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2002 Ford Windstar brakes complaints

Page 21 of 23: complaints 581 to 610 of 643, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2002 Ford Windstar brakes problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jul 15, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 121,000 miles · NJ

Poor design, placing electrical connection under master cylinder, filled with brake fluid. Caused instrument panel to malfunction, including no speedometer, and left the ABS & brakes warning light on steady. The connecter that got wet from the fluid is charred. This is definitely a fire hazard.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Brakes · 89,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that the ABS, brake, and traction lights would illuminate intermittently while driving at all speeds. She took the vehicle to the dealer and the diagnostic produced error codes; however, they did not think that the failures were related to those codes. The dealer did not make any repairs and the manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 93,000 and failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · NY

I have a 2002 ford windstar lx. Just this past january the lights have started to turn on. My ABS light, engine light, brake system light. There are 12-13 codes that show up for my brakes when diagnosed on the computer. I have new brakes all around, new rotors, new drums and when I go to stop the car squeals like a bus and grinds as though I have no brake pads at all. Shop says the only place I can go to get that fixed is the dealer where it will cost me about $1500 to fix. Who has that kind of money laying around? My engine light goes on because of supposedly some module inside the engine. That was estimated at $350+ to get fixed. The module supposedly is the reason why when the car is diagnosed on the computer, that it shows I have two bad o2 sensors. All I can say is wow!!! These windstars are pure junk!!!

Filed Jul 9, 2008 · Brakes · 73,000 miles · MO

Both the yellow ABS and red brake warning lights illuminate on the instrument panel. Ford dealer code scan revealed a c1185 code: power relay failure within the hcu/ecu.

Filed Jul 5, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 90,000 miles · CA

Dash brake and ABS lights come on. They can be reset by turning the engine off and restarting. Noticed leaking switch on bottom of master cylinder. Wiring damp with brake fluid. Cruise control doesn't work anymore.

Filed Jul 2, 2008 · Brakes · 63,400 miles · GA

The ABS, brake and traction control warning lights in my 2002 ford windstar keep coming on intermittently. Brake fluid is normal and front brakes were recently replaced. Warning lights seem to appear when started after the vehicle has been sitting in the sun or after driving. I have not noticed braking problems but am worried that the brakes may fail when needed. Ford dealership says there is no known problem with the windstar ABS system. I have read several forums where windstar owners are reporting the same problems. My vehicle has 63k miles.

Filed Jun 24, 2008 · Brakes · 81,681 miles · NC

The ABS traction control system intermittently fails. During an unexpected heavy stop of on warmer days the ABS traction control system stops responding and the warning light stating the system has been turn off, turns on. The vehicle has to be stopped, turned off then restarted for this to go away. It also has failed under normal driving conditions without braking on hotter days. This seems to be a dangerous problem.

Filed Jun 23, 2008 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · PA

Brake pressure switch leaks onto hot surfaces in engine compartment causing smoke.

Filed Jun 17, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · MO

I own a ford windstar and I am having the ABS/brake light problem and speed control problem.

Filed Jun 17, 2008 · Brakes · GA

I have a 2002 ford windstar. The ABS brake light and brake light keeps coming on. The only way to get if off is to restart the van I have had it in the shop twice now. The garage ( fiive star ford) in warner robins told me not to worry about it. They replaced the master cylinder last week. That cost me $490.00. It still didn't fix the problem with the lights.

Filed Jun 16, 2008 · Brakes · 87,541 miles · KS

Own a 2002 ford windstar and I am having a situation where both the ABS light and brake remain on while driving. I have read of problems with the "brake pressure differential deactivation switch" in other windstars and decided to check it out on mine after reading of engine fires occurring because of it. On mine I have found a considerable amount of brake fluid underneath the master cylinder in the engine compartment. I had my son pump the brakes while I had the wiring to the deactivation switch removed and noticed that the brake fluid was leaking as the brakes were pumped. I have decided to replace the deactivation switch before a possible fire occurs.

Filed Jun 12, 2008 · Brakes, Tires · 180,000 miles · AL

Abs light and tire pressure light are constantly coming on. This has all been checked and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with either. Cruise stopped working while driving with it on. I have now read many reports from consumers with the same ford winstar with the same problems. The cruise control concerns me because of the recall of the cruise control switch on one of their trucks and the incidence of fires started because of the cruise control switch in the ford winstar vans.

Filed Jun 11, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 90,000 miles · CO

Our anti-lock brakes failed on our 2002 ford windstar. A defective switch had leaked brake fluid into an engine wiring harness causing the anti-lock brake system to fail. We were told by the ford dealer that the repair would be about $1,500, we were no longer under warranty, and that the vehicle could catch on fire at any time. This included when the vehicle was not running and parked in the garage. The service writer also stated that he could not believe that ford had not recalled the windstar as the same failure of the anti-lock system on the pick-ups had been.

Filed Jun 9, 2008 · Brakes · 12,300 miles · TN

Brake oil leak from cruise control pressure switch on master cylinder. Fire hazard.

Filed Jun 8, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · VA

On june 8, 2008, our 2002 windstar experienced the following: ABS light went red: brake red light went on. Speedometer, and tachometer stopped working. All will require repair to prevent the possibility of fire, crash or break down.

Filed May 31, 2008 · Brakes · 97,000 miles · IL

The ABS and brake lights are intermittenly coming on and going off on my 2002 ford windstar sel. This started in may 2008 at 97,000 miles.

Filed May 22, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 79,620 miles · FL

2002 ford windstar cruise control, odometer, A/C temp. Control stopped working; ABS light remains on. The van is leaking brake fluid. I found online that this is a common problem within windstar owners. A contaminated "brake pressure differential deactivation switch" is the probable cause of this problem and in my opinion ford should be responsible for this defect.

Filed May 22, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 80,000 miles · NY

I have a 2002 ford windstar that we purchased 2 yrs ago, ...morning after delivery battery was dead, took back to dealer and they checked it out and said should be fine. Occasionally still dies and has to be charged, alternator & battery check out fine. The most dangerous problem is that the ABS light is on and ABS doesn't work properly. We continuously have to add brake fluid (at least once a month) and can not find any leaks on the ground. Had the vehicle in for service on several occasions can not diagnose. The dealership hooked vehicle up to machine to read code and can not get any readings from system. Dealership seemed to think that it could be a wiring problem or ABS module. Abs will occasionally go out/work but not properly, ABS will kick in on dry roads not wet/snow covered. Tire pressure light is illuminated and tire pressures are all correct. Has been reset but comes back on after driving a few miles. Occasionally it will go out on its own but then the speedometer will bounce around (if going 55 will jump to 70,80). When opening the rear tailgate hatch and closing,the dash light stays on like it is still open and dome lights will not work properly. When driving the door chime will sound and the door ajar light will go out and works properly until gate is opened again. When driving the door light and chime will come on lights stay on. The door ajar light also comes on and off intermittently when using the driver side door controls to put windows up/down you hear louder then normal clicking. Also dims the lights when putting windows up/down. We can also smell what seems to be wires burning at times but can not find anything. We are at a loss of where to begin. We will not drive this vehicle any further then 50 mile radius from our home for fear of what will happen if we do. If we go further we rent a vehicle. Now to the point of purchasing a cheap, reliable vehicle (not ford) and parking this one until we can pay down enough to trade in.

Filed May 17, 2008 · Brakes · 91,200 miles · AZ

It appears that I am having a similar problem as other ford windstar owners. I have a 2002 ford windstar which brake and ABS light continually illuminates. I have not had to replace anything on it yet, but would like this looked into further as it is a problem for many ford windstar owners.

Filed May 2, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 98,500 miles · CA

2002 ford windstar with inoperable cruise control, odometer, A/C temp. Control, ABS light remains on and other related electrical malfunctions. Vehicle is leaking brake fluid and I have no doubt I'm experiencing the same problem thousands of other windstar owners are with a contaminated "brake pressure differential deactivation switch". Is ford taking responsibility for this manufacturing defect and providing a fix - without charge???

Filed Apr 24, 2008 · Brakes · CT

The ABS and brake lights illuminate intermittently or either remains lit when the vehicle is running. The failure began in december 2005. The current mileage is 62,000. Also heater has stopped working in april 2008. Check engine light has been on since april 2006. Rpm's suddenly will drop under 1000 and car will start stalling and bucking. Need to put it in park and rev the engine.

Filed Apr 19, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · TX

My wife asked me to check the brakes because the brake light was on. I had checked the wheels for any leakage and found none. The master cylinder was low so I started to look for leak at other places and found the leak at the brake light switch. The brake fluid was leaking on the wires. So I looked on line and found a article that can cause a fire in the engine compartment. This why I am making this complaint. I as have lost my cruise control and the article said that this will happen. I am going to change the switch and replace the fuse if needed.

Filed Apr 18, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 65,000 miles · TX

My 2002 ford windstar van had an inoperable cruise control. I traced the problem to a leaking (brake fluid) switch mounted under the brake master cylinder. The leaking switch leaked flammable brake fluid onto the hot engine or exhaust system but did not caused a engine fire. I purchased a modified switch and wire harness from the ford dealer and installed it myself. I was told by the ford parts salesman that there was no recall for my windstar at that time. This is the same defect found on the other ford vehicles according to the new york times, 18 april 2008. I still have the defective switch in hopes I can be reimbursed by ford. The defective switch is available for inspection if needed.

Filed Apr 14, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 81,000 miles · NC

I have been reading about recent complaints to the ford windstar 2002 and have concerns. I had my ABS module replaced last year because all my idiot brake lights were going off intermittently. I have also not used my cruise control in over two years because once activated it will not shut off until the car is turned off. It appears that the brakes are related to the cruise control leaking on the brake line, but ford does not see the windstar as a problem. This concerns me, since there have been fires with the windstar van. I also took my car into a ford dealership to check the seat latches and was told my car was not covered. My recent repair woes is the air conditioner compressor is going. This was a problem with my last ford windstar. (related vehicle information: model year=2002, make=ford, model=windstar).

Filed Mar 31, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 110,000 miles · MT

Abs system and cruise control failure, intermittent over the last 9 months.

Filed Mar 14, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 75,000 miles · NC

My ABS brake light, emergency brake light and brake light would intermittently go off. Then it was every time my car was started. I was told my ABS module needed to be replaced. My car could be driven, but my ABS brakes would not work. I was told by two mechanics that this was a problem they had seen with my vehicle. My cruise control also sticks. I have not used my cruise in over a year, because once activated, you can not shut it off. The only way it resets is to turn the car off. The ford windstar is one of the only ford vehicles not covered under the recall, but upon doing a web search have found that windstars have started on fire because of this issue. Also, I received a recall on my mid/read seat latches. When I went to the dealer, I was told my car was not covered. I drive a 2002 ford windstar. I am very concerned about the recent recall since the brake line is directly related to the fires caused by the faulty cruise control. Please advise is the research is to include other ford models.

Filed Mar 12, 2008 · Brakes · 31,000 miles · PA

Continually getting intermittent ABS and brake warning lights, have taken to ford dealer and local garages and neither knew the problem.

Filed Mar 7, 2008 · Brakes · DC · fire

Email concerning safety issues with the 2001-2003 ford windstar, a leaky brake differential deactivation switch which causes brake fluid to leak down wires and the anti-lock brake computer fails during hot weather conditions. *kb the consumer stated the issue is a large aluminum plate attached to the bottom of the anti-lock computer circuit board. When the plate gets hot, the aluminum expands whereby stretching the computer board and causing the anti-lock brakes to fail. The consumer stated he had a fire in his vehicle, as a result of a leaky brake pressure differential deactivation switch.

Filed Feb 29, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 176,500 miles · WI

This has happened over the past two weeks. About february 15, 2008 I was having trouble keeping pressure in my brakes. They were spongy. I called a mechanic and brought it to him on february 16th. He said it was the master cylinder, and replaced it and the wheel cylinders. Well, the van worked for about a week. Then monday, february 25, 2008 my brakes again went spongy. I checked the brake fluid and there was none. I refilled the container, and called a mechanic. I brought the vehicle to him on february 26, 2008. He determined it was the cruise control pressure switch. I then went to tousley ford dealership and got the part. Tousley ford in minnesota said this particular part is in recall for several other vehicles but not mine. My mechanic replaced the part and the vehicle hasn't had any problems. As a matter of fact, now the cruise control works again. It had gone out last summer some time. This recall is for a fire hazard, and I saw where the brake fluid can leak through that switch onto wiring so there could have been a fire in my van. My complaint is that my vehicle, and family are just as important to me as the vehicles and families of the other people who were able to get their vehicles fixed in the recall. I drive a 2002 ford windstar sport minivan. I do foster care and have birth children, and grandchildren in that vehicle all the time. So, I am very upset that ford does not recall this fire hazard on all vehicles. My family is very important!

Filed Feb 20, 2008 · Brakes · 29,000 miles · NY

Intermittent ABS and brake light illumination. This happens after the vehicle warms up. Vehicle has been inspected by ford. No codes are found. This has been happening for over three years. Ford has a technical service bulletin #15682 (the federal safety agency item number: 636312) since 11/2002 to address this problem, but still can't rectify this problem. Ford has a voluntary recall for the same problem on other models from the same year. I have heard of many other owners who have the same problem.

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