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.
1999 Ford Windstar brakes complaints
Page 5 of 9: complaints 101 to 130 of 223, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The ABS and traction control lights go on and off intermittently. Turning off vehicle usually resets. They will come back on when driving after a while and many time after hitting a bump.
Corrosion related failure front right sub-frame. Loss of steering control, right front wheel shaking, right front brake locked up. Also ABS brake lights on in dash, ABS no longer works, traction control light on, works no more.
1999 ford windstar ABS light.
Irregular braking, experienced as an odd, slipping lurch at the completion of a stop occasioned investigation of a supposed braking problem by our mechanic. Previously noted was the misalignment of the steering wheel about a quarter turn from vertical during straight-ahead driving. After checking the brakes the mechanic was puzzled by a rubbing noise he had heard on his test drive. While repositioning the car to investigate, the engine cradle suddenly separated from the sub-frame and dropped to the ground, wrenching the steering wheel forward and disconnecting the steering mechanism from the wheels. Ancillary damage is as yet unassesed. The cause of separation was massive,evident corrosion where the engine cradle attaches to the sub-frame. This vehicle is located in a "salt-belt" state.
My 1999 ford windstar still has a ABS light on after taking it to the dealer (don selly kalamazoo mi) and pointing out the ABS light, the recall and that we are noticing it takes much longer to stop this vehicle then it used to.
Braking distance suddenly increased with yellow ABS brake light coming on. This is critical in that the ABS brake system does not function as designed by ford. The issue is caused by heat in the ABS (anti-lock brake system) ECM (electronic control module) (2c219) module causing expansion of a large aluminum plate (heat sink) in the ECM which is attached to the ECM main circuit board at all points. The expansion occurs when the unit gets warm especially in the summer months and causes intermittent electrical connection in the unit because the fragile board is being stretched and malformed resulting in code c1185.
1999 ford windstar. Began leaking brake fluid from scds onto transaxle and down firewall. Scds has since been replaced under recall. Once I became aware of the scds problem I found brake fluid splattered all around the master cylinder area of the engine compartment. Concurrent with the leaking fluid, I noticed the ABS light would sometimes come on, the speedometer became erratic, the "o/d off" lamp sometimes flashed, the cruise control was often non-functional. All of these things have gotten progressively worse. The ABS light now comes on almost instantly, thus I have no anti-lock brakes, an obvious safety issue. The speedometer is always erratic and jumpy, thus it is difficult to tell my actual speed. The cruise control tries to follow the bouncy speedometer, as thus is useless.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that the ABS warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility but the mechanic was unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. In addition, the speedometer would fail intermittently. The dealer advised that the vehicle was under recall but the recall did not pertain to the failure the contact was experiencing. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 156,055.
Ford windstar after recall, link has been installed. Abs light still turned on and leaking brake fluid under link that was installed by ford dealer.
Intermittent ABS warning light. Already had vehicle serviced for recall 09v399000, but continue to get intermittent ABS warning light.
1999 ford windstar ABS failure, braking distance suddenly increased.
Abs light comes on and off. We did take our windstar in for the cruise control recall, and the switch was leaking. The ford dealership said the there was no damage to the ABS harness or module. The light probably comes on 3-4 times per week.
Increased braking distance. The ABS dash light is on at this time. It is an intermittent problem. Sometimes it is on and at other times it is off. It is on more than it is off. My mechanic stated that the ABS ECM is bad and needs replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that the rear, driver side sliding door would not close. The dealer replaced the alternator but to no avail. In addition, the ABS warning light remained illuminated and the front driver's seat belt was covered in an unknown oil each time it was retracted. The dealer was unable to repair any of the failures. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was approximately 95,000.
I had recall # 09s09 performed at lithia ford in roseburg, oregon on 4/16/10/. Since that date the following issue has continued to arise, braking distance suddenly increased. The ABS warning dash light keeps coming on. This issue was not addressed with the recall.
This was a ford 1999 windstar recall on the ABS system. The recall stated that a fire may occur in connection with the ABS. I took the car in, however the brake fluid leak inside the car has gotten worse. From time to time the car smokes up, and there is a burning smell. The ABS light continues to come on. My fear is that this is still a hazard with all the flammable brake fluid in the car. I looked it up and others have called this problem "braking distance suddenly increased service brakes, hydraulic". Brake fluid leaking into the car. This seems to occur constantly. I have cleaned my car with the thought that I spilled oil, however after reading up found out that this was the problem. When I took it in for the recall, this was not mentioned at all to me by the ford dealer. I will be taking it to the dealer that fixed it to see what they will do or say. I guess I am wondering if there is anything else to do.
Braking distance suddenly increased and ABS was not reliable. Abs would activate when turning on dry roads. Back up radars and traction control also stopped working. Speedometer is erratic above 55 MPH.
Antilock braking system and traction control randomly disconnect resulting in loss of traction and unanticipated skidding.
1999 ford windstar with antilock brakes. After driving the car the ABS dashboard warning light comes on and stays on. Turning the car off and starting it again makes the ABS warning light go off and it usually stays off. This is an intermittent problem and occurs every few weeks. When the ABS dashboard warning light is on I experience increased braking distance.
I am filing a complaint on the ABS light in my 2001 ford windstar se sport. The ABS light and brake light both come on sporadically as I drive the van. The research I have done indicates this is a failure of the ECM, which can cause greater distance travel in an emergency stop. I also own a 1999 ford windstar lx, which has the same ABS light indication. During a full speed (75 MPH) emergency stop in december of 2009 with my 1999 ford windstar lx, I skidded on the interstate and lost control, ending up on the left-lane shoulder before coming to a complete stop. The 1999 windstar also had sporadic ABS light indications (6 months) until the light remained illuminated constantly beginning in late 2006. It is my understanding that the ford windstar has this issue regularly. In fact my fiancee is considering buying another 1999 ford windstar lx and the ABS light is also constantly illuminated in that van as well. I believe this to be more than a mere coincidence.
This is a follow-up complaint, regarding ford recall 09s09, the speed control deactivation switch (scds). Our 1999 ford windstar was serviced on 11dec09. The vehicle's ABS dash light is still coming on, indicating that the system turned off. Lately, the ABS light is coming on more frequently, within minutes of start-up and a short driving distance (within a mile away of the previous starting point). As a result, the vehicle does not have ABS braking capability or traction control capability (as the traction control turns off along w/ the ABS system). The recall service was completed by performance ford, 11910 w. Dodge road omaha ne 68154. At this time, we are considering another repair shop, as we believe the ford dealer failed to adequately repair the recall and have subsequently put our family at risk. The dealer inspection found the following upon initial repair: found switch leaking with no heat damage. Inspect servo switch no heat damage and no heat damage to ABS connector applied grease to both connectors ok after repair. Please press ford to have their dealers complete the recall and repair as necessary, because they are not completing the work as promised.
I was having trouble with the dashboard on my 1999 ford windstar last spring. All the gauges would go wacky and the ABS light would come on. I took it into the luther ford dealer in fargo, nd and they could not figure it out. Offered to replace front board where the gauges are for no charge I would just pay for the labor. I said no. Went this way all summer and then the RPM needle just quit. This van has given me so much trouble regarding the wiring. I also had to replace the board in the back right panel of the van. And am always replacing light bulbs in the back. Disgusted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did take it in for the recall. The ABS light is off now. Do I have ABS??????????? I felt they just wanted to get rid of me.
We were driving when we smelled something burning. The ABS brake light displayed on the dash and smoke was coming from under the hood. When we stopped and lifted up the hood there were flames in the engine compartment. There is what we think is a sensor under master cylinder it was on fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While driving 15 MPH the ABS light and traction warning lights were illuminated on the instrument control panel. She restarted the vehicle. The dealer was notified, and she was advised that the ABS control module needed to be repaired at an expense of $ 825.00 dollars. The failure mileage was 100000. The current mileage was 101000. The vehicle identification number was unavailable.
Abs traction control lights are on and off intermittently.
1999 ford windstar minivan ABS light keeps coming on which is blowing a fuse causing my speedometer, odometer and cruise control not to work. After much internet research this looks to be a common problem with catastrophic results if not disabled. After reading these results I immediately had someone disconnect the ABS module under the hood which disabled my ABS brake system to prevent a fire. In turn my odometer and speedometer are now working but more importantly a possible fire was prevented! I would appreciate attention being taken in this matter seeing as how it is not the first time this problem is being reported.
1999 ford windstar. Last week of july/2009, had ford dealer replaced front rotors & pads + rear shoes & machined rear drums. Within 1st week after brakes job ABS light began cycling on & off. After the 4th week, the ABS light stayed solid. Cruise control is also not functioning. Ford dealer says might have to replace ABS control module. Read somewhere that controls of these two components might be affected by brake fluid leaking from master cylinder into a switch thereafter moisture will accumulate in the switch causing a short blowing fuse #10. Also read that this brake fluid leakage might lead to a fire subsequently. Repairs have been quoted to be high. Will repair once have sufficient money saved.
The ABS light keeps coming on and it is intermittently. We have had the ABS checked and told it is fine, but it makes no sense that the light keeps coming on. Incidents have been ongoing for the last 4 or so years.
Abs light, o/d light in dashboard coming on. When vehicle purchased as used car these items showed up on the drive home after purchase. Veh has been in to ford dealership garage 4 times. Brakes were working fine at that time. 3 months later brake light come on. Check and find that brake fluid is leaking from multiple locations. One being the brake pressure differential deactivation switch (2b264) located under the master cylinder. Upon removing this plug I found brake fluid in the connection. Looking below I found brake fluid on the wiring harness below the switch and on the metal panel, where it had actually began to rust. Believe this harness is the power steering wiring. Brake pedal in cab now goes to the floor before brakes are applied. There is a hissing sound when this is done. Believe that the master cylinder is leaking fluid into the brake booster as well and has destroyed the gasket in there as well. This happened while my wife was driving. Thankfully all of this happened without causing an accident considering I transport my 3 children and wife in this van.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1999 Ford Windstar?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history