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.
My ABS light started to flash and is now on constant, my brakes work but not the greatest. My air bag light will start to flash and then come on constant once the vehicle is shut off and restarted the light usually stays off but will do this at random. I have had on several occasions where I hear a popping noise in the front end while making turns. We have replaced most of the front end and still have the issue. I also have a problem with it idling real fast then down to nothing it bucks and sputters when plugged into a computer it says the vehicle runs lean so we replaced the O2 sensors and things and it did not help. I do not feel safe driving my vehicle at all most of the time however I need to get to and from work and the scary part is I have to haul my children and the elderly person I care for around it. Very disappointed Ford[xx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I start my 99 Ford Windstar with my wife inside the vehicle and my two daugthers and my son when I saw smoke comming true the hood then I open the hood and my surprise was the brake pressure differential deactivation switch on fire I was so scared then I just take my kids and wife out of the vehicle and comback to stop the fire thanks god I have fire extinguisher close but we have to stop this from happening to someone else.
- Bellevue, NE, USA
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The antilock brakes light stays on, and ABS does not work. Ford did recall related to the brakes fluid causing a fire, now the cruise control does not work.ABS is a safety issue. This is a manufacturer defect and should be corrected. Please don't wait until more people die. Recall this shabby workmanship.
1999 Ford Windstar: The brake pressure differential deactivation switch (scds) (2B264) located under the master cylinder (behind the air filter) has leaked an excessive amount of brake fluid. 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 cruise control has failed and we are fearful that this leaking brake fluid will cause a fire.
Braking distance suddenly increased, ABS light on. While at the dealership for other issues, they checked the ABS system, said a new ECM would fix it... $300 part!!!! this seems to be a very common issue on the Windstar.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the cruise control, speedometer, odometer, tacometer and the fuel gauge were inoperable. The contact also stated that the anti lock braking light was constantly illuminated. In addition, the contact had to replace the brake fluid numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to have the failures diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 40,000.
First occurrence of the ABS light coming on resulted in producing diagnostic codes of C1185 C1242 and an ABS rear sensor code. The ABS light was very intermittent at first but now has become much more frequent. The light will display more so on bumpy roads and hot days. I depend on my ABS system because I am handicapped and live in northern climate (snow and ice conditions). I can know longer depend on my ABS system to help prevent an accident or an impact.
Intermittent problem: Problems indicated by on board message center reads "check brake lamps", "check tail lamps" check head lamps" check rear turn lamps", "check front turn lamps", noticed that interior lights will not work, auto locks will not work, key remote will not lock or unlock vehicle or open doors. Get no codes from O B D II. Scanner. Have replaced battery because it was 6 years old and wasn't putting out proper amps. Thought would solve problem. It didn't. thought disconnecting battery for 30 min. Would reset computer. Seamed to work a couple of times, however, now believe it was just coincidence. Sometimes when I start the vehicle everything is fine, however while driving, the message reappears and none the above mentioned, no longer work again. This is a driving hazard.
The ABS system light comes on when car operating temp or outside air temp is warm. Reported to Ford on numerous occasions & they tell me it's my problem. I believe that Ford has produced a faulty part which has been well documented by other Windstar owners on Ford forum sites etc. Apparently when the ABS board gets hot, one of the electronic parts separates causing the fault error code. I think Ford has some responsibility with this issue and should issue a recall to fix the problem!
Vehicle: 99 Ford Windstar LX. Problem: The ABS light has been turned on and off from time to time for about three years. The light will be on randomly while driving. It can be shut down after the vehicle is turned off and then restart. The ABS light will be turned on again at any time while driving. The reported vehicle has been send to Ford dealer for diagnosis. The service department determined that the problem was caused by a broken front tone ring. After the tone ring is replaced, the ABS light is turned on as soon as the vehicle was moving on the road.
Yellow ABS light on even after recall fixed by Ford. The braking distance has increased even though there are no propblems with the brakes. The ABS isn't working.
*cruise control stopped working beginning of 2011, never came back on. Light turns on/off intermittently. Started about 1 year ago; 5/2010. *side door locks don't work correctly and get stuck (have to manually pull them up). Started approx. 7/2010. *passenger door does not unlock from the outside with automatic lock button or keys. Started approx. 1/2011. *heater only works in back, not front. Started approx. 10/2010. *open regulator window loosened and broke off, shattering, while on interstate. Bought replacement window, but the regulator assembly does not come in single parts, so I have not purchased a replacement plastic securer to hold the rear of the window on. 5/7/2011. I feel there is more I'm forgetting, but I can't think of anything at this time.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving 35 mph when the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where the contact was advised of NHTSA campaign id number: 10V385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and referred to the dealer. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where the rear axle was repaired under the recall. The contact stated that while leaving the dealer, the brakes locked abnormally and the vehicle was left with the dealer for further repairs. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and no longer wanted ownership of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 110,000.
1999 Ford Windstar ABS malfunction - ABS and check engine lights illuminated. After skidding and striking a pole while parking, I brought this to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and described to problem as an annoyance at worst and that the vehicle's brakes work fine, the vehicle is safe to drive, and recommended not spending $1000 to fix the problem. When pressed for details, the dealer said that the ABS ECU ($1000 part) has failed but no big deal. Just the anti-lock portion of our braking wasn't working. I think this is a pretty big deal consider ABS is required for vehicle safety and the vehicle may not pass licensing inspections.
Bought the van in Sept. 2002 with 55,000 miles, engine light came on within a week of having it. Took it back to car lot where we bought it, they took it to the Ford dealer, couldn't find anything except that it came up a lean code they told me I didn't know how to put gas cap on the right way. That is not the problem. Kept dealing with light on to this day. May 2003 had to have the transmission replaced, got it back starting having same problems, took it back they said they forgot to replace a wire, still having problems to this day with transmission in fact Oct. 2010 had to have it towed they said shavings found in motor will need transmission replaced again. Dome lights flash all the time. The gauges go haywire all the time, peg from one side to the other. Had that replaced and did it again. Took it in for recall Dec. 28,2010 cracked rear axle still at dealer. Now just heard that the recall for sub frame will get papers in Feb. Guess it will be there longer. Our dumb mistake we bought another Windstar in Sept. 2010 a 2003 all we could afford, that has problems with ABS light. Told over $800 to fix. We need two new cars, don't feel safe in either.
ABS light came on and lost control of the vehicle during a snow covered road causing the vehicle to spin 180 degrees. Which could have caused a fatal T-bone accident on a busy road. Luckily I was on a secondary road. I had my children in the van at the time.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Brooklyn, NY, USA