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.
Battery light comes on periodically - driving home my radio shut off, ABS brake light came on, dash lights dimmed then shut off, head lights began flashing, heater may have stopped (not sure, was focusing on the next road to pull off on), could not accelerate. I pulled over, shut off the van and waited. A few minutes later it turned over like nothing was wrong. This also happened to me about a month and a half ago.
ABS light and brake light on due to faulty ABS module. 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.
The 1st problem, had a check engine light on my 2001 Ford Windstar, C1518 "intake manifold runner control stuck open." After reading forums, most pointed to a plastic "bushing" clip coming off leaving a control arm 2nd problem, ABS chk light and brk chk light come on after driving for a few minutes, ABS module and ABS sensor went out.
- Louisville, KY, USA
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Vehicle ABS light has been on consistently since purchasing vehicle from carhop/ uac. Reported the problem to the warranty department only to be told any electrical is not under their warranty! this was reported within a week or so of purchasing the vehicle used for 8500$. since have replaced all four tires for brakes, ( top of the line brakes, not cheap ones) light still remains on after several trips to a shop. Anti-lock braking system still inoperable and almost caused crash 12-7-2012 when attempting to stop on a lightly icy road. Several other electrical issues have been going on with the car as well. It blows brand new fuses, rated higher than what the slot calls for, the low tire pressure light stays on, despite taking the van to a tire specialist and the correct amount of air placed in each tire. Also the crankshaft positioner has caused the vehicle not to start. The air bag light has stayed on and went off after disconnecting the battery. Replacing bulbs on the van quit often. At the point of stopping the payments and letting the car company just repo the van. It is a safety hazard on the roads and especially in snowy Minnesota where a functionable vehicle is needed in order not to cause a accident!
Purchased vehicle in 2011 used, shortly after purchase the following issues began to occur, the last issue of the overdrive light blinking continuously occurred on 12-04-2012. Vehicle sited above exhibits constant ABS lighted yellow, brake light - constant red, odometer - mileage replaced with dashes, speedometer - not functioning, cruise control - not functioning, over drive on/off indicator - continuous blinking.
Yellow ABS dash light comes on randomly and also the red brake light on the dash comes on at the same time as the yellow ABS light and is also random, some times they stay for days and go off for a short time but come on again later.
Driving on highway at normal road conditions when the ABS and brake alert lights turned on. Vehicle was operational. Owners manual indicated that brake service was needed.
As the engine is warming up, at speed at 30 mph, the brake and ABS warning lights came on, the braking is losing the efficiency, it took longer distance to stop which could cause accident or serious safety issue. Worse if I were at higher speed. We would appreciate if defective parts could be repaired by Ford company as recall as I understand that this is common problem for many years.
ABS light and brake lite come on. I went to tire plus and they indicated that it was code "C1185". I called hoffman Ford in harrisburg, pa and they indicated that there was no recall for that code.
Hello, the ABS light and E-brake light now come on and stay on for extended periods of time. Sometimes the lights will not come on, but then come on after I have been driving for a while.
My ABS light is on and will not go off and speedometer wouldn't work properly when the weather was really warm, and just September 21st 2012 my car was not able to switch out of park, and on Oct.18th 2012 my brake light stop working all together. I have research this problem and there is a recall out on Ford Windstar 1998-2003 with the same problems. But when I called Ford 10/22/12 they check my VIN and stated that there was not a recall on my car only Ford Windstar van with parts made in Virginia. I don't understand why my car cant be repair at Ford expense when there is evidence that there I S a problem with the car.
Though I've replace rear cylinders and brake pads (inside the rear drums) about one week ago (197,992), sometimes when I stop at an intersection or stop sign, with the parking brake off, the red "brake (!)" dash light comes on. When I resume movement, it goes off. I've been to my local Ford dealer and neither time have they fixed it (28 Sep & 4 Oct 12). I even had the entire hand brake assembly replaced. On-line sources lean towards ECU/hcu failure. I change all fluids every 25-30K; the last time the brake fluid was flushed was at 190,000 on 22 May 12. The front brake pads were replaced then, too. I have detailed maintenance records-I'm the original owner. My ABS light has not come on, yet.
We parked the van at walmart and when we started it back up the ABS and brake lights came on and stayed on until we shut down and restarted 2 times. It started doing it sporadically. We bought this van used, so we took it back to the dealership and they ran a diagnostic and said that nothing was showing up and just reset the system. The lights had stayed off until Sunday, October 14th; they are now starting to come back on sporadically.
There are continued repeated intermittent failures of the ABS control module thus rendering the entire braking system and traction control system as unreliable. The incidents happen quite frequently and often appear related to the ambient air temperature. I have had my mechanics replace multiple wheel bearings and clear over 30 codes related to the failure of this component. This is basically rendering my vehicle as a significant safety risk for me and my family.
Neighbor came by early and told me the brake lights were on. I went out to inspect but didn't see them on. Got in the car an hour later and noticed smoke and horrible "electrical" smell. I checked the entire car, but found nothing, when I went to start it, the battery was dead. Had my friend give me a jump, hooked up cables and sat in the Windstar for a minute, I then heard crackling and immediately smelled smoke. Under closer examination I found it was the center, upper brake light assembly completely melted, bulbs were contorted. Had the assembly replaced with a Ford part from dealer, three days later it happened again, so I removed bulbs before it completely melted. The center "third" brake light does not shut off, even when car is off, 12, strong volts to bulb socket, on or off! left and right brake lights work fine...for now. I have no doubt my car would have completely been destroyed, had it not been for the battery going dead.
Anti-lock brake light comes on intermittently, and while on, the anti-lock brakes do not work. Often the light just comes on for just a short period, then goes back out. Repair shop can't identify problem unless the light is on. I'm told this is a common problem with this make and model, probably the anti-lock brake sensor. Typically, when starting the car, the anti-lock brake light is not on, and the brakes work correctly. The light will come on and the anti-lock feature of the brakes will not work suddenly as you're driving. Bad situation in cleveland, Ohio in the winter.
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- Coral Springs L, FL, USA