2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT BOTH CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. AFTER TURNING ENGINE OFF AND ON, INDICATIONS RETURNED TO NORMAL. HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER. DEALER'S SERVICE WRITER DISMISSED IT. NOW IS HAPPENING REGULARLY; SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY. CHECKED BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND IT APPEARS TO BE OKAY. BRAKES APPEAR TO FUNCTION NORMALLY; NO SQUEALS, GRABBING OR SPONGINESS, NO APPARENT LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. CAR STOPS IN A STRAIGHT LINE. BRAKES HAVE BEEN SERVICED.

BRAKE FLUID CONSISTENTLY LEAKING. BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING ONTO ABS BRAKE MODULE. HAVE CLEANED AND DRIED THOROUGHLY TWICE ONLY TO HAVE CONTAMINATION REOCCUR. *TR

I HAVE A2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX ,I WENT TO THE STORE AND PARKED MY CAR WAS IN THE STORE APROX 40 MINS WHEN I CAME OUT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE, CAR WAS TAKEN TO UNITED CAR CARE MY ALL TIME CAR REPAIR PLACE , ABS HAD BURN THE CONNECTOR HARNESS .VAN NOT USABLE I AM A 77 YEAR OLD WIDOW NOW WITHOUT TRANSPORT FOR MY MEDICAL APPOINTS, AND NO MONEY TO GET VAN FIXED OR BUY ANOTHER CAR FORD NEEDS TO REPAIR THIS AS MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN THE VAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED PLEASE MAKE FORD FIX THIS , I WAS LUCKY I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND BEEN HURT THANK YOU X *TR

ABS MODULE MALFUNTIOS. ABS WARNING LIGHTS. BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS. TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS. WAS TOLD BY FORD DEALER THAT UNIT OVERHEATS - COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

THE DASHBOARD BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. *TR

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ON MY VAN COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF FOR AWHILE, IT WILL GO OUT. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY, THOUGH THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS USED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN STEADILY GETTING WORSE OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS. ALSO, THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DECELERATION SWITCH HAS BEEN LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FOR MANY MONTHS. I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW PART FROM FORD A FEW DAYS AGO. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY HOME FROM A SUMMER FEST, AS I WAS GOING OVER A FAIRLY SMOOTH RAILROAD CROSSING I FELT THE VAN START HANDLING STRANGE. I PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL OUT OF ALIGN. I CAREFULLY DROVE IT HOME AND WENT UNDERNEATH TO CHECK IT. TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND THE AXLE BEAM CRACKED 3/4 OF THE WAY THRU. THERE IS NO REASON A BEAM OF THIS SIZE SHOULD CRACK LIKE THIS UNLESS THERE WAS A MATERIAL OR DESIGN FAULT IN THE VAN. I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS VAN AND IT WAS NEVER OVERLOADED. AT THIS POINT I AM NOT SURE WHAT I AM GOING TO DO TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE AXLE. AFTER READING THE DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS (AT LEAST 15 FROM JUST THE 2001 MODEL YEAR) I SEE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE. *TR

REF. NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION PE10026: 2001 FORD WINDSTAR EXPERIENCED FRONT ENGINE CRADLE FAILURE ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION, 26 JUNE 2009. NO INJURIES BUT RATTLED NERVES. HALF SHAFT AND ENGINE CRADLE REPLACED - VEHICLE IMPEDED TRAFFIC FOR AN HOUR UNTIL REMOVED BY FLAT BED TRUCK. *TR

FAILURE/BRAKING OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. *TR

I HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE FOR 5 SECONDS. *TR

ON TWO OCCASIONS WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE OUR AXEL REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED 6/18/2009 AND 7/13/2010. THE MILEAGE WAS 156,000 AND 171,210 RESPECTIVELY. THE AMOUNT WITH TOWING CAME TO $1,473.37. REIMBURSEMENT CHECK CAME 1/29/2011 FOR $978.80 WITH NO EXPLANTION REGARDING THE DIFFERENCE AND BOTH RECEIPTS RETURNED. BROUGHT WINDSTAR TO SCHULTZ FORD IN NANUET, NY AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO CRACKS IN THE AXEL AND I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN REPLACEMENT PART WAS IN. THIS WAS OCTOBER. IT IS NOW GOING TO BE FEBRUARY AND STILL NO PARTS AT THE SCHULTZ FORD IN NANUET TO ENSURE THIS AXEL DOESN'T CRACK. PLEASE HELP. IT SEEMS AS IF THEY ARE DELAYING HOPING YOUR CAR WILL NO LONGER BE IN SERVICE TO REQUIRE THIS RECALL. HOW VERY DANGEROUS TO PLACE MONEY OVER SAFETY.

RED BRAKE INDICATOR AND YELLOW ABS INDICATOR COME ON RANDOMLY. THEY COME ON AT ANY SPEED AND USUALLY RESET AFTER TURN OFF AND TURN ON. THEY MAY COME BACK ON IMMEDIATELY OR NEXT DAY. SEEMS TO BE FALSE INDICATION. NO INDICATION OF BRAKE OR ABS PROBLEMS. *TR

THE REAR AXLE ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE IN TWO ABOUT 8-12 INCHES INBOARD OF WHERE THE TRAILING ARM IS WELDED TO THE ASSEMBLY. I HAD THE LEFT SIDE WELDED EARLIER FOR THE SAME FAILURE BEFORE IT WAS BAD SIX MONTHS EARLIER AND THIS TIME IT TOTALLY FAILED ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN EXACTLY THE SAME LOCATION. MY CAR IS THE THIRD WINDSTAR AXLE FAILURE I KNOW ABOUT IN MY TOWN. *TR

MY 2001 WINDSTAR, HAS SEVERAL ISSUES, OCCASIONALLY, NOT EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT, THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON.... AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON OCCASIONALLY ALSO, AGAIN NOT EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. BUT, IF THEY ARE ON AND I DON'T CATCH THAT THEY ARE ON I CAN SMELL SOMETHING HOT, AND I HAVE TO PULL UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF. I THEY ARE LEFT ON AND I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND LEAVE AND COME BACK TO IT, THE BATTERY WILL USUALLY BE DEAD.... IS THERE A RECALL OUT THERE FOR THIS, AND HOW DO I GET THIS FIXED? *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR, THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PARK THE VEHICLE AND INSPECT FOR PROBLEMS. I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ALSO RUNNING DOWN THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH (WHICH IS MOUNTED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER) AND PARTS LOCATED BELOW IT AS WELL. SINCE THE FLUID WAS SPRAYING ONTO A HOT MANIFOLD, IT STARTED TO SMOKE BUT LUCKILY DID NOT IGNITE. I LEFT THE HOOD OPEN TO COOL AND WAITED FOR A TOW. *TR

THE #10 FUSE ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR KEEPS BLOWING. THIS DISABLES SPEEDOMETER AND A/C, AND CAUSES ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON. IT ALSO DISABLES SEVERAL OTHER MONITORING SYSTEMS. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE SWITCH UNDER THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME ONE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY NUMEROUS WINDSTAR OWNERS. I AM GOING TO BUY THE REPLACEMENT PART. I SHALL KEEP THE RECEIPT, IN HOPES THAT I MAY BE REIMBURSED, EVENTUALLY. *TR

DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ON OUR FORD 2001 WINDSTAR OUR MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED ABOUT 12 " FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. IF THE AXLE HAD FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY WHILE DRIVING MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED NUMEROUS IDENTICAL FAILURE ON WINDSTARS OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR ABS FAILURE. ABS FAILS DUE TO HEATSINK EXPANSION CAUSING ABS MODULE TO FAIL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER GAUGES BLANKED OUT AND OTHER GAUGES BEGAN TO SPORADICALLY FLASH SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE CODES INDICATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY DUE TO WATER OR FLUID ENTERING THE ABS CONNECTOR. BRAKE FLUID WAS FOUND LEAKING ONTO THE ABS MODULE AS WELL AS FLUID BUILD-UP IN THE CONNECTOR. THE ABS MODULE AND PUMP WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO ATTEMPTED TO REPROGRAM THE ABS MODULE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESFUL. THE VIN WAS UNABLE TO BE ENTERED INTO THE SYSTEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 123,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE ABS AND SERVICE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE INSTALLED NEW BRAKES SHOES, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE REPAIRS COST $1200.00. ALSO THE LATCH ON THE SECOND ROW BUCKET SEATS HAVE FRACTURED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 131,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,000. UPDATED 11/10/09 *CN UPDATED 11/13/09

FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH AT PASSENGER SIDE MOUNTING POINT REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE CONDITION WAS NOTICED IMMEDIATELY AFTER FAILURE DUE TO A CHANGE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND A POPPING NOISE DURING TURNS, CONFIRMED AND REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP BEFORE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE ACCUMULATED. I NOTICED A RECALL ISSUED ON KIAS OF THE SAME VINTAGE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

ONE DAY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE TWICE. THEY REPLACED THE NUMBER TEN FUSE. BUT IT BLOW AGAIN. NOW THE LIGHTS AC RADIO STAY ON EVEN WHEN THE KEY IS OUT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY MOTHER-IN LAW TO A RESTAURANT WITH MY HUSBAND AND 3 CHILDREN. ON THE WAY THERE WAS A SQUEALING SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND WE ASSUMED IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOW TIRE. WE STOPPED ADDED AIR AND WENT ON BUT THE SQUEALING CONTINUED. WE WENT AROUND A VERY WINDING CURVE AT 25MPH [WAY BELOW THE RECOMMENDED] AND THE VAN WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. AS THOUGH SOMEONE COVERED THE ROAD WITH OIL [BY THE WAY, IT IS 92 DEGREES AND VERY SUNNY HERE]. MY HUSBAND THOUGHT THAT MAYBE WE HAD A BUSTED SHOCK. WHEN WE CAME HOME, MY HUSBAND REMOVED THE REAR, DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TO FIND THAT THE TIRE HAD BEEN RUBBING THE FENDERWELL - ALOT [WHICH EXPLAINS THE BURNING TIRE SMELL ON OUR WAY HOME]. UPON INSPECTING THE REAR END OF THE VAN, THE REAR AXLE IS ALMOST IN TWO!!! WE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR OF THE VAN BEFORE AND ACTUALLY JUST HAD TIRES PUT ON 3 MONTHS AGO AND IT WAS NOT NOTICED!!! I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS FIXED AND DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE COST OF THIS MAJOR REPAIR. WE COULD HAVE ALL BEEN KILLED IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON OUR WAY HOME, OR ON OUR WAY OUT-OF-TOWN TOMORROW!! THANK GOD WE FOUND THE PROBLEM TODAY!!! I FIND IT VERY IRRESPONSIBLE THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THIS - THEY HAVE RECALLED SEATBELTS, AIRBAGS AND GAS PEDALS DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS - WHY NOT THIS? I AM NOT THE ONLY WINDSTAR OWNER THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. THERE ARE OTHERS AND THEIR COMPLAINTS I'M SURE YOU HAVE ALSO RECEIVED- THEY ARE POSTED ON NUMEROUS SITES ON THE INTERNET. I WOULD UNDERSTAND IT NOT BEING RECALLED IF I WAS THE ONLY ONE IT HAPPENED TO - BUT I'M NOT!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES DUE TO A LEAK IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. THE ABS HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WANTS THE ABS MODULE RECONNECTED BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFER TO DRIVE. SHE FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED FOUR YEARS AGO BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS. THEY BOTH COME ON DURING WARM WEATHER. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM CHECKED AND IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IS FAILING. . THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT ON THE WEB. FORD SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH A RECALL. *TR

ON OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR: ABS DEACTIVATION SWITCH ON THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED TO THE POINT OF BLOWING FUSE #10. HAVING REPLACED THE FUSE TWICE, I DISCOVERED THE LEAK AND REPLACED THE SWITCH. THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR WAS VERY LOW, THAT BEING THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE LEAK AND THE "CRY WOLF" INDICATION ON THE BRAKE LIGHT BEING ON ALL THE TIME. THE CONNECTOR TO THE SWITCH WAS BURNED - I REPLACED IT. THE DANGER FOR US WAS THE BRAKE LIGHT "ON ALL THE TIME" WAS NOT MENTALLY CONNECTED TO A LEAK AND LOSS OF FLUID BECAUSE IT WENT OFF WHEN I REPLACED THE FUSE (UNTIL THE THIRD FUSE FAILURE -AT THAT POINT, THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS LEGITIMATE BUT WE WERE IN "CRY WOLF" MODE). THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR

ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 24C. CHECKED, BUT THE SCANNER DIDN'T SHOW ANY OF THE CODES? THE MECHANIC SAID COULD BE THE MALFUNCTION OF THE COMPUTER? THE PROBLEM NOT FIXED BECAUSE REPLACING THE COMPUTER IS TOO EXPENSIVE AND THE BRAKE WOULD FUNCTION OK WITHOUT ABS. *TR

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, MELTED BRAKE DEACTIVATION SWITCH, BRAKE LIGHT (RED), CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ACTIVATE, ABS BRAKE LIGHT (YELLOW), FORD TROUBLE CODE C1185. ACTION REGARDING REPAIR IS PENDING; SERVICE PERSON INDICATED THAT ABS IS NOT FUNCTIONAL BUT BRAKES WILL FUNCTION NORMALLY WITHOUT ABS CAPABILITY. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL ENGINE IS SHUT DOWN. I'VE PULLED THE FUSES FOR THE ABS AS I'M AFRAID OF FIRE. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ON DASHBOARD. THE LIGHTS ARE NOT ON WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED BUT COMES ON SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER THE FIRST BRAKE JOB. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WOULD COST AROUND $400.00 TO FIX. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. I STILL HAVE STANDARD BRAKE FUNCTION. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON DURING SUMMER MONTHS ON MY FORD WINDSTAR 2001 MINIVAN. *TR

BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS UP AT OPERATING TEMP. COMPUTER SHOWS SEVERAL UNRELATED TROUBLE CODES. DEALER STATED A BAD MODULE. *TR

2001 WINDSTAR WAS FISHTAILING WHEN I HIT BUMPS. LOOKED UNDER THERE AND THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. ONLY HANGING TOGETHER BY LESS THAN 1" GOT ANOTHER FROM A JUNKYARD AND IT IS CRACKING NOW TOO. SAFETY ISSUE!! FORD SHOULD PAY!!! *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 2001. THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER OVER TIME LEAKED. THIS CAUSED A SHORT AND A FUSE TRIP. THIS LEAK ALSO CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO WICK DOWN TWO WIRES TO THE ABS BRAKE MODULE. THE FLUID ACCUMULATED ON THE (ALWAYS ON) POWER CONNECTORS FOR THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM CAUSING THE ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) MODULE TO EXPAND IN THE ECM WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE ECM MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD AT ALL POINTS. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IN THE AUTOMOBILE IF IT WAS NOT CORRECTED. COST $1500.00 AT FORD DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT. REPLACED ECM, BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, AND SERVO CRUISE CONTROL PART. BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH THAT CAUSED ALL THE TROUBLE IS AVAILABLE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRE. REPLACED WITH PART THAT HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR F150'S. BURNT PART KEPT. PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. ABS MODULE MALFUNCTION CAUSING LOSS OF SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, OD LIGHT, LOSS OF HEADLAMP, CRUISE CONTROL, SEATBELT WARNING BELL, AC/HEAT/DEFROST. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. BRAKES SEEM OK, BUT I HAVE READ OF A PROBLEM COMMON WITH THIS MODEL THAT CAUSES THIS FROM LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. THIS OCCURS 3-4 TIMES A WEEK. I AM HAVING THE VAN LOOKED AT BY MY MECHANIC NEXT WEEK. *TR

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

BEFORE FORD RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM, MY REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND FUMES FILLING THE CAR FROM TIRES RUBBING AGAINST WHEEL WELLS. IN MARCH OF 2011 FORD RECALLED AND REINFORCED THE SUBFRAME. INSPECTION IS NOW DUE ON MY VEHICLE AND MY MECHANIC WILL NOT PASS IT DUE TO THE INSTALLMENT OF THE RECALLED REINFORCEMENT. REPORTEDLY THE INSTALLATION WAS PERFORMED AND ATTACHED TO AN EQUALLY AS CORRODED PART AND FAILURE IS ONCE AGAIN IMMINENT. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER THAT MADE THE RECALL REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS INDEED SAFE. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A POTENTIAL REPAIR BILL OF $700.00 THAT WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE MODEL YEAR PARTS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, OR JUST DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL FAILURE OCCURS (AGAIN) AND GOING BACK TO FORD WITH A LAWSUIT AS I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE SELL THIS VEHICLE TO ANYONE ELSE. *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 FORD LET IT GET TO THAT POINT!!! PLEASE MAKE THEM RECALL THIS PART SO THERE WILL BE A SAFER AXLE FOR MY VAN AND ALL THE OTHER FORD WINDSTARS, THESE VEHICLES ARE USED BY FAMILIES FOR THEIR SMALL KIDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION OF MY LETTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WIND STAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HE WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE OFF IN THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION HE NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON THE WIRE HARNESS. HE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND REPLACED IT WITH A 3 WAY VALVE TO STOP THE BRAKE FLUID FROM LEAKING ON THE WIRING HARNESS. HE WENT TO A DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN#01V207000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE OFFERED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS AND THE VIN ARE UNKNOWN. BL

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

THE DASH LIGHTS FOR THE ABS AND BRAKES KEEP COMING ON WHILE DRIVING. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET, I WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURING. *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

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY SOUTHBOUND ON THE HENRY HUDSON BRIDGE, DRIVING TO MANHATTAN FROM THE BRONX IN NYC. I WAS PROCEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SPEED LIMIT FOR THAT ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE FRONT-END SUB-ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY FAILED! I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND EVENTUALLY STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE A COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES OCCURRED. THE ENTIRE FRONT-END SUB-ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WORK, INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR, COST ME APPROXIMATELY $2,000.00 OUT OF POCKET. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY REFUSED TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE DAMAGES. I JUST READ AN ARTICLE IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. *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

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

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

BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. ABS INOPERATIVE DUE TO ABS EBCM COMPUTER FAILURE. WAS QUOTED $1,000 FROM DEALER TO REPLACE COMPUTER. *TR