3.0

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,000 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.

2003 Ford Windstar brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Ford Windstar Owner Comments

problem #4

Apr 102008

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

I was driving along and suddenly the emergency brake light, the ABS light, the traction light, and check engine light came on. The odometer, and dashboard fuel info system didn't work, the speedometer stopped working. The words "check transmission" came on the info screen. I took the car to three different mechanics and no one can find anything wrong with my vehicle. I was told that the car is fine and they can't find any reason for these lights to be on or how to get them to go off.

- Hawley, PA, USA

problem #3

Apr 232007

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
Both the ABS light and the emergency brake light come on in my 2003 Ford Windstar once the vehicle gets warmed up. I have conducted extensive research after having a mechanic give me the code that the van is throwing (C1185) and found the following: 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. This leak causes brake fluid to wick down two wires to the ABS brake module (2C219). The fluid accumulates on the power connectors for the ABS brake system which are powered by fuses 101 and 102 and are both 40 amp. The fluid attracts 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. Below is a picture of the switch in question. Notice the fluid that leaked on the part below it. This switch will cause cruise control problems, speedometer, odometer and ABS brake system problems. The issue of the ABS brake light is critical in that the ABS brake system does not function as designed by Ford. The issue is caused by heat in the ABS (anti-lock brake system) ECM (electronic control module) (2C219) module causing expansion of a large aluminum plate (heat sink) in the ECM which is attached to the ECM main circuit board at all points. The expansion occurs when the unit gets warm especially in the summer months and causes intermittent electrical connection in the unit because the fragile board is being stretched and malformed. The code most commonly scanned by professional mechanics is code C1185. Seen by us owners as a yellow ABS brake light.

- Palmetto, FL, USA

problem #2

May 012007

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
My automobile keeps getting multiple emergency brake and ABS errors. The lights come on and remains on until turned off. Upon researching this problem it appears to be a wide spread issue with Ford Windstar. I've also read that one person had a fire come from this issue. Is there any motion for a recall.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #1

Sep 152007

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles
I would like to request an investigation on my 2003 Ford Windstar van. My ABS and emergency brake light randomly come on, for no apparent reason. I can sit and let my car idle, and the light will come on. This has happened since I bought it, and since I bought the car used, the dealership (Ford dealership) won't repair it for me. Can you look into this for me, and see if they will do a recall of the problem. Thanks! the dealership told me if the light is on, then I will not have antilock brakes. This was a feature that made me buy the vehicle. Please help me.

- Spring Creek, NV, USA

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