Dt*: the contact stated while driving there was a burning smell coming from the vehicle. It was parked and when the hood was open, flames erupted from the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished and the vehicle was driven to a dealer. Upon inspection, the fire started from the cruise control deactivation switch. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 05v388000, regarding the vehicle speed control. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the model and VIN.
2001 Ford Windstar acceleration complaints
Page 5 of 5: complaints 101 to 127 of 127, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 MPH the adjustable accelerator pedal became stuck the floor. The contact depressed the brake pedal put the vehicle continued to accelerate. This acceleration continued for a number of seconds. Then, the contact turned off the ignition and shifted the vehicle into neutral. Subsequently the o2 light came on. This happens when the ignition is turned off at a high rate of speed, per the owner's manual. This happened on a winding two lane road why contact's wife and children were in the vehicle. There is the federal safety agency recall # 01v207000 regarding the accelerator pedal. The vehicle had the same problem as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN number.
At about 8:30 at night, I was at home alone and heard strange thumping and hissing noises outside my living room window. I went outside to investigate and discovered flames billowing from under the hood of my 2001 ford windstar van, which was parked in the driveway approximately four feet from our wood frame house. It had not been driven since 4:00 pm. I immediately called 911, and neighbors helped contain the fire with a garden hose while we waited for emergency personnel to arrive. It took firemen a good 20-30 minutes to fully extinguish the flames, which disintegrated the engine, windshield and dashboard area. Thankfully the fire did not spread to our house. One of the neighbors who helped that night is a ford service technician. He said that in his opinion the fire was undoubtedly caused by a short in the speed control system. Since our vehicle was not one of those recalled for that problem, we had not received any type of warning that our car might spontaneously burst into flames while sitting in the driveway on a cool january night. Now that's it's too late, and after doing some internet research, I recognize some symptoms that line up with speed control system failure: 1) a few weeks ago my brake light came on. We added brake fluid and the light went off. 2) four days before the fire, I tried to use my cruise control in a 30 MPH zone and it wouldn't work. That speed may have been too slow to engage the cruise control, but it had worked before. 3) two days before the fire, the engine was running very rough. At first I was concerned, but it cleared up as soon as I was able to get out of stop-and-go traffic and onto the highway. After that it ran as usual. I'm grateful that no one was injured by this massive system failure.
Dt: the contact stated while driving vehicle it caught on fire. The contact pulled over, turned off the ignition, and the fire went out. He then drove vehicle to a local mechanic. The mechanic determined the fire started as a result of the cruise control deactivation switch. The wires under the hood were burned. The cruise control on the vehicle stopped working approximately one month ago. No repairs were done to the vehicle. *ak updated 11/29/2005 -
Cruise control sensor is malfunctioning and starting to smoke like it could catch on fire under the hood. Sensor has to be replaced.
Dt: caller was concerned about cruise control burning up. He might have had it fixed, but he didn't know for sure. Caller said cruise control would not work, and then the horn would not work. Dealer replaced the steering column. That is all the caller thinks the dealer did.*ak consumer feels vehicle had a defective cruise control and should be included in recall.
Consumer experiencing problems turning the cruise control on in the 2001 ford windstar.*mr
Vehicle's back end swayed left and right, making it difficult to maintain control. The cause was undetermined. *ak the consumer stated that the rear control arm broke while driving. The bolt was replaced and a rattling noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The lower rear tight side bolt was no good. The conusmer stated that the engine light was on. Tests found vacuum leaking from the intake manifold. Lower and upper intake manifold gaskets were replaced. Idle speed control was replaced. The brakes squeaked . When taking off from a stop light the vehicle idles high.
While driving dashboard lights illuminated intermittently. The odometer went out. Consumer stopped the vehicle to look under the hood. There were little sparks of fire under the hood. The wiring that were connected to the master cylinder melted. There was brake fluid leaking down on the wiring.
While turning into a parking space consumer removed foot from the accelerator pedal to apply the brakes, and vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer had to apply excessive force to the brake pedal, and put the van in neutral to stop van from accelerating. Dealership serviced the van twice for this issue, but the problem recurred.
While driving at low speed accelerator pedal stuck in full throttle. As a result, driver hit a wall at 60 MPH. No injuries reported.
The accelerator jammed which caused the vehicle to surge backwards and struck some boulders.*mr *ts
Vechicle accelaration when foot is off gas. Pumping gas pedal did not stop this action. Pumping brakes or pressing hard on brakes do not stop action. Only placing the car in neutral and then shifting back into drive stop this action. Was on merritt parkway in ct when this occurred. This is the second occurrence for this vechile.
While traveling down a hill, and without any indication, the vehicle started to surge forward. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.
An electrical connector seal had to be installed, the seat buckles and rear wiper motor cover were replaced, the ABS failed, and right before the engine shut down all the lights on the dash board illuminated, after the vehicle was repaired the intake manifold, speed sensor and brake sensor failed. *ph *jb rq04011.
While pulling into a parking space, after removing foot from accelerator, the vehicle surged forward and could not be stopped with normal braking. The vehicle struck the side of another car before standing on the brakes finally resulted in stopping the vehicle. Mr
Consumer states check engine light is on. Dealer replace fuel cap and evaporative purge valve, however problem still exist and now the vehicle is stalling causing vehicle to have no braking and power steering power. Squeaking noise when setting still. Belt tensioner replaced.
While trying to stop consumer will press accelerator pedal instead on brake pedal due to the fact that accelerator pedal and brake pedal are too close. Dealer notified.
Intermittently vehicle has a 6-7 second delay response to acceleration. When throttle is applied engine revs up, and jerks before accelerating. Problem is more likely to happen in the morning. Dealer was notified. Please provide more information.
While sitting at a stop with foot applied to the brake pedal and brake pedal failed and went straight to the floor. Vehicle lurched forward with force and entered first lane of traffic on highway. Abs light illuminated on the dashboard, and the warning chime went off. Several times vehicle has been at dealer to determine problem, but nothing has been found. Dealer was notified. Please provide more information.
After coming to a stop brakes were applied but engine still raced. This happened a second time on june 18, 2002. *ak the vehicle lurched foward as consumer was attempting to place vehicle in park.
While at a complete stop vehicle started to accelerate and tried to go forward, but consumer was stepping on brake pedal. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.
The location of the brake peddel in relationship to the gas pedal has resulted in the gas pedal being depressed when trying to brake as they are too close together.(my husband will no longer drive the van as this is a problem that occurs most often for him due to his larger shoe size.) additionally, the brake pedal is much higher than the gas pedal and my foot became tangled under the brake pedal, causing me to roll into on comming traffic when trying to stop while exiting from a parking lot. No accident occured as the on-coming traffic stopped in time to avoid my van.
While traveling on the highway, the door will unexpectedly open without prior warning, dealership is aware of problem. *ak. *jb. Also the driver seat will not move, dealer replaced the fuse, the cruise control was inoperative. And the door ajar light was on.
Received recall notice in mail concerning throttle pedal sticking, and contacted dealership. Inquired if had parts available before bring vehicle in, and was informed they did. Took vehicle in, and later informed no parts were available. Would need to order parts, and would have mats in a few days. Owner was upset regarding issue.
Vehicle lurches forward and revs at very high rpms while moving at slow speeds.
While the consumer was trying to stop the engine revved from 1000 to 5000 RPM. The dealer replaced the idle control as a possible cause of the problem. The consumer was concerned about the danger if the problem reoccurs.
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