Problems with 2000 Ford Windstar SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Consumer complained about brake rotors problem. when driving at speeds of 50 mph or greater the front of the vehicle vibrated because of warped rotors. consumer had the rotors replaced on 3 separate occasions within a 1 year period. consumer contacted the dealer and the manufacturer, but received no assistance. *ak

After pumping the brakes they could not stop the vehicle, and the check engine light was on. dealer replaced the anti lock braking system , but the check engine light problem had not been repaired.*ak...also,overdrive light came on dealer replaced shaft sensor. *ak

Random abs brake system failure. web search indicates problem related to design defect in computer caused by excessive heat build up in module. my experience seems to confirms this, as failure is much more frequent in warmer weather. *tr

abs light lit for 2 months. brought to dealer who informed us the module "went bad" and our abs system was inoperative. the repacement part costs over $800.00. such a failure of a critical safety feature is worth looking at. an internet search turned up numerous reports of problems with the 2000 ford windstar abs system.*ak

The vehicle kept blowing fuses, and caused the transmission to mallfunction. the manufacturer refused the claim. *ak the heater would make a thump noise inside and would not heat, the third light blew fuses and could not be shifted out of park, there was no out put from the abs relay, there was possibly an intermittent short in the switch, the abs light stayed on, the short was traced to the deactivator switch, leaking fluid into the switch. *sc *jb

When turning corners vehicle makes a squealing sound. also, brakes are not working properly, there is extended stopping distance. *ak

Abs light came on after about 3 years and is now always on. each and every time the car is re-started the light comes on within a few minutes, and then stays on. *tr

Consumer states that while braking and without warning abs failed, causing the abs light to come on. dealer notified. *ak

Right from the day i bought the van, i have had one issue or the other. here are some of the major issues. 1. tires - my new van had bumps on all 4 tires. every tire dealer told me they would burst on driving. they were general tires. i went to ford many times and opened a case with them also to no avail. after 12,000 miles, i decided to buy 4 new tires myself for the safety of my family at my own expense. 2. at 15,000 miles, i had to get my front brakes changed as they had reached their end of life. 3. at 15,000 miles, i also had to get my transmission fluid as well as drop pan changed as they worn out 4. at 30,000 miles, i had to get my front brake pads again changed (these were also worn out). what is surprising is that my rear brakes are fine 5. at 30,000 miles, i also had to get my transmission fluid as well as drop pan changed as they worn out 6. at 40,000 miles, my check engine light came on, for which i had to get the entire cooling system changed as well as had major engine work done to remove the light. the bill was in a few thousand, and i still don't know what they did to get it all fixed 7. at 45,000 miles, i had to get front rotors and brakes again. 8. at 45,000 miles i also had to get my front tie rods changed as they were squeaking 9. my automatic door sensor has never worked since i bought the van. if you shut the doors using the electronic door openers, and if something is in the way, it will still shut the door trapping the item, rather than reversing the process. 10. my drivers side power seats have just failed, and i am yet again faced with a large expense. i will never buy a ford again

Brake pedal went to the floor when attempting to slow down on a hill. vehicle eventually stopped. this is not the first occurrence. *jb

I complained of a rattling noise sounding like chains under the hood of the van , starting from 7,700 miles to the present. each time taking it in and being told that they could not find a problem, to them fixing something and the noise still being there. i stated to them on several occasions that the van was not riding right. i complained of a loud grinding noise when i turned the wheel. again, they said nothing was wrong. the brakes where always rubbing and they replaced the pads. i was told semi-metallic pads make noises. they replaced the computer, because i complained that upon accleration the van would make a pinging noise. i was told it was combustion with the gas. i followed there recommendations about what gas to use, and other things to do. it still continued and they stated that they could do nothing else about it. i owned a '98 winstar and never had these problems and it did not drive the way my 2000 did. right now the van is sitting in my garage, with a broken transmission and i cannot get help from ford.i lease the van and i refuse to pay for repairs on a van, that ford should be resposible for. my lease is almost over and they should back their product up. i put alot of extra money in this van to keep it well maintained. i feel ford should help me.

When the driver applied the brake the pedal went all the way tot he floor. *nlm

The vehicle experienced extended stopping distance, due to a faulty master cylinder. *jb

1st occurrance feb 2002 -abs light came on, clunk noise from front brakes, pedal went all the way to floor butdid not stop vehicle ealer replaced rt cracked ring gear. in feb 2003 - same scenario but left side . *ak in checking internet sites, found numerous (1 site, mycarstats.com had 30+) complaints of same problem occurring-this is dangerous. many of the complaints reported they had to hit an obstacle to stop their vehicle. is this problem with the 2000 ford windstar being "investigated", how many complaints does it take to get action???

I have had this van since 2003, from day one the abs light has came on while it was still under warranty i took it back to the dealer and was told they would replace the brake pads but that worked for about a month then it came back on. now i have replaced at my cost the rotors and the calipers and numerous brake jobs but nothing fixes it. sometimes when i hit my brakes the van does not stop!!!! but instead makes a grinding noise and you feel a skip through the brake pad. when it is put onto the computer for the abs sensors nothing shows up and the dealer just resets the light. i am not the only one that is having these problems in my neighborhood there are three neighbors that have the same make,model and year and are having this and numerous other problems there needs to be an investigation into these vans and the braking system before someone gets hurt! *tr

Have had constant problems with my 2000 ford windstar since 40,000 miles. have already done the overhaul for the check engine light and the abs light still comes on and off daily for the last 3 years. replaced the cruise control activation switch 2 years ago, but i guess the leaking fluids have destroyed my ecu. also have cleaned and checked all wheel sensors which has not helped at all. i used to be a ford man, but after these problems and $$$ spend, i'm very cautious of fords now! *tr

The abs system still is not working right. the mechanics say that the abs and the emissions could very well be caused by the same problem - a faulty computer. both modules have been diagnosed to be bad, however, the local ford dealership has been unwilling to use a "post warranty adjustment" to help fix this problem. it seems unreasonable that with just over 60,000 miles these types of problems can be considered anything but manufacturer defects.

The front disc brakes started vibrating with about 15000 miles on the vehicle. the dealer/service dept. inspected and reported some possible warping had started.*ak

Dt: car is currently at ford dealer right now because of brake system. this problem began about 20,000. whenever an emergency stop occurs, the anti lock brakes do not work. no repairs have n been made. mechanic did road test the vehicle and found that the abs did not work. *ak

Exciter ring came loose from axle assembly, causing abs to intervene when it shouldn't have, with resultant loss of braking. this has occurred twice with this vehicle, the left axle in october 2001, at 24215 miles, and the right axle in may 2002, at 34625 miles. both times we nearly rear-ended another car, when the abs unexpectedly reduced braking power.

Consumer transmission failed on the bay bridge. nar 1-22-03 the consumer was experiencing problems with the transmission prior to the failure. the transmission would hesitate from 1st to 2nd gear, but the consumer was told on 2 occasions it was normal. the abs lamp illuminated and the dealer replaced the relay. the windshield washer warning light had come on, the washer bottle had to replaced. the vehicle also shuddered while braking. *jb

2000 ford windstar. brake fluid leaking out of the connector at the bottom of the brake cylinder-caused an electrical short (started smoking), now the abs light is staying on and fuse # 10 keeps blowing. when fuse 10 goes so does the operation of the speedometer and cruise control. *tr

Brake pedal went most or all the way to floor, with very little ability to slow vehicle, producing rattling noise from wheel. dealer reports "failed rf sensor ring, air bubbles in brake line, rear brakes need some adjustment".*ak

2000 ford windstar, on numerous occasions while on a hill,the brake pedal went to the floor and the vehicle would not stop. pulled emergency brake, but was not in time to stop vehicle from crashing into dumpster and causing extensive rear end damage. dealer was unable to locate reason for failure, still having braking difficulties when on incline and backing. date given is estimate, paper work at home. *jb

Brake pedal goes completely to floor. vehicle stops, but if in an emergency consumer doesn't know if it will stop. dealer test drove another vehicle and the same thing happened. dealer stated that it must be normal because other vehicle did the same thing. *ak

Right front brake pad burnt off, rotor damaged. upon inspection at dealer, three front brake pads were intected and operational, but thinned from normal wear and tear. the fourth, right front outside pad, was completely gone and the outside rotor sustan heavy damage. i was told by the service rep that it was normal to wear more one side than the other, however all three intact pads were very similar in wear. i was also told that ford designed its pad to last only 15,000 to 20,000 miles and then they were suppose to burn off, without any srcatch gaurd warning. according to the rep, damage to the rotor is normal and expected. the entire situation is obsurd. i explained that because of the uneven wear of the pads, that i believe there was a problem with the brake piston. i was then informed that only shops such as sear, walmart, and others feed customers that line so they can replace the part for more money. he stated that nothing can go wrong with the piston and that it was a myth.*ak

Vehicle was delivered with air in brakes, causing loss of brakes, and resulting in small crash. *ak

Back in december of 2000 we were driving home to virginia from nj and crossing over the del. memorial bridge and slowing down to go through the toll when we lost our brakes. we wen straight through the toll booth but with smart and quick thinking i pulled the emergency brake to bring us to a stop. we had the vehicle towed and rented a rental car. the dealer in dover, del told us that it was a factory defect because the bolt came off the anti lock braking system. there was also not a safety device to hold it on. it should have had this. we reported this to ford three times but are still waiting for an apology or some restitution. last week we were driving down the road and my son screamed that his seatbelt didn't work anymore. i pulled over and the seatbelt would not lock again. he now has to sit in the rear seat at all times.*ak

Consumer was traveling 55mph on t highway and abs braking system light was blinking on dash panel. he was in process of slowing vehicle down, and right rear wheel locked up. he was able to pull vehicle to safety. vehicle was towed to dealership.*ak while traveling, the abs light flashed three times and the rear passenger side tire locked up causing the vehicle to go out of control. *yh

Reported spongy brakes. they bled brakes, lasted a week, now pedal goes to floor again. emergency brake has almost no effect. dealer says it's normal and all are that way. *ak

While at a gas station consumer was pulling up to a window, pressed brakes and they went to the floor. consumer rear ended someone because of this problem, then on october 24, 2000 while driving consumer put on brakes and they went to the floor. consumer had to cut in front of three lanes of traffic to hit a curb in order to stop vehicle.*ak

After 1 week of purchasing the vehicle rear doors were defective. also, that brakes felt "spongy". during repairs dealer discovered that master cylinder was defective. vehicle has been at the dealership since then. dealer has advised consumer that repair part was on backorder of waiting list of 2000. *ak

Air in brake line, ford advises master cylinder replacement but long wait for the part. (took to dealer on 7/26, estimate for part 8/30) why so long? dealer indicated another vehicle with same problem was in the same week. also indicated ford is using the parts for production line vehicles and has not stocked the depots with this part!

My wife was coming off the freeway off-ramp and realized she had no brakes. the peddle had no give so she stood on the peddle and it slowed her down enough to make the turn and pull into a parking lot across the street. she then called to get the van towed to the shop. she was very lucky that she didn't have to make any sudden stop on the freeway because she wouldn't have had any brakes. she was also very lucky that there wasn't anyone in front of her on the off-ramp. it was the power booster that failed and then it took several weeks for them to get the parts as it was on a national back order, which lead me to believe alot more people were having the same problem. there was no warning the brakes were going out at all. the transmission has been making a loud clunking noise since about a month after we bought it and doesn't seem to shift right. we had it checked out in the shop at the time it was in for the brakes and the replaced a bracket. the van still does not seem to shift right at this time.

Dealership acknowledges an ongoing problem with master brake cylinders on 2000 windstars; they have failed to correct the problem with customer vehicles already on the road, while focusing on correcting the design flaw of the brake cylinders coming off the assembly line. vehicle has been undriveable for over a month, ford has been slow in responding to dealership's request for replacement master brake cylinder. three promised delivery dates have come and passed. dealer reports other windstar owners are also awaiting replacement master brake cylinders for 2000 windstars, however, indications are that ford is aware of a faulty design in the windstar's braking system, and while they are currently correcting the problem on new vehicles coming off the assembly line, they have failed to,, in a timely manner, address a most dangerous issue in vehicles already on the road.

When pressing on brakes there was vibration, and brake pedal would go all the way down. brakes just didn't feel right. *ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

I have a 2000 ford windstar. abs light comes on intermittently and the speedometer moves fast to the right intermittently. has been serviced for a recall less than 6 mos ago for cruise control. the above we have lived with but now the brakes are not working properly, intermittently. when pressing on brakes, the car rolls a bit more than stops. *tr

When putting vehicle in reverse and without warning vehicle accelerated backwards even though consumer had feet on brakes.*ak

Consumer was traveling about 5mph on a side street and hit a block of ice. she applied brakes, and vehicle kept going towards a fence. there were no injuries. *ak

When braking, drivers often press the accelerator at the same time. this is dangerous, as the driver has to move his foot and brake again, consiously avoiding the gas pedal.

Braking distances suddenly increased . abs light on. *tr