Abs light on dashboard comes on intermittently, after 5 minutes of operation light will come on, then stay on, but after shut off vehicle and start again light is fff and comes back on after few minutes of travel.
1996 Ford Windstar brakes problems
229 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 93,000. 18 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 229
- of this car's complaints
- 17%
- typical mileage
- 93,000
- crashes
- 18
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip112
- Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings26
- Foundation components: disc19
- Foundation components19
- Foundation components: disc: rotor13
- Foundation components: disc: pads10
- Foundation components: master cylinder8
- Power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings5
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Windstar brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Ford Windstar brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. During assembly, some brake lines were installed in a twisted position, causing contact with the dash panel insulator above the catalytic converter. This contact could abrade the brake line corrosion protection, consequently, salt or water absorbed in the dash panel insulator would promote corrosion. This corrosion could ultimately lead to a leak in the brake line.
- Risk
- Leakage of brake fluid will result in brake light activation. Extended stopping distance could also result, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake line for corrosion and clearance conditions. A brake line that is not corroded will be repositioned. A brake line that is corroded or leaking will be replaced with a nylon coated brake line and secured using three retaining clips to assure clearance from the insulator. Owner notification began may 10, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 02V101000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: minivans. The brake fluid master cylinder is recessed and oriented in the engine compartment so that the brake fluid warning statement embossed on both the top of the filler cap and the side of the reservoir body are not entirely visible by direct view. These vehicles may not fully comply with requirements of fmvss no. 135, "passenger car brake systems."
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with new labels and installation instructions.
Recall number 99V147000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Hydraulic brake line failure
On april 4, 2002, ford motor company notified odi of a defect condition that could result in extended stopping distances in approximately 250 thousand model year (my) 1995 and 1996 windstar minivans sold or registered in salt belt states (recall 02v‑101).according to ford, improper brake line routing in vehicles manufactured at the oakville assembly plant from january 14, 1994 through may 21, 1996 resulted in some vehicles with mis-positioned brake lines that could contact a dash panel insulator.such contact could abrade the brake line protection coating and result in corrosive failure of the brake lines. Odi opened rq04-003 to investigate complaints of brake line failure in windstar vehicles that were:(1) located outside the recall region; or (2) built after the recall range.regarding the latter group, ford changed the assembly process after may 21, 1996 to eliminate the mis-build problem.the failure rates in the my 1996 windstar vehicles built after the process change are relatively low in both the salt-belt states. With respect to the my 1995 and 1996 vehicles built during the period of concern that were not sold or registered in salt belt states, the failure rate is also low.the related brake line warranty claim rate for those vehicles is also low. Accordingly, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified in the my 1995-96 windstar vehicles that were not included in recall 02v‑101.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
RQ04003
Rear axle trailing arm
There is no summary currently available
PE98056
Brake pedal fade/extended stop distance
There is no summary currently available
EA96026
Brake pedal fade/extended stopping
Odi has received sixty-eight (68) consumer reports of alleged failures or malfunctions in the brake system on certain 1995 and 1996 ford windstars, which resulted in brake pedal fade and in extended stopping distances during brakingthese alleged failures or malfunctions are reported to have caused twelve (12) accidents that resulted from vehicle loss of braking.the conplainants report that the loss of braking occurred duringbraking situations on dry roads as well as on wet or slippery roads.in response to odi's information reques (ir) concerning the long stopping distance complaints on the 1995 windstar, ford reported receiving 259 report (field reports, owner complaints, and subrogation claims) of long stopping distance on the 1995 ford windstar, along with 64 reports of accidents.in addition, ford reported receiving some 64,000 warranty claims that could relate to the alleged defect of long stopping distance performance on the subject vehicles.since apreliminary evaluation was opened, odi has received additional complaints of the alleged failure on the 1996 models, which were not included initially in this investigation.odi believes that an engineering analysis on the 1995 and 1996 ford windstar vehices in warranted to determine the scope of the problem.
PE96042
What 1996 Ford Windstar owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Had changed brake pads a week earlier. Driving 55mph and the car crashed down on it's axle as the tire and wheel passed by us going down highway, in 37 north. Studs had all broken off. The disc brake is ruined from skidding on it. Traffic was moderately heavy. We skidded to a stop on a bridge and feel lucky not to have crashed into anyone.
Ford windstar brake, ABS brake, cruise control, and speedometer/odometer electrical problems rear axle cracks!
The brake & ABS lights were coming on intermittently then the brakes started squeaking and eventually started at least scrubbing on the right side. Also, when you push the brake pedal down, it felt soft. This started happening again at the beginning of october of this year and the right front brakes are scrubbing. And, the brake pedal feels soft, again. My husband replaced the brakes on 12/28/09 and we had to have the right front axle and spindle replaced on 01/13/10. We had the recall no. 09s09 work performed at richard haney ford in carrollton, georgia on 12/17/09. New front brakes were also put on by mechanics on 12/12/08 & 09/17/07.
1996 ford windstar. Consumer requests a refund for money spent on repairs as a result of the problem described in a recall *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle had a brake fluid leak which damaged the ABS module, closkspring and caused the cruise control not to work. The consumer stated in mid-late december she and her husband began to experience problems with braking and the ABS light would come on and go off at random. Braking was sometimes interrupted by a shuddering which delayed the action of the brake after the brake pedal was depressed, as if the ABS did not want the brake to engage. This happened during normal braking as well as a quick press of the brake pedal, but in either case the braking was prolonged. The consumer stated the dealer repaired the problem with a kit and she was reassured the brake leak was fixed and there should be no more problems and there was nothing wrong with the action of the brakes. Several days later, the consumer and her husband experienced the shuddering again while driving 65 MPH. The consumers husband decided to purchase an ABS module from an online dealer. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, who agreed to install the part. The problem with the ABS light and shuddering has been resolved. When the consumer received the recall notice, he went to the dealership with the receipts from the repair, but was told his vehicle was not one of the years covered for a refund of previous repairs.
The ABS warning light comes on when driving. I can stop and shut the van off and it will be all right. 1996 ford windstar 82,400 miles.
Complete brake loss when the brake was applied. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor without warning. Luck had it we were pulling into a parking spot with a concrete stop. The metal brake line located above the gas tank rusted completely. While the rest of the brake lines look fine, it's the area of the brake line that passes over the gas tank that is rusted. Because of the location of the gas tank, the line are hidden from normal view of an inspection unless the gas tank is lowered. Had this occurred at a busy intersection or highway at high speeds this could have been catastrophic. The brake lines were replaced. The old part is available. I am keeping this as a reminder how close my family came to death.
Abs light stays on continuously. Was told it was due to a problem on the right front wheel, replaced parts on right front wheel, ABS light still stays on. No other reasons found for light to be on. Numerous attempts to correct have not succeeded. *jb check engine light continues to stay on. I have paid $89 3 times to have 'diagnostics' run which show no reason for the light to be on, yet it continues to stay on which will not allow my car to pass state inspection.
Brake failure lines rotted completly through.
Abs light on, brake light on, brakes failed due to broken brake line. This is the second time this happened. On 2 different brake lines. We replaced both brake lines.
Questions about the 1996 Ford Windstar brakes
Does the 1996 Ford Windstar have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 229 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Ford Windstar, 17% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Windstar brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 93,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Ford Windstar brakes?
Yes, 2 recalls: 02V101000, 99V147000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Windstar have bad brakes?
The Ford Windstar model years with the most brakes complaints are 2003 (655 complaints), 2002 (643 complaints) and 2001 (544 complaints).
Other 1996 Ford Windstar problems
Engine 472Transmission 322Suspension 111Electrical 83Acceleration 82Fuel system 53Steering 50Wheels 42Visibility 38Body 37Airbags 25Lights 21Tires 20Seat belts 18Locks 10Seats 6Driver assistance 1
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