Power windows and door locks intermittently not working. Unable to unlock electrical or manual sliding door ....it locks up and unable to open door from inside. Passengers can't open door if an emergency. Electronic door locks don't function constantly.
2001 Ford Windstar electrical complaints
Page 2 of 9: complaints 11 to 40 of 223, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Abs light on dash and brake light on for no reason.
The ABS light comes on frequently while driving. Sometimes it causes the regular brake light and/or low tire pressure light to come on (even though tire pressure is fine.) many times it happens when hitting a bump in the road. My dealer mentioned that the ECM module is returning many different codes with different meanings, indicating that the ECM module very likely has a bad connection on it. The dealer did not fix it yet, but warned me that I am currently driving without antilock brakes most of the time.
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.
Abs and brake light on and cruise control not working leaking master cylinder switch.
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.
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.
A few weeks after purchasing my van I had issues with my brake light and ABS light coming on while I was driving. It did seem to cause any issues and the lights when off ever time I turned my van off and then back on. A few months ago I was coming up to a red light so naturally I started to slow down when I tried to come to a complete stop I kept going. The perfect way to describe what happen, it felt like I hit my brakes on a solid sheet of ice. I could here the ABS clicking and also felt the vibration in the brake pedal. That day it was 95 degrees and sunny. I almost caused an accident and the only things that stopped me was the emergency brake. It continued to do it every time I tried to slow down to stop that I refused to put my children in the vehicle. Last week after almost causing a few accidents I ended up pulling the main fuses to the ABS. Since I have done this the only issue I have had is my speedometer acting up. I feel that ford needs to seriously look into this issue. I have already had 5 recalls fixed on my van and this needs to be another one.
While investigating the 50 MPH failure of the PCM module, and the ongoing off/on action of the ABS module, I ran across what appears to be a mistake on page 43-3 of the fomoco "2001 wiring diagrams/windstar" manual (fcs-12255-01). I exchanged several emails, case # cas-4648613-l1x1r6 crm:03259000003405, with the ford customer relations center about this matter until they told me to contact a dealer. I sent the questions to my dealer asking for correct information, but they haven't acknowledged my inquiry. What I suspect is all windstar's on the road today may be operating with only one-half of the scp (j1850 pwm) network operational. Now that many of the defective ABS modules are failing, are other windstars in danger of engine failure at speed like ours? The two simple questions I asked fomoco are: 1) are you sure circuit 915 (data bus-) should be grounded at the ABS module? 2) what is the proper termination for the ford data bus (circuits 914& 915), 120 ohms, 650 ohms, 3k ohms, what and where?
My 2001 windstar started having electrical problems a couple weeks after I had all the other recalls taken care of. I turned the van on and all my needles went crazy darting back and forth, and my driver door censors aren't working now. The next day was the same and my ABS and brake lights on the dash are on and won't turn off. I have also had to keep my interior lights turned off completely because at any given time my vans door censors will decided that the door isn't closed. This is the second windstar I have owned and at this point I will never buy another ford. The safety of my children and myself is much more important.
Ecu module for ABS is shorted out and causes gauge cluster to short out. This causes ABS light & brake light to turn on and all gauges stop working and they jump around . This was diagnosed by ford dealership in wi. Said brake fluid leaks in to ecu and shorts out wires . Told me . $2000.00 to fix . These problems are a safety issue . Abs and speedometer and gauges don't work . Should be a recall .
The ABS, brake, and trac lights come on while driving down the road. This doesn't happen every time, but has become more frequent. Have not found a reason for it to come on, like hitting bumps or wet whether. The electrical system issues is rear windows won't open all of the time. The door locks don't work all of the time. The lights in and outside the van dim in and out.
Well my ABS/ brake lights have been on and off ever since I bought this van and I have keep up on everything that need keeping up on. Now I am having problems with my wipers and they don't work on any of the speeds but high and next to high and the other speeds don't work. Another problem I have been having is the electronic slidding doors don't always close or want to stay shut. The doors have even tried to open when driving down the road which is very dangerous considering I have children ridding in the back of my van. I have had codes come up on my van that sound like a manufacturing problem and I have had about enough of this. I have not felt save in my van since they called me in for the recall they fixed on it at dick withems. I still think it needs an inspection by the company and they need to fix everything that is malfunctioning due to manufacturing problems. I put my children's and my life in ford's hands when I drive this van and if anything ever happens to my children or me I will be getting ahold of ford, my lawyer. I think that when vehicle's are built they should make sure there are less manufacturing problems as possible. Please contact me.
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!
I have a 2001 ford windstar se. All at once my ABS and brake light came on. A week later the speedometer stopped working. Now the speedometer works for a fee days then quits. I took it to midas and they told me to take it to a dealer. They said there are no recalls.
My ABS light is on and have heard it is from ecu master relay has a bad soldier joint which fails prematurely and causes the ABS light and dtc c1185. It also causes the enhanced ABS braking system to become inoperable.
Abs trouble light keeps coming on and going off. It was checked and the mechanic said it was safe to drive if I didn't want to spend the money. I have found out that the connector is absorbing fluids and shorting out. This shorting out happens mostly in warm weather. In sub 0 weather the light pretty much stays off. There is still a chance of fire when it is shorting out. I complained to ford and was told there was no recall on this item. They gave me a case number for my complaint. It is #[xxx]. This problem is a direct cause of fluids leaking on the modgular connector and heat from engine. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
All gauges, including speedometer, suddenly became erratic, confusing driver by giving false sense of speed.
Hi I am the owner of 2001 windstar last week my van star be crazy with al the instrumental all the light was crazy smell like the cable was burning the positive battery was very hot I have to stop the car before get in fire that is the second time that is happen please take this very serious before some have any accident and car burn in the road.
Abs light and brake light on/ off more then 5 years every time driving , brake working fine. All the gauge moving crazy about 1 a week. Winter time the problem less.
Intermittent increase in braking distance in an emergency situation. Due to ABS system failure related to the ECM control unit. Indicator at time of failure "yellow ABS brake light" and "red brake light" on dashboard of vehicle. Resulting in interment operating of ABS system. This becomes a large driving hazard when operating the vehicle during winter months when roadway is often covered in wet, snow and ice. These road conditions are typical for my winter driving months in the climate and area of vehicle purchased and operated. The cause of this ABS system failure is related to the ECM control unit. Root cause is identified as failure of circuit board solder joints with in the ECM unit, deactivating ABS system. Poor quality of connections, heat and stress , not robust enough for application. Need to have these quality and performance issue resolved by the oem.
After repairing my speed controller my ABS and brake lights have been coming on the dashboard intermittently and are coming on more and more. Took it to the dealer and no codes show up,but I do not trust it .
The ABS light and the brake light appears on the dashboard even though the brakes are in good working order
For months, the ABS light and traction control lights come on intermittently. Currently the lights are staying on and it must be jumped to start. The battery was checked and was okay. Something is draining the battery.
Interior lights flash on and off including dash lights taken in on numerous occasions but problem still exists to this day. Abs and brake lights come on constantly up to and including today. Noise that sounds like bones crunching from steering wheel or under foot? And buzzing from right front tire on left turns. Took into ford dealer for all complaints, never fixed.
Problems encountered: rear windows not working,had motors replaced worked for about 6 months then intermittent then quit working within 6 months. Abs and brake light on dash goes on and off. A/c stops blowing for about 20 seconds then resumes blowing. Keyless entry works sometimes,sometimes it don't. Speedometer slower than it reads and mileage may not be correct. Windshield wipers not working properly. Intermittent settings on wipers quit working and when you turn off wipers they stop in middle of windshield. I have an 88 year old father with no legs and this is the vehicle I have to drive him around in. Do not feel safe!!
While sitting at the red light my brake light, ABS light, over drive lights all came on and then my speedometer would not register when I started to go when the light turned green.
The ABS warning light comes on intermittently. From research on the web, this is a common problem starting with windstars dating from 1999.
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.
Abs and brake lights have been off and on for years. Have had the brakes looked at many times and they are always said to be fine. Today, while driving along, the radio went off when I rolled up the window...thought that was strange so opened window....radio back on, closed window....radio off. Thankfully I was very close to home as the windows stopped opening and closing, radio shut off, odometer reading disappeared, clock lights disappeared. I made it to the driveway, turned it off and it did not turn back on. Came inside and started to search "2001 ford windstar ABS and brake lights on"......I'm appalled at how many complaints I have found. Husband and friend did a check and it may be the alternator....but after what I've read we will definitely be checking for fluid in the ABS control module. If it turns out it is the ABS control module (after reading the numerous complaints) I will be calling ford to let them know what I think. For many, many years we let ford service our van and I swear after each service we ended up with another problem within weeks of the service. I've not had trust in our local ford dealership for a long time. Based on what I've read in the last 2 to 3 hours I am completely shocked and saddened that ford hasn't stepped up and offered to rectify this problem. I love my windstar! As long as we can be certain that it is still safe to drive we will keep it on the road. But when it is time.....we will never do business with ford again.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Ford Windstar?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history