1996 Ford Windstar: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed May 28, 2012 · Acceleration · 198 miles · UT · fire

My van was in great shape and great condition. I was driving to work on may 6th 2012 about 45-50 MPH entered the I-215 collector, started to smell a burned rubber smell, I looked at the temp gauge and it was normal, the van started to sputter like running out of gas, the van was not out of gas almost full, the service engine light started to flash on and off, I pulled over to the shoulder and came to a complete stop, looked at the temp gauge again and it still was normal, the burned rubber smell got worse and I noticed then a black smoke coming from under the hood. I got out of the van and stood at the front of the van to call aaa and the engine burst into flames under the hood. There was not indicator what so ever that the vehicle was overheating. This all occurred in about 5-10 minutes. The police came and could not put the fire out with extinguisher. The fire department had to put the fire out. It burned up my entire vehicle with all the contents inside. The fireman stated that even the front tires were burned up and melted. I did get pictures of what happened. I only had liability insurance so I thought I was just out of luck. A security specialist from work said that it sounded like the fire could have started due to a factory safety defect and told me to do some research. I did find that there was a recall on the speed switch or control on 1996 ford windstars. I always use my cruise control. I have filed a claim with my insurance based on a burn under the assumption that the fire occurred due to the speed control recall. Please let me know what I can do. I never received any notification of the recall or I would have taken it in to be fixed before this happened.

Filed Dec 21, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 100,000 miles · KS

Ford windstar brake, ABS brake, cruise control, and speedometer/odometer electrical problems rear axle cracks!

Filed Oct 10, 2010 · Electrical · OH

My ABS light stays its been on for 6 months now, my cruise control wont work, and my speedometer goes crazy, no lights in my dash and got told there was a recall on several of these items and I want to know how to get past recalls on my van I've have seen all kinds of recalls and never sent nothing.

Filed May 26, 2010 · Brakes · PA

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.

Filed Oct 18, 2009 · Acceleration · 140,500 miles · MO · fire

I have a 1996 ford windstar van that caught fire while I was driving. The cruise control was on. The vehicle lost power, then a boom and there were flames around the firewall. The master cylinder, wiring harness, hoses etc. Were destroyed. The fire was located more on the driver's side of the vehicle. This vehicle has been more than properly maintained, and my mechanic can attest to this. This vehicle has not yet been repaired. I was not injured. This occurred prior to the current recall.

Filed Apr 7, 2009 · Acceleration · 190,000 miles · OK · fire

The cruise control deactivator sensor on the master brake cylinder shorted out due to brake fluid in it. This caused the wires to it to burn off the insulation and a large amount of smoke to enter the vehicle. All replacement parts are oem leading me to believe it is an on going problem.

Filed Jan 26, 2009 · Electrical · 80,004 miles · FL

Brake pressure differential deactivation switch located under the master cylinder leaks, causing a short which activates the ABS light on the dash. This short creates a severe fire risk. This switch also interacts with and can cause problems with the cruise control, speedometer and odometer.

Filed Jul 18, 2008 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 140,000 miles · PA · fire

Brake module to cruise control harness caught on fire. Similar models have this recalled by ford but not for the year for my windstar.

Filed Aug 8, 2007 · Acceleration · 130,000 miles · IL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford windstar. After picking up his vehicle from the mechanic, the contact noticed smoke rising from under the hood. He pulled over, opened the hood, and noticed flames coming from the cruise control switch that connects to the bottom of the master cylinder. He notified the dealer and the manufacturer and they stated that nothing could be done because there was no recall. They advised him to call the federal safety agency. The contact extinguished the fire with water, but the vehicle continued to smoke. The vehicle has remained parked at his residence since august 6, 2007. The speed was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 130,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2005 · Acceleration, Brakes · PA · fire

Dt: the contact owns a 1996 ford windstar. Two years ago around june 7 2003 while driving the van all weekend, when they got out of the van and walked into a store, were not into the store for 10 minutes and someone said that the vehicle on fire. Had problems with ABS light coming on, and they tried to have this fixed. Were not successful in getting this fixed. The vehicle was totaled, and the insurance company covered it. She believed the problem was from the deactivation of cruise control switch. The fire started under the hood.

Filed Jun 7, 2005 · Acceleration, Electrical · 106,000 miles · WA · fire

While driving, a sudden engine fire occurred in a 1996 windstar. The ford dealer (sound ford, renton wa) states that the fire originated in the cruise control cutout switch. It is clear from the burn pattern that this was indeed the cause. The single occupant was able to exit the vehicle, and the fire was extinguished using a dry chemical fire extinguisher from a local merchant (westmarine, seattle, wa). The ford dealer has been unable so far to repair the vehicle (it's been over three weeks).

Filed Mar 4, 2005 · Acceleration · 100,211 miles · CT · fire

Cruise control switch shorted, caused smoke, caused cruise control to fail, replaced with new switch. Ford would not repair as part of recent pickip truck recall on this switch. Had to pay for repair.*ak I have original failed switch which leaks brake fluid into switch causing short and smoke.