While traveling at approximately 25 MPH left front wheel disconnected from vehicle due to rotor bolts shearing off. Consumer stated that a recall was issued for this problem in canada when aftermarket rotors were put on vehicles in place of ford brake rotors. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
1998 Ford Windstar brakes complaints
Page 5 of 8: complaints 101 to 130 of 199, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I'm having the ABS controller repalced which left me with no breaks when it went out. The business which is doing the repairs said he has replaced this controller on other windstars like mine. I can't belive that the break system has already failed after 3 years. I live in ne. Where there is not an ecessive amount of stop/go traffic. The ABS system went out overnite. One day its good, next day no brakes what if I were driving down the highway when this part decided to go out? I feel that the brakes should last more than 3 years and maybe only need shoes in heavy conditions, not to have main components go out !!!!
On february 19, 2000, I took my 1998 windstar van to broadway ford in idaho falls, idaho because the ABS brake light began staying on all the time. They diagnosed the problem and stated that the vehicle required a front axle speed sensor and a new axle. This was causing the ABS system to malfunction. The service manager provided me with a quotation of $554.21 (see attached quote) to repair the problem.
Master cylinder has prematurely failed at only 52,000 miles while consumer was driving, causing a complete loss of brakes, there is a national backorder for part at minimum of 30 days. *ak at time of replacement, dealer also replaced ABS pump due to it being faulty as well.
While driving at any speed and when attempting to stop vehicle by applying force to brake pedal, brakes did not repsond vehicle suddenly accelerated without prior warning causing unwanted acceleration, consumer contacted dealer and problem has been corrected, cruise control ceased operation but has now been repaired, consumer was advised by technician the vehicle was sold with wrong part.
When applying brakes there is a squealing sound, braking distance was extended, dealer replaced rear cylinders, then 2 weeks later while driving very slowly, brakes locked up, and driver's rear drum was rusted. *ak
Tie rod and rotors needed to be replaced at approximately 35000 miles. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Applied brakes and was attempting to accelerate to go into parking lot when anti-lock brakes locked up, and completely froze while driving 5-10mph . This could have caused rear end accident. Complete ABS system needed to be replaced.
Various problem with power lock locking by itself/windshield wipers working intermittently/dome light not operating, and door ajar light staying on. Vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on several occasions, and problems still reoccurring. *ak possible electrical problem with failure of power locks, windshield wipers, dome light, door ajar light, door ajar switch, lift gate door ajar switch, battery saver relay inoperable, and washer light illuminating. Brakes noisy at times, dealer stated this was due to brake dust. Power steering is noisy when turning back and forth, dealer replaced tie rod end. Sliding door rattles while driving over bumps, dealer added foam tape to back side of panel, driver door rattles, sliding door hard to open at times, dealer lubed sliding hinges and latch. Dealer replaced shocks due to rattling noise when riding over bumps. Drivebelt replaced. Maf sensor replaced due to hesitation. Window guide did not fit tight.
Abs brake lights were on for a year. Dealer could not find problem. In december, while brak pedal went to floor at 15 MPH, dealer replaced hydraulic unit. 4 days later, pedal went to floor again.also, dealer replaced front caliper.
Three months after ownership the vehicle was experiencing vibration and stalling, three separate visits to the dealership to correct the computer software adjustments.
I have contacted you to complain about the poor service I have received from numerous ford dealerships in my area. I am a ford windstar owner as well. As I proceeded to complain through the internet site of "ford" I found that it is very difficult to find a customer service link. I am unhappy with my purchase of this mini-van as well as angered by the difficulty of reachihng a customer service link. I work hard and have very little time to complain, but when I go to complain it is more hassle than help. My van also has had problems with the anti-lock brake system since day one, in which has also been a concurring problem. Pllease help me keep my sanity. All I would like out of this complaint is for my surrounding area at least to have better customer service--a response to a question within a time range of 5minutes, not a half hour per call. Thank you for your attention. Ed.
Consumer was traveling ten MPH and anti-lock brake system light came on dashboard. Abs braking system came on. She turned vehicle off to see if light would come off.
On five occasions, while attempting to stop my vehicle, the brake pedal went to the floor resulting in an extended stopping distance and almost resulted in an accident. We have had the brakes checked by our mechanic and he found no problems or leakage of brake fluid. We have had a variety of brake related concerns and problems since 1999 that were reported to the dealer without resolution.
Abs failed completly along with the rest of the brake system. Service dealer says a geared ring that reflects to a sensor cracked. This loosened the ring along the axel shaft so that it was no longer located correctly. The failure was complete, and with no warning left me without braking ability on a small hill terminating onto a very busy highway with my 9 yr old daughter with me. It was only great luck that no truck, bus, or car was coming when I rolled right into the highway instead of stopping. No accident resulted, just a very close call. The service dealer reported that I was the second windstar in the day with the same problem. This is a small town to have two (rare events)! He also inferred that it was rare and thought there was no reason to call ford. How many other dealer are not reporting this failure?
There are two significant safety issues that we continue to experience with our 1998 ford windstar. The transmission continues to intermittently "neutral" at the worst possible times. The effect of this is that the vehicle will begin into an intersection and then the transmission will disengage and the RPM of the engine will race. At this point the transmission might engage after several seconds with a jolt, screeching the tires. In some cases we have had to shift into park and back into drive several times to get the transmission to engage. When this first occurred, we had only owned the car for less than two months and it would only happen every few hundred miles. Ford had to place a "flight recorder" in the vehicle to verify that it was happening. Ford replaced the transmission in early 1999. We began experiencing the problem again in the summer of 2000 and ford has been unable to repair this problem. We have had it in the shop a total of 12 times with the symptom manifesting itself multiple times in between. The vehicle has been in the shop almost continually since july 15th, 2000 and is still there as of this submission. If it were not for extreme defensive driving and anticipation of the problem that has helped us avoid an accident so far. However, we continue to have the car delivered to us that is supposed to be repaired and we continually have the same problem. The second problem is also reoccurring and deals with the ABS brakes continually going out of adjustment. When they are out of adjustment the stopping power of the car in emergency situations is greatly impaired. The brakes are self-adjusting but continue to be out of adjustment. We have had this problem looked at by four different ford dealerships and they readjust the brakes that only corrects the problem for a short period of time. The brakes continue to go out adjustment and ford denies that this is a problem, even though it continues to happen.
Took van in for service & was told that the calipers, right & left were real rough even though the pads were only half worn! Tech. Replaced pad`s & turned rotors! When moving foreword, making a turn, & braking the steering wheel would shimmy! In 40 years I`ve never seen rotors go bad & the pads be only half worn! Cost, $170.27 told not covered by bumper to bumper warranty!
1. Transmission will shift erratically , and a loud noise will occur and motor will shake. Ford engineering was sent out and determined transmission needed work, but no dealer will honor warranty. 2. Brakes will fail in the winter and in slippery roads, causing pedal to go to floor and vehicle will not stop. 3. All doors lock by themselves/ lights flash on and off, and heater and defroster motor will come on even without the key in the igntion. Vehicle will even start up by itself.
Raybes to front brake pads failed after only 13000 miles
When brakes were applied pedal went to the floor,resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer inspected vehicle, and put on pads and rotors prior to the incident.
Complete brake failure&stuck accelerator-backing up driveway with feet on brakes-accelerator pedal went down on own van wrapped around tree- reported brake problem on test drive-they fixed it,but no good.
The accident is attributed to a car part failure. No other cause for this one car accident exists.
Consumer was traveling about 55mph on the highway and it was raining, and ABS light came on the dashboard. Also, traction control light was blinking, saying the system was off. Abs brake system stopped working.
Vehicle started making a squeaking noise. When the brakes were press the noise would go away. It has been taken to the dealer 10 times. Dealer said they have done enough & it wasn't anything else they could do. Vehicle was taken to repair shop & they found that the brake pads needed to be rotated and/ or replaced.
The sensor ring for the ABS system failed. The entire axle had to be replaced at a cost of over $300.00. I have the part that failed and found that the part had a manufacturing defect. But have been unable to get any compensation from ford motor company.
Computer module that controls ABS system failed, also affects the traction control feature of the vehicle, that also has failed. Cost to replace part is $980. Plus labor. This is a major component of the ABS braking system, which is part of the vehicles safety features and a failure so earlier in the life of this vehicle is absurd. The maintenance person at the dealership said there was a bulletin out on this but we can't find it. My sister and brother-in-law have the same year and model of windstar and are having a failure of their traction control feature which is intermittent but their dealer can't find the cause.
Consumer applied brakes and the automobile did not stop. Consumer's wife hit a parked car.
While applying brakes rear brakes locked up. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further informaton.
When applying ABS brakes on wet and snowy pavement, pedal goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Cause unknown. *ak
Abs brake warning light remains illuminated, indicating a malfunction within the system, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
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