2001 Ford Windstar: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Nov 16, 2015 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving 55 MPH with the cruise control activated and attempting to make a turn, the vehicle proceeded to drive forward without warning. The vehicle caught fire and a fire report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2015 · Brakes · CA

My ABS light and brake light came on. I pulled over. Waited for the car to cool down. Light didn't good away. I have already gotten the recall for cruise control done. I tested and the ABS system is definitely not working. Luckily, I grew up without ABS, and know to pump the brakes. I am getting the c1185 dtc.

Filed Nov 4, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 144,500 miles · SD

Abs, traction control, cruise control and speedometer either are intermittent or not working at all. This causes issues with braking, vehicle control, driver attentiveness and other safety related issues.

Filed Jul 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 110,000 miles · WI

Abs and brake light on and cruise control not working leaking master cylinder switch.

Filed Jul 26, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 181,000 miles · FL

Turned on van with all this occurring at once: "check transmission", speedometer not working (reads 0mph), "ABS" light stays on, "brake" light stays on, "o/d off" light flashing, "trac off" light illuminated, "fuel computer data error", "oil life data error", "traction control data error", outside temperature "error", odometer malfunction reads "-----------", cruise control not working, AC not cold, hot air not hot.

Filed Jul 23, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 132,480 miles · SC

After going through a heavy downpour at about 20mph the ABS and brake light came on. Nothing was hung up and it later cleared. We figured a sensor got wet but periodically maybe stopping quickly or even just turning off auto and restarting within 15 minutes may trigger the lights. They may stay on entire time of travel until shutting off car or they may just go away while driving. Not sure if it's a brake problem or electrical because my temp notification for outside temp also does not work and the gas gauge will sometimes report empty after filling up and also I have had issues where the cruise control can not be shut off by button. I must apply the brake to shut off the cruise control. The brake lights started back in 2012 but they all did not fail at the same time. These other things have been a problem at least since 2013. I have approx. 138,000 miles on the van.

Filed Apr 24, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 140,000 miles · KY

I didn't have a crash I noticed that my ABS brake and tire pressure light was staying on and a short time after I started hearing a loud rumbling noise in the front end every time I slow an it's impossible to make sudden stops and at times my speedometer starts flickering back and forth as well as my cruise control is currently inoperable. I have limited driving this vehicle in which I purchased due to feeling it is not in a safe manner for my children to be in. I have had several shops as well as individuals that told me these areas are common to go out on this specific vehicle and that there is possible recall. I just want to be able to drive my van with out worrying if I'm going to be able to come to a stop when needed as well as not knowing if I could possible break down or something break in the front end while I am driving at somewhat high speeds. Thank you and hope to hear from someone soon in regards to this situation!

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 May 30, 2013 · Brakes · 121,000 miles · TN

I am in the process of trying to figure out what is going on. While driving on the interstate (with cruise control on) I noticed the od light started flashing and the check engine light came on. I pulled over and the brakes were smoking to the point I was afraid there would be a fire. I had to sit on the side of the road with my toddlers and wait for it to stop smoking. I was still about 20 miles from home. I am not someone who is fortunate enough to have family nearby or friends who could help. We are on a tight budget with a child who has special needs and only one working parent so could not afford a tow. The 'check engine' light stayed on but the od was off upon starting the vehicle. The od came on 2x in the 20 miles it took to arrive. Each time it came on I pulled over, turned the van off and back on. When the od was flashing when I let off the accelerator, even on an incline, it was slowing me down so I figured the brakes were engaged. With the cruise control on I was unable to tell so I was pushing it up to 70mph with the brakes going against it. On the way home I did not use cruise control but it kept happening only it was very noticeable that the brakes were rubbing. There is now brake dust all over my tires and the side of the van. This could have caused an accident, this could have caused a fire! My daughter is disabled and in a complex child restraint system with straps and positioners. I also have a 1 yr old and if something had happened I am not confident I could have gotten them both out in time had a fire started. I need this van to carry my daughters wheel chair around. I am extremely irate. We bought this vehicle 3 months ago (second hand)!!!! Something needs to be done about this issue since I have read online that it is actually common!!! They are saying the code is p1744 torque converter clutch system stuck in off position. $3000 to fix!!!

Filed May 26, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · FL

The ABS light has been on but no one can tell me why. It goes out when the vehicle is shut off but will light up again after about 10 minutes of driving. The cruise control would work sometimes and not others. If finally quit working all together. The fuses are all fine. The power windows and door locks work sometimes and not others or might work on one side of the vehicle but not the other.

Filed May 11, 2013 · Brakes · 127,743 miles · VA

Brake pressure switch leaking brake fluid onto wiring harness causing cruise control and ABS brake issues. Potential fire hazard.

Filed Jan 2, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 120,000 miles · MI

Abs light comes on intermittently, even in summer with no adverse driving conditions. It stays on for varying lengths of time, then disappears for some time, then out of the blue comes back on. Braking a little bit harder than usual does seem to trigger it. Also, recently, the cruise control just suddenly stopped working. It worked fine one day, then all of a sudden, a day or two later, I hit on, but it refused to set. I tried again on another day and it still wouldn't set.