2002 Ford Windstar: brake failure

Filed Mar 9, 2023 · Body · GA · crash

The van took off without my control and the brakes stopped working and the fuel system it caused me to have two accidents within a week of each other

Filed Aug 9, 2016 · Body · 145,000 miles · IL

Husband was going to work in early morning and had just slowed as he exited highway, went over first set of railroad tracks at speed limit, then the front end of van raised into the air about a foot then slammed down as he crossed the second set of tracks and he lost control. He had no brakes or steering and the van crashed into a curb before stopping. It narrowly missed going under a semi-truck. It took several hours to be towed to ford dealer and missing an unpaid day of work, our insurance secured a rental car since ford refused to do so. The 2002 windstar had been previously repaired under the 2011 rear axle recall 10s13 and subframe 11s16 passed inspection at that time, but both appeared to have failed in this instance. This failure caused over $3000 in collateral damage to the steering and exhaust systems that ford says will be our financial responsibility if it can even be fixed due to many parts no longer being produced.those would need to be found through salvage or aftermarket sources. They have only offered to repair the failed subframe issue and possibly the recalled rear axle. We recently learned after this accident that there was a recall 15s27 on the prior axle recall repair for incorrectly installed brackets. We received no notification of this recall from late 2015 to have the axle fixed properly. Ford has offered to buy back the van for $1339, which appears to be substantially less than what was offered for buy backs in 2011 when the initial recall was done. Our van also had about 40,000 fewer miles on it than vans of the same age and make, based on an average of 15,000 miles a year. We have owned this van since 2002 and been at our same address for 10 years, so our lack of notification about this latest recall is unacceptable. Ford appears negligent both in dealing with a dangerous structural issue and notifying owners of recalls to fix it.

Filed Oct 14, 2014 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the ABS and brake warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the pedal sank to the floor when the brakes were engaged and in order to stop the vehicle the pedal had to be depressed several times. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a diagnosis. The technician stated that the ABS power relay output circuit had malfunctioned. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Aug 28, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 68,000 miles · VA

Van intermittently has ABS light, trac control off light, and emergency brake light all on at various times. If vehicle is turned off sometimes lights go off sometimes they do not. Also at random times the theft light will come on and van will immediately shut off (this occurs at speeds over 35mph). In addition the power steering reservoir will not hold fluid. Needs to have fluid added at least 2 times a day. With the exception of the power steering issue, the brake failure and the theft system failure is extremely dangerous. I have seen numerous complaints regarding these items. I took my vehicle to ford for repair of the recall on the speed module and they told me that these other issues were not their problem. I called ford customer service and the individual on the phone told me that if I felt it was unsafe then I should sell my van. This is an extremely dangerous problem with ford vans....the brakes fail and the theft system is faulty!!!!!! They should not be allowed to manufacture any vehicles!!!!

Filed Aug 13, 2014 · Brakes · 176,000 miles · AL

Abs brakes failed.

Filed Jul 14, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 103,000 miles · NY

Car bought in march 2014 from used car dealership. Abs light and brake light started coming on in may. Mechanic told me that this is a problem with the ECM and getting it replaced is costly. If I chose to replace it, the issue may occur again because ford has not resolved the issue on the actual part. Brake failure concerns me because I have two children under 4 years of age in the car with me most of the time. This past weekend, the brakes did not respond when I decelerated. I had to put the car in park and shut off the engine to stop it. Ford needs to look into resolving this major problem asap, as no driver should have to be worried that their brakes will fail while driving.

Filed Mar 20, 2014 · Brakes · 234,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal went to the floor when depressed. The vehicle continued to accelerate over a curb and crashed into a tree. There was no personal injury. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the scv switch was replaced. The manufacturer was notified and they informed that there was not a recall related to the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 234,000.

Filed Jul 9, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 120,000 miles · OH

Abs and brake warning lights light up randomly and cruise control stops working. Main brakes still function. I see lots of similar complaints online. Had brakes repaired twice and the mechanic always mentions a loss of brake fluid. Even after that, the problem persists. I do not believe my VIN was ever part of the scds switch recall but I am suspicious this may be somehow related (?). If so, there could be risk of a fire and I do not feel safe. I'd like some answers before I spend any more money at local mechanic fixing this car. Calling ford dealer tomorrow to see if there is anything they can do.

Filed Jul 8, 2013 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · NJ

I purchased my 2002 ford windstar as a new vehicle and I have been the only owner and driver. It has received regular professional servicing and repairs and overall, is in superior condition. Since 2007 it has only been used on the weekends and I use a smaller car for work. A few years ago, the ABS light started coming on unpredictably and intermittently in rainy weather and the brakes would lose power dramatically increasing braking distances. Because the problem with braking was sporadic at first, the mechanic thought it was merely an electrical problem causing the ABS light to come on. The ford service department said there were no recalls for such a problem. I have had the brakes replaced, and although the pads and rotors are in good condition, the braking problem has worsened. The ABS light and intermittent brake failure is much more frequent. I have recently learned that other windstar owners have experienced the same problem and that ford recalled 1999-2003 windstars for ABS because the ecu master relay has a bad soldier joint that fails causing the intermittent contacts. When I brought that information to my ford service manager, I was told the recall did not include my particular VIN. I am not sure how ford determines which vins get recalled -- but I am sure that my vehicle should have been included. It is unsafe because the brakes are unpredictable at this point. It is scary to think that ford would allow this known and serious defect in it's vehicles to go unaddressed.

Filed Aug 27, 2012 · Brakes · 152,196 miles · NH

False ABS activation; seemed to have no brakes for a bit. Ford dealership replaced wheel sensor. Also, ABS and brake light on at times. Comes on for awhile, then off for days. Then comes back on. May be issue with ABS unit, hydraulic control unit.

Filed Jul 30, 2012 · Brakes · 105,000 miles · MO

Noticed at this time and several other times that the ABS light would come on and I would loose this system and brakes would lock and also have no brakes intermittently. Worse in hot weather than in cold.

Filed Jun 2, 2012 · Brakes · 86,000 miles · WI

Abs and brake failure light came on. Brakes still work, but the ABS system is sometime shut off. Lights reset after a few weeks, but then come on again at random times not related to braking. Abs code are numerous and all hit at the same time as the c1185 code. The other codes are for the input and output valve failure on each wheel. This has been happening for over two years now and I see that many owners of this vehicle have the same problem that points to the control module and possibly bad circuit board solder joints. Vehicle has been in for rear axle corrosion recall.