2001 Ford Windstar: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jan 23, 2015 · Brakes · CA

After running/driving my van for about 10 mins. The "ABS" and the "brake" lights show up on my dashboard. My brakes make a screeching noise when I apply the brake and a grinding noise as well. My main concern is the safety of my family while I'm driving my van with them in it. Please inform me of how to take care of these problems. Thank you for your time.

Filed Jan 2, 2015 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · PA

Abs light has been on for a few days now. Took the vehicle to get serviced, ABS light on panel and brakes squeaking. Reliable mechanic shop informed me that the vehicles brakes were fine and no replacement is needed, but that my ABS would not function properly. I was told the ABS light was electrical and that it would cost a lot to fix.the brakes have failed twice recently with brakes locking and no ABS. After researching I see the ABS warning light is an issue with this vehicle and numerous complaints have been made. Please make a recall.

Filed Jan 1, 2015 · Brakes · 151,164 miles · TN

Abs light has been on for years. Took the vehicle to get serviced assuming brakes were needing maintenance due to illuminated ABS light on panel and breaks squeaking. Reliable mechanic shop informed me that the vehicles brakes were fine and no replacement is needed, but that my ABS would not function properly. I was told the ABS light was electrical and that it would cost a lot to fix (don't recall the cost). The brakes have failed twice recently with brakes locking and no ABS. After researching I see the ABS warning light is an issue with this vehicle and numerous complaints have been made. Recall should be made before people get hurt!!

Filed Oct 30, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 142,000 miles · WI

The rear axle broke in the place that was "fixed" by the recall work in 2010. Noticed squeaking noises (tire was rubbing) and a large clunk and wiggle when turning into a parking lot. Took a photo when I got to the parking lot. My rear driver's side tire was at an angle to the vehicle and the rear axle was broken under the collar that had been attached by a dealer for the recall. The weld held up, but the axle snapped underneath the fix-up job. Apparently the recall fix wasn't really a fix. Towed it into a dealer, who took photos and talked to ford. Ford said they wouldn't do anything. Cost me $$ to tow it to the dealer and back home again. Don't have $1,000 to pay the dealer for a new rear axle. Very disappointed that they didn't stand by their work. Very thankful that I was not on the freeway, and that all my children were not with me at the time. It could have been so much worse!

Filed Aug 11, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 40,000 miles · NY

My ABS light/brake light is on - started 2007- was told it would cost 1200.00 dollars to fix it; that it was ok to use the car in this condition. 8/14/14- replaced the wheels bearings on the front right and left wheels-after the bearings / and sway bars were replace still hear a grinding noise front the right front of vehicle. Noise becomes more pronounced the longer you drive the vehicle . Also the ABS/brake light is still on when you drive the car.

Filed Jul 6, 2014 · Brakes, Wheels · 172,000 miles · IL

During normal operation of vehicle at posted driving speed limits the vehicles ABS, brake warning lights have continuously come on after driving begins. It has been also noted that after several brake service inspections and repairs at major auto repair shops, such as midas, carx , and pep boys. Technicians have observed that the brake systems major components and hardware appeared to have failed due to high levels of corrosion and easily rusting parts such as brake shoes, pads, wheel cylinders, brake drums, brake line hoses and connectors. Each of these repair shops have informed me that the repair/ replacement of many of these vital components would be extremely costly to repair and could result in serious injuries or create a hazardous situation for the vehicle's operator and other drivers if not repaired immediately. The vehicles brakes and hardware have been replaced more than three times by asae certified /qualified mechanics and the brake systems warning lights continuously remain on during regular operation. The rear brakes are grinding and wearing the brake shoes down much faster than they did before even after repairs have been completed. Currently when applying the brakes before coming to a full stop the brake peddle must be applied at a distance of at least 30 seconds sooner to ensure a safe stop. I do believe that there is a high risk of concern in the failure of the ford windstar brake system operations and a thorough inspection of the ABS system and brakes including its major components should be inspected immediately to prevent a serious accident or injuries to the vehicle's operator and to protect the safety of the general public.

Filed Jun 16, 2014 · Brakes · MN

About two years or so after purchasing our ford windstar the brakes started having problems. My husband replaced the shoes etc. The lights had to be reset. They would go out and then months later come back on. The brakes seem to be ok. A little squeaky sometimes, and then the brake and ABS lights go out. They come on and off every so often when we go over bumps, or sometimes doing absolutely nothing. It's still doing the intermittent on and off thing. The fluid levels are fine etc. We replaced brake parts twice since purchasing it.

Filed Feb 21, 2014 · Suspension · 93,901 miles · CT

I was driving down the road and there was a loud snap and grinding sound from the rear of the car. Both rear wheels were at an approximate 20 degree angle off center.

Filed Oct 5, 2012 · Brakes · 200,000 miles · NC

This is a continuing situation: after driving a short distance and applying the brakes the first time; as the car slows to 5mph, the brakes fail and a grinding/cranking type of noise is heard; after a small distance the brakes re-engage and stop the car; very dangerous; the ABS light then comes on and the brakes work normally* without ABS controls. This situation happens every time that the car is started until the ABS light comes on and apparently disengages the ABS system.

Filed Sep 8, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 126,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The vehicle was included in the recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields) and the recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and was taken to the dealer for repair. After the vehicle was repaired, the contact heard a grinding and a cracking sound in the front end of the vehicle while driving approximately 65 MPH. The vehicle would also shake vigorously and the steering wheel began to turn on its own forcefully. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2011 · Body · 110,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over road bumps and pot holes, the vehicle would exhibit a loud grinding noise. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and they advised her that the cradle to the frame was severely rusted. The contact was advised not drive the vehicle because the frame could detach while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed May 22, 2011 · Body · 116,000 miles · OH

I have a 2001 ford windstar. While driving home the other day I turned the corner and heard a loud "pop", lost all steering and could not move the vehicle. When the tow truck driver came and lifter the van up and looked underneath he told me the news was not good. He showed me where the frame had broken and where the "arm" was suppose to be welded to. He showed me the"arm/bar" behind the right tire. Thankfully I did not hit anyone and no one hit me when this happened. The police did come because I was a safety hazard sitting in the lane the cars were trying to drive in. If I had been on the highway when this happened going 60 miles an hour I surely would have flipped or caused a major accident as eventhough it happened while slowly turning a corner I had to slam on my braked causing my tires to squeal and smoke and the whole van to swerve from side to side. I sat shaking in my van for several minutes. Please take the time to read my complaint and consider adding it to the list of recalls. I do not know how I am going to pay for this repair. As a single mother of three children my money is very tight and this is not something insurance covers. When I told the tow truck driver it was a 2001 vehicle he was very surprised to see this problem. Please do something and very quickly to correct this potentially fatal problem.