2003 Ford Windstar was taken in for recall on cruise control switch and service writer was told the ABS and brake warning lights had come on just 2 days before appointment. Now ABS and brake light come on intermittently and stay on until key is turned off and vehicle is restarted. The recall was supposed to prevent this problem but did not.

- Newburgh, IN, USA

The ABS and brake light come on intermittently. This just started in our 2003 Windstar with 60000 miles on it. This happens from once every time we drive the van to once every couple of weeks.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

I have a Ford Windstar 2003 with ABS and brake light comes on and we have had a electrical problem since we bought the van. They want $800 just for the part to fix the ABS system it now has 100000 miles on it. It should be recalled and Ford responsible for the bill. It seems to be a common problem with this make and model.

- Ellijay, GA, USA

ABS & brake warning light continue to come on after recall replaced scds switch on 2003 Ford Windstar.

- Port Allegany, PA, USA

2003 Ford Windstar - we brought the car to the dealership because the "brake" and "ABS" lights remain on. This is a failure of the anti-lock braking system. This is very unsafe to have a failure in the brake system. When we brought the car to the dealer today we had to pay over $1,200 to have the brake system fixed. When you purchase a vehicle, you expect the brake system to be safe. We have seen many others with the exact same problem. This is a systemic problem with the brake system of 2003 Ford Windstar and the vehicles should be recalled.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

Vehicle readied for extended road trip -- all fluid levels checked, motor oil changed, tire pressure, etc. Normal driving does not reveal failure. The failure is the yellow ABS light and red brake light illuminate but the braking system (including ABS) continues to function without any noticeable degradation. This failure appears to occur after an extended period of highway driving, ie. 3+ hours. After the initial failure, the yellow and red lights will both illuminate intermittently, some trips at the beginning others by the end (these are local and not extended). When the lights are illuminated (intermittently), they are both on for the entire trip -- just some trips they are on and others they are not. Brake fluid levels are normal and there appears to be no adverse affects of the braking system operation. However, if there is an actual failure, it cannot be distinguished from this apparent malfunction. Nothing has been done so far to correct this issue for the simple reason the vehicle is out of its warranty period and I cannot afford to have a vehicle repair bill since there is no guarantee Ford will make this right. This has not caused any accident but could potentially if left unchecked. I am leaving the possibility of visiting the local Ford dealer to question them about it but am reducing my use of the vehicle until I am able.

- Lexington, SC, USA

55000 miles. Original owner 09S09 recall. Brake switch leaking-repaired before recall.paid $250 ABS/brake lights intermittent, occasional burning smell, rear tail light remain on. Battery dies (on#3) flashing interior lights, radio go out upon braking. Dealer performed recall (wire thing) said need new ECU and hcu at cost of $1800. Have had car in and out of service many times for strange electrical occurrences and warning light problems. Always said can not duplicate. Have seen hundreds of complaints on message boards www.fordwindstarrecall.info, www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2003/Ford/Windstar/ABS+warning+light, www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2003/Ford/Windstar/electrical+system. From consumers with similar complaints. Feel car is not safe. Low miles, always had scheduled maintenance.

- Mason, OH, USA

The ABS light and brake light randomly come on my 2003 Ford Windstar. If I turn the van off and restart it they usually reset themselves. I have not had any parts replaced, yet, but am thinking of taking the van to the shop to have it checked out.

- Lebanon Junction, KY, USA

ABS light comes on simultaneously with the brake light. Braking distance suddenly increased. ABS unit was replaced. Less than a week later, the lights came on again.

- Ferdinand, IN, USA

My 2003 Ford Windstar ABS brake light as well as my brake warning light continue to come on intermittently, and my braking distance suddenly increased. Seems to happen more in the warm weather than in the cold.

- Holmen, WI, USA

Severe braking distance increase because of loss of ABS brake system.

- Frankston, TX, USA

Braking distance suddenly increased, brake and ABS light comes on when engine gets warm or in warm weather.

- Toms River , NJ, USA

ABS lite and brake lite not go off. Had all brakes serviced the ABS lite stays on.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

ABS and brake lights on intermittently.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

Braking distance has increased significantly.

- Clayton, NC, USA

2003 Ford Windstar braking distance suddenly increased category: Service brakes, hydraulic my ABS and my brake light on my dash board both are on. Feb. 20, 2010 recall 09S09 was performed.

- Hartford, CT, USA

2003 Ford Windstar ABS/brake light on. Had Ford correct fire hazard with recall but brake/ABS light on. Not sure exactly what repair Ford made. Apparently I have no ABS braking capabilities.

- Mandeville, LA, USA

ABS and brake light intermittently but frequently come on while driving. The lights usually reset themselves when the car is turned off.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

On-going intermittent ABS and brake warning lights on a 2003 Ford Windstar. The computer code indicates fault code C1185. The Ford dealer suggests replacing the ECU at a cost of $800 but Ford is not sure if problem will be corrected. A recall was issued for brake fluid leak at the cruise control deactivation switch which is not the cause of the warning lights on my vehicle. The warning lights illuminate on longer drives especially in hot, or wet, or sub-zero weather.

- New London, WI, USA

My yellow ABS brake light and my red brake light indicator come on whenever my brake lines begin to heat while driving. I have also had intermittent problems with the over drive light coming on and off, and the odometer and the speedometer failing. This has occurred since the Windstar van was new. The previous owner had tried to have the sensors replaced but it continued to happen, and still happens now with me. I am concerned that if the brakes do fail or need repair, I won't know as the lights are always on, anyway. I am also concerned with the possibility of fire due to a short, or being ticketed as I never know when the speedometer will begin to fail. I was told by an independent mechanic that there was an unspecified electrical short causing these issues, and that it would difficult or impossible to trace. I am experiencing both problems 1 & 2 as described on the following website. **** www.fordwindstarrecall.info/ **** 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.

- Tulsa, OK, USA