1995 Ford Windstar: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Mar 8, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · WA

My speedometer and odometer stopped working a couple of days ago on my 1995 ford windstar. I got on the internet and found the recall having to do with the ABS brake light. I understand that my car could catch fire when unattended. We have been losing brake fluid for some time. When the area in question for the recall under the brake master cylinder was inspected, there was indeed fluid leaking. We have also had an ABS light on the dash lighting for some time. My husband has just been adding brake fluid, but now the light doesn't even light. I don't know about the cruise control not working. My mechanic will look at it before ford does.

Filed Oct 15, 2009 · Engine · 170 miles · MD · fire

My 1995 ford windstar developed a fire under the hood on the driver's side while parked in my driveway. The car had not been driven at all during the two weeks prior to the fire. The last time it was driven prior to the fire, the car repeatedly lost power (decelerated, nearly to a stop) while driving on an uphill incline. Depressing the accelerator was ineffective during such episodes. Power returned and the car would acclerate and maintain a steady speed once the car returned to level ground. I had not used the cruise control system at all during that last trip and used it rarely in the 12 years that I owned the car. The fire completely destroyed the engine and all other major systems under the hood. The fire damaged the surface of my driveway and a small area of my lawn.

Filed Sep 22, 2008 · Acceleration, Airbags · 152,000 miles · MN · fire

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.

Filed Mar 1, 2008 · Acceleration, Airbags · MN

Cruise control quit working. Also air bag blew when car was idling and no one in the car fortunately.

Filed Jul 12, 2007 · Acceleration · 120,000 miles · OR · fire

* cruise control quit working over 24 months ago. * consistent loss of brake fluid over time. * fire discovered under hood when returning home. Fire located under brake master cylinder. Fire was put out with fire extinguisher. Vehicle towed to dealership, and they said this was a known problem with cruise control deactivation switches. Other vehicle models with the same switch have been recalled. See http://www.safetyforum.com/fordcruisecontrol/ *dealership is ordering parts to repair vehicle.

Filed Sep 28, 2005 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

1995 ford windstar master brake cylinder leaked causing circuits for the horn, back up lights, and cruise control to be inoperable. *ts the consumer stated the cruise control is still inoperative. The dealer stated the problem stemmed from a burnt circuit.

Filed Sep 12, 2005 · Acceleration · 203,300 miles · VA

Dt: while driving a month ago the consumer noticed a large amount of white smoke coming from under the front left side of the hood. The consumer pulled vehicle over, shut off the engine, and inspected under the hood. The consumer smelled plastic and electrical burning. The consumer restarted the engine and noticed there was a plug near the master cylinder, and the smoke was coming from that plug along the brake master cylinder. The consumer called his brother and consulted an automobile repair manual and discovered this was part of the cruise control system. Determined that the cruise control could be disconnected and they did so. The consumer left the vehicle sitting about seven to eight hours before disconnecting the switch and driving home. The consumer noted that cruise control switch quit working a few months prior. Since disconnecting the cruise control switch the vehicle lost a lot of brake fluid. The consumer heard about the ford recall, but this vehicle was not included in the recall because it was a 1995 ford windstar. He took the vehicle to a ford dealer, and they informed him that the vehicle was not involved in the recall although they have the same cruise control switch. The consumer has not contacted ford at this time. There was no visible body damage, there were no flames, but only smoke, and no fire.

Filed Jul 15, 2005 · Acceleration, Electrical · 97,100 miles · OH

1995 ford windstar had a burnt circuit affecting the backup lights, horn and cruise control.***no answer required*** *mr *sc the consumer did not have the cruise control repaired due to expense reasons.

Filed Jul 5, 2005 · Acceleration, Brakes · 99,000 miles · UT

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.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · VA

Case 1 my family was coming home from vacation when the engine blew while we were on the highway. Smoke came up from under the hood and we were force to stop the van on a crowded highway. Thanks to a nearby truck driver who stopped behind us, we were able to call someone and get to safety. It took a lot of negotiation for me to get ford to take care of this matter, but they finally did. Now again on our recent trip to ga on 08-28-03 while driving home, our check engine light came on and overdrive light started blinking and the transmission blew. Transmission fluid leaked all out and on the back of our van too. It also started smoking underneath the hood and from the tailpipe. We were informed by freedom ford in norfolk va that we had transmission failure. Our check light has come on numerous occasions and despite their action it still keeps coming on. In addition, our overdrive lights blink, our cruise control do not work, the door adjar lights stays on at times even when the doors all locked and causing the inside interiors lights to stay on, our gears do not shift properly and gets stuck between gears and upon acceleration it sometimes hesitates, repaired coolant leak from timing cover gasket and front crankshaft seal, coil ignition, the air condition when on makes these strange noises, etc. Replaced. We are very dissatisfied with ford windstars and have spent more money on repairs than what it was worth. We even still owe on the van. Ford needs to issue a recalll or a refund. This is not a safe vehicle to drive. Please keep me informed. Thanks and god bless.

Filed Aug 29, 2003 · Acceleration, Engine · 10 miles · VA

It's us again!!! On our vacation to ga, about 250 miles or less, our engine check light came on. We went to the nearest ford dealer in lumbngton, nc and had an engine diagnostic done. The ford dealer was said they fixed the problem. Codes p1150, p1151, and another code. However the engine check light came on again while in ga and then went off. I called the ford dealership back in nc and he stated that we should be okay and should make it back home safely. On our way back home the check engine came on again aroound nc-va and s no warning lights came on, nor did the engine overheat and it was driving okay. We decided to pull over at a rest stop and thats when the car hesitated to move and then smoke came out from the tailpipe and underneath the hood and leaked out all the transmission fluid including all over the back door and windows was greasy from the leak. . This is the second time something like this has happened to us while driving long distance. Thee vans are very unsafe to drive and ford needs to do a recall on these vans. We have put more money into this van then I can imagine in a lifetime. These incidents has also cause us unneccesary strain. In addition, our door ajar lights comes on, cruise control don't work, our gears do not shift correctly and gets stuck between gears, overdrive light starts blinking when we try to use it, the air conditioner makes strange noises when using it and driving,etc. It just does not work. I am very unsatisfied with this van and would appreciate a remedy and prompt solution. This is our only means of transportation and we still owe more than what the vehicle is worht. Please help us and contact me when you have receive this. Thanks and I look forward to something being done to take care of us ford windstars owners. We would also like reimbursement for our emergency expenses,tow charges to freedom ford from emporia, virginia. We also had our oil changed by freedom ford before we left and a 15 point multi inspection done.

Filed Mar 14, 2001 · Acceleration · FL

Cruise control cable would stick. Has happened twice before. Had set cruise control on 62mph going uphill, auto shifted down. Was going downhill and pressed on brakes to release cruise control. Vehicle picked up speed. Cruise control failed to disengage. Put on brakes and turned vehicle off to disengage cruise control.*ak the dealer sent a hazardous condition report to the manufacturer upon consumer's request.