2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

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.

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

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. UPON CONDUCTING RESEARCH, I REALIZE THAT WHILE THESE LIGHTS ON THE DASH ARE ILLUMINATED THE ABS SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION AT ALL OR CORRECTLY. OBVIOUSLY UPON LOSS OF THIS FEATURE, THE CHANCES OF AN ACCIDENT WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY HIGHER, ESPECIALLY IN ADVERSE WEATHER SUCH AS A RAIN STORM. I HAVE OWNED ANOTHER 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. EVERY (1999-2003)WINDSTAR OWNER I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THEIR ABS SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE CALLS FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS MODULE, WHICH SHOULD BE REPLACED BY FORD, HOWEVER THIS ABS ECM IS DEFECTIVE, AN UPDATED PART WOULD HAVE TO BE INSTALLED. I AM NOT AWARE IF FORD HAS CORRECTED THE ISSUE IN A REPLACEMENT PART. PLEASE CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION. *TR

WE HAD JUST LEFT THE EXPRESSWAY. WE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND WENT TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE SHAFT WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL CONNECTING IT FROM THE FRAME TO THE WHEEL, BROKE AT THE POINT OF THE FACTORY WELD CAUSING THE WHEELS TO DO THE "SPLITS"AND PULLING OUT THE DRIVESHAFT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER CALLED THE CAR "TOTALLED" .THIS CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE METAL SOCKET HOLDING THE TIE ROD FROM THE WHEEL TO THE FRAME ALLOWING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO BE YANKED OUT. THIS IS A FACTORY WELD THAT BROKE AND IF IT HAD BROKEN WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. FORD MOTOR REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. *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

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

ABS YELLOW WARNING LIGHT ON, RED BRAKE LIGHT ON AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. HAVE REPLACED THE ABS MODULE WITH UNIT FROM A SALVAGE YARD IN OCT 2008 AND IT FAILED JUNE OF 2009. THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED IN OCT 2008 AND IT HAS FAILED AGAIN IN MAY 2009 WITH INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL OR THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKING OUT INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

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.

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'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

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.

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

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

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

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. I STARTED ENCOUNTERING LOSE OF CRUISE CONTROL ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO. THEN ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER JUST QUIT WORKING. I PAID $400.00 TO HAVE THE SPEED SENSOR REPLACED BUT THAT STILL DIDN'T WORK. *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.

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

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

THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A FUSE BLOWN. HOWEVER, MY WIFE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND A BIG PUFF OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. WE TOOK IT TO A FRIEND WHO WORKED FOR A FORD DEALERSHIP. HE STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID FROM THE RESERVOIR HAD LEAKED ONTO THE MODULES BELOW AND THEY HAD SHORTED OUT. HE HAD SEEN THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE AND TOLD US IT WOULD BE ABOUT $1300 TO GET IT FIXED. AS OF TODAY, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR. WE FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE; CONSEQUENTLY, THE CAR AWAITS A RECALL OR A LOTTERY WIN BY US TO GET IT REPAIRED. I AM THANKFUL THAT MY WIFE AND OTHER DRIVERS WERE NOT INJURED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. ENGINEERS PRIDE THEMSELVES ON HAVING AN ENGINEERING SOLUTION FOR EVERY PROBLEM. MY HOPE IS THAT THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP THEM SEE THE NEED, ALONG WITH THE OTHERS, TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF THIS REPAIR, AND PROBABLY ENGINEER CARS THAT ARE NOT SLOW-TICKING TIME BOMBS. *TR

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

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. 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.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

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

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

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 FAILURE. *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

BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH DEFECTIVE AND LEAKING ON TO MAIN WIRE HARNESS CAUSING FUSE TO SHORT OUT. DEFECTIVE PART IS AVAILABLE. *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 THE AFOREMENTIONED COMPLAINTS IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT 1.) FORD HAS ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THE INCIDENTS AND 2.) MECHANICS CAN'T BELIEVE THAT A NON-SERVICEABLE PART LIKE THIS WOULD FAIL ON A 2001 VEHICLE. *TR

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

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

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

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

MY CAR EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT BRAKE EMERGENCY LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT SIGNALS ON DASHBOARD, AND TROUBLE CODE "C1185". DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED ABS MODULE FAILURE. THE REPAIR WAS MADE. I DISCOVERED FROM HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/ THAT AN NHTSA INVESTIGATION WAS INITIATED ON THIS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP WHICH REPAIRED THE CAR STILL HAS THE OLD PART, BUT WANTS TO CHARGE ME A $100 "CORE CHARGE" TO RETURN IT TO ME. I THINK THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DISCOURAGE ME FROM RECOVERING THE PART. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IT IS FEDERAL LAW THAT THEY MUST RETURN IT TO ME FOR FREE, SO IT CAN BE USED POTENTIALLY FOR EVIDENCE. *TR

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.

ABS SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE, ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS OF TIME WHEN I AM DRIVING. IT OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. IT COMES ON MORE FREQUENTLY IN HOT WEATHER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION FOR AN OIL SERVICE, A MECHANIC LOCATED EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE ENGINES SUB FRAME. ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH.THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.

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

C1185 CODE. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES RIGHT AWAY. SOMETIMES AFTER A LONG TIME DRIVING. *TR

AFTER FILING A SERIOUS COMPLAINT ABOUT AN ABS BRAKE FAILURE EARLIER THIS EVENING, I CONTINUED TO RESEARCH 'COMPLAINTS ON 2001 FORD WINDSTARS ON YOUR WEBSITE AND WAS SHOCKED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THE ABS SYSTEM. THE FALSE WARNING LIGHTS TIED TO AN 'ELECTRICAL' PROBLEM THAT ARE REFERRED TO THROUGHOUT THE COMPLAINT SECTION ARE IDENTICAL TO AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO ADDRESS WITH OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS! ON AUGUST 26TH, THE ABS FAILURE THAT OCCURRED IN MY VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT FOR MYSELF AND MY 9 YEAR OLD SON IF IT HAD OCCURRED JUST SECONDS LATER. I WOULD HAVE PASSED THE WEIGH STATION THAT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE ON AN INCLINE WITH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DEPLOYED. *TR

THE BRAKES ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINI-VAN FAILED ON A HIGHWAY. I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY INTO A WEIGH STATION (THAT WAS FORTUNATELY ON AN INCLINE) AND BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PLACING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL I CAME TO A STOP AT WHICH POINT I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD SON. IF ANY OF THE CARS IN FRONT OFF ME HAD SLOWED AND/OR TRIED TO EXIT AT THE SAME TIME AS ME, I WOULD HAVE HAD TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

VEHICLE BLEW THE #10 15 AMP FUSES TWICE, AFTER THAT ELECTRICAL SMOKE POURED INTO THE CAB AND STOPPED WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. ALSO, THE LOW BRAKE FLUID LIGHT WAS ON. ON AUGUST 22,2008 I PUT 1/2 A BOTTLE OF BRAKE FLUID IN. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH(REPLACEMENT PART #SW-6351) WAS LEAKING INTO THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND ONTO THE WIRE HARNESS BELOW. ON AUGUST 27, 2008 I PURCHASED REPLACEMENT PART (SW-6351) FOR $22 FROM MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

MY ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS COME AT RANDOM AT ANY SPEED. I HAD THEM TO CHECK IT ON THE COMPUTER IT SAID THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS BAD. I FOUND THAT THE FLUID LEVEL WAS LOW. THEN I SEEN THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS ON THE WIRES BELOW THE SWITCH. I HAD THE XW7Z*9F924*BA KIT SWITCH REPLACED. THERE SAID THAT IT START A FIRE. *TR

CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING AND CAUSING BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SPORT SE # DROVE VEHICLE 2 HOURS, PARKED CAR FOR APPROX 2 HRS, RETURNED AND THEN UNABLE TO START VEHICLE, BATTERY WOULD FAIL THEN CAR NEEDED JUMPED. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. TURN CAR ON, ABS YELLOW LIGHT, E-BRAKE RED LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY WHEN DRIVING (INTERMITTENT) AND WILL GO OFF WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK ANY LONGER. PULLING E-BRAKE FROM FLOOR DOES NOT TRIGGER RED E-BRAKE LIGHT. LOOKED BEHIND AIR FILTER, BRAKE FLUID SATURATED ON ABS BRAKE MODULE AND WIRING BELOW THE BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH, LEAKING COMING FROM THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. LOOKED AT THE SWITCH UNDER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR (BELOW CAR), VERIFIED STICKER ON COVER (NEXT TO ABS ECM MODULE) INDICATED FORD (KELSEY-HAYES). CHECKED FUSE #10 & #14 (WAS NOT BLOWN). THE FAILURE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO COME ON SPORADICALLY. FORD NEEDS TO MAKE THIS A RECALL ON THE WINDSTAR.. WHY IS IT THAT THIS IS A RECALL ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PARTS AND FAILURES. THIS IS A HUGE FIRE SAFETY HAZARD. PLEASE MAKE FORD MAKE THIS A RECALL. *TR

NO SPEEDOMETER READOUT :& ABS LIGHTS ARE ON. *TR