2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

SUBFRAME BROKE 8/2010 AND REPLACED. RUSTED BADLY 12/2011 FORD DEALER FIXED , ALSO CHECKED REAL AXEL AND FIXED,RECALL #11S16 FOR THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH LEAKING, BRAKE LIGHT NOW COMING ON SPEEDOMETER NOT REGISTERING ODOMETER NOT REGISTERING ,ABS LIGHT ON, INFORMATION CENTER SAYS TRANS ERROR FUEL ERROR TEMP ERROR AND ALSO CRUISE CONTROL SURGES CUTS OUT AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE CHANGE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING,THE ABS AND ECM IS WET WITH OIL NOT COVERED PROPERLY. I THINK THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FRONT THE BRAKE SWITCH RECALL THAT STILL NOT FIXED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING A SHARP TURN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED. SUBFRAME AND FRAME NEEDS REPAIR DUE TO SALT CORROSION IN OHIO. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPAIR THESE ITEMS AS FORD CO. SHOULD HAVE USED SALT RESISTANT MATERIALS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. UPDATED IVOQ 03/17/11 *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT SUB-FRAME SEPARATED AND FRACTURED THE ENGINE CRADLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED OFF ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE RIGHT SUB-FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

UPON REPLACING SHOCKS AND STRUTS ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MY MECHANIC NOTICED A CRACK ON AXEL TOOK IT IN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO VERIFY SURE ENOUGH CRACK HAD ME SET UP WITH ENTERPRISE TO RECEIVE SMALL LOANER OF A FAMILY OF 6 SAD NEED BIGGER VEHICLE FORD NOT BUDGING WILL WAIT FOR REP TO FURTHER PURSUE.. FORD SAYING APPROX. 2MTHS BEFORE REPAIR... SAD SITUATION ALL AROUND I WISH I WOULD NEVER BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE EXPECT MORE PROBLEMS AFTER SITTING FOR TWO MONTHS. *TR

THE REAR AXLE OF A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE VIN IS OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL LETTER AND REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER DID NOT SPECIFY WHICH RECALL. *JB

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED HER SHE WOULD RECEIVE ANOTHER LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING WHEN TO RETURN WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED A LETTER. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS EMITTING GAS FUMES.. UPDATED 04/26/11

BROKEN SUBFRAME ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2011 THE ABS AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ONE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT COMES ON AND STAYS ONE. I AM AFRAID TO GO LONG DISTANCE BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

WELL MY ABS/ BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON AND OFF EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VAN AND I HAVE KEEP UP ON EVERYTHING THAT NEED KEEPING UP ON. NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY WIPERS AND THEY DON'T WORK ON ANY OF THE SPEEDS BUT HIGH AND NEXT TO HIGH AND THE OTHER SPEEDS DON'T WORK. ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN HAVING IS THE ELECTRONIC SLIDDING DOORS DON'T ALWAYS CLOSE OR WANT TO STAY SHUT. THE DOORS HAVE EVEN TRIED TO OPEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS CONSIDERING I HAVE CHILDREN RIDDING IN THE BACK OF MY VAN. I HAVE HAD CODES COME UP ON MY VAN THAT SOUND LIKE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND I HAVE HAD ABOUT ENOUGH OF THIS. I HAVE NOT FELT SAVE IN MY VAN SINCE THEY CALLED ME IN FOR THE RECALL THEY FIXED ON IT AT DICK WITHEMS. I STILL THINK IT NEEDS AN INSPECTION BY THE COMPANY AND THEY NEED TO FIX EVERYTHING THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS. I PUT MY CHILDREN'S AND MY LIFE IN FORD'S HANDS WHEN I DRIVE THIS VAN AND IF ANYTHING EVER HAPPENS TO MY CHILDREN OR ME I WILL BE GETTING AHOLD OF FORD, MY LAWYER. I THINK THAT WHEN VEHICLE'S ARE BUILT THEY SHOULD MAKE SURE THERE ARE LESS MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS AS POSSIBLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR

ABS LIGHT & BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON SOMETIMES BUT NOT ALWAYS. BRAKE FUNCTION WELL WITH NO ISSUES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SAT IDLE ON THE DEALERS LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE FRONT PART OF THE SUB FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE SUB FRAME REPAIRED BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS COULD BE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE SUB FRAME WAS ONE WHOLE PART AND IF THE FRONT WAS REPLACED, THE ENTIRE FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FRAME WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL OF THE VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF TIRE CAVED IN. *TR

TODAY I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR FROM YONKERS NY TO WHITE PLAINS NY WHEN THE REAR AXLE CRACKED. IT WAS A CLEAR, DRY DAY. THIS AXLE HAD CRACKED BEFORE - IN AUGUST 2010, PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING ISSUED. AT THAT TIME, AS THERE WAS NO REPAIR BEING OFFERED BY FORD, I HAD THE AXLE WELDED. WELDING THE AXLE WAS A 'FIX' REPORTED BY OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS SO I WAS NOT TOO BOTHERED. UNTIL TODAY I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR AXLE. THE NEW CRACK IS APPROXIMATELY AN INCH FROM WHERE THE FIRST ONE HAD BEEN. THE VAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY USUAL MECHANIC. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF FORD HAS THE PART TO FIX THIS. MY MECHANIC CALLED BUT SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT I CAN DO NOW - THIS REALLY LEAVES ME IN A BAD SPOT AS I USE MY CAR DAILY. OTHERS I KNOW WHO HAVE THIS SAME VEHICLE AND TRYING TO HAVE THE RECALLED PART TAKEN CARE OF HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF LACK OF PARTS AND/OR PROBLEMS GETTING APPOINTMENTS. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. IN AUGUST OF 2010, I TOOK THE VAN INTO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO RECALL 09S09. THEY INSTALLED A FUSE HARNESS ONLY. IT APPEARED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THE ABS LIGHT WENT OUT. TODAY, THE ABS LIGHT CAME BACK ON, SO APPARENTLY THERE'S STILL A PROBLEM. *TR

DISTURBING SOUNDS FROM RIGHT SIDE FRONT END OF MY 2001 FORM WINDSTAR. STEERING WHEEL BECAME OFF CENTER. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS SUBFRAME CORROSION. *TR

I BOUGHT MY WINDSTAR USED FROM A DEALERSHIP.I WAS SOOOO HAPPY TO FINALLY HAVE A SAFE AND BIG ENOUGH VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY. AFTER PURCHASING MY VAN I HAD TO HAVE SOME WORK DONE WITCH ESTIMATED AT 1,000. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. AFTER PICKING MY VAN UP FROM MECHANIC, I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK THE CODE UP AND THEY CLEAR IT(MOST LIKELY WHAT THE DEALERSHIP DID TO SELL ME THE VAN). EACH TIME IT IS CLEARED IT STILL COMES BACK ON,AND ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER THE LAST CLEARED CODE MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AFTER ONLY A FEW MIN OF DRIVING. I NOW SEE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME.THE NEW RECALL 01/27/11 I AM SURE THAT ISSUE HAD NOT BEEN FIXED. I AM PRETTY SURE MY SUBFRAME IS BAD TOO SINCE I HAVE BEEN HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE FOR THE LAST WEEK. AFTER READING EVERYONE ELSES SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR WINDSTAR I PROMISE I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND I AM NOT GOING TO GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT. FORD PLEASE NOTE I WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR COMPANY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME AND PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER FOR YOUR MONEY HUNGRY COMPANY. YOU WILL BE HEARING FROM ME!I THOUGHT I PURCHASED A SAFE VAN AND NOW I WILL BE STUCK IN MY HOUSE WITH NO TRANSPORTATION! I WILL HAVE MY VAN TAKEN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND IT WILL NOT SIT FOR SIX MONTHS DUE TO THERE BEING NO PARTS!I CAN NOT BELIEVE THEIR CAN BE SOOO MANY RECALLS ON THIS VAN AND FORD STILL THINKS IT IS SAFE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER ROAD BUMPS AND POT HOLES, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE CRADLE TO THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRAME COULD DETACH WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FORD WINDSTAR - 2001 - ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON - OR JUST BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON - APPEARS TO BE SAME PROBLEM AS REPORTED BY MANY ON HTTP://HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SOME SAFETY RECALLS DONE. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND SMOKE STARTED BOILING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD SO I PULLED OVER AND BY THE TIME I GOT STOPPED AND GOT THE KIDS OUT SAFELY IT QUIT SMOKING. I RAISED THE HOOD AND COULD SEE SOME BURNED WIRING UNDER THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. WE GOT BACK IN AND DROVE ON THEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING WRONG AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT,IT FELT SPONGY. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO IS ASE MASTER AND FORD SENIOR MASTER CERTIFIED. HE REPLACED THE TRANS RANGE SENSOR AND TOLD ME THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING BRAKE FLUID.HE REPLACED THE SWITCH AND ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAVE THEM DO THE RECALL WHICH IS WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE. HE SAID THAT IT ALSO HAD A DAMAGED ABS MODULE AND WIRING AND THAT WAS PART OF THE RECALL.I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THEY ONLY DID THE REAR AXLE RECALL THAT WAS ON THE LETTER I GOT FROM FORD. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THEY WERE REQUIRED BY LAW TO COMPLETE ALL SAFETY RECALLS WHILE IT WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. I AM GOING TO TAKE IT BACK BUT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT CAUSE IT HARDLY HAS ANY BRAKES. MY MECHANICS SAID IT WAS BECAUSE ALL THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE SWITCH AND GOT AIR IN THE LINES. *TR

BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD COME UP ON DURING DRIVING RANDOMLY, BUT GO OFF AFTER YOU RESTART THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO LEAK UNDER BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER, SO MUST BE SOME OTHER PROBLEMS OUT THERE OTHER THAN THE RECALL FORD MADE ON THE SCDS IN 2009. *TR

MY WIFE'S 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS HAD A PERSISTANT CLUNK IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WHILE DOING SOME WORK ON THE VEHICLE THIS EVENING I DISCOVERED SEVERE RUST ON THE REAR BODY MOUNT OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE AREA TO THE REAR OF THE BUSHING IS CORRODED THROUGH AND CRACKED. I HAVE GOOD DIGITAL PICTURES AND WILL PROVIDE THEM TO YOU IF YOU DESIRE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DESCRIBED REPEATEDLY BY MANY WINDSTAR OWNERS. FRANKLY, I FIND FORD'S CLAIM THAT THIS DOESN'T PRESENT "AN UNREASONABLE RISK" INFURIATING. I AM CALLING ON YOU TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

VEHICLE IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE & IS SITTING AT A FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE LOT. INCIDENT OCCURRED ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30PM. VEHICLE FRONT SUBFRAME CRACKED AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM CAR WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CAR WOULD NOT STEER OR MOVE, COULD NOT BE PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIC.

INVESTIGATION: PE 10-026 DATE OPENED: 07/20/2010 INVESTIGATOR: [XXX] REVIEWER: [XXX] APPROVER: [XXX] SUBJECT: FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION FOUND THIS AFTER I HAD MY 2001 WINDSTAR AT THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SHOWED ME THIS PROBLEM MY VAN AT THIS TIME IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THEY ARE REPLACING THE REAR AXLE FOR A RECALL BUT THE SUBFRAME IS SO RUSTED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

BROUGHT MY VAN IN FOR RECALL FOR REAR AXLE. DEALER SHOWED ME HOW FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED TO A POINT WHERE IT IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM IF I WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME. I KNOW FORD IS NOW UNDER INVESTIGATION WITH THE SAME VANS AND WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW I HAVE ONE. THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VAN IS NEARLY RUST FREE EXCEPT FOR THE SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINT ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.

1/23/11 WHILE DRIVING TO BAPTISM VAN ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED TO CLUNK IN THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION. WHILE DRIVING HOME CLUNKING KEPT HAPPENING ON RIGHT HAND TURNS. GOT HOME, JACKED UP VAN, PULLED PASSENGER FRONT TIRE, FOUND EXCESSIVE RUST AND SWAY BAR COMPLETELY BROKEN FROM SUBFRAME. ALSO NOTICED FRONT A ARM EXCESSIVE RUST NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE WILL BE PARKED AND ONLY 10 YEARS OLD. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT???? WIFE AND KIDS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN. VAN IS SUPER CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED AND NO RUST ELSEWHERE. NOW WHAT DO WE DO??? ? PLEASE HELP!!!! *LN

"BRAKE", "ABS", AND TRAC DASH LIGHTS ARE ON MOST OF THE TIME FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. WHEN TRAVELING NORTH IN COLDER WEATHER THE LIGHTS ARE OFF. SPOKE W/ LOCAL FORD SERVICE REP. AND WAS TOLD TO RR ABS MODULE IF LIGHTS BOTHER ME. OTHERWISE NOT A PROBLEM AS REGULAR BRAKES OK BUT ABS WILL NOT FUNCTION. JUST FINISHED GOGGLING THE PROBLEM AND FOUND A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM W/ THE CAUSE. THE ABS MODULE CIRCUIT BOARD IS "SECURELY" ATTACHED TO A HEAT SINK THAT EXPANDS/CONTRACTS WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGES. THIS EXPANSION/CONTRACTION RESULTS IN DAMAGE TO THE CICUIT BOARD RESULTING IN AN INTERMITTENT OR PERMANENT LOSS OF DESIGNED BRAKING ASSITANCE/DISTANCE. I HAVE LIVED WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS DUE TO THE COST OF THE REPAIR, AS I IMAGINE OTHERS HAVE. THE DESIGN/ASSEMBLY OF THIS CIRCUIT BOARD IS OBVIOUSLY FLAWED AS THE WEB SITE HAS DOCUMENTED. A QUESTION FOR FORD WOULD BE, "HOW MANY ABS ECM INQUIRES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND HOW MANY HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY OR AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE?". *LN

VEHICLE WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD THUNK. THE ENGINE RAN AWAY, THE STEERING BECAME UNRESPONSIVE, AND THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS HEADED UPHILL AND BEACHED ITSELF ON A SNOW DRIFT ON THE SIDEWALK. BOTH REAR ATTACHMENT POINTS FOR THE ENGINE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED OUT AND GIVEN WAY. THE ENGINE DROPPED UNTIL IT WAS SUPPORTED BY THE REMAINDER OF THE FRAME AND EXHAUST SYSTEM DRAGGING THE ROAD. IF THIS HAD NOT HAPPENED AT SUCH A LOW SPEED, THIS COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A DEADLY FAILURE. AS A LONG TIME ENGINEER IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY, I FIND THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WITHIN THE SERVICE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE TO BE TOTALLY INEXCUSABLE. THIS FORM DOES NOT EVEN HAVE A LISTING FOR A FRAME FAILURE. ON A FINAL NOTE, I CALLED FORD ABOUT THIS FAILURE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY HAD NO INTEREST IN INVESTIGATING THE FAILURE - ALSO INEXCUSABLE.

ABS & BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON SEEMINGLY RANDOMLY. BRAKING DISTANCE COMPROMISED. BELIEVE IT TO BE A FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE - NO COVERED BY A FORD RECALL. *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO YOUR NHTSA ACTION # EA10007 JANUARY 12, 2011, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR FORD WINDSTAR ON HWY 155 NORTH OF SAINT GERMAIN, WI. WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT END RIGHT WHEEL DISLODGED AND THE CAR SWERVED VIOLENTLY ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, NO OTHER CARS WERE NEAR. THE ROADSIDE DITCHES WHERE THE FAILURE OCCURRED ARE MORE THAN 12' DEEP, SO THERE COULD ALSO HAVE BEEN INJURIES AND OR DAMAGE IF SHE HAD NOT REACTED AS QUICKLY AND FORCIBLY AS SHE DID. SHE WAS ABLE TO WRESTLE THE CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER AND CALL FOR HELP. UPON TOWING TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE FAILED, THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE DISLODGED FROM THE TRANSMISSION, AND VARIOUS OTHER DAMAGE CAN ALSO HAVE OCCURRED. UPDATED IVOQ 02/16/11 *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ACTUATORS FOR THE DOOR LOCKS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. SHE STATED THAT SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT RECEIVING ANY WARNING LIGHTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN IN A VERTICAL POSITION ON A HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ADVISED HER THAT HER REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR HER INSURANCE COMPANY TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS PART OF RECALL 10V385000, SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2002. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE DOWN AND WAS IMMOBILE. AFTER BEING TOWED AND INSPECTED BY A REPAIR SERVICE, THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FACING RIGHT WHILE ALL OTHERS WERE FORWARD FACING. THIS EASILY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR A CRASH IF OTHER VEHICLES HAD BEEN NEAR OR HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEED. *TR

MY 2001 WINDSTAR FAILED THE YEARLY STATE SAFTEY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF FRAME ROTTING AT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR FRAME MOUNT. I TRUST MY MECHANIC AND HE STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT I DO NOT DRIVE THIS CAR ! HE WOULD NOT PUT A STICKER ON THE CAR. HIS ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR WAS OVER $2000 . *TR

FROM TIME TO TIME, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON, USUALLY AS YOU ARE JUST DRIVING, WHICH MAKES THE ABS SYSTEM INOPERABLE. FORD HAS LOOKED AT THIS PROBLEM AND ACTUALLY STATED THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR HOW TO FIX IT. WITH THAT SAID, THE CAR IS NOT INSPECTABLE AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE! *TR

THIS IS A CONTINUING SITUATION: AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE FIRST TIME; AS THE CAR SLOWS TO 5MPH, THE BRAKES FAIL AND A GRINDING/CRANKING TYPE OF NOISE IS HEARD; AFTER A SMALL DISTANCE THE BRAKES RE-ENGAGE AND STOP THE CAR; VERY DANGEROUS; THE ABS LIGHT THEN COMES ON AND THE BRAKES WORK NORMALLY* WITHOUT ABS CONTROLS. THIS SITUATION HAPPENS EVERY TIME THAT THE CAR IS STARTED UNTIL THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND APPARENTLY DISENGAGES THE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS ISSUES WITH WIRING UP UNDER DASH .THE PLUGS DON'T WANT TO MAKE GOOD CONNECTION LOSES ALL FUNCTIONS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS WEREN'T AVAILABLE. SHE STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALER WHILE SHE IS PAYING FOR INSURANCE AND CAN'T DRIVE IT. *KB AXLE RECALL # 10V385000. *JB

MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON FOR NO REASON. SOMETIMES WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A LIGHT, OTHERS WHEN I'M BRAKING AND OTHERS I'M CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY, SOMETIMES ONCE A MONTH. *TR IF IT TURNS ON I CAN NORMALLY TURN IT OFF BY TURNING THE KEY OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR. AND WILE THEY ARE ON MY ABS DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL.

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD WITH MY FORD WINDSTAR 2 YEARS AGO WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE FRONT RIGHT CONTROL ARM PULLED FREE FROM THE SUB-FRAME ON MY WINDSTAR. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT. I HAD THE SUB-FRAME REPLACED WITH ANOTHER USED FRAME BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. LAST FRIDAY I TOOK THE VAN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO TAKE CARE OF THE MOST RECENT RECALL ON THE REAR AXLES. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AT HOME AND TOLD ME THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS SEVERELY ROTTED AND THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM WAS BARLEY HOLDING ON TO THE FRAME. THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE PULLED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROAD UNTIL I CAN GET IT FIXED. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT IT DID NOT BREAK AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH MY WIFE AND THREE KIDS IN THE VAN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

WHILE ON A FAMILY TRIP TODAY IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR I NOTICED AN EXTREMELY LOUD GRINDING /RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PSGR. SIDE, WHEN I RETURNED HOME I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP IMMEDIATELY WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WAS NEARLY THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL AND WAS TOLD THAT MY ENTIRE FAMILY HAD BEEN AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH HAD THE OTHERSIDE FAILED AS WELL, AND TO STOP DRIVING IT IMMEDIATELY AND THAT IT WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $2000 TO FIX. MY ANGER AND HORROR MULTIPLIED WHEN WHILE TRYING TO LOCATE AFFORDABLE USED REPLACEMENT PART ONLINE I DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAS RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE, HOW DARE THEY PUT MY LOVED ONES AND COUNTLESS THOUSANDS OTHER AT RISK BECAUSE THEY USED DEFECTIVE OR SUBSTANDARD PARTS. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY INTEND TO DO TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE AND APPRECIATE ANYTHING THE NHTSA CAN DO TO HELP EXPEDITE THE RECALL OF SAID PARTS. *TR

THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE ABS SYSTEM ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR ARE COMING ON MUCH MORE OFTEN NOW. OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS THEY WOULD COME ON ONLY VERY INFREQUENTLY, MAYBE ONCE A WEEK AND ONLY AFTER HAVING DRIVEN FOR AN HOUR OR SO. NOW THEY COME ON WITHIN MINUTES, THOUGH THEY STILL DO NOT COME ON IMMEDIATELY. NOW THAT IT IS WINTER I HAVE NOTICED THE BRAKES LOCKING UP AND SENDING ME INTO A SKID WHENEVER THERE IS SNOW OR ICE ON THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING VERY BAD AND I FEAR FOR THE DAY WHEN THE BRAKES GO OUT COMPLETELY AND I DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF FOR 2 YEARS NOW INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE. WHEN I REALLY NEEDED MY BRAKES THEY FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY I USE TO BE ABLE TO STOP FAST NOW IT TAKES ALOT MORE TO STOP . THIS IS DANGEROUS AND THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE!! *TR

I WAS DRIVING AND TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A THUMP, ORIGINALLY I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE RAN OVER SOMETHING. THE NOISE CONTINUED WHEN TURNING AS I DROVE HOME. ON DECEMBER 27, 2010 OUR VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR THE REAR AXLE RECALL AND TO DIAGNOSE THE THUMP NOISE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. WE WERE TOLD BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP MECHANIC THAT THE SUB FRAME FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ... $1900 SERVICE ESTIMATE!!

2001 FORD WINSTAR RECALL 09SO09 THEY DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID THEY ONLY NEEDED TO CHANGE OUT THE CRUISE CONTROL CONNECTOR!!! I ASKED ABOUT THE ABS AND OTHER PARTS LISTED TO BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALL AND HE DENIED THAT ANY OF THAT WAS TO BE INSPECTED UNDER THIS RECALL. SO THEY MAY HAVE FIXED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOTHING ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. MY SYMPTOMS ARE: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID (PROBLEM # 1) BURNING SMELL OR SMOKE (PROBLEM # 1) BRAKE LIGHT ON AFTER BRAKE SERVICE. (WE THINK THIS BACK PRESSURE BREAKS THE DEAC SWITCH) (PROBLEM # 1) BRAKE LIGHT (RED) (PROBLEM # 1 OR PROBLEM # 2) 15 AMP FUSE #10 BLOWING OUT (PROBLEM # 1) SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STOP WORKING. (PROBLEM # 1) CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ACTIVATE OR DEACTIVATES WITHOUT WARNING. (PROBLEM # 1) ABS BRAKE LIGHT (YELLOW) (PROBLEM # 2 OR PROBLEM # 1) FORD TROUBLE CODE C1185. (PROBLEM # 2 OR PROBLEM # 1) BRAKES TURN ON SQUEAL WITHOUT WARNING. (PROBLEM # 2) PROBLEM CODES P0171, P0174, P0401 171,174,401, EGR OR SYSTEM TOO LEAN ISSUE EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE BRAKING DISTANCE!!! ALMOST BEEN IN A COUPLE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BRAKE EFFICIENTLY. BRAKES LOCK SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLIDE!!! FORD DENIED TO MY FACE THAT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS WERE RELATED TO THE RECALL, BUT YOUR REPORT AND OTHER INVESTIGATIONS PROVE THAT IT WAS AND THAT I HAVE BEEN LIED TO ABOUT A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS ALREADY PUT ME AND MY FAMILIES LIVES AT RISK!!! I REQUEST FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER AND DO WISH TO SEE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT. *LN

AFTER MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN HEARD A THUMP NOISE. WHEN TRYING TO COMPLETE THE TURN AND STRAIGHTEN OUT THE WHEEL,THE CAR JUMPED TO THE LEFT AND ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A TWO LANED ROAD. AFTER HAVING VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP WAS INFORMED THAT FRONT SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED OUT, CAUSING AXLE TO DISENGAGE FROM FRONT RIGHT TIRE RENDERING VEHICLE INOPERABLE. COULD NOT PUSH VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD. HAD TO WAIT FOR POLICE VEHICLE TO PUSH TO SIDE OF ROAD.*LN

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED.*TR