONVINCED THAT THIS IS UNUSUAL FOR A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT A HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE AND IT IS IN REALLY NICE CONDITION OTHERWISE. CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THIS IS AN DOCUMENTED DEFECT, I SIMPLY WANT IT FIXED PROPERLY AND QUICKLY. *TR

WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM A DEAD STOP WHEN ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING CUT OUT DURING THE TURN. ALL OF THE DASH BOARD ALERT LIGHTS (BRAKE, ABS) COMES ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO 3 DEALER SHIPS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. VEHICLE STILL CUTS OUT AND ALMOST CAUSES AN ACCIDENT EACH TIME. CAN'T SEEM TO GET ANYONE THAT CAN RESOLVE THIS MATTER. NOW THE DASHBOARD AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WON'T EITHER. *TR

MY BRAKE WARNING AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ON I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEY ARE OFF I DRIVE LATER THEY COME BACK ON , MY BRAKES WORK FINE THE FLUID IS FULL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON, AND STAYED ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. THE LIGHTS ARE OFF UNTIL DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE, WHEN THEY WILL BOTH COME ON AT THE SAME TIME. MY MECHANIC CLAIMS THAT ALL SENSORS ARE GOOD, AND THAT THE ABS CONTROL UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD, IT TAKES LONGER FOR THE LIGHTS TO COME ON. *TR

APRIL, NOTICED THAT CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING 100% OF TIME - NOT ENGAGING AND NOT DISENGAGING!! OPTED NOT TO USE IT ANYMORE. JULY, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON AND DIDN'T SHUT OFF WHILE IN HOME GARAGE. SHUT VAN OFF, RESTARTED IT, LIGHTS OFF. AUGUST, LIGHTS SEEM TO BE COMING ON WITH MORE FREQUENCY. DOESN'T SEEM TO BE SPEED RELATED. SEPTEMBER, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON MORE FREQUENTLY. SEEMS TO RESET (FOR SHORT TIME) AFTER SHUT VAN OFF. OCTOBER, HAD BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED. DISC ROTOR - R&R; CONTROL ARM W/ BALL JOINT - LOWER - FRONT SUSPENSION; REAR BRAKES SERVICED; BRAKE FLUID FLUSH. THOUGHT THAT WOULD HAVE "FIXED" EVERYTHING HOWEVER LESS THAN 10 DAYS LATER, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. TURN VAN OFF, TURN BACK ON - LIGHTS RESET - UNTIL NEXT TIME I DRIVE IT!! AFTER READING THROUGH, REALIZE THAT THE TWO MIGHT BE RELATED. SAFETY IS A MUST!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

ABS AND DARK BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING THEN RESET THEMSELVES WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, THEN COME ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ONCE VEHICLE WARMS UP. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON NO MATTER WHAT I DO. *TR

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. *TR

A DASH INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID, "CHECK YOUR TRACTION CONTROL." AT THE SAME TIME THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON CONSTANTLY. BRAKES (ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS) HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *TR

DRIVING EAST BOUND AT 35 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND I HAD A DIRECT HIT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME BACK AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. ABS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

THE 2003 FORD WINDSTAR HAS A 'BRAKE LIGHT' AND A 'ABS LIGHT'. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WILL BOTH COME ON (BUT THE CAR'S BRAKES ARE NOT IMPACTED). AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE TWO LIGHTS WILL GO OUT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON-LINE THIS IS A FAULT IN SOME MODULE. THE BRAKES THEMSELVES ARE NOT AT ISSUE BUT IT PROVIDES FALSE WARNING LIGHTS. A WEB SITE THAT TRACKS FORD WINDSTAR ISSUES SAYS: "THE (MOSTLY UNSERVICABLE) ECU MASTER RELAY HAS A BAD SOLDIER JOINT WHICH FAILS PREMATURELY AND CAUSES THE ABS LIGHT AND DTC C1185. IT ALSO CAUSES THE ENHANCED ABS BRAKING SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERABLE. IF YOUR ABS LIGHT IS ON. REPORT THE PROBLEM AT NHTSA - SAFERCAR.GOV. USE THE CATEGORY BRAKES, THE MORE REPORTS THE BETTER A CHANCE OF CONTINUED ACTION." SO, I AM REPORTING THIS FLAW. *TR