Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford windstar. While driving at any speed, the ABS light would illuminate on the instrument panel and brake fluid would leak. The contact also noticed that the cruise control switch worked inconsistently. She discovered that the cruise control deactivation switch had melted. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 152,000.
1995 Ford Windstar brakes complaints
Page 2 of 18: complaints 11 to 40 of 506, newest first, as owners wrote them.
During brake test at motor vehicle division the pedal went to the floor. All brake fluid emptied from the reservoir. Further investigation showed rear brake lines are severely corroded and the line to the left rear brake had failed due to the corrosion. The hole was located in the 90 degree bend at the brake drum. Luckily the vehicle could be safely stopped however, the potential for injury was great if this had occurred in a traffic situation.
Brakes failed on 1995 ford windstar. - rear brake line has corroded badly. There is absolutely no excuse for safety related components to be manufactured with material that can corrode. If airplanes can safely fly after 30+ years of service. Why can't auto manufacturers be required to install corrosion resistant components for safety critical systems????
Purchased the van used in 2004. A few weeks later the transmission had to be rebuilt. Shortly after that the brake lights came on. Mechanic could not find anything wrong with the brakes, although periodically they made a noise and would stiffen up, then the pedal would go slack and then return to normal. The muffler fell off and was put back on. The check engine light had been on, when hooked up to the computer it only showed codes for the exhaust system. Then it started overheating and a bit of white smoke came from the tailpipe. The intake manifold gasket was replaced. 2 days later the overdrive light started blinking and the van didn't have much power and would stall out while emitting a thick cloud of white smoke from the tailpipe. Mechanic says now the head gasket is blown.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle did not respond. The vehicle stopped when the parking brake was depressed. It was towed home where the brake lines were inspected. There was corrosion on the undercarriage of the vehicle, including the brake lines. The vehicle has not been seen by a mechanic, but the manufacturer was alerted.
Check engine light kept coming on our 1995 ford windstar van. Also, the anti brake lock system kept trying to incorrectly engage. When taken into the local ford dealer we were told that we had 3 bad sensors. Two brake sensor and 1 check engine sensor were faulty and would need replaced. We were told the worse case scenario was the brakes would wear out due to the anti lock mechanism trying to engage and the van my stall due to the other faulty sensor. We were also told these sensor are replaced often. We felt that 3 faulty sensors in one 11 year old van was excessive, especially after being informed that this is a common occurrence. This will cost us a total of around $300 to repair.
Ford motor company has recalled 1995 windstar for "right front brake line corrosion." both rear brake lines failed on our windstar, VIN [xxx], on march 29, 2006 while approaching a stop sign. When I depressed the brake pedal, there was a small shudder and then the pedal went to the floor. Fortunately we live in a rural area, and although I proceeded through the stop sign without stopping, I did not collide with anything, and was able to stop the vehicle using the hand brake. The ford dealership has told me that the rear brake lines failed, and that this is not covered by the current ford recall. *jb updated 07/16/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Dt: while driving on september 24, 2005 the vehicle caught on fire. The consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The consumer had not taken vehicle to be inspected. The consumer believed that it might have been caused by the ABS brakes. There was no previous warning before this occurred.
Unresponsive hand-brake, locked in set position with dash board brake error light lit. Can not clear problem and franchised dealer, maroone, and ford have not taken responsibility. 1995 ford windstar with 74,000 miles at failure.
Dt: the consumer states on her 1995 ford windstar, there was the federal safety agency recall 01i007000 on the front coil springs. The spring on the passenger front broke when turning and caused the tire to blow out. The vehicle was towed at that time to a mechanic, and they informed the consumer about the recall. When she called ford, they told her it was too late, that because the vehicle was originally bought in 1994 the warranty ran out. When she purchased the vehicle, in 2003, she received no notice there was a recall. Ford did not even have her as the current owner of the vehicle. The mechanic did find that the driver's side coil was broke. The tire was damaged, and there were no injuries.*ak the consumer stated she has been having problems with the ABS since 2003.
Dt: consumer has 1995 windstar. Consumer says that the brake light was coming on. This happened frequently. It was maybe six months before brake fluid had to be added the second time. Then it got to where the fluid had to be added about once a week. When consumer added brake fluid the light would go off. Also cruise control did not work. Consumer took vehicle to daughter's auto mechanics class, where she found that the speed control deceleration switch burned off of the master cylinder. Consumer had problem repaired with what the ford dealer called a replacement part. Consumer wanted to know if the replacement part was safe.
Vehicle failed to stop while braking at 35 MPH. Consumer was able to get the vehicle to stop without any incident. Vehicle was towed to a local repair shop, and mechanic determined that the metal brake line located between the fuel tank and the body rail erupted due to corrosion. The dealer was not notified.
Numerous problems with my 1995 ford windstar. It is the worst car I have ever purchased! As soon as one repair is completed (two transmissions, head gasket, electrical problems, brakes, suspension), then another one occurs. Now, as in every christmas, the "engine light" is on and the car is running so poorly that you can't even pull the car out of the driveway without it choking and spitting, lots of smoke, and the car is actually shaking!!! I know it is another head gasket and I just can't pay anymore money into this piece of garbage. I have been looking for a new car and it certainly will not be a ford!
While braking vehicle pulsated and there would be extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
The consumer received a manufacturer's recall 02s36 concerning brake line corrosion. While driving at any speed when the brakes were depressed, the pedal went to the floor. The vehicle was examined under the recall six months earlier, and the consumer was told that the vehicle was in good shape. *ak the brake line had rusted through completely above the catalytic converter. *sc
Consumer received a recall for front brake fluid line due to contact with heat removing protection. This could cause the brake fluid to leak. The problem surfaced on the rear brake lines, showing signs of corrosion. Dealership did not claim responsibility for the rear lines leaking.
While driving consumer applied the brake pedal and the brakes failed. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that both front brakes were leaking fluid.
Vehicle was recalled for front brake line corrosion. Vehicle was sent to dealer for repairs, and it was determined that the rear brake line was corroded. Currently, brakes were affected by the defect.
I asked the seller at ford to completely service the van before I would buy it. He said his mechanic would. I checked the van out two weeks later, low on oil, no brake fluid, trans fluid very low, no water hardly at all in receiver, then the starter went out, replaced it no good, replaced switch, no good, brakes gone out, can't keep fluid in systems, engine light came on, emission problems, mechanic stalls for the hour amount, and still can't fix/test ii code. Inside lights dim when extra. Lights come on. It's a [xxx] piece of junk and they sold us a lemon. I paid over $4,000.00 cash for it, and all they wanted to so was sell it for money. What can I do? It has 72,000 etc mile and now has 82,000. We are both disabled with two kids. We have been screwed. I can get the ford info on the ford windstar 95 3.8 it rattles, water runs out of the exhaust pipe and the converter. I want to sue them, I called them and they said the hell with you, you bought it as it was. Ford products are the worst auto's on the market. We want revenge and all our money back now. [xxx]. What is next a head gasket? I heard that cost over $1,600.00 to fix. And there are alot of them going out. Ford needs to stand behind it's products or get out of the business. I have had my kids tossed to the dash when I step on the brakes before we even get out of our drive way. We wear seatbelts, I wouldn't dare ride in it. It is a death trap to me.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Problems with head gaskets, transmission, and faulty brakes on 1995 ford windstar.*mr
When I start my ford windstar my brakes are hard to push down on until my ABS light comes on then my brakes are fine I was told by a repair man from a ford dealer said that the light is not suppose to be on. I ask other owners of ford windtars that range from 1995 to 2001 they say their ABS lights come on too.
The supplemental braking system is held by two bolts, one of the bolts came loose, making it hard for the driver to set the parking brake.
Rear steel brake line ruptured in vehicle during normal use. (not as a result of an accident.) the break of this line resulted in a loss of brake fluid and adversely affected the ability of the vehicle to stop. The vehicle is the primary vehicle for my wife and children. Vehicle has been well maintained. Another brake line was covered in an earlier recall in may 2003. Upon investigation this morning, I was told there are no outstanding recalls on the vehicle.
Consumer stated that brakes were defective. A couple of times, almost did not stop at a stop sign, vehicle kept going even when he kept pumping the brakes. Consumer took vehicle to the mechanic, and mechanic determined that a cylinder was missing in the motor. Also, mechanic told consumer that calipers and rotors needed to be replaced. Consumer insisted that brakes/calipers, and rotors were replaced, but brakes still did not work properly. Then, consumer received a recall notice. Took vehicle to the dealer,and left vehicle at dealers. 20 minutes later, mechanic called consumer and stated there was nothing wrong with vehicle. *ak
Brake work x2 transmission x2 all belts tire & suspension work lugs on wheels not properly replaced ,it almost fell off still paying on vehicle while it sits in ashley ford parking lot w/ dead transmission I am unable to pay close to $2000 for repairs
The engine was the main problem due to the head gasket recall. In july,2000, we argued with ford about a bad engine running for which we had just paid over $300 to evaluate by an outside repair shop. After about 6 weeks we received our car back with a new long block paid for by ford, including a rental van for the time in the shop. In january 2001 the engine was running rough again and we were charged $81.45 to check it out and replace a wire bad on cylinder 6 which was misfiring. Three months later in april 2001 the car ran rough again and the engine light was back on (happened for years intermittently since we owned the car). The new long-block had another bad head gasket reinstalled per the second ford dealership service center. After nearly another month we had the second new long-block in less than one year. Now less than 2 years and 40,000 miles later, following the 110k service of radiator flush and oil change at 113,098 miles the engine rapidly lost oil and is misfiring and burning oil. Ford's position once again is that the warranty was only for 12 months or 12k miles. On a smaller note, the brakes have gone out numerous times and we have replaced rotors and pads numerous times with no improvements. The power steering has performed very poorly. We changed the fluid in 2000 and then the ford service center and they replaced the outer tie rods and reset the alignment. Within months it was going out again intermittently. Most often when starting out the power steering goes out and you must manually steer the vehicle.
At 146,00 miles I was just informed that I will have to have another head gasket repair done (that would make it the third time this part has failed) to save the car...I will not do it, as in february, I spent over $750 to have the rear brakes repaired for brake fluid covering the shoes of the brakes, cause by brake line corrosion (just as in the right front brake line corrosion that was a national recall!!!!) but there was no recall for the rears
I have owned this van since 1999. Since I have owned it we have had nothing but problems with it. I have had the rotors turned, and replaced at least 3 times, and they need it again. I have had the head gasket replaced 3 times and one of them times was at 99,000 miles when it was under the warrenty. It had been replaced at least one time before that. My sliding door won't stay closed, even though I just spent $300 getting a new latched put on. My windows won't work. I had larson motors fix a head gasket and my electronic windows, cost me over $250 for the window, that only worked 2 times. I called, and since they put "may not be the problem" on the invoice, they think that clears them, and they wanted me to spend more money on another part. My speedometor has been replaced once and is broke again. The alternator has been replaced. I could go on and on. I am getting no where with anyone. I have spent around 5,000.00 in repairs, and can't trade the thing off, since I still owe too much on it, due to a tornado that hit our home, and what the insurance didn't cover, the balance was put on our car loan. We don't have the best credit do to having to spend anywhere from $100-300+ a month on repairs to this lemon car. I have a family and need to know that I have a reliable car to drive. I have been stranded with my 3 children a minimum of 4 times this past year.
While backing out of the driveway brakes failed, causing the vehicle to go into oncoming traffic. Dealer determined that brake lines were rusted, causing holes in the brake line. *ak
1995 ford windstar. Upper layer of hood flew off while driving on southern state parkway near exit 13. Called ford and all they told me is that my vehicle is out of warranty. I don't care about warranty. I care about feeling lucky I'm not dead or kill anyone driving behind me. This must have happened or will happen again and someone will get killed. On sept. 11 2001 (strangely enough) I lost my brakes on the same vehicle. I called ford and they gave me the warranty routine. Sure enough they recalled the vehicle soon after for the exact problem that I reported. In fact they paid to fix the problem. Please look into this before somebody is dead due to a flying hood. Thank you.
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