2002 Ford Windstar: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Dec 29, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 73,425 miles · AR

Used the vehicle to go on a trip about 200 miles from home, the cruise control was working but the brake light stayed on. When I got back home and parked the vehicle for a couple of days, when I went to go back out in the van on another short trip and got on the interstate the cruise wouldn't work again. The brake light stays on all the time when before the cruise stopped working it was only intermittent. Now the light is on all the time and the cruise isn't working at all. I can't use the van on trips o when I go a few miles away from home because the cruise don't work. I have a bad back and joints and rely on that cruise to help me get from point a to point b. Thanks. ...updated 01/07/15 *bf the consumer stated the issues are on recall. Updated 01/17/15

Filed Dec 8, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 75,494 miles · KS

While driving on a highway with cruise control engaged, the brake and ABS lights came on. The brakes were unaffected. We stopped and checked on finding a mechanic in the town we were going through, but when we re-started the van, the lights were back off. The brakes remained unaffected. The problem recurs sporadically at intervals of a few weeks to a few months. Sometime later, we had to have the cruise control repaired due to two bad switches (damaged by leaks). I mention this because evidence suggests a link between the cruise control and the ABS problems.

Filed Oct 1, 2014 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · NH

Brake light , ABS light on dashboard came on ,then lost over drive, cruise control and mileage meter. Mileage meter goes blank than odometer starts working after a few minutes .the dashboard looks like x mas with all the flashing lights. This van has the factory recall for the rear axle and front frame reinforcement work done.what about the electrical/ electronic problems ?

Filed May 30, 2014 · Brakes · NM

Abs brake light comes on, cruise control will stop working or will not work at all and speedometer/odometer electrical problems (speedometer will at times jump up or down when showing speed (MPH) at times all the warning lights in the instrument panel will come on and off. Right now I have the yellow ABS light on, also the red brake light is on. In a few days they may turn off, only to turn back on a few days later. I an very concerned about the ABS light, with the light on, does the ABS system still work? I bought this windstar new in nov. 2002. Brakes have be replaced and or checked and it keeps doing the above. Note: vehicle has 66,000+ miles.

Filed May 28, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 64,500 miles · FL

Follow-up on odi # 10593430. On may 26, 2014, after ford dealership in fort walton beach, fl kept my vehicle for a week to fix the cruise control and seat latches recall, I was finally able to pick up my van. They also checked the cause of odometer and speedometer to stopped working, ABS and brake light remained on, sliding doors not working, and o/d light flashing; I was told the cause is a defective ABS module. They charged me $114.27 to diagnosed the problem and quoted me $1,265.00 to replace the ABS module. I showed to ford service advisor, andrew tompitch, a print-out from the federal safety agency website stating that part of fixing or remedy to the cruise control recall was to "inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary." "repairs will be completed free of charge." yet ford charged me for this service and told me that the problems were not the same since my vehicle's scds supposedly did not leak. How could I verified what he told me was true when he wouldn't let me enter the work bay to watch what the technician was doing to my vehicle? Andrew admitted that the ABS module is defective and that they had replaced several modules due to the same problems as my van. But andrew said it's not part of the recall and wouldn't replace it free of charge. If ford used defective parts such as the ABS module, then ford should be responsible to replacing the defective ABS module and recall it before a life is lost!

Filed Mar 21, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · WI · fire

On june 16, 2006, while vehicle was parked in a parking lot, someone informed us that my 2002 ford windstar was smoking from under the hood. An internal fire occurred, damaging the wiring harness and windshield wiper motor. Unaware to the cause of said fire the damaged parts were replaced. Then other problems started to arise, the vehicle cruise control stopped working, the ABS/brake light remained on and the speedometer was not working properly (not accurately reading). The local ford dealer was informed of the before-mentioned problems including the internal fire that had occurred , at the time of the initial brake pressure deactivation switch recall. The dealer stated that the brake pressure deactivation switch indeed was leaking and that they supposedly checked the ABS control module. Still the ABS/brake light remained on and the speedometer did not work properly. On 3/14/14 the windstar was taken to a local garage to diagnose the ABS/brake issues again. It was determined that said unit needed to be replaced. The ABS module was subsequently removed and examined the control module (3/21/2014). The ABS module suffered an internal fire and the wiring harness connector was melted and damaged. Also found was evidence of significant burning around the pins at the connections. This evidence included the blackened fluid, severe discoloration, and lifted traces, all of which are clearly apparent in photos of the module interior. The local dealer refused to repair or replace the module under the recall claim, stating that it was not part of the recall, and that said recall was closed. Ford has been negligent in this matter and luckily the vehicle prior to today, has not become a runaway fire event and burned to the ground!! At this time the vehicle has not been repaired, and is sitting idle. I have kept the damaged control module for examination.

Filed Mar 11, 2014 · Brakes · KY

Braking distance suddenly increased. My ABS light and trac off lights on. During driving my traction control will come on as I brake on dry pavement, I almost wasnt able to stop. The mechanic said my cruise control was leaking ( that has previously been fixed) but that want causing it. I will have to buy a ABS module. It is parked right now due to scared to drive with my kids in the car and I'm a single mom and can't afford the module.

Filed Dec 29, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 160,000 miles · NH

My ABS light & traction light are now on. Also, needles jump on dash {odometer, speedometer, fuel & heat level} and cruise control does not work any longer {this has been happening since receiving my van back from the ford garage after 7 months from the axle recall repair over a year ago}. Tried to bleed my brakes after replacing pads and caliper but cannot bleed front left or rear right. Was told by a ford mechanic that this may be a problem in the ABS module. As pertaining to a ford recall in october, 2009, all of the above problems may be connected to this recall. My van was inspected and nothing was done to it because, at the time, because it was deemed safe. I have since replaced the electrical tape on the wiring harness that they were suppose to be inspecting because it was falling off due to brake fluid on it (reason for said recall}. I plan on calling the garage in the am to have them reinspect my van for this recall because I cannot afford to replace any more parts in it. I have put a lot into it just since getting it back after the axle recall because it deteriorated sitting in their driveway for the winter due to salt. I hope nobody else is going through this. I love my van and have owned it for 11 years but it is getting too expensive for a one-income-household to repair due to bad parts or service. Please have ford work to fix these problems so I can afford to keep my van. Thank you!

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 Jun 22, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

Transmission light in dash has been on for years now. Local dealers tell me there is nothing wrong. They take my money and don't fix the problem. Abs light is on. Parts were bought and replaced by the dealer with in a year light back on. Cruise control cut out replaced twice. Dealer cant figure these problems out but if enough of your own research is done there are ways to figure out what is going on. Even if the dealer can't front frame mounts are rusting so bad you can pull it apart with your hands certified safe from dealer.

Filed May 20, 2013 · Electrical, Suspension · 204,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the rear axle fractured. The contact was able to move the vehicle onto the road shoulder and drove the vehicle into a ditch for safety. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who replaced the rear axle. The contact also stated that the fractured axle caused damage to the air conditioning line, speedometer and cruise control system. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 204,000. Kmj

Filed Apr 29, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 192,000 miles · VA

Abs light start flashing, lose cruise control, then over drive started flashing on the van, cut off o/d light still flashing.