Faulty abs sensor in 2003 ford windstar. both the abs and brake lights on the dashboard starting coming on this past summer. i had it checked at firestone, automasters and the ford dealership. i was told they were all getting a c1185 error code and that the sensor needed to be replaced before they could figure out the problem. the cost at the dealership was $495 for the sensor and another $500 to install. while checking another recall from ford, i stumbled upon a website [http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/#problem2] that mentioned that others have had the same problem and that the problem could start a vehicle fire. it suggested two solutions: 1) replace the ecm unit and wait for it to happen again at your expense, so save your receipts. always buy ford parts if there is a chance you will be reimbursed. also a ford dealership may be the way to go here. 2) deactivate the ecm high power by removing fuses 101 and 102 so that the abs is always off and not intermittent. and wait for ford to listen to us through your report to the nhtsa.gov. i am sending this to add to anyone else who has brought this issue to your attention in the hopes it can be repaired properly and that ford covers some, if not all the costs. *tr
Abs and brake light usually stay on although there is no problem with the system. bought used as ford certified preowned and cannot diagnose the problem. at times the light will go out for a short period of time but no noticeable pattern has been established. the light problem has been ongoing for at least 3 years. *tr
Just another day of driving down the street on the bumpy road. when i finally pass the construction area to the newly paved road to come to a stop at the light, car started to skid locked up the front wheel. whole van shack. then the abs and brake light came on. it was a life or death experience for me! now the abs and brake light lid up on the regular bases. help!! *tr
Braking distance suddenly increased. abs and brake light goes on and off. interior lights blink on and off. asked ford dealer about recall of sdcs switch and abs light and was told that my van was not on the recall list so it would cost to have it looked at. i am single mother of 4 kids. i have looked about this problem on the internet involving other 2003 ford windstars and this seems to be a very common complaint. please do something about this. *tr
Every time i drive my van, and the temperature is over 75 degrees outside the abs and brake light on my dash come on, and stay on. *tr
2003 ford windstar mini van, the abs brake cruise control light and electrical problems in my minivan. headlights. when is going to recall and fix the abs brake light system. the yellow abs brake light is on and will not turn off . *tr when will ford call re call on to fix abs lighting system in these mini van, do we have to wait until something van get caught on fire or dies. *tr
2003 windstar brakes turn on squeal without warning. abs system reports a problem. so far only at low speeds and also appears to happen in the warmer weather. returned car to dealer who had no clue as to the problem. *tr
Owner of 03 ford windstar. problem notice on the 2nd day of owning the car back in july 2010. after parked the car on driveway, noticed the parking brake light on. soon after, the abs light came on. took the car in for a total service of oil, coolant, brake, tranny fluid change. and had the abs light checked up. the technician informed me about the abs ecm board could be bad. without any other vehicle, i had to drive it to airport right after the auto shop. on the way to airport, the abs and brake light came on again. causing me taking my eyes off the road, trying to release the hand brake, while driving 65mph on highway swerve from lane to lane. it was very scary! i had to focus on whether the brake light had to do with actual brake, release accel pedal, no noticeable deceleration. checked the 101 and 102 fuse, both good. so i'm pretty sure the abs ecm circuit board had to do with it. today the abs and parking brake continues to come on and stay on. every now and then it doesn't light on. please help me and many others who are facing the same problems!! *tr
My 2003 windstar has been showing its abs warning light and brake light dash indicators go on after anywhere from 5 miles to 30 miles after you turn on the van. this has been going on for about a week and a half. i had the brakes suddenly go straight to the floorwhen i was braking and then come up. i had a automotive shop look at it and the informed me that the rear brakes were not engaging at all and all the braking was being done by the front discs. i took it to a ford dealership after being turned down for service by two auto shops due to liability . they informed me that i needed to replace the electric module that controls the abs brakes. they informed me that was why the brake pedal was going intermittently soft and that the front brakes were intermittent engaging without my touching the brake pedal. they also told me that there were no current recalls on windstars and that the cost of replacing the unit is $1200.00 including the $100.00 for the diagnostic. i am disturbed that there are 50 complaints for 2003 windstars you have listed on your site regarding the same problem. i am even more concerned that we are down to (1) car and that the safety of my 4yr. old grandson (who lives with us), my wife, myself and other frequent passengers are at risk. this is a hefty repair bill that i am sure i can't afford and don't know how i am going to pay for. *tr
The abs and brake light kep coming on each day as i drive. when i turn off the ignition and turn the van back on the abs and brake lite is out. i can be driving and not apply the brakes and the abs and brake lite come on for no reason. i have taken it to the shop and they advise me to keep driving it. there is not brake problem. then why does it come on?i had brake pads and rotors replaced. it still comes on???????why???some days it does not come on and other it does come on again. i am concerned!~!~!!!! *tr
Ford windstar 2003 has intermittent failures of abs system indicated by abs and brake warning lights on dash. *tr
Driving my 2003 ford windstar periodically the abs light will come on then go off , after approx 25 to 30 miles of driving i will lose my pressure in my brake pedal and there is very little brakes. if you shut van off let it sit it will be fine until u drive again another 20 to 30 miles , also it will come on after 5 to 10 miles of driving and will not go off until van is shutoff , then at times the abs light wont come on until more miles are driven , i brought the vehicle to a repair shop and a code c1185 came up , i took to ford due to the fact it is a safety issue and they said its not warrantied , in a post on computer it states that code c1185 should be warrantied under ford , this is very disappointing as a ford owner and the safety of my family , due to the fact the van is excellent cond and the only prob is this , im scared to have it looked at due to the fact i prob couldn't afford to have it fixed. *tr
My 2003 ford windstar keep showing system information error and abs, brake light,od offlights stays on. this normally starts after about two to three minutes into driving. *tr
2003 ford windstar abs brake light on when hot. nothing was touched to cause this problem. found that is a known problem know by ford. *tr
We are having continuous issues with brakes on 2003 ford windstar. after 4 visits to ford dealer, brakes still squeak and braking distance suddenly increased, despite my payment for these services. now the brake lights continuously come on and the rear brake light goes out. dealer says i now need to pay $999 to replace the abs module. i understand this is most likely due to the scds, which is in recall status. regardless of the cause, it's obviously pandemic as i see the public uniting to complain of these dangers. i drive my children in this van and now concerned about their safety and the quality of ford's cars or at minimum their concern of public safety if no action is taken on the abs. i am repeatedly told that driving without a working abs module is safe, but the scds was not even checked. let's not wait until mortality rates increase to act on this! *tr
I own a 2003 ford windstar, i have tried and spend well much money in a solution but it comes really expensive paying for some one else errors, my dashboard lights( abs and brake lights ) comes on every time while driving the vehicle anywhere, this is been happening even on real short trips, my mechanic told me i got code c1185, means that the ecm on my car is messed up, had to replace, im not the only one and ford is making a lot of money selling this parts to owners to have no problems, i drove this vehicle with my family, and i don't want to jeopardize my family and my own integrity. *tr
My 2003 ford windstar has been continuously giving my electrical problems. first the rear parking sensors disengage when in reverse. while driving the abs, brake and traction control lights come on the dashboard. i'm not sure what it does, but the vehicle does then not function properly. the traction control and brakes don't seem to be working properly. *tr
Abs brakes and brake light on all the time bad modules. *tr
Abs warning light comes on randomly, and will not go off until i turn the engine off; dealer told me it was some sort of problem with the abs control module shorting out and sending a signal to the dashboard indicator light, but since it comes on every time i drive the car almost, i now never know whether there is a problem with my brakes, or it is just the warning light acting up. *tr
I had all four tires replaced & 1/2 hr. after, while driving, the abs & brake lights came on. after that the lights came on sporadically. the more often i drove, the more often they came on but would not always stay on. sometimes they didn't come on at all - other times they would come on & off 2 -3 times during 1 trip. they now stay on all the time. i have taken the car to 4 different repair shops & none are able to find the problem. all tell me i still have standard brakes but not abs. why???????? with winter coming i would like my abs back. *tr
I have a 2003 ford windstar sel. the vehicle has been having an intermittent problem with the abs light coming on after start up and also while driving. the vehicle was brought to a local ford dealer where i was told the abs module would need to be replaced. after receiving a quote for $800+ , i decided to search the internet to see if this may be a common problem. come to find out, this is a very common problem and no one has had luck with fixing the issue (not even the dealers). i do not feel that a known problem like this should be the responsibility of the consumer. ford should acknowledge that there is a problem and at least offer info on how to get it repaired correctly or fixing it themselves. this is one of many ford vehicles in which we have had over the years and is by far the most problematic. no repairs have been attempted due to a lack in trust in dealers and part not being covered by extended warranty. judging by the info on the internet, it seems like it is mainly problems with vehicles from the northern united states. *tr
I have a 2003 ford windstar. the abs & brake light comes on & off very often and hear the clicking noise on the front wheel. mechanic checked and got code c1185. the antilock brake system power relay output circuit malfunction. the abs malfunction seriously put my life in danger. i am scared when i drive it. *tr
My abs light keeps coming on in my ford windstar and it seems its a huge problem. *tr
Abs system failure on 2003 ford windstar. *tr
Abs and brake light on after brake service on 2003 ford windstar. car is in shop for the 3rd time. *tr
Abs light keeps going on and off. ecm module needs replacing. *tr
1. events include driving within california without an accident 2. abs and brake light sporadically come on causing the abs to be turned off and not function when needed. 3. complaining to the ford dealership about the 1185code. *tr
Ford windstar brake and abs light. *tr
03 ford windstar- the yellow abs light and red brake light appear while driving. it seems to happen at random. in researching the issue online it appears many other windstar owners have had this same issue. i have not done anything to correct the issue as of yet. *tr
2003 ford windstar abs and emergency light stay on even with no brake issue. *tr
My 2003 ford windstar continues to smoke and the abs and brake lights keep coming on. it also has electrical problems because the interior lights continue on flashing and the door locks sometimes do not work properly. the problem seems to be a widely experienced issue because i have found numerous websites describing these issues. *tr
Abs and brake light suddenly come on for no apparent reason. have been told that the abs will not operate properly when those lights come on. *tr
2003 ford windstar has electrical problems, abs light stays on, brake light stays on and the speedometer and the odometer do not work now. *tr
1. hot weather causes the failure (+75f?) 2. when the temperature is over 75f and the van warms up, the yellow abs light and the red brake lights come on at the same time. the abs does not work when the lights come on. a code of c1185 was read by a dealer. 3. nothing at this time - replacing the abs ecm would only fix the issue until another hot day. *tr
The brake and abs lights come on after driving for about 5 to 10 minutes. this just started. is it serious and why isn't there a recall. it is a 2003 windstar. *tr
I have had numerous brake problems with 2003 ford windstar-master cylinder replaced at 50,000 miles, 2 front brakes jobs only 77,000 miles on the vehicle, and now electronic control unit failing-daily brake and abs lights are on. *tr
Abs control system failed , light comes on and stays on, relay failure. slow sticky brakes response. *tr
I have a ford windstar 2003 that has intermittent abs and brake light coming on about once a day while driving, more during the summer. *tr
Brake light and anti lock brake light comes on all the time brakes are fine. *tr
Abs and brake light on 2003 windstar. the speed control switch (located under brake master cylinder) is leaking and causes this light to be on. replaced speed control switch but both lights are still on. retrieved abs code error and it is c1185 - relating to the abs relay failure which is connected to the abs module itself. repair of such is very costly (ford quoted between $800-$900; another shop quoted $700). i believe this should be part of a recall that ford should make as it is a safety issue and a design failure (and very costly!). additional reference: http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/. *tr
Braking distance suddenly increased. ford windstar 2003 has abs and brake lights coming on intermittently on dash for over a year now. worse in the hot summer. *tr
Ford windstar 2003. brake and abs ligths on all the time after car has been driven for more than 15 minutes. more likely to happen when weather is hot. *tr
Loss of brake fluid (problem # 1) melted brake deactivation switch (problem # 1) brake light on after brake service. (we think this back pressure brakes the deac switch) (problem # 1) brake light (red) (problem # 1 or problem # 2) 15 amp fuse #10 blowing out (problem # 1) fire or smoke coming from under the van abs ecm area while off. (problem # 1) melted abs ecm wiring connector. (problem # 1) speedometer and odometer stop working. (problem # 1) cruise control will not activate or deactivates without warning. (problem # 1) abs brake light (yellow) (problem # 2 or problem # 1) ford trouble code c1185. (problem # 2 or problem # 1) brakes turn on squeel without warning. (problem *tr
Abs sometimes works and other times does not. after brake service at dealership, they take no responsibility for this known problem. result is abs does not always work . brake light on after brake service. (brake light (red) 15 amp fuse #10 blowing out abs brake light (yellow). *tr
In february, 2009 i noted that the abs and e-brake warning lamps would illuminate when driving. computer code analysis reflected the need to replace the driver's side wheel speed sensor. i replaced the sensor. the lights continue to illuminate each time the vehicle is driven. also, the interior lights flash randomly and are very distractive. i have turned off the interior light switch to eliminate this problem. *tr
Brake light and abs light came on all of a sudden. looked under hood and noticed a leak in a switch on the bottom of the brake master cylinder. noticed exact same problem discussed on several online forums, i got most of my information from http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/ *tr
I own a 2003 ford windstar and since oct 2008 the abs light and brake light has come on and went off depending on the temp. outside. i live in delaware and currently its on all the time with the warm temp. i was looking online and came across a link of owners with the same problem and that there is currently a investigation. *tr
Problem with the wiring in the abs system of my 2003 ford windstar. due to a malfunction with the system fluid has eroded the wiring to the point where it could cause a fire. it's a substantial amount of money to fix the problem or i could have the abs system bypassed but then the vehicle wouldn't be safe. my windstar has 58,000, "extremely low miles for this kind of problem" to quote my mechanic. *tr
Driving in 39th day of 100 or more degrees this year, abs and brake lights lit. brakes work ok. brake fluid level ok. ford dealer diagnosed it for a $70 fee and suggested replacing abs module and relay for $450 parts and $250 labor. i declined replacement, started to investigate and found many owners describing same problem and suggestion of poor board design. this is an expensive repair (i can purchase a home computer for much less) and there is no guaranty that i won't see same problem in next heat spell. *tr
Abs and brake lights come on intermittently and with out any particular reason,although bumpy road seams to effect this more often than not. i have had the abs module pulled and cleaned and re installed to no avail. the module will now be replaced at an approximate cost of 750.00. *tr