2001 Ford Windstar Air Bags & Restraints Problems

I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 30 MPH, 2 CARS IN FRONT SLAMMED ON BRAKES, I WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 CAR LINKS BACK AND HIT THE BRAKES. ABS FAILED, AIRBAGS FAILED, AND SLID INTO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ON A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT.

DURING INSPECTION INSPECTER 38573 REPORTED A DIAGNOSTIC FAULT AS AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. AFTER FAILED INSPECTION. I LOOKED FOR PART WITH THE AVAIL. CURRENT PART ON VEHICLE IS 1F2A-14B321-EE. I CANNOT FIND A PART NUMBER MATCHING. I TOOK IT TO A SECOND MECHANIC TO VERIFY IF HE INFACT WAS RIGHT. AND I LOOKED AT THE DIAGNOSTIC AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT SHOW UP HOWEVER WHAT DID SHOW UP AFTER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER A FULL MEMORY CLEAR WAS CODE B234 WHICH POINTS TO DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE SWITCH SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. OR IN LAMES TERMS SAFETY BELT BUCKLE SWITCH. THIS SHOULD NEVER IN A CARS LIFE EVER HAPPEN. IF THIS HAPPENED BEFORE A ACCIDENT THIS COULD CAUSE DEATH TO THE CONSUMER. IM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE I BELIEVE SO IM NOT SURE IF THERE'S A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE AS I DO KNOW THERE'S ONE SIMILAR. MY REINSPECTION IS DUE WITHIN 6 DAYS. I FEEL I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPAIR FOR A PART ON SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER NEED TO REPLACED. ESPECIALLY WHEN LIVES ARE AT STAKE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON/OFF, TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP,, THEY SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS, HOWEVER I HAVE TWO RECALL NUMBERS 00V270000 AND 00V412000 CONCERNING THE RCM-RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE-THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY A FEE FOR THEM TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE IF A RECALL EXIST FOR THE PROBLEM I IDENTIFIED ALREADY CALLED THE FORT CUSTOMER SUPPORT NUMBER THEY ARE THE ONES WHO SAID NO RECALLS EXIST FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL AREA WHEN I HEARD LOUD NOISE LIKE A GUN. WHEN I PULLED OVER, LOOKED AT MY WINDOWS ETC. THEY WERE ALL INTACT. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG ON SIDE OF PASSENGER SEAT HAD GONE OFF, AND BLEW THAT AREA OF THE PASSENGER SEAT OUT. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER THE NEXT WORKING DAY, WHICH WAS YESTERDAY. TODAY THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD NOT COVER IT. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE # 1-800-392-3673. I WAS AGAIN TOLD THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD GONE ON LINE AND THERE WERE 2 AIR BAG RECALLS ON THAT MODEL OF CAR. THEY TOLD ME THAT FORD DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. I HAD ENTERED 2001 FORD WINDSTAR RECALLS. IT GAVE ME NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V412000 DATED 12/06/2000 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V270000 DATED 09/13/2000 I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IS FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S RESPONSIBILITY, NOT MINE. *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. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) FAILED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V270000 (AIR BAGS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS ORDERED AND THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED ONCE IT ARRIVES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,000. UPDATED 8/27/09 *CN UPDATED 09/04/09.*JB

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

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD TO EXERT EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT AN ABS MODULE WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

I HAD A GREEN LIGHT ON A N/S STREET. THE DRIVER ON THE E/W STREET RAN THE LIGHT. I HIT THE DRIVER SIDE OF HIS CAR, DAMAGING MY ENTIRE FRONT END TO THE POINT OF A TOTAL LOSS ON THE VAN. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID DEPLOY (NO PASSENGER, HOWEVER). THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT. I AM DEALING WITH DEEP BRUISING ON MY STERNUM AND CHEST. *TR

I WAS COMIKNG HOME FROM WORK TRAVELING 45 MPH, HAD A GREEN LIGHT, AS I ENTERED THE INTERSECTION A POLICE CAR RAN THE RED LIGHT AND I STUCK HIM IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS CAR. MY VEIW WAS BLOCKED IN THE NEXT LANE SO I NEVER SAW HIM UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. I SLAMMED MY BRAKES AND TRIED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HIM BUT AT 45 MPH IT WAS NOT ENOUGH, I BRACED MY SELF WAITING FOR THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY BUT NEITHER THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGER WORKED. I SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO MY CERVICAL SPINE AND I AM UNABLE TO WORK. WHEN I REPORTED IT TO FORD THEY SENT ME A LIST OF ITEMS THEY NEEDED AND PUT A 45 DAY TIME LIMIT ON THE COMPLAINT AND REQUESTED INFO...SO I GUESS WE WILL SEE WHAT THEY DO FOR ME, THANK GOD I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT OR I WOULD BE DEAD! *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHES ON AND OFF FOR 5-10 MINUTES. AFTERWARDS, IT STOPS FLASHING AND REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL ONLINE FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THEY STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,893.

I WAS HEADING SOUTH COMING TO A GREEN LIGHT AND A CAR HEADING WEST RUN A RED LIGHT AND I HIT HER IN THE SIDE GOING ABOUT 45 MPH . AFTER HITTING THE CAR I CONTINUED THROUGH INTERSECTION AND HIT STEEL GUTTER AND WENT OVER THAT AND HIT HEAD ON INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

I WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON A DRY ROAD THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 21, 2006, AT ABOUT 40 MPH. A CAR TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND STRUCK THE FRONT OF MY CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE FRONT SUSTAINED DAMAGE SEVERE ENOUGH TO TOTAL THE CAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID INFLATE, THOUGH THE DAMAGE ON THAT SIDE WAS LESS. I WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. DESPITE WEARING MY SEAT BELT, MY STERNUM WAS FRACTURED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 42 MPH, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED. THERE HAD BEEN NO COLLISION AND NOTHING WAS RUN OVER. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS NO VISIBLE SIGN AS TO WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ALTHOUGH, THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN, THE CONTACT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 3/28/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WAS NOT CLICKING CLOSED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE VEHICLE ONLINE, AND WAS CONCERNED AT THE AIR BAG RECALL INFORMATION THAT WAS DISCOVERED. THERE WERE TWO NHTSA RECALLS , #00V270000 AND # 00V412000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT. THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED REPLACING THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THEY DID NOT INSPECT THE AIR BAGS. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - THE CONSUMER DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPAIR THE AIRBAG SO THE TECHNICIAN AT THE BODY SHOP REMOVED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FUSE. *NM

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND IT WAS SNOWING. I STARTED TO SLIDE ON ICE. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I SLID OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE SHOULDER AND IMPACTED WITH A DRAIN PIPE INTO A DITCH. NEITHER OF MY DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND AS A RESULT MY MOUTH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED 18 STITCHES. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS CLAIMED A TOTAL LOSS. *JB

ON 11/20/05 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 P.M. A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF MY VAN. THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVERS FRONT LEFT AT THE HEADLIGHT SECTION OF THE VEHICLE. MINOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE INCIDENT CAUSED INJURY TO MY WIFE. THE DRIVERS AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY BUT THE PASSENGERS DID. THIS CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO BREAK MY WIFE'S WRIST IN 2 PLACES. AT THE SAME TIME THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT LOCKED BUT THE PASSENGERS DIDN'T CAUSING MY WIFE TO GO FORWARD. BOTH OF US WERE WEARING OUR SEAT BELTS. THIS SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM SINCE EVERYTHING HAPPENED BACKWARDS. AT THIS TIME NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THE VAN BUT FORD CUSTOMER AFFAIRS IS SUPPOSE TO BE CONTACTING ME. *JB