2001 Ford Windstar: brake failure

Filed Jul 8, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 165,000 miles · FL · crash

Brakes continually have failed causing accidents. Pedal goes all the way to the floor before and after new brake pads and bring bled.throttle idle sensor causes vehicle to stall while driving. Abs light and brake light and check engine light keeps coming on. Now they just stay on. I need to know what,if any recalls have been repaired or any options that may be available.

Filed May 11, 2019 · Body, Brakes · 2 miles · OH

This van looks fine on the outside,but the frame and floor are rusted out. I was driving on a city street when the brakes went out and when I took it to be repaired the mechanic at carls body shop , where it was ti be repaired told me it was beyond repair and unsafe to drive. The van is made to transport a wheelchair and the area where the wheelchair is rusted the worst. The mechanic also took pictures of the under body to show me how bad it really was.

Filed Jul 27, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 161,000 miles · IN

We wish to be contacted and have multiple issues to report. (1) odi request for information regarding engineering analysis ea10-007 sub frame and (2) issues of compliance with safety recall procedures and what we believe to be fraudulent and illegal actions. Space is inadequate but will try to summarize. Vehicle subframe failed at both passenger and driver side rear mounts and thereby caused separation of the steering components and complete loss of steering, loss of brakes, and loss of transmission control. The owner used the only means available to stop the vehicle by turning off the ignition key and 'riding it out.' subframe components and the engine/transmission had been in contact with pavement. Large portions of the subframe appear to be missing from the vehicle. The exhaust system was severed. The transmission linkage pulled away and as stated the steering components separated. What is believed to be the air bag cable became wrapped around the steering components. Vehicle was towed to a dealership which refuses to inspect, disclose, photograph, or allow to be photographed the massive damage while declaring the vehicle "repairable" and the "repairs have to be done." at issue are declarations that under the recall that "responsibility" rests with the owner and a "right to deny coverage." a demand that repairs be scheduled or the vehicle be towed from the car lot with a demand that a document be signed which amounts to a release and complete misrepresentation of the facts. The dealership has been told that we will lend no truth or validity to their forceful and manipulative demands, nor will we sign any document. It is our intent to destroy the vehicle. We have incurred multiple out of pocket expenses. In essence fraud and illegal acts, under the color of federal law are alleged. We desire to submit a written statement and request for investigation.

Filed Sep 19, 2014 · Brakes · 151,104 miles · IL

Vehicle had a recall on the speed control deactivation switch (scds) in 2009, repair was done by installing jumper as scds was not leaking. Took vehicle to dealer as brake light was on. Found leaking scds to be problem. Ford contacted to cover repair as scds was known to be bad when recalled in 2009, but was not leaking. The leaking scds caused the jumper (installed during recall) to go bad and leak brake fluid out of scds. Ford advised that "sorry, there is nothing we can do because the recall had been done." customer care personnel elevated concern to supervisor, who also reiterated ford's stance that the original recall had been performed and there was nothing that could be done. Our concern is for the safety of my family and children who get taken around in this vehicle. Ford kept saying, "sorry..." case was closed with no action on safety issue. I guess loss of brake fluid from a known bad part is of no concern to ford. Repair for bad part and previously recalled part and labor was over $200. Ford knew part would leak and advised dealers to replace scds if leaking during inspections. For knew the texas instruments part was bad, but only changed the ones leaking. If it leaked after the recall work was done, it would be the customer's responsibility.

Filed Aug 2, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 60,000 miles · CA

Abs and brake failure warning lights constantly displayed in dashboard display. Brake inspections cannot determine a cause. I just learned that many other windstar owners have reported the same problem, and that a recall for repair may be (or have been) issued.

Filed Jun 6, 2014 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that the ABS and brake warning lights illuminated and that the brakes failed to function. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS brake module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 155,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2014 · Brakes · 133,000 miles · GA

I was driving my ford windstar 2001 when the brakes failed. The cruise control stop working and the ABS and the brake lights came on. The brakes became soft causing me being unable to stop the van.

Filed Nov 3, 2013 · Brakes · 168,110 miles · PA

Arrived at destinations and stopped. Tried to leave, brakes had not released and would not release.. Had to drive home against the brakes which were smoking upon arrival at home. Next day, brakes went back to normal. Two days later, same occurrence. Brakes would not release, overheated, brake pedal pushed hard up with all brakes applied. Nest morning after cool down, brake pedal resting on floor; would not pump up; no brakes. Since I have owned this vehicle, brake and ABS indicators come on for no apparent reason, I.e., 3 drops of rain on windshield and indicators come on. Ford dealer was made aware of this, said it was an ecu problem and did nothing about it, saying it would cost me about $700 to fix.

Filed Jul 21, 2013 · Brakes · 202,100 miles · PA

The ABS light, traction control, and emergency brake lights have been coming on and off for about three years. Took it to the mechanic multitude of times and no problem found. Finally brakes failed and almost caused an accident. Master cylinder was replaced and lights still come on. Brakes seemed to be working fine but am terribly concerned about this and worried it might happen again. Car vibrates a little when brake is pressed when the lights are on. This is a safety issue that ford should addressed.

Filed Sep 27, 2012 · Airbags, Body · 150,000 miles · NJ

7/21/2011 bought van from private party. Recall completed in march of 2011 regarding back axle. On 7/13/2012 8pm, my 18yr old son, while driving home from lacrosse practice, nearly killed. Upon pulling out onto the main road, he lost all controls, no steering, no brakes and no power. He coasted and prayed it would stop. I arrived, we called aaa. Flatbed to my home driver could not believe his eyes. The engine had fallen out. 7/16/12 called ford in mich and spoke to rep. To be towed 13 miles away to route 23 auto at our expense. Really? Route23 wanted nothing to do with me (they did recall). Went back and forth then per rt23 "it will be a month until we can look at it" getting know where. 7/18-22 borrowed friend car for tournament. 8/1/12 called magarino ford and with great concern had a flatbed that night. This tow truck driver could not believe it. Fluids raced out and double stabilized for engine sliding during transport. 8/2/12 magarino called 9am, pictures sent to ford and awaiting reply. 8/5/12 t/c from m stating ford refuses to buy back and sending a subframe. You mean a recalled one? Magarino caught in middle I questioned whether he would put his children in this van. He softly replied, "no" what am I to do, out of work 2 years, single parent with no car to find work. 8/8/12 I questioned ford why this van ever left rt 23 auto, according to researched paper a part was waiting on. You mean to tell me that upon this fixed axle nobody noticed the subframe was rotted from inside out causing the engine to fall out the next summer nearly killing my son! But they signed it was fine! Really? Now we have case # 1373091992 8/10/12 picked up van. Broke= A/C, r-window, heater engine, airbag, brake light on, runs hot steering= thumps makes noise (full fluid) skip gears, sways, barely can get up a hill. 11yr old scared to drive in it

Filed Jan 18, 2011 · 89,000 miles · IN · crash

Vehicle was pulling away from a stop sign when there was a loud thunk. The engine ran away, the steering became unresponsive, and the brakes stopped working. Fortunately the vehicle was headed uphill and beached itself on a snow drift on the sidewalk. Both rear attachment points for the engine subframe had rusted out and given way. The engine dropped until it was supported by the remainder of the frame and exhaust system dragging the road. If this had not happened at such a low speed, this could easily have been a deadly failure. As a long time engineer in the auto industry, I find this type of failure within the service life of the vehicle to be totally inexcusable. This form does not even have a listing for a frame failure. On a final note, I called ford about this failure. They informed me that the vehicle was out of warranty and they had no interest in investigating the failure - also inexcusable.

Filed Jan 16, 2011 · Brakes · NM · crash

2001 ford winstar recall 09so09 they did not fix the problem. The dealer said they only needed to change out the cruise control connector!!! I asked about the ABS and other parts listed to be inspected in the recall and he denied that any of that was to be inspected under this recall. So they may have fixed the cause of the problem but did nothing about the damage to the vehicle. My symptoms are: loss of brake fluid (problem # 1) burning smell or smoke (problem # 1) brake light on after brake service. (we think this back pressure breaks the deac switch) (problem # 1) brake light (red) (problem # 1 or problem # 2) 15 amp fuse #10 blowing out (problem # 1) speedometer and odometer stop working. (problem # 1) cruise control will not activate or deactivates without warning. (problem # 1) ABS brake light (yellow) (problem # 2 or problem # 1) ford trouble code c1185. (problem # 2 or problem # 1) brakes turn on squeal without warning. (problem # 2) problem codes p0171, p0174, p0401 171,174,401, egr or system too lean issue extremely excessive braking distance!!! Almost been in a couple accidents because the vehicle will not brake efficiently. Brakes lock sometimes when braking, causing vehicle to slide!!! Ford denied to my face that any of these problems were related to the recall, but your report and other investigations prove that it was and that I have been lied to about a very important safety issue that has already put me and my families lives at risk!!! I request further investigation into this matter and do wish to see something done about it.