10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,258 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Ford Windstar brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 1 of 13)

problem #259

Feb 012014

Windstar

  • 33,050 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The van had the ABS and brake lights on intermittently since purchased by my parents in July 2003. Parents were told by dealer that there is no mechanical problem and ignore the lights. There have been no incidents, luckily they had no emergency to avoid by hard braking. Now, as I prepare to sell the vehicle, I did some basic research into the issue and found many references to report it here and an option for a relatively inexpensive fix, to rebuild the ABS ECM module due to loose or poor solder joints on the electronics board. Hopefully enough reports will get this recalled properly to avoid any incidents for others.

- Texas City, TX, USA

problem #258

Jun 122013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 128,923 miles
My speedometer, ABS light, and O/D off light all are on. The master cylinder was leaking brake fluid everywhere. I replaced the bottom part with a factory Ford part. The leaking has stopped, however the brake fluid leaked all over and has caused severe damage to the vehicle. I believe Ford should be held liable for this and replace all computers and parts that were affected by.

- Hesperia, CA, USA

problem #257

Oct 062010

Windstar

  • 74,042 miles
Attempted to change lanes, motorist from behind sped up, applied brakes, ABS lights flashed on dash, car did not slow, pressed brakes harder and rear brakes locked up, causing me to side swipe guard rail. ABS lights and brake lights have remained on for over 2 years. Have spend thousands of dollars attempting to repair this problem, to no avail. Brakes are intermittent at best. ABS and brake lights are still on.

- Woodland Hills, CA, USA

problem #256

Aug 202012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 152,196 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

False ABS activation; seemed to have no brakes for a bit. Ford dealership replaced wheel sensor. Also, ABS and brake light on at times. Comes on for awhile, then off for days. Then comes back on. May be issue with ABS unit, hydraulic control unit.

- Spofford, NH, USA

problem #255

Jul 092012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles
At times when is col, D the ABS and brake light is off while driving, when it gets hot the ABS and brake light turns on and the ABS fails to work. Code C1185 ABS power relay output circuit failure. I got to a stop sign and the road was wet and the van skidded, the ABS did not work. No one was hurt and I have seen all the complaints that Ford owners are having. I don't know if my 2002 Ford Windstar had all the other recalls done, like the brake pressure differential deactivation switch (scds) and the rear frame welds that are breaking up on the chassis of many Ford owners. I would like to verify what has been done to my Ford Windstar that I bought two months ago. I just had the inner and outer tie rod ends done along with the sway bar links at the front suspension.

- North Bergen, NJ, USA

problem #254

Aug 172011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 165,000 miles
The ABS and brake warning lights go on randomly for no reason, also cruise control will stop working.

- Washington, MI, USA

problem #253

May 022011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We had our Ford Windstar brakes done all the way around and my ABS and emergency brake light and traction light come on and off. The cruise control works sometimes. Ford dealer in my town wont check it out without a diagnostic fee even thou a recall is said to be issued for the same complaints.

- Tulsa , OK, USA

problem #252

Dec 052011

Windstar

  • 145,000 miles
The ABS/brake/traction control lights began to come on every time car was driven and stay on the entire time. Brakes began to squeal and then they failed completely. Brakes locked when applied - had to release and apply again to get the vehicle to stop. When brakes were applied the car would keep moving. We took the car to a mechanic and was told it was the ABS system. He replaced the ABS module - - within one week the brakes failed again. We took the car to the Ford dealership this time and was told the ABS module needed to be replaced again. We told them this had just been done and we thought it could be the master cylinder but they said no it was the ABS module. Paid again to replace this and within one day of getting the car back the brakes failed again. We took it back and were told it was the master cylinder. We paid again to have this fixed and just got the car back yesterday - - the brakes failed again today. From research online it appears that this is a huge problem and Ford should know this and be doing something about it. We have almost wrecked several times but the dealership keeps telling us that they cannot find anything else wrong even though the brakes continue to fail.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #251

Apr 072009

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Brake, ABS brake, cruise control, and speedometer/odometer electrical problems my dash lights are on and off all the time went to 3 mechanic they all checked my brakes, ABS and could not find a problem it goes on whenever it wants stays on for weeks then comes back on while driving this has been doing for over a year. I even put stickers over the lights that I can see while driving. I still think there is a electrical wiring problem it is very annoying. I can not afford to get another vehicle. I see there are a lot of complaint about same problem my niece has one does the same thing and my brother in law in West Virginia his is doing it too so I really thing Ford needs to check into this before someone's van catches fire or hurt some one.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #250

Nov 012011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The vehicle was checked by Ford dealer in alamogordo, nm 88310 due to a recall for "rear axle cracks, subframe corrosion" and "brake, ABS brake, cruise control, and speedometer/odometer electrical problems" on Aug/16/2011. They sad there is no problem / or they fixed it. After that date, the brake/ABS brake illuminated a couple of times, but went of after the engine was turned off/on again. Also the cruisecontrol stopped working since and isn't currently not working. I found that the "brake pressure differential deactivation switch (scds) (2B264) located under the master cylinder (behind the air filter) is leaking!!!. it is completely wet and the fluid is dropping down slowly. Pictures are available, taken today 04/04/2012.

- Alamogordo, NM, USA

problem #249

Feb 012012

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have been having problems with the ABS light and emergency brake light being on intermittently. Sometimes they are both on when I turn the car on. At times they stay on and there are times when it goes off. There are also instances where only the brake light is on and stays on even though the emergency brakes are disengaged. My husband recently changed some sensors and said he notices some break fluid leakage. I am scared to drive my car and fear for my safety and that of my family. I do not want to have a car fire. Please look into this situation as soon as possible. After reviewing your database, I see that I am not the only person having this issue.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #248

Mar 122012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
Every since I purchased my '02 Windstar, I have had problems with the ABS and brakes. I've had the brakes fixed numerous times and both lights still comes on while I'm driving. I had a brake fluid leak from the rear. My dvd and stereo both short- circuited on a month or two after they were installed. Sometimes if I come to a light to stop for a while, when the light turns green, I'll try to give it some gas but it becomes real hesitant and takes a while to pick up speed. The drivers behind me would start to get frustrated with me holding up traffic. Also, when I cut the ac on it takes power away from my vehicle and it threatens to cut off, so I don't turn it on. I also have to replace two oxygen sensors on it. I believe that my ABS module is bad as well. I feel that I am putting more money into it than it's worth. Please help me.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #247

Feb 292012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 75,750 miles
Brake lights come on randomly and stay on for some time until the brake pedal has been cycled through 5 or 6 times then lights go off for a while then comes back on again. Smell of burning plastic or wires permeates the vehicle when the lights have been on for any length of time.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #246

Feb 292012

Windstar

  • 90,000 miles
My ABS and brake light come on and off. When it comes on if I pull over and restart the car it goes away. After seeing several complaints with the same issues I am worried about our safety.

- Granby , CT, USA

problem #245

Feb 192011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 111,112 miles
Brought my van in because the brake lights on the dash would come on intermittently while driving. Also the rear brake lights would come on while driving and when vehicle was parked and non-operational. A burning smell could be noticed once the brake lights were stuck on. Had the shoes, drums and wheel cylinders replaced/repaired. Brought vehicle back the next day because the same problem with rear lights staying on and the burning smell. Shop replaced the brake switch, claiming the brake pedal must be sticking. This still did not stop the problem. Many mornings I go to start my vehicle and find the brake lights are on or the vehicle will not start because the lights have been on overnight. Took my van to another auto shop and they could not find what the problem was. They too suggested a brake switch. Currently I am still dealing with the rear brake lights coming on and staying on while driving or coming on while parked in my garage. I also have the brake lights coming on intermittently on the dash while driving.

- Spring Lake Park, MN, USA

problem #244

Feb 282011

Windstar

  • 150,000 miles
ABS light, trac active light, alternator, check traction control light.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #243

Jun 152010

Windstar

  • miles
ABS light is continually on even though the brakes have been repaired multiple times, brake light is continually on even though they have been repaired multiple times, braking time has increased as if they breaks do not always immediately work, brakes turn on squeel without warning, burning smell. I am about to take the van in again. I think the brake fluid is now leaking and damaging the engine.

- Orland Park, IL, USA

problem #242

Nov 072011

Windstar

  • 135,000 miles
The ABS and brake lights come on intermittently while driving. They stay on until the engine is shut off.

- La Crosse, WI, USA

problem #241

Oct 262011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 142,000 miles
The speed control would not shut off with (off button) located on steering wheel, only with brake pedal. The brakes seemed not to stop the vehicle as quickly as other times., and on came the lights (ABS & brake light) now the lights (brake and ABS come on everytime I drive the vehicle shortly after starting down the road.

- Ticonderoga, NY, USA

problem #240

Nov 042011

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
Leaking brake fluid with brake and ABS light on. Causes loss of brake fluid and is a fire hazard.

- Racine, WI, USA

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