1999 Ford Windstar: brake failure

Filed Sep 25, 2014 · Brakes · 170,025 miles · VA

The brake ABS light came on again. Had been on and off during the morning. In town and stopping for a regular traffic light- during the beginning of the stop that was on a wet road - traveling 28 MPH: windstar van locked up right rear tire and vehicle did not stop - tire skidded -wheel / tire was locked and screeching while all the other tires were turning. Van did not stop as expected and took about 125 feet to stop - all the time screeching the 1 right rear tire. Vehicle just would not stop. I was shocked. Never happened before in all the years. Owned for about 14+ years. I am the original owner. Purchased ford windstar new. Abs light remains on. It was as if I had no brakes then. I did not understand why the other 3 wheels / brakes did not slow and stop the vehicle? The windstar finally did stop and I was right at the stop line at the traffic light. Very scary.

Filed Sep 20, 2010 · Brakes · 117,000 miles · NY

Catastrophic failure of the brake ABS unit leading to brake pedal going to the floor with total loss of brakes without any warning. Brakes were fine when van was started. At some point pressing on the pedal resulted in absolutely no braking effort being applied to stop the vehicle. When vehicle was stopped using emergency brakes and evasive maneuvering (thankfully without an accident) and shut off the ABS pump continued to run until fuses for ABS unit were pulled to cut off power. Vehicle had to be towed to repair facility. This is a severe safety issue that could lead to injury or death since there is no warning that anything is about to go wrong that causes driver to lose all brakes.

Filed Jul 9, 2009 · Acceleration, Brakes · 92,352 miles · CO

Loss of brake fluid, brake light on after service,brake light red, 15 amp fuse blowing out, smoke coming from under the hood or from engine compartment,speedometer and odometer stopped working, cruise control will not activate or deactivates without warning, ABS warning light is on.

Filed Aug 6, 2007 · Engine · 120,000 miles · IL · crash

We were involved in an accident yesterday due to our 1999 ford windstar not operating properly. We had 7 people in our van including small children. Luckily, none of us were injured, but the potential for injury was definitely there. As we were approaching a stop light at about 35 MPH the ABS brake light and battery light came on and we lost all power. We had no brakes or power steering. It was evident we were not going to be able to stop so my husband opted for the ditch. Steering was very difficult and we hit a stop light on the right hand side of the road with the left front end of the van and eventually came to a stop about 4 ft. From a utility pole. The van was driving fine with no indication of malfunction prior to losing all power suddenly. We have in the past experienced the battery light or the ABS brake light coming on when it was raining or after driving through standing water but have not experienced losing all power until yesterday. We have also had problems with the engine cutting out after driving on the highway for awhile and then driving on city streets at lower speeds. It seems that when your driving on just city streets at lower speeds we don't experience this problem, and also not typically while we are on the highway driving at higher speeds (although we have had it cut out a couple times on the highway). It seems to usually occur after we have been on the highway driving at higher speeds for awhile and then exit on to lower speed roads. The engine just suddenly dies. We can typically start it right back up again, but it will continue to die and start back up several times.

Filed Nov 16, 2006 · Brakes · 204,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Without warning, the brake pedal went to the floor. My daughter was unable to stop and collided with the vehicle in front of her. The brake fluid reservoir is full. The car was serviced regularly but had no recent brake work completed. I have been told that the master cylinder completely failed. The party that was struck is now claiming injury. We do not know the severity of their injuries.

Filed Jul 11, 2006 · Brakes, Locks · 110,000 miles · WI

Anti-lock brake light went on. I drove it this way for two months. 15 codes in the system. Ford dealer states it's the hydraulic and electric box. To repair both would cost 800.00 or so, which is including labor and parts. States it's a known problem of 1999 ford windstars. I have no anti-lock brakes when the ABS light is on. Declining to fix at this time, but a huge liablility for myself. Possiblity of brake failure not discussed at this time. I have already had to repair the upper intake manifold 500.00+ (at a ford dealer) and also had the door ajar problem, which was fixed at home here for 0$. This is the third and final problem listed on consumer reports that this vehicle is known for.

Filed Mar 28, 2005 · Acceleration · 108,820 miles · WA

When trying to stop the vehicle on the highway pedal went to the floor, and the vehicle accelerated to 80 MPH. Consumer had to press the brakes very hard to stop, causing damage to the brake pedal. Vehicle was towed, and throttle cable was discovered to be defective. Consumer contacted manufacturer, and was told the vehicle was too old and had too many miles.*ak the throttle stuck, causing severely damaged to brakes. Consumer was advised that ford did recall on 932 of its 1999 and 2000 model for this problem. *bf

Filed Oct 29, 2002 · Body · OH

Consumer states that water gets under the hood of vehicle in rainy conditions causing serpintine belt to come off. Resulting in loss of brakes, power steering, etc. Please provide any further information. Ts

Filed Oct 24, 2001 · Brakes · TN

Vehicle has had intermittent brake failure, pedal went to the floor at any speed. This has happened 20-25 times. Vehicle taken to dealer 4 times, could not find a cause.

Filed Apr 23, 2001 · Brakes · SC

At 3000 miles brake pads were squeaking, yesterday while drying consumer pressed brakes and there were no brakes.

Filed Aug 12, 2000 · Acceleration · IN

Upon approaching a state highway from a side street at less than 15 MPH, the brake pedal on this van was pushed but did not respond. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor but the van would not stop. I pushed it down 2 times and neither time did the brakes work, though I did hear a "rattling" noise that sounded like the ABS system was trying to kick in. I looked up quickly and since no one was coming from either direction, I just went through the intersection without stopping. Could have been deadly if another vehicle was coming! We contacted a local ford dealer and they checked it out, but said they could find no problem with the van's braking system, so no repairs were made. They also said they could find nothing on ford's computer records of this ever happening before in a ford windstar. But in checking your website, we found that it has happened to others! We're afraid to drive it until it is fixed---could happen again anytime (who knows??) and the results could be tragic the next time.

Filed Mar 30, 2000 · Brakes · MI · crash

Abs brake problem; while approaching a stop sign and applying brakes on a residential street, brake pedal went to the floorboard, van kept going and crashed into a parked vehicle. This happened on a smooth and dry road surface. Van is being repaired by the dealership. Please provide any further information.