1996 Ford Windstar: brake failure

Filed Feb 19, 2008 · Body, Brakes · 132,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed May 9, 2007 · Brakes · 89,215 miles · OH

Brake failure lines rotted completly through.

Filed Jul 12, 2006 · Brakes · 117,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Nov 21, 2004 · Brakes · 124,000 miles · IN

This morning, I was preparing to back out of my driveway when, all of a sudden, the brake pedal went to the floor. I had completely lost my brakes and brake fluid was spilling onto the driveway.*ak upon investigating the leak, my neighbor and I were able to locate a crack in the right front hard line. There was obvious signs of corrosion on all of the hard brake lines. I have not received any notification of defective brake lines and was unaware of any problems until I reviewed the information on this site. I am not sure whether to contact ford directly or speak with an attorney first. I shudder to think of what may have been the result if this had occurred on the interstate while on a family trip rather than in my driveway.

Filed Aug 26, 2004 · Brakes · NY

This is a second or follow-up for my earlier complaint filed on the day of teh incident. I just found additional information and wanted to append this to my complaint.*ak first complaint was about the total loss of braking in my 1996 ford windstar with 4 wheel discs and ABS. With a dual braking system the rupture of a brake line should not cause total brake loss but this failure did cause just that. If the electrical power was not on some pedal was evident. Once electrical power was on the pedal went to the floor. Since the ruptured brake line was in the rear and the front brakes still had fluid and do most of the braking I would have expected to retain some stopping capability. I purchased the 4 wheel disc system to gain a safer and more secure vehicle. If the additonal of ABS 4 wheel braking results in the loss of the dual master cylinder function , which is more critical, I think this option is less safe. The new information is the fact that other ford windstars have a recall for improperly installed brake lines which are subject to rust through and rupture. Ford tells me that my VIN is not in that group. I do not know if this is correct but the sumptoms sound identical. All the other brake lines in my car were in excellent shape save for the one to the rear brakes which ruptured and caused the loss of the fluid in the rear system. The front system retained fluid but did not pressurize the brakes. I assuem this failure was caused by the ABS but I can not be sure if that is the actual cause. Ford indciates that my need to replace the brake line is not the same as the existing recall. I am requesting that you investigate if the brake line problem with the windstar product is larger that originally thought. My car also is supposed to have the master cylinder signage updated on a recall. Ford indicates my was done but I do not see any of the expected markings. Perhaps these were applied and have fallen off or I could be looking in the wrong place.

Filed Aug 9, 2004 · Brakes · 58,000 miles · NY

My 1996 ford windstar with ABS 4 wheel disc brakes experienced total brake failure on the ny cross island highway. I managed to get the car off the highway and into a parking lot. Despite having dual zone brakes and brake fluid remaining in the front brake system I had zero braking. I would think that paying extra for 4 wheel disk ABS brakes would not be at the cost of losing the value of the dual master cylinder. I expected improved braking with the ABS 4 wheel disk option. The loss of any braking mote than off-sets the heat discipatation and ABS features. Should having ABS and disc brakes make a car less safe? The car with only 58,500 miles on it had a metal brake hose rust out. This line went to the right rear brakes and the failure was in the middle of the car above the spare wheel. Other brake lines still appear rto be in excellent condition. I do not know why this one failed at this date. The real reason for this complaint is that I was surprised by the total loss of braking. I think this may be a design failure. Shouldn't the front brakes still have worked? Indeed with the ignition and system off some pedal was encountered but with the power on there was absolutely no pedal. The indicator lights did indicate a braking problem. This car has been reported to ford and to several dealers as the ABS/traction contorl often automatically disengages. Despite more that 20 attemtps to have this corrected at multiple dealers this problem persists. This is another problem that results in the loss of benefits in what should be a safety improvement. However, this report is not about the recurring traction control failure. This is only to surface the fact that braking force is totally lost when a brake line for the rear brakes fails.

Filed Jun 22, 2004 · Brakes · 96,000 miles · MD

While driving on the road and approaching a red light consumer applied the brakes and the vehicle did not stop. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. It was determined that when the brake pedal went to the floor fluid leaked. The brake line that LED to the firewall was defective. Previously, recall 02v101000 concerning brake lines was issued. Consumer indicated that ford performed recall repairs. However, the brake failure recurred.

Filed Apr 15, 2004 · Brakes · MA

While applying the brakes pedal went to the floor. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. Vehicle stalled. Consumer tried to restart vehicle, but was unable to do so. Consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem.

Filed Sep 24, 2003 · Brakes · FL · crash · 1 injury

Tried to stop vehicle as we entered intersection, however brakes failed due to corroded brake line. Three cars in accident.

Filed Sep 24, 2003 · Brakes · NY · crash

While driving at 45 MPH brakes failed without warning, causing vehicle to collide with another vehicle.

Filed Sep 8, 2003 · Brakes · MD

While driving 10-15 MPH and applying the brake, the pedal went down to the floor and vehicle had no brakes. A rupture in the brake line was the cause of the failure.

Filed Aug 12, 2003 · Brakes · 82,210 miles · WI

Brake pedal when to floor. Resulting in no brakes. Metal brake line corrosion was the cause of the problem.