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.
ABS and brake light continue to come on and off. I took my 2003 Ford Windstar to the dealer and the dealer stated the brake fluid was low and that was causing the problem. The light cam back on shortly after. I checked the brake fluid and it was not low. This problem has occurred on and off since I have owned the vehicle. (purchased new). I have had other electrical problems as well. Windows do not work all of the time. Also ran this by Ford. They wanted $80 for each electric issue. Would of cost me $400 just to see what was causing the problem. I did my own research on line and found out this was a very common problem. Seems to me the dealer did not really need to run the diagnostic and should have had a good idea as to what was causing the problem. I have not had a fire yet but may not be around of this issue does cause a fire. Seems odd a recall has not occurred yet. Typical though, usually it takes a death to get government agencies to respond. Maybe this time you can act sooner rather than later.
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.
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.
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
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I am also having an ongoing issue with the ABS light showing on the dash while driving. I have had computer diagnostics and received the following error codes: C1236 lr wheel speed sensor input missing; C1235 rr wheel speed sensor input missing; and C1185 power relay output circuit fault. I have been told that the ABS is not affected and in fact have noticed that the ABS does engage in snowy/wet road conditions while the warning lights are on. My mechanic has advised that the last error code could be the global cause of the error. I have yet to replace the sensors as the brakes are unaffected and have been told that further trouble shooting could be of significant cost for brakes that are currently functioning normally other than the warning lights. The lights do seem to be more affected by wet/damp driving conditions.
My ABS, emergency brake lights randomly come on while driving. They stay illuminated until I turn the car off. There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason as to when they come on. The one time I had it looked at, they could find no error and I was told I needed to bring it in while the lights were illuminated. My concern is that while the lights are on, that the ABS system is not activated.
ABS and brake warning lights intermittently go on and off for no apparent reason. It only happens when the engine is warm, or it is hot outside. No problems on cold days. Brakes appear to work fine. There also appears to be some leaking from the master cylinder, which continues to cause a short with the #10 fuse inside the cabin, causing the speedometer, odometer, transmission control, etc to stop functioning.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the brake and ABS lights illuminated approximately four or five times. On four separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to an auto mechanic shop and they discovered nine codes. The contact was informed that the ABS was no longer functioning when the light illuminates. As a result, the contact rear ended another vehicle. There were no injuries. The vehicle sustained minor damage. The contact was becoming frustrated due to misinformation. The VIN, engine size, number of cylinders, and purchase date were unknown. The current mileage was 59,290 and failure mileage was 58,500.
While driving the van the ABS and brake lights come on for no apparent reason. Sometimes they go off for a little while and then come back on during driving. Sometimes they come on and stay on during driving. Dealer said I have no ABS brakes while the light is on but since I live in Florida and don't drive in the snow it doesn't matter. They charged me $85.65 to tell me what I already knew and wanted to charge me over $300 to do a diagnostic test to which they said they may not find the solution to the problem anyway. Doesn't seem safe to me. I do drive up North to see family hopefully the ABS brakes don't go out on me then.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The ABS light illuminates intermittently or either remains lit when the vehicle was started. The failure began in July of 2007 after the vehicle had been serviced. The contact has not taken the vehicle back to be inspected. The current mileage was 32,000 and failure mileage was 28,000.
My automobile keeps getting multiple emergency brake and ABS errors. The lights come on multiple times daily. Upon researching this problem it appears to be a wide spread issue with Ford Windstar 2001-2003. The issue appears to be a faulty brake system including the ABS system. Brake fluid leaks from a faulty sensor into electronic connectors causing the potential for fires. There are documented cases where this failure has caused fires. *note please review the following websitewww.2carpros.com/forum/8-VT49767.html?postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=140 please review this safety defect soon! 8tr
I own a Ford Windstar '03. Starting in May 2007, at about 45,600 miles, my brake light and ABS light are illuminated. The code read by the mechanic from the computer is C1185. Nearly every time I use the car since, the lights come on within a few minutes of turning on the ignition.
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.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that after the vehicle has been driven 1 to 10 miles, the brake and ABS lights illuminate and remain lit until the vehicle is shut off. The dealer has not been notified and the vehicle has not been repaired. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 46,000 and failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 12/12/07 updated 12/12/07
: the contact stated the brake and ABS lights illuminated without incident. An independent repair shop determined there was no problem with the vehicle and reset the codes. The lights illuminated again and the dealership determined the ABS master cylinder needed to be replaced. Also, the door ajar light stayed illuminated, but was not been inspected by a mechanic.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Glenshaw, PA, USA