I have a 2001 windstar, purchased at fines ford bolton on, for the past year the brake light and the ABS brake light tend to be activated after the car warms up ( 5 min) during the summer. However during the winter months the problem seems to disappear. The colder the outdoor temperature the less likely the light seem to go on. The van has only 95 000 km , and drives approximately 10-15 km on a daily total commute. During the past year we ( my wife and I) have noticed that a burning smell seems to emanate from the van immediately when parked. Since we park the van in a garage the smell is more noticeable then. This past july we brought the van in to service the recall to fix the scds sensor. Although for a week the ABS and brake lights were not activated, the problem has resurfaced thereafter. It seems this recall only served to possibly protect a fire but not solve the real problem with the ABS lights.
2001 Ford Windstar brakes complaints
Page 11 of 19: complaints 281 to 310 of 544, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I stopped at a red light and noticed smoke puff out from under the left side of my hood. I thought I was overheating, but my temp gauge showed nothing. As I pulled away from the red light and off to the side of the road I noticed my ABS light and my brake light had come on and my o/d light began flashing. My speedometer and odometer had completely shut down. I checked under the hood and saw no visible problems. I drove the vehicle back home and over the next few days I noticed I was losing brake fluid and brake pressure. I parked the vehicle and began driving a second vehicle until I could get a mechanic to check out the windstar. I took it to my mechanic and he said the brake fluid was leaking around the brake pressure differential deactivation switch in front of the master cylinder. He said he had heard there had been problems with this on windstars and recommended I check to see if there had been a recall, which I am doing now.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that when attempting to stop, the brake pedal would extend to the floorboard and abnormally pull the vehicle when attempting to stop. The vehicle was repaired several times at an automotive center but the failure recurred. Almost every component of the braking system was repaired and replaced. The vehicle was not repaired for the failure. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000 and the current mileage was approximately 134,000.
Braking distance suddenly increased : ABS light goes on and off intermittently and when it goes on brakes do not function normally and cause increased braking distance without warning. Twice now including today I have been parking my car (so maybe 5 MPH) and the ABS brakes failed to function properly and the light lit up and if a curb was not between me and the building I was parking at acting as a buffer and helping slow the car to a stop, I possibly could have hit it or crashed. I also almost hit a car in front of me recently , possibly within and inch, when it slowed/stopped somewhat suddenly (but not overly so) and then I had to slow/stop and my ABS light then suddenly came on and my ABS brakes failed to stop me in the usual way and usual distance for the pressure I was applying (which was stopping fast but not slamming on the brakes) and I could feel a sort of "stuttering" or "vibration" of the brakes and "slipping" with my foot on the brake peddle as if it were trying to engage but not successfully engaging. At first this intermittent ABS brake light going on was only occasionally but now it is becoming more and more frequent and putting me and my family in very dangerous situations to where even though the ABS brake light turns off as if it is working fine again, I now know it is not working fine and that the brakes could stop functioning properly at any moment. The light only goes on when I am pressing on the brake peddle (but not every time I brake), it does not light up without that as a pre-requisite. Then it will either stay lit for a few minutes and go away or it will stay lit until I turn my car off and go away the next time I start the car up.
2001 ford windstar ABS/brake dashboard lights come on while driving and stay on. When car is turned off, brake lights remain on. Brake pedal needs to be pumped and pulled for lights to turn off. Problem started approximately two years ago, was intermittent, but is now, as of 4 months ago, happening every time the car is driven. A friend's windstar is doing the same thing, and when researching on the internet, it appears to be a fairly common defect that should be subject to a recall by ford.
Abs ECM failer, ford windstar 2001: the ABS and brake light come on after 5-10 min. The code for the proble is c1185 or relay problem. The ABS controler is a ABS ebc 430 made by kelsey-hayes . The problem first started in 2007. I see the ebc 430 unit made for the gm was recalled. This has made for some close calls when braking in bad weather. This is a big safty problem. I have found many links on line about this problem. This to a 100% failer rate. Covers all windstars and freestars. The ABS unit needs to be recalled and replace.
No accidents yet, my ABS light and brake light come on within the first mile everyday I use my windstar and the ABS activates and often my 2001 ford windstar has an ugly noise and the brake pedal pulsates and the car does not want to stop, just like it would in an anti-skid situation. I have replaced front brakes, rotors, calipers, rf wheel sensor (purchase ABS code reader and still get rf sensor codes). Recently I took my windstar to ford and replaced the brake-cruise control recall. I questioned my dealer about the ABS and they have no clue almost like I needed to leave it and they would check it out and try to locate the cause. I do not want anyone to start replacing parts that I have replaced especially the ones I replace more then once. I hear alot of talk about a control module being bad so I think if that is the remedy it should be replaced at no charge by ford and I won't demand they reimburse to me the money I have already spent to remedy this problem. I like this vehicle but would like to get this ABS problem fixed or disable the ABS. Also, another option for ford in my case would be to disable the ABS so I don't get that anti-skid in my brakes on a dry day and all wheels are rolling. Its pretty unnerving when your car is not in a skid condition the ABS takes over and you are panicking to get this car to stop. I understand this ABS is an option and since I did not buy the car new I would strongly consider just disabling the ABS system brakes so they would work like the old fashion brakes that skidded if you applied enough pressure...
We bought van used... From beginning ABS and brake lights on dash are constantly on. I believe this is causing the also constant beeping. We have gotten a tune up, changed the brakes, oil, airfilter and had the codes checked... Lights are still on and still lots of warning beeps going off !!
The vehicle is a 2001 ford windstar sel. While driving on wet / slippery roads, the stopping distance is increased due to a failure of the ABS system. The failure of the ABS system is indicated by illumination of the ABS and brake dashboard lights. The frequency of occurrence is any time the vehicle is running during warm / summer weather and less frequently, but still almost daily, during cool / winter weather. The brakes have been fully inspected and worn or suspect parts replaced. At the last service visit (to a different mechanic than previous visits) the mechanic stated that the computer code indicated that the ABS control module needed to be replaced. He also stated that this is a common problem with ford windstar vehicles. The failure has not been fixed due to the expense.
Braking distance suddenly increased. 2001 ford windstar brake light and ABS brake light intermittently on. We took our 2001 ford windstar minivan to our local ford dealership to have the 09s09 recall repaired. The repair was made; however, we are now having issues with the ABS and brake light consistently illuminating on vehicle dashboard. The ABS and brake light does not illuminate when vehicle is first started up; however, illuminates on vehicle dashboard while driving. Abs / brake system warning lights continue to illuminate on occasion after recall repair performed. Braking distances greatly increased / affected when warning lights are on. Brake pedal travel also greatly increased - pedal slowly continues to floor with steady pressure, accompanied by whooshing sound with no increase in braking power.
Abs and brake lights turn on during summer months on my ford windstar 2001 minivan.
My ABS brake light is still on. I had recall 09s09 performed at a ford dealership. My cruise control does not work. My brake! Light comes on and stays on intermittently.
Lights in my 2001 ford windstar saying "brakes and ABS" comes on, every time I hit a pot hole. I got it checked at 3 different mechanics and 1 dealer, they say there is nothing wrong with brakes or ABS module. Occurs everyday.
I have had my 2001 ford windstar for 4 years, and I have replaced the brakes pads and rotors 5 times and looks like I will be on my 6th replacement soon...the ABS light on the dashboard keeps on in the engaged and will not release.
My 2001 has a brake light, ABS traction control lights and electric circuit board problem. The windshield wipers come on the door chime comes on when I turn the key off. The ABS and traction control light and brake lights comes on and off while I am driving all the time. The check engine light came on simultaneously with the brake light and I lost brake power. No fluid leaked out and the transmission works fine. I almost crashed into three cars while driving with the brake failure.
Braking distance suddenly increased. 2001 ford windstar brake light and ABS brake light intermittently on. Happens more often in summer time than winter. Usually happens more often in city driving after applying brakes several times. Will usually not come on right at startup, but after driving a few miles. At the time the light is on, ABS system will not work resulting in increase in braking distance on slippery pavement. Ford will not replace ECM module to fix problem which has been diagnosed as the cause.
After having the ford windstar oct. 09 09s09 recall fixed on our 2001 windstar due to leaks and malfunctioning A/C and cruise control, the ABS and brake indicator lights are still intermittently lighting on the dashboard. The ford dealer we took it to said that when those are on, we have no ABS system because the ECM is malfunctioning at those times. We're seeing increased braking distance with this problem.
Abs light and brake light kept coming on. Several incidents when coming to rolling stop ABS brakes would activate and van would not stop even when brake pedal was to the floor. This is after the 2001 ford windstar van was taken in and had the switch recall done. Had to have the ABS module replaced.
Ford windstar 2001 van. Periodically the check traction control warning message along with the ABS warning light and brake light was coming on. Now it seems to be occurring more frequently within the past month or two.
Abs light on 2001 ford windstar stays on & all odometer functions & radio cease operation & freeze in place!
When the ABS light and brake warning lights come on, the braking distance significantly increases. This is an intermittent problem that comes on with hot weather. On a cool morning or at night there will be no warning lights, but they come up when car heats up in the sun. The ford recall 09s09 was done on this car and brakes are in very good condition. The ABS seems to work when the warning light are gone, but brakes seem to be slow to respond in hot weather when heat triggers the ABS warning lights.
2001 ford windstar:speedo inop when red brake light comes on, ABS light on, and red brake warning light on intermittently. Took to dealer to have recall performed and they informed me that recall would not cover. Called ford hotline and they talked to dealer. Pulling out of dealer ABS light came back on. Dealer says problem is not related to ABS recall. Now took to another dealer and they say $2700 to fix ABS ecu, which was supposed to be fixed during the recall.
Abs and brake lights is on at the dashboard and ABS doesn't work.
Customer brought vehicle in for ABS light on, found scds switch to be leaking brake fluid and replaced with a motorcraft updated switch. After service while vehicle was still in shop bay with ignition off, vehicle ABS unit started on fire. We then removed all power from vehicle and found that after removing the ABS module connector brake fluid was found inside of ABS module, and the connector was melted. We then called ford dealership to see if the were any recalls concerning this vehicle and the ABS module and or switch, and were told that there were none. We have since found many articles online concerning this matter, and yet no recall ? Another half hour and the doors would have been closed for the night, we would have lost our shop, all vehicles inside. Please make them stand behind this clear and evident problem.
We took our 2001 ford windstar minivan to our local ford dealership to have the 09s09 recall repaired. The repair was made; however, we are now having issues with the ABS and brake light consistently illuminating on vehicle dashboard. The ABS and brake light does not illuminate when vehicle is first started up; however, illuminates on vehicle dashboard while driving. White, puffy and cloudy smoke also flows through front and center air vents while lights are illuminated. We took our vehicle to mechanic who could not reproduce smoke; however, was able to pull the codes. The codes pulled are c1185, c1194, c1198, c1210, c1214, c1242, c1246, c1250, and c1254. It appears that the ABS module will need to be replaced. We are scheduling this repair to me made as soon as possible, as we have four young children who ride in this van on a daily basis, and this van is the main transportation for our large family.
Braking distance suddenly increased.
Hi, I went in to the ford dealership to take my car for a recall for a speed control switch on 2001 ford windstar, after 2 weeks of being there my brakes and ABS lights came on at the same time, I told my husband he said maybe I need it brake fluid, we put brake fluid it was missing some but nothing considerable, that was almost at the end of the winter, the lights will come on and off as they felt like it, but now they stay lid all the time, I was looking online and seems to be lots of owners of same car has same problems with both lights staying lid always. Should this be a ford problem or should I spend $800.00 plus labor to get my car fix????
Had my 2001 ford windstar in for recall 09s09 (also described as 05s28 on my ford service invoice). Speed control deactivation switch was replaced after burning odor was detected and a determination that unit was leaking. Service advisor at ford told me my vehicle would need a new ABS electronic control module (ECM). I replied that my on-line research indicated that problems with the ECM could or might very likely be connected to the leaking scds. His answer was that they were "unrelated". Considering my research, that statement appears to be untruthful. I have begun to notice an increase in braking distance. Both my ABS and brake lights are on, allowing no distinction to be made between an ABS problem and an actual brake problem. This in itself is a design flaw and defect! Please note also that there is a design flaw in the ECM, the design of which causes noticeable expansion in the unit during periods of hot weather, and results in electrical contact issues within the unit. I believe this ECM issue also deserves the immediate attention of the federal safety agency, and an immediate recall from ford. Thank you for giving this matter your most serious consideration and attention. This is a safety issue that concerns many thousands of us, and we appreciate your advocacy on our behalf.
Antilock brake computer has failed.
While on vacationing in vermont. The yellow ABS light and the red brake light came on. Im a mechanic so I had the code reader for the ABS system. The code was the infamous tell tale c1185. I replaced the ABS module once. Unfortunately the problem has manifested again. I'm tempted to do away with the system, but the windstar transports my young children around. Its like having a gun to my head. What do I do?
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