1997 Ford Windstar acceleration problems

Filed Aug 14, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 90,000 miles · MI

My windstar gl wouldn't start. I replaced the range selector switch. When I restarted the vehicle I forgot the reconnect the brake pressure sensor wiring connector and the ABS light came on. I tried to get the code cleared but no-one could access the code. I took the van to the dealer for a recall notice on the speed control system and had them look into why the ABS light was on. I was told the ABS module had quit and needed replaced. The module is $1500.00 and $300.00 to install. That's more than the van is worth. I searched online and found out many other windstar owners are having the same problems. The cruise control system has also quit and the dealer rep. Tells me that the cruise control also goes through this module. With the possibility of fire it seems rather irresponsible for ford to do nothing more than install a fusible link as a safety measure. I am looking into buying a used module to repair the cruise and ABS. The failure is total. Neither the cruise control or the ABS system works at this time.

Filed Jun 2, 2010 · Acceleration · UT

I had my 97 windstar fan fixed due to recall # 09s09:speed control system modification. Ever since then the ABS and parking lights have been coming on. We have had the codes reset, but they keep appearing. I have also called the ford dealer where the repair was done, but they say it is not covered in the recall to check the scds, or that if it wasn't leaking then, they did not have to replace that part. I am very frustrated.

Filed Oct 23, 2009 · Acceleration · 220,000 miles · NC · fire

Our 1997 ford windstar minivan that is currently subjected to the recall for the faulty cruise control switch burned to the ground on feb 21, 2007 as the result from a fire that started in the engine area.

Filed May 10, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 191,000 miles · AL

Noticed that I was leaking some brake fluid for the last couple of months on my 1997 ford windstar but very little at that. About the same time the cruise control quit working. One day while driving I noticed a lot of smoke coming from under the hood. Raised the hood but the smoke had quit. Got back home and noticed this again when I was stopped in the driveway. Checked under the hood again and found that the cruise control deactivation switch was smoking and very hot. Went to the ford dealer to check if there was a recall on this and there was not . Installed the replacement part with plug adaptor and this fixed the problem with smoking and the cruise started working again. Noticed on the net this same part that is in my windstar is also in other vehicles that has been recalled. Why is this? This could have easily caught fire and been a total loss to the van and if it had been parked in the garage the house also.

Filed Dec 11, 2006 · Acceleration · 114,000 miles · MD · fire

Dt*: the contact stated the check engine light illuminated constantly, and the overdrive light located on the gearshift illuminated intermittently. This was accompanied by a strong smell of something electrical burning. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where it was determined that the sensor on the master cylinder had caught on fire, and also burned the wiring harness between the master cylinder and the transmission. The mechanic replaced the sensor on the master cylinder, on the transmission, and the wiring harness, which corrected the problem. There was a the federal safety agency recall # 05v388000, which pertains to the vehicle speed control. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Filed Mar 27, 2006 · Acceleration · 90,102 miles · CA

Driving on interstate with speed limit of 70 MPH... Was driving about 77 MPH at the time... Vehicle's factory installed cruise control was in use... Speedometer began to fluctuate wildly between about 60 MPH and maximum (over 120 MPH)... Vehicle's speed remained constant - trouble was just with the speedometer... Vehicle has 90,000 miles on the odometer... 1997 ford windstar... Speedometer doesn't fluctuate wildly at most speeds over 30 MPH... From checking on web this has happened to other owners of ford windstars - this is a safety issue.

Filed Nov 30, 2005 · Acceleration, Engine · 75,172 miles · CA

Dt: the contact states has been having several problems with vehicle since 2002. On april 28, 2004 the speedometer was not providing an accurate speed reading. On december 9, 2004 the sliding door would not unlock or slide properly. The dealer replaced the door lock actuator and determined that the slide wheels were dry. The dealership replaced the door latch, and now it needed replacement again. On february 5, 2005 the engine was replaced at 75, 172 miles, and on november 21, 2005 the power steering failed and was replaced. All repairs have been done at contact's expense.

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Acceleration, Visibility · 140,000 miles · TX · fire

On august 20th, while in a repair shop having the motors replaced in the windows of my ford windstar 1997, there was a fire under the hood while the car was off. The mechanic put the fire out and I took it to my mechanic the same day. The cruise control mechanism was what caught fire. After seeing my mechanic I called the ford hotline and asked about recall information. They said they would get back ahold of me in two days, and they did not. Today, august 30th, while in wal-mart with my children I was paged to the parking lot. My car had caught fire again, while off and with no key in the ignition. The engine was destroyed, and luckily the fire department arrived in time to put the fire out before the interior of the car was destroyed (car seats, strollers, etc.).

Filed Jan 2, 2004 · Acceleration · 53,000 miles · MA

I own a 1997 ford windstar gl with 53,000 on the odometer. The speedometer has failed to operate properly. At speeds of 40 MPH and above the speedometer fluctuates erratically ranging in shown speeds of 60 to 110 MPH. I have done much research and have become aware of thousands of consumer complaints. This is unconscious that ford is aware of this problem and making a mint off of the consumer out of pocket expense of repair. This should be an immediate safety recall or tsb.

Filed Apr 6, 2003 · Acceleration · 80,000 miles · MO

Speedometer unit in 1997 windstars are defective. I have had mine replaced 4 times within the past 4 years and it needs to be replaced again. The speedometer does not work, just swings wildly. It is unsafe as the driver doesn't know how fast they are driving. My ford dealer tells me this has been a problem with windstars and taurus but never recalled.