Problems with 2001 Ford Windstar SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Customer brought vehicle in for abs light on, found scds switch to be leaking brake fluid and replaced with a motorcraft updated switch. after service while vehicle was still in shop bay with ignition off, vehicle abs unit started on fire. we then removed all power from vehicle and found that after removing the abs module connector brake fluid was found inside of abs module, and the connector was melted. we then called ford dealership to see if the were any recalls concerning this vehicle and the abs module and or switch, and were told that there were none. we have since found many articles online concerning this matter, and yet no recall ? another half hour and the doors would have been closed for the night, we would have lost our shop, all vehicles inside. please make them stand behind this clear and evident problem. *tr

We took our 2001 ford windstar minivan to our local ford dealership to have the 09s09 recall repaired. the repair was made; however, we are now having issues with the abs and brake light consistently illuminating on vehicle dashboard. the abs and brake light does not illuminate when vehicle is first started up; however, illuminates on vehicle dashboard while driving. white, puffy and cloudy smoke also flows through front and center air vents while lights are illuminated. we took our vehicle to mechanic who could not reproduce smoke; however, was able to pull the codes. the codes pulled are c1185, c1194, c1198, c1210, c1214, c1242, c1246, c1250, and c1254. it appears that the abs module will need to be replaced. we are scheduling this repair to me made as soon as possible, as we have four young children who ride in this van on a daily basis, and this van is the main transportation for our large family. *tr

Braking distance suddenly increased. 2001 ford windstar brake light and abs brake light intermittently on. we took our 2001 ford windstar minivan to our local ford dealership to have the 09s09 recall repaired. the repair was made; however, we are now having issues with the abs and brake light consistently illuminating on vehicle dashboard. the abs and brake light does not illuminate when vehicle is first started up; however, illuminates on vehicle dashboard while driving. abs / brake system warning lights continue to illuminate on occasion after recall repair performed. braking distances greatly increased / affected when warning lights are on. brake pedal travel also greatly increased - pedal slowly continues to floor with steady pressure, accompanied by whooshing sound with no increase in braking power. *tr

On a hot summer day in 2010 parked about 20 minutes with air conditioning running the abs fault with the red brake lamp first appeared. when the engine is shut down the fault lamps are cleared. currently when the ambient temperature is above 80 fahrenheit and as the engine compartment warms i can expect the yellow abs lamp and the red brake lamp to both turn on. had fault codes read once and it reported main relay failed. no repairs have been made as i decided it's a superfluous feature and i will drive without abs protection.

11-23-2009 vehicle recall (09s09), "abs light & brake light coming on". work was performed this date to correct problem at croft ford, athens, pa. about a 15 minute repair. vehicle ok for about (8) months (lights did not come on). starting in august 2010 both lights started coming on again and come on almost everytime the vehicle is driven a few miles. i do notice during the cold weather of december and january that they don't come on very often in the cold weather. this appears to be the same problem for which recall (09s09) was put out. we are concerened about this problem especially when the weather warms back up here in new york.

Had my 2001 ford windstar in for recall 09s09 (also described as 05s28 on my ford service invoice). speed control deactivation switch was replaced after burning odor was detected and a determination that unit was leaking. service advisor at ford told me my vehicle would need a new abs electronic control module (ecm). i replied that my on-line research indicated that problems with the ecm could or might very likely be connected to the leaking scds. his answer was that they were "unrelated". considering my research, that statement appears to be untruthful. i have begun to notice an increase in braking distance. both my abs and brake lights are on, allowing no distinction to be made between an abs problem and an actual brake problem. this in itself is a design flaw and defect! please note also that there is a design flaw in the ecm, the design of which causes noticeable expansion in the unit during periods of hot weather, and results in electrical contact issues within the unit. i believe this ecm issue also deserves the immediate attention of nhtsa, and an immediate recall from ford. thank you for giving this matter your most serious consideration and attention. this is a safety issue that concerns many thousands of us, and we appreciate your advocacy on our behalf. *tr

There has not been an incident or crash, but the abs, trace off, and brake! light all come on at once. anti-lock brakes and traction control do not function when this happens. it has occurred intermittently for about a year, but happens almost constantly now. the lights would go off after restart, but now come on almost immediately, and stay on in spite of a restart in cold or hot weather. the ford dealership says their diagnostic code indicates a need to replace the "abs module" at a cost of nearly $1300.00 with labor on my 2001 ford windstar lx minivan which now only has 60,000 original miles. i goggled this problem and found a site at www.fordwindstarrecall.info that discussed my problem. *ln

Braking distance suddenly increased; abs/brake lights came on even though the maintenance for the recall was performed earlier in the day. *tr

Failed brakes on 2001 ford windstar cause near miss collision. no fix available: i had been driving on the highway with no problems. exited highway for dinner and attempted to stop at stop sign. brakes were nonresponsive until pushed all the way to the floor causing a near-miss rear-end collision with the car in front. when brake pedal was released a "popping" sound was heard. this continued for several more stop signs until reaching town to look for assistance. turned vehicle off for about 45 mins. made calls but no service stations were opened. restarted vehicle to return home since i was only at the beginning of the trip. abs and brake lights appeared on dash but later disappeared. took back roads home at low speeds and allowed extra time for braking. brakes were fine for the next 10 minutes but then became unresponsive again. took vehicle to ford dealership when opened 2 days later. they could find nothing wrong after test driving. no repairs were made. we feel absolutely unsafe driving this vehicle given the unreliability of the brakes. *tr

Braking distance suddenly increased - abs and brake lights illuminate on dash with warmer temperatures. it has also occurred in january 2011 at 30 f outside temp. it de-activates abs system. this poses a major safety issue on icy roads since i'm use to the abs typically working. i never know when the abs system will drop out and add distance to my braking. *tr

Braking distance suddenly increased. *tr

2001 ford windstar abs warning light comes on intermittently with fewer incidence of low tire pressure warning light although all tires pressure reads 32psi when cold just had scds switch replaced under recall and was told had nothing to do with the abs warning light. *tr

Vehicle type - 2001 ford windstar during warm, summer months my abs and brake lights will intermittently come on every day. there is no rhyme nor reason for when this happens other than only during warm weather. braking distance does increase. when engine is turned off and restarted, the lights will go off. but lights will come back on after driving. this has been happening during the summer over the last 3 summers. have had mechanic check my brakes multiple times with no leak found. performed ford recall 09s09 at ford dealership but problem still is occurring. *tr

Abs / brake system warning lights continue to illuminate on occasion after recall repair performed. braking distances greatly increased / affected when warning lights are on. brake pedal travel also greatly increased - pedal slowly continues to floor with steady pressure, accompanied by whooshing sound with no increase in braking power. *tr

My 2001 has a brake light, abs traction control lights and electric circuit board problem. the windshield wipers come on the door chime comes on when i turn the key off. the abs and traction control light and brake lights comes on and off while i am driving all the time. the check engine light came on simultaneously with the brake light and i lost brake power. no fluid leaked out and the transmission works fine. i almost crashed into three cars while driving with the brake failure. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving at approximately 7 mph, the anti-lock braking system warning light illuminated. the contact attempted to apply the brakes but they would not engage. she then attempted to engage the emergency brake to no avail. she shifted into park and coasted off the roadway. the vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where she was advised that the abs modular would need to be replaced. there were no recalls for her particular vehicle. the approximate failure mileage was 127,020 and the current mileage was 127,039.

2001 ford windstar - several instances of the abs & bracket warning lights coming on. i have had the vehicle checked several times, but cannot replicate the issue. very concerning that the abs may not function, but cannot isolate. *tr

I have had the abs and handbrake lights coming on for a few years. i have been told by the ford dealer in lees summit mo that there is no problem and i can just keep on driving it. *tr

When the abs light and brake warning lights come on, the braking distance significantly increases. this is an intermittent problem that comes on with hot weather. on a cool morning or at night there will be no warning lights, but they come up when car heats up in the sun. the ford recall 09s09 was done on this car and brakes are in very good condition. the abs seems to work when the warning light are gone, but brakes seem to be slow to respond in hot weather when heat triggers the abs warning lights. *tr

2001 ford windstar - recall 09s09 completed - abs and brake lights on dashboard still come on. per internet research - abs ecm brake module 2c219 and "braking distance suddenly increased." *tr

Braking distance suddenly increased. throwing abs codes 1185, 1194, 1198, 1210, 1214, 1242, 1246, 1250, 1254. *tr

While on vacationing in vermont. the yellow abs light and the red brake light came on. im a mechanic so i had the code reader for the abs system. the code was the infamous tell tale c1185. i replaced the abs module once. unfortunately the problem has manifested again. i'm tempted to do away with the system, but the windstar transports my young children around. its like having a gun to my head. what do i do? *tr

Braking distance suddenly increased. *tr

After having the ford windstar oct. 09 09s09 recall fixed on our 2001 windstar due to leaks and malfunctioning a/c and cruise control, the abs and brake indicator lights are still intermittently lighting on the dashboard. the ford dealer we took it to said that when those are on, we have no abs system because the ecm is malfunctioning at those times. we're seeing increased braking distance with this problem. *tr

I have a 2001 ford windstar that has problems with the "brake" and "abs" lights coming on 95% of the time. the issue has been checked by no less than 2 shops and both have determined that the issue is a faulty abs module. after some online research i have found this to be a very common issue and i believe that it should be investigated. the abs not working properly can result in issues when trying to stop in inclement weather. *tr

Braking distance suddenly increased, yellow abs brake light on this can result in crash. *tr

Braking distance suddenly increased. *tr

Driving ford windstar van in warm weather. abs failure light illuminates on dash on a daily basis in summer. downloaded error codes; cleaned ecu for abs. *tr

Had fused wiring harness installed by ford dealership as part of recall 09s09 24/11/09. 12/04/10 am now having brake/abs/trac off dash lights coming on after vehicle running for 20 minutes or so. braking distance has since increased. *tr

My 2001 ford windstar's brakes were locked and i could not disengage them. i had the car serviced for this problem many times, most recently in january of 2010 when i was told that they determined that the problem was the rear speed sensor. they replaced it and told me it was all set and wouldn't happen again. yesterday (4/6/2010) while i was travelling in interstate 95 south it happened again with disastrous consequences. i put my brakes on to slow down but instead of slowing down my car came to a screeching halt in the left lane of fast moving traffic. we were hit twice and the car was totaled along with the other cars involved. i am wondering if this has happened with other 2001 ford windstars. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated that when attempting to stop, the brake pedal would extend to the floorboard and abnormally pull the vehicle when attempting to stop. the vehicle was repaired several times at an automotive center but the failure recurred. almost every component of the braking system was repaired and replaced. the vehicle was not repaired for the failure. the contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. the failure mileage was approximately 120,000 and the current mileage was approximately 134,000.

Braking distance suddenly increase. *tr

Braking distance suddenly increased on vehicle. abs warning light came on and stays on. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact had a recall repair performed in relation to a brake fluid leak. she was not sure of the recall information and stated that it may have been issued by the manufacturer as a voluntary recall. although the vehicle was repaired, the brake fluid leaked over the engine (it was not cleaned up after the recall repair) and the leak ruined the transmission range sensor and the abs sensor. the contact called the manufacturer who refused to correct the problem. the vin was unavailable at the time of the complaint. the failure mileage was approximately 124,000. the current mileage was approximately 126,000.

I have a 2001 ford windstar and the brake light and abs light come on and go off intermittently. i smell a burning smell in the car. i t comes on and goes off at different times, lights not always on. *tr

Abs lights illuminate on dashboard during which time antilock brake system and traction control does not operate at all. this occurs approximately 10-15 minutes after vehicle has been started and lasts the entire time the vehicle is being operated. this problem appears in warm weather around 95% of the time and about 30% of the time when temperatures are below freezing. appears to be the antilock brake control module overheating but i cannot confirm that. have had the speed control deactivation switch replaced under recall. dealer inspected brake system at the same time and said the control module will have to be replaced at a cost of over $1,000. i am hesitant to spend the money as i am not sure if the new control module will have the same defect. i was hoping the previous recall would solve this problem but it did not. wonder if the two issues are related. *tr

Braking distance suddenly increased even after the latest recall, my car abs light continues to stay on. i have had the speed sensor replaced and the wheel sensor cleaned at the dealership yet problem persists. *tr

Feb 26th 2010 2001 ford windstar perfect condition no problems no lights on dash....feb 27th 2010 car is started and smoke poured out of hood on driver side after being started after that the abs light emergency brake light and o/d light are on and the computer information center on the display is advising to check transmission and there is a fuel data computer error and the odometer is blank and the speedometer is not functioning the heater on our vehicle has stopped but the fans still blow but only regular air. i've taken it to a ford dealership today to be repaired under the recall for the vehicle speed control issue and they have done the bare minimum to fix the leaking that has occurred due to the faulty switch leaking brake fluid and starting the small fire i experienced feb 27th 2010 but are unwilling to resolve the remaining issues caused by and listed above. *tr

Vehicle was purchased in november 2009. i first began having problems with the abs/brake light coming on, in february 2010. the next incident was the power windows on drivers side and back window would not role down. the next incident was the heater wont work. a recall and repair was done on the rear subframe 11s16 in april of 2010.vehicle repair was not complete now taking in for front under carriage repair on wed 21,2012. *tr

2001 ford windstar- abs /traction control lights on in dash. lights have been on and off for the past 2 years, we took the van in for the recall about a month ago and yesterday the abs/traction control lights are on and stay on now so thy are disabled. *tr

I took my 2001 ford windstar in for the recall, and still my abs light and brake light are on. i researched online that many people are still having the same problem. *tr

2001 ford windstar beginning in summer of 2009, abs and brake light sometimes lit on dashboard. dashboard controls either stopped working, going on and off and controls such as rpm, gas ind, speedometer either not working or going back and forth rapidly. the rpm indicator pin actually snapped off. now it is stuck and doesn't move at all. drivers side window stopped working, replaced motor. had ford dealer replace switch as indicated in recall 09s09 in november 2009. thought problem was fixed.as of jan 18, 2010, abs and brake lights come on after engine has warmed up. before i was notified of the recall i had full brake service on front and rear brakes in october 2009. also, not sure if related or not, i turned the car off at a red light and attempted tp restart it to turn off lights and the alternator died, had to replace. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated that the abs and brake warning lights would illuminate on the dashboard whenever she entered the vehicle. the vehicle had not yet been taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the current and failure mileages were approximately 150,000.

Abs brake light comes on and off. *tr

Antilock brake computer has failed. *tr

My wife's 2001 ford windstar brake, abs and trac off (traction control) lights would come on a few minutes after she would drive the car. this was more prevalent during warmer weather than in the late fall or winter. basically something was malfunctioning which caused the abs braking and traction control system from working. i had recently brought her windstar to rye ford for a brake switch recall (probably related to this) and had this problem looked at. let me say that i purchased this vehicle for her and my family for the safety features that were now failing. the diagnosis was a bad abs module and a hydraulic valve. the cost for the parts from ford were $700 for the ca control, $1,000 for the valve asy modulator and $385 for the 166cmf (not sure what that is). labor came to $385 for a total of $2,110.00 dollars! in doing research i found this problem to be pretty common for the windstar. it has been documented by other ford windstar owners one of which has researched and figured out the cause of this malfunction. please go to:http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/ and go to problem #2.. basically the module malfunctions because a metal plate expands when it warms up (which explains why this problem occurs during the warmer months) and touches the circuitry. there are pictures and evidence of this malfunction on the site. i believe ford is well aware of this issue and has ignored it because it is a big money maker for them. the part cost must be a huge profit for them which is why they ignore this issue. in addition many people i am sure purchased this vehicle as i did for the safety features of the abs and traction control. when ford puts out a vehicle with knowingly inferior parts that would compromise the operation and ultimately the safety to the driver and passengers then ford should be made to correct this situation at their expense and not at the expense of their customers. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated that the warning brake light and the check engine lights illuminated intermittently. the dealer replaced the coil which caused the failure. the dealer inform him after replacing the coil that there was also a problem with the abs link and the heat. the failure mileage w's 73,000. updated 02/1710 *bf the abs activated on its own. the dealer replaced the wheel speed sensor. updated 02/19/10.*jb

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the abs warning light was illuminated on the instrument control panel. a mechanic stated that the abs control unit needed to be replaced. the dealer was contacted in reference to recall 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). a technician stated that since the abs failure had no relation to the recall, they would only provide a free remedy for the speed control. the manufacturer was notified, but assistance was provided. the current mileage was 95,180. the failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Regarding defect information report, ford recall 09s09, 49 cfr part 573, october 9, 2009, from the auto safety office, ford motor company, to the associate administrator for safety assurance nhtsa. "service procedure" states "on windstars with a leaking switch the repair will also involve inspection and repair,if necessary, of the abs module connector. repairs will be completed at no charge to owners." my 2001 windstar was diagnosed with a faulty abs module connector on 11/09 and needs to be replaced. the service manager at my local ford dealer refuses to investigate this problem and states he has no knowledge of this potential complication as a result of the leaking switch. abs module connector has not been replaced. *tr

Abs and brake lights intermittent come on. recall problem #2 abs ecm failure on ford windstar. fixed problem #1 speed control switch, harness but not #2 my switch was leaking. lucky no fire. but now my sensor (#2) doesn't work. so when the lights come on i have no abs and its scary to think of a brake problem when driving. *tr