Problem with the wiring in the ABS system of my 2003 ford windstar. Due to a malfunction with the system fluid has eroded the wiring to the point where it could cause a fire. It's a substantial amount of money to fix the problem or I could have the ABS system bypassed but then the vehicle wouldn't be safe. My windstar has 58,000, "extremely low miles for this kind of problem" to quote my mechanic.
2003 Ford Windstar brakes complaints
Page 21 of 23: complaints 581 to 610 of 655, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Brake warning light and ABS warning lights go on periodically for no reason. Brakes have been replaced and fluid level is ok. Same problem with many windstar owners.
The ABS and brake lights repeatedly come on while driving and do not extinguish. Seems semi-dependent on outside temperature - the hotter it is outside the sooner the lights seem to come on. Have had brakes serviced and no mechanical issues to note. Seems to be related to ABS module. Nothing repaired as of this time as part is to expensive $1000+ plus labor. Am told by ford that ABS ( a safety feature) is not functioning when this light is on. Hopefully this issue will not be present when a emergency braking procedure is required.
Abs/brake light come on and go off intermittly.
Abs light always on as well as brake light. Have spent several hundreds of dollars checking brakes, etc. And the light is still on. Had to pay to fix electrical system as automatic locks did not work on driver side door. Now the electrical door lock on passenger side door. Sometimes the passenger side 2nd seat door does not work. Tire pressure light - electrical came on during long trip. Had to stop and check and everything was ok, it was just the electrical system was not working. Have called ford but they want us to take into dealer and pay to have it checked. We can't sell the car because of the concerns of the electrical problems that have been well-document by many ford windstar owners.
I was pulled over by police for no brake lights. However, the 3rd brake light works. After all the bulbs, relay box, etc were checked, all were ok. I was advised to check to see if any other complaints about both brake lights not working.
Abs and brake light come on intermittently.
The brake warning lights and the ABS light keep coming on intermittently. I assume when the ABS lights are on that system is not operating. Don't know what to do after reading internet reports.
Driving in 39th day of 100 or more degrees this year, ABS and brake lights lit. Brakes work ok. Brake fluid level ok. Ford dealer diagnosed it for a $70 fee and suggested replacing ABS module and relay for $450 parts and $250 labor. I declined replacement, started to investigate and found many owners describing same problem and suggestion of poor board design. This is an expensive repair (I can purchase a home computer for much less) and there is no guaranty that I won't see same problem in next heat spell.
Abs and brake light are coming on in my 2003 ford windstar van. When you shut car off the light will go out and after driving for a while they come back on (even while have cruise control on)and stay on till car is shut off again.
Since the summer began, I have been getting the red brake warning light intermittently. Changed the pads, would still get the light at times. Today was extremely hot and humid. Both the red brake warning light and the yellow ABS light came on. This is a 2003 ford windstar. After much research, I can see this is a typical problem with this vehicle.
The ABS light and the brake light come during driving intermittently. Car must be turned off and restarted to turn of warning lights. Brakes squeal.
Ever since spring 2006, our 2003 ford windstar has had an intermittent problem with the ABS system where the ABS warning light on the dash will illuminate. The service brake warning light will also illuminate even though it is functioning normally. At first this was very alarming but no leak or problem was found with the hydraulic system as the fluid level was correct and the pedal is firm. All the ABS wheel sensors have been checked for continuity, their dc resistance falls in the acceptable range, and the connectors appear to be sound. I currently have lived with the problem for a couple years and discovered that thousands of other windstar owners are reporting exactly similar failure symptoms with their vehicles. A commonly reported cause is the ABS control unit which I currently can not afford to replace at a cost of $700 or more. A windstar owner who has had the time to investigate this outlines a condition he has observed, where there is a thermal coefficient of expansion mismatch between an aluminum plate and an fr4 (fiberglass/copper) circuit board inside the module. It can be seen at http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/#problem2. This person's symptoms mirror mine exactly. I am an electrical design engineer in the aerospace industry and can tell you from first hand experience that if you laminate fr4 to aluminum and then repeatable temp cycle it, you will experience future stress failures. This is an example of poor engineering. In the case of the windstar, the part will operate for approximately the warranty period and then begin to fail intermittently. I hope that my entry into this form will help make this widespread problem known.
Intermittent illumination of ABS warning light and emergency brake light simultaneously.
Abs and brake light come on intermittently mostly during hot weather.
The ABS and brake lights just came on for no apparent reason. This happens sporadically (3 times this month). The repair shop/dealer advised that the cost to repair the brake pressure differential deactivation switch would be between $300 & $400 and it would be better (less costly) to wait until a recall was issued. Considering that this cold cause a fire, it is a bit alarming that a recall has not been made yet. I cannot afford to make the repair and will wait for the recall and hope nothing serious happens in the meantime.
Abs warning lamp and brake warning lamp illuminates. Mechanic advises me that this is a common problem on these models. Evidently ford will not recognize the issue and help us to resolve it. Here is the website that talks about the problem and offered me the info to help me with my problem. Http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/
Abs (yellow) and brake warning lights (red) turn on intermittently when the temperature is hot or the vehicle (2003 ford windstar) is hot. I have replaced front brake pads and rotors and I have had the rear brakes done as well. However, the warning lights continue to turn on. Based on information found on the following webpage (http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/), I'm not the only one with this problem.
Brake warning light and ABS warning light come in intermittently. Go off when vehicle is turned off, but they usually come back on after the vehicle is driven about 1/2 mile the next trip. Adding brake fluid did not correct the problem.
My automobile keeps getting multiple emergency brake and ABS errors. The lights come on multiple times daily. Upon researching this problem it appears to be a wide spread issue with ford windstars 2001-2003. The issue appears to be a faulty brake system including the ABS system. Brake fluid leaks from a faulty sensor into electronic connectors causing the potential for fires. There are documented cases where this failure has caused fires. *note please review the following website http://www.2carpros.com/forum/8-vt49767.html?postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=140 please review this safety defect soon!
The brakes on my 2003 ford windstar have multiple ongoing problems. No matter how often I get the pads, and rotors changed, they squeal and sound like they need replacing. Occasionally, during normal operation, the ABS seems to activate, causing a pulsing in the pedal, and a feeling as though the brakes are not working correctly. On these occasions, the van will roll farther than expected into an intersection. The red ABS/parking brake light comes on and stays on for no reason. This has been ongoing for 3 or more years, and I have spent several thousand dollars on repair after repair, with no improvement.
Abs and brake lights come on intermittently and with out any particular reason,although bumpy road seams to effect this more often than not. I have had the ABS module pulled and cleaned and re installed to no avail. The module will now be replaced at an approximate cost of 750.00.
Brake and ABS lights go on intermittently on 2003 ford winsdtar. The lights go off after shutting car off. Brake pads have been replaced recently. No visible signs of brake fluid leakage.
The ABS / brake light illuminate intermittantly, brakes turn on squeel without warning.
I have a 2003 ford windstar. I did a search for problems with my brake and ABS lights coming on intermittently. I have the issue referenced here: http://www.2carpros.com/forum/41-vt49767.html?postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=400 I am concerned there will be a fire.
Abs error code c1185, c1194,c1198,c1210 ABS system is disabled in this vehicle due to current issue no crash at this time.
Abs and brake light continue to come on and off. I took my 2003 ford windstar to the dealer and the dealer stated the brake fluid was low and that was causing the problem. The light cam back on shortly after. I checked the brake fluid and it was not low. This problem has occurred on and off since I have owned the vehicle. (purchased new). I have had other electrical problems as well. Windows do not work all of the time. Also ran this by ford. They wanted $80 for each electric issue. Would of cost me $400 just to see what was causing the problem. I did my own research on line and found out this was a very common problem. Seems to me the dealer did not really need to run the diagnostic and should have had a good idea as to what was causing the problem. I have not had a fire yet but may not be around of this issue does cause a fire. Seems odd a recall has not occurred yet. Typical though, usually it takes a death to get government agencies to respond. Maybe this time you can act sooner rather than later.
Abs & brake light goes on and off. Diagnostics say it is the modulator. A week ago there was brake fluid leaking but, now there is no leakage so they can't find the source. They want $650 to fix it!!!! This vehicle my daughter drives w/ her 5 children. We cant afford to fix it!!!! We cant afford another vehicle!!! This not safe and ford should have to pay 4 it!!!!
Brake, ABS, and other lights come on, drive disengages, van will only run in 2nd or low gear until you turn it off then on again. Very dangerous situation as the van loses power and decelerates. Fuse #1 sparks when putting in a fuse. Blows the fuse immediately. Interior light then will not work. Van is currently being looked at by phil long ford.
Brake lights and ABS lights often come on; and made the cruise control fail.
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