NHTSA Complaint #751656 — 1996 FORD WINDSTAR

SINCE DATE OF ORIGINAL DELIVERY THIS CAR HAS INTERMITTENTLY DEACTIVATED THE TRACTION CONTROL COMPONENT FO THE 4 WHEEL DISK BRAKE OPTION. THIS ENHANCED SAFETY FEATURE WAS PURCHASED AS I BELEIVED IT MADE THE VEHICLE SOMEWHAT SAFER IN AVOIDING PROBLEMS IN POOR TRACTION SITUATIONS. HOWEVER ABOUT ONCE EVERY 700 MILES, INCLUDING DAY OF DELIVERRY WITH ONLY 25 MILES ON THE CLOCK THE TRAC OFF LIGHT STARTS TO FLASH INDICATING THAT I NO LONGER HAVE THE SAFETY ADVANTAGE OF TRACTION CONTROL. I EITHER PULL OFF ROAD AND TURN CAR OFF/ON WHICH RESETS THE TRACTION CONTROL OR CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF THIS WHILE ALSO SUFFERING THE DISRUPTION OF SEEING A FLASHING ALARM. NEITHER OF THESE ARE SAFE SITUATIONS. A NYS LEMON LAW SUITE WAS INITIATED ABOUT THIS SITUATION 2 YEARS AGO. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO CORRECT OVER A DOZEN TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. OFTEN THEY CLAIM THEY NEED TO GET THE ERROR CODE & AN NOT REMEDY WITHOUT IT. WHILE WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES THE DEALER HAS HAD ONLY 2 ATTEMPTS WITH THE LIGHT ON. THEY BLEW ONE AND IN 8/31 THEY DID SUCCEED TO GET A CODE BUT HAVE YET TO CORRECT. ARE THERE OTHER REPORTS OF THIS SAFETY FEATURE ERRONEOUSLY DISARMING ITSELF?*AK