1997 Ford Windstar: adaptive cruise control 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 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 Feb 28, 2009 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · CA

Abs and brake light on same time. Notice brake fluid leak. Refill brake fluid often. Speedometer needle sways erratically for about 2 years. Cruise control inoperable for 2 years.

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 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 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 Nov 30, 2001 · Transmission · OH

We were driving on the interstate at 70 MPH with the cruise control on. Without any warning, the van went out of gear , the engine revved up, and all acceleration stopped. We pulled off the road and tried to get the van to go back into gear - any gear - and it wouldn't. There was no warning of a problem - no noises or leakage of fluid or anything unusual.

Filed Jan 9, 2001 · Transmission · MD

While travelling at speed of 55 MPH, speedometer started chattering erratically and fluctuating from 55-90, then stopped and indicated correctly. Problem has since shown up constantly and will not indicate correctly above 40 MPH every time. Cruise control holds at constant speed (by tach RPM). Dealer has been contacted and I was told that the problem would require replacement of speedometer at cost of $550 parts + labor -- or -- the speedometer can be refurbished, requiring the van to be kept at the dealer for up to 2 weeks at a cost of $260 parts + labor.

Filed Aug 20, 1997 · Acceleration · IL

When in cruise control, stepped on accelerator to engage passing gear, the passing gear would not disengage, driver was able to coast to side of road safely in neutral.