2001 FORD WINDSTAR Electrical System Problems
201 NHTSA complaints on file
Electrical System Issues in the 2001 FORD WINDSTAR
201 electrical system complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 17 involved a fire, and 2 resulted in injury.
201
Complaints
1
Crashes
17
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Deaths
All Electrical System Complaints
REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF WITH NO WARNING AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS.
MOST IMPORTANT IS THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND CHECKED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BRAKES HAVE JUST FAILED AND I WOULD PUMP THEM ENOUGH JUST TO GET IN A SAFE LOCATION. AAA HAS HAD TO PICK ME UP AND WHEN THE BRAKES WHERE CHECKED THEY WERE FIND AND THE FLUID FULL. ALSO THE REAR JUST FELL BUT I HAD THAT REPAIRED BY A LOCAL REPUTABLE SHOP ON CANDLER RD, DECATUR/ THERE IS A RESIDUE ALL AROUND WHERE I PUT THE GAS IN. I'VE HAD THE SAME MECHANIC FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS AND HE SAYS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES MAY BE FAULTY. THE BRAKE AND ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT EVEN WHEN REPAIRS ARE MADE ACCORDING TO THE CODES THAT COME UP. THE SCARIEST TIME WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON UNIVERSITY AVE IN ATLANTA AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AT THE LIGHT AT A NORMALLY BUSY INTERSECTION. I BEGAN...
BRAKES CONTINUALLY HAVE FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENTS. PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE AND AFTER NEW BRAKE PADS AND BRING BLED.THROTTLE IDLE SENSOR CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. NOW THEY JUST STAY ON. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT,IF ANY RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED OR ANY OPTIONS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE.
OVER DRIVE FLASHING OFF AND ON WILL NOT GO OFF. FUSES BLOW OUT RIGHT AFTER YOU START UP THE VAN. IT STARTED WHEN I MADE A TURN AT A GREEN LIGHT. ON THE BACK ROADS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AN INTERNAL FIRE ERUPTED NEAR THE REAR AUXILIARY AIR CONDITIONING. THE CONTROLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WIRES AND THE COVERING WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT SMELLED STRONG PLASTIC FUMES IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE COVER AND WIRES MELTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,390.
THIS VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES. DURING THE LATEST EVENT WHICH OCCURRED WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE MINIVAN JUST SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS NOT A STALLING WARNING OR ANYTHING. ALL LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASH AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VAN WHEN IT HAPPENS. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESTART YOU HAVE TO TURN IT OFF WITH THE KEY AND THEN START IT UP AGAIN. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THIS. I'M VERY SURPRISED TO SEE THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BE MADE. WITH MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS I'VE SEEN ONLINE MANY OF THE MECHANICS DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IT'S SCARY TO SEE THAT MANY OF US ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING. DURING SOME OF THE OTHER INCIDENTS IT ALSO SEEMED...
MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN STARTED LIGHTING UP ON THE DASH WHILE DRIVING THEN WOULD GO OUT, KEPT GETTING WORSE. NOW THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME, ALSO MY LOW TIRE LIGHT AND THERE IS THE PROPER IN AIR IN TIRE. IN APRIL 17TH 2015, MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED ACTING UP, WOULD NOT REGISTER THE SPEED I WAS TRAVELLING. I WOULD SHUT DOWN THE MOTOR AND WHEN I RESTARTED MOVING AGAIN THE NEEDLE WOULD JUMP AND START REGISTERING THE PROPER SPEED. WHEN I STOPPED AGAIN IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. I COULD PUT THE CRUISE ON AND GUESS WHAT SPEED I WAS AT, I WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT GET STOPPED FOR GOING TO FAST. LATELY, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SET THE CRUISE. TODAY THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT WORK, THEN IT CAME ON. IT IS FRUSTRATING NOT KNOWING WHAT SPEED I AM...
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, ON THE MASTER CYLINDER THERE IS A LEAK, THE REAR BRAKES FAIL TO WORK AT ALL AND THE ECU SENSOR DOES NOT WORK. *TR
I BOUGHT THE VAN FROM SOMEONE DROVE FROM A HOUR FOURTYFIVE MIN AWAY FROM HOME GOT ALMOST HOME AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON BK LIGHT ON RIGHT WENT OUT SEATS STOP WORKING THEY ELECTRICAL AND THE HEAT MESS UP VERY UNPLEASED CAUSE I HAVE KIDS I DRIVE TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY
THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DISPLAY. IN DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH IT APPEARS TO BE BAD SENSORS AND THAT A RECALL IS PENDING. I AM FACING THE SAME ISSUES AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE. THANK YOU. *TR
POWER WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING. UNABLE TO UNLOCK ELECTRICAL OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ....IT LOCKS UP AND UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. PASSENGERS CAN'T OPEN DOOR IF AN EMERGENCY. ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS DON'T FUNCTION CONSTANTLY. *TR
ABS LIGHT ON DASH AND BRAKE LIGHT ON FOR NO REASON. *TR
THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES IT CAUSES THE REGULAR BRAKE LIGHT AND/OR LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT TO COME ON (EVEN THOUGH TIRE PRESSURE IS FINE.) MANY TIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. MY DEALER MENTIONED THAT THE ECM MODULE IS RETURNING MANY DIFFERENT CODES WITH DIFFERENT MEANINGS, INDICATING THAT THE ECM MODULE VERY LIKELY HAS A BAD CONNECTION ON IT. THE DEALER DID NOT FIX IT YET, BUT WARNED ME THAT I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING WITHOUT ANTILOCK BRAKES MOST OF THE TIME. *TR
ABS AND BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS CONSTANTLY DISPLAYED IN DASHBOARD DISPLAY. BRAKE INSPECTIONS CANNOT DETERMINE A CAUSE. I JUST LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THAT A RECALL FOR REPAIR MAY BE (OR HAVE BEEN) ISSUED. *TR
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON AND CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER SWITCH. *JS
TURNED ON VAN WITH ALL THIS OCCURRING AT ONCE: "CHECK TRANSMISSION", SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING (READS 0MPH), "ABS" LIGHT STAYS ON, "BRAKE" LIGHT STAYS ON, "O/D OFF" LIGHT FLASHING, "TRAC OFF" LIGHT ILLUMINATED, "FUEL COMPUTER DATA ERROR", "OIL LIFE DATA ERROR", "TRACTION CONTROL DATA ERROR", OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE "ERROR", ODOMETER MALFUNCTION READS "-----------", CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING, AC NOT COLD, HOT AIR NOT HOT. *TR
AFTER GOING THROUGH A HEAVY DOWNPOUR AT ABOUT 20MPH THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. NOTHING WAS HUNG UP AND IT LATER CLEARED. WE FIGURED A SENSOR GOT WET BUT PERIODICALLY MAYBE STOPPING QUICKLY OR EVEN JUST TURNING OFF AUTO AND RESTARTING WITHIN 15 MINUTES MAY TRIGGER THE LIGHTS. THEY MAY STAY ON ENTIRE TIME OF TRAVEL UNTIL SHUTTING OFF CAR OR THEY MAY JUST GO AWAY WHILE DRIVING. NOT SURE IF IT'S A BRAKE PROBLEM OR ELECTRICAL BECAUSE MY TEMP NOTIFICATION FOR OUTSIDE TEMP ALSO DOES NOT WORK AND THE GAS GAUGE WILL SOMETIMES REPORT EMPTY AFTER FILLING UP AND ALSO I HAVE HAD ISSUES WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL CAN NOT BE SHUT OFF BY BUTTON. I MUST APPLY THE BRAKE TO SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED BACK IN 2012 BUT THEY ALL DID NOT FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. THESE OTHER THINGS HAVE...
A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING MY VAN I HAD ISSUES WITH MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COMING ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT DID SEEM TO CAUSE ANY ISSUES AND THE LIGHTS WHEN OFF EVER TIME I TURNED MY VAN OFF AND THEN BACK ON. A FEW MONTHS AGO I WAS COMING UP TO A RED LIGHT SO NATURALLY I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN I TRIED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP I KEPT GOING. THE PERFECT WAY TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPEN, IT FELT LIKE I HIT MY BRAKES ON A SOLID SHEET OF ICE. I COULD HERE THE ABS CLICKING AND ALSO FELT THE VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THAT DAY IT WAS 95 DEGREES AND SUNNY. I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND THE ONLY THINGS THAT STOPPED ME WAS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. IT CONTINUED TO DO IT EVERY TIME I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP...
WHILE INVESTIGATING THE 50 MPH FAILURE OF THE PCM MODULE, AND THE ONGOING OFF/ON ACTION OF THE ABS MODULE, I RAN ACROSS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MISTAKE ON PAGE 43-3 OF THE FOMOCO "2001 WIRING DIAGRAMS/WINDSTAR" MANUAL (FCS-12255-01). I EXCHANGED SEVERAL EMAILS, CASE # CAS-4648613-L1X1R6 CRM:03259000003405, WITH THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER ABOUT THIS MATTER UNTIL THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT A DEALER. I SENT THE QUESTIONS TO MY DEALER ASKING FOR CORRECT INFORMATION, BUT THEY HAVEN'T ACKNOWLEDGED MY INQUIRY. WHAT I SUSPECT IS ALL WINDSTAR'S ON THE ROAD TODAY MAY BE OPERATING WITH ONLY ONE-HALF OF THE SCP (J1850 PWM) NETWORK OPERATIONAL. NOW THAT MANY OF THE DEFECTIVE ABS MODULES ARE FAILING, ARE OTHER WINDSTARS IN DANGER OF ENGINE FAILURE AT SPEED LIKE OURS? THE TWO SIMPLE QUESTIONS I ASKED FOMOCO ARE: 1) ARE YOU SURE CIRCUIT 915 (DATA BUS-) SHOULD BE GROUNDED AT THE ABS MODULE? 2)...
MY 2001 WINDSTAR STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER I HAD ALL THE OTHER RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF. I TURNED THE VAN ON AND ALL MY NEEDLES WENT CRAZY DARTING BACK AND FORTH, AND MY DRIVER DOOR CENSORS AREN'T WORKING NOW. THE NEXT DAY WAS THE SAME AND MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE DASH ARE ON AND WON'T TURN OFF. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO KEEP MY INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED OFF COMPLETELY BECAUSE AT ANY GIVEN TIME MY VANS DOOR CENSORS WILL DECIDED THAT THE DOOR ISN'T CLOSED. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDSTAR I HAVE OWNED AND AT THIS POINT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT. *TR
ECU MODULE FOR ABS IS SHORTED OUT AND CAUSES GAUGE CLUSTER TO SHORT OUT. THIS CAUSES ABS LIGHT & BRAKE LIGHT TO TURN ON AND ALL GAUGES STOP WORKING AND THEY JUMP AROUND . THIS WAS DIAGNOSED BY FORD DEALERSHIP IN WI. SAID BRAKE FLUID LEAKS IN TO ECU AND SHORTS OUT WIRES . TOLD ME . $2000.00 TO FIX . THESE PROBLEMS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE . ABS AND SPEEDOMETER AND GAUGES DON'T WORK . SHOULD BE A RECALL . *TR
THE ABS, BRAKE, AND TRAC LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME, BUT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. HAVE NOT FOUND A REASON FOR IT TO COME ON, LIKE HITTING BUMPS OR WET WHETHER. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ISSUES IS REAR WINDOWS WON'T OPEN ALL OF THE TIME. THE DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK ALL OF THE TIME. THE LIGHTS IN AND OUTSIDE THE VAN DIM IN AND OUT. *TR
WELL MY ABS/ BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON AND OFF EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VAN AND I HAVE KEEP UP ON EVERYTHING THAT NEED KEEPING UP ON. NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY WIPERS AND THEY DON'T WORK ON ANY OF THE SPEEDS BUT HIGH AND NEXT TO HIGH AND THE OTHER SPEEDS DON'T WORK. ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN HAVING IS THE ELECTRONIC SLIDDING DOORS DON'T ALWAYS CLOSE OR WANT TO STAY SHUT. THE DOORS HAVE EVEN TRIED TO OPEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS CONSIDERING I HAVE CHILDREN RIDDING IN THE BACK OF MY VAN. I HAVE HAD CODES COME UP ON MY VAN THAT SOUND LIKE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND I HAVE HAD ABOUT ENOUGH OF THIS. I HAVE NOT FELT SAVE IN MY VAN SINCE THEY CALLED ME IN FOR THE RECALL THEY FIXED ON IT AT DICK WITHEMS. I...
I DIDN'T HAVE A CRASH I NOTICED THAT MY ABS BRAKE AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS STAYING ON AND A SHORT TIME AFTER I STARTED HEARING A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END EVERY TIME I SLOW AN IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE SUDDEN STOPS AND AT TIMES MY SPEEDOMETER STARTS FLICKERING BACK AND FORTH AS WELL AS MY CRUISE CONTROL IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE. I HAVE LIMITED DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN WHICH I PURCHASED DUE TO FEELING IT IS NOT IN A SAFE MANNER FOR MY CHILDREN TO BE IN. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SHOPS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS THAT TOLD ME THESE AREAS ARE COMMON TO GO OUT ON THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE AND THAT THERE IS POSSIBLE RECALL. I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY VAN WITH OUT WORRYING IF I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME TO A STOP WHEN NEEDED AS WELL AS NOT KNOWING...
MY ABS LIGHT IS ON AND HAVE HEARD IT IS FROM ECU MASTER RELAY HAS A BAD SOLDIER JOINT WHICH FAILS PREMATURELY AND CAUSES THE ABS LIGHT AND DTC C1185. IT ALSO CAUSES THE ENHANCED ABS BRAKING SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERABLE. *TR
ABS TROUBLE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND GOING OFF. IT WAS CHECKED AND THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE IF I DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE CONNECTOR IS ABSORBING FLUIDS AND SHORTING OUT. THIS SHORTING OUT HAPPENS MOSTLY IN WARM WEATHER. IN SUB 0 WEATHER THE LIGHT PRETTY MUCH STAYS OFF. THERE IS STILL A CHANCE OF FIRE WHEN IT IS SHORTING OUT. I COMPLAINED TO FORD AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS ITEM. THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER FOR MY COMPLAINT. IT IS #[XXX]. THIS PROBLEM IS A DIRECT CAUSE OF FLUIDS LEAKING ON THE MODGULAR CONNECTOR AND HEAT FROM ENGINE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
ALL GAUGES, INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, SUDDENLY BECAME ERRATIC, CONFUSING DRIVER BY GIVING FALSE SENSE OF SPEED. *TR
HI I AM THE OWNER OF 2001 WINDSTAR LAST WEEK MY VAN STAR BE CRAZY WITH AL THE INSTRUMENTAL ALL THE LIGHT WAS CRAZY SMELL LIKE THE CABLE WAS BURNING THE POSITIVE BATTERY WAS VERY HOT I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE GET IN FIRE THAT IS THE SECOND TIME THAT IS HAPPEN PLEASE TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUS BEFORE SOME HAVE ANY ACCIDENT AND CAR BURN IN THE ROAD. *TR
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ON/ OFF MORE THEN 5 YEARS EVERY TIME DRIVING , BRAKE WORKING FINE. ALL THE GAUGE MOVING CRAZY ABOUT 1 A WEEK. WINTER TIME THE PROBLEM LESS. *TR
INTERMITTENT INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. DUE TO ABS SYSTEM FAILURE RELATED TO THE ECM CONTROL UNIT. INDICATOR AT TIME OF FAILURE "YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT" AND "RED BRAKE LIGHT" ON DASHBOARD OF VEHICLE. RESULTING IN INTERMENT OPERATING OF ABS SYSTEM. THIS BECOMES A LARGE DRIVING HAZARD WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE DURING WINTER MONTHS WHEN ROADWAY IS OFTEN COVERED IN WET, SNOW AND ICE. THESE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE TYPICAL FOR MY WINTER DRIVING MONTHS IN THE CLIMATE AND AREA OF VEHICLE PURCHASED AND OPERATED. THE CAUSE OF THIS ABS SYSTEM FAILURE IS RELATED TO THE ECM CONTROL UNIT. ROOT CAUSE IS IDENTIFIED AS FAILURE OF CIRCUIT BOARD SOLDER JOINTS WITH IN THE ECM UNIT, DEACTIVATING ABS SYSTEM. POOR QUALITY OF CONNECTIONS, HEAT AND STRESS , NOT ROBUST ENOUGH FOR APPLICATION. NEED TO HAVE THESE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE ISSUE RESOLVED BY THE OEM. *TR
AFTER REPAIRING MY SPEED CONTROLLER MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN COMING ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY AND ARE COMING ON MORE AND MORE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND NO CODES SHOW UP,BUT I DO NOT TRUST IT . *TR
THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKES ARE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER
FOR MONTHS, THE ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CURRENTLY THE LIGHTS ARE STAYING ON AND IT MUST BE JUMPED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS CHECKED AND WAS OKAY. SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY. *TR
INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF INCLUDING DASH LIGHTS TAKEN IN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS TO THIS DAY. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON CONSTANTLY UP TO AND INCLUDING TODAY. NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE BONES CRUNCHING FROM STEERING WHEEL OR UNDER FOOT? AND BUZZING FROM RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON LEFT TURNS. TOOK INTO FORD DEALER FOR ALL COMPLAINTS, NEVER FIXED. *TR
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED: REAR WINDOWS NOT WORKING,HAD MOTORS REPLACED WORKED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS THEN INTERMITTENT THEN QUIT WORKING WITHIN 6 MONTHS. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH GOES ON AND OFF. A/C STOPS BLOWING FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS THEN RESUMES BLOWING. KEYLESS ENTRY WORKS SOMETIMES,SOMETIMES IT DON'T. SPEEDOMETER SLOWER THAN IT READS AND MILEAGE MAY NOT BE CORRECT. WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. INTERMITTENT SETTINGS ON WIPERS QUIT WORKING AND WHEN YOU TURN OFF WIPERS THEY STOP IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. I HAVE AN 88 YEAR OLD FATHER WITH NO LEGS AND THIS IS THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO DRIVE HIM AROUND IN. DO NOT FEEL SAFE!! *TR
WHILE SITTING AT THE RED LIGHT MY BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, OVER DRIVE LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AND THEN MY SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT REGISTER WHEN I STARTED TO GO WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. *TR
THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. FROM RESEARCH ON THE WEB, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM STARTING WITH WINDSTARS DATING FROM 1999. *TR
THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON BUT NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY. IT GOES OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF BUT WILL LIGHT UP AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD WORK SOMETIMES AND NOT OTHERS. IF FINALLY QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE FUSES ARE ALL FINE. THE POWER WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS WORK SOMETIMES AND NOT OTHERS OR MIGHT WORK ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BUT NOT THE OTHER. *TR
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN OFF AND ON FOR YEARS. HAVE HAD THE BRAKES LOOKED AT MANY TIMES AND THEY ARE ALWAYS SAID TO BE FINE. TODAY, WHILE DRIVING ALONG, THE RADIO WENT OFF WHEN I ROLLED UP THE WINDOW...THOUGHT THAT WAS STRANGE SO OPENED WINDOW....RADIO BACK ON, CLOSED WINDOW....RADIO OFF. THANKFULLY I WAS VERY CLOSE TO HOME AS THE WINDOWS STOPPED OPENING AND CLOSING, RADIO SHUT OFF, ODOMETER READING DISAPPEARED, CLOCK LIGHTS DISAPPEARED. I MADE IT TO THE DRIVEWAY, TURNED IT OFF AND IT DID NOT TURN BACK ON. CAME INSIDE AND STARTED TO SEARCH "2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON"......I'M APPALLED AT HOW MANY COMPLAINTS I HAVE FOUND. HUSBAND AND FRIEND DID A CHECK AND IT MAY BE THE ALTERNATOR....BUT AFTER WHAT I'VE READ WE WILL DEFINITELY BE CHECKING FOR FLUID IN THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. IF IT TURNS OUT IT IS THE ABS CONTROL...
ALL ELECTRICAL WENT WHACKY. *TR
7/21/2011 BOUGHT VAN FROM PRIVATE PARTY. RECALL COMPLETED IN MARCH OF 2011 REGARDING BACK AXLE. ON 7/13/2012 8PM, MY 18YR OLD SON, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM LACROSSE PRACTICE, NEARLY KILLED. UPON PULLING OUT ONTO THE MAIN ROAD, HE LOST ALL CONTROLS, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES AND NO POWER. HE COASTED AND PRAYED IT WOULD STOP. I ARRIVED, WE CALLED AAA. FLATBED TO MY HOME DRIVER COULD NOT BELIEVE HIS EYES. THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN OUT. 7/16/12 CALLED FORD IN MICH AND SPOKE TO REP. TO BE TOWED 13 MILES AWAY TO ROUTE 23 AUTO AT OUR EXPENSE. REALLY? ROUTE23 WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH ME (THEY DID RECALL). WENT BACK AND FORTH THEN PER RT23 "IT WILL BE A MONTH UNTIL WE CAN LOOK AT IT" GETTING KNOW WHERE. 7/18-22 BORROWED FRIEND CAR FOR TOURNAMENT. 8/1/12 CALLED MAGARINO FORD AND WITH GREAT CONCERN HAD A FLATBED THAT NIGHT. THIS TOW...
THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY HEAT IN THE ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) (2C219) MODULE CAUSING EXPANSION OF A LARGE ALUMINUM PLATE (HEAT SINK) IN THE ECM WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE ECM MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD AT ALL POINTS. THE EXPANSION OCCURS WHEN THE UNIT GETS WARM ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND CAUSES INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE UNIT BECAUSE THE FRAGILE BOARD IS BEING STRETCHED AND MALFORMED. THE CODE MOST COMMONLY SCANNED BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS IS CODE C1185. SEEN BY US OWNERS AS A YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT. *TR
ABS BRAKE LIGHT ON BRAKE LIGHT ON THE (MOSTLY UNSERVICEABLE) ECU MASTER RELAY HAS A BAD SOLDIER JOINT WHICH FAILS PREMATURELY AND CAUSES THE ABS LIGHT AND DTC C1185. IT ALSO CAUSES THE ENHANCED ABS BRAKING SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERABLE. *TR
MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND MY ABS DOESN'T WORK! ALSO MY VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE WITH STARTING. IT COULD HAPPEN ONCE A WEEK OR ONCE A MONTH. IT IS SO WEIRD, I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER, THE SENSORS. TESTED EVERYTHING ELSE AND NOTHING IS BAD. DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO REPLACE. *TR
ONE YEAR AGO, BOTH THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WERE TURNED ON. SOMETIMES THEY ARE ON AND OFF FREQUENTLY. *TR
MY BRAKES AND ABS LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER REPAIRING BRAKES MY ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, ONE DAY WHILE RAINING I TRY TO STOP MY VEHICLE AND IT KEPT ON GOING. *TR
ABS, BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL ON AT THE SAME TIME. VEHICLE SHAKES LIKE IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF. DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AT REPAIRS, STILL DOES IT AS OF TODAY (2012). *TR
MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF RANDOMLY. I'VE HAD MY BRAKES AND FLUIDS CHECKED AND EVERYTHING IS FINE. *TR
THESE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN AFTER REPAIRS ARE DONE. THEY GO OFF FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND THEN COME BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS. I ALSO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY SPEEDOMETER AND GAUGES. I ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY FUEL VACUUM CAUSING THE GAS TO SPILL OUT WHEN PUMPING AND TANK IS NOT FULL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ACTUATORS FOR THE DOOR LOCKS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Other 2001 FORD WINDSTAR Problem Areas
Service Brakes Hydraulic
223 complaints
Service Brakes
193 complaints
Suspension
188 complaints
Suspensionrear
151 complaints
Structureframe And Members
141 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
101 complaints
Steering
57 complaints
Service Brakes Electric
53 complaints
Structurebody
53 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
48 complaints
Power Train
43 complaints
Unknown Or Other
41 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assembly
38 complaints
Structure
38 complaints
Structurebodydoor
32 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
29 complaints
Suspensionfront
29 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
26 complaints
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
25 complaints
Suspensionrearaxlenon Powered Axle Assembly
25 complaints
Wheels
24 complaints
Air Bags
23 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light
21 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
18 complaints
Traction Control System
17 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
17 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
16 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
16 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
16 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipcontrol Unitmodule
14 complaints
Exterior Lighting
13 complaints
Power Traindriveline
12 complaints
Engine
11 complaints
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
11 complaints
Parking Brake
11 complaints
Suspensionfrontspringscoil Springs
11 complaints
Tires
11 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
10 complaints
Seats
9 complaints
Visibilityglass Siderear
9 complaints
Equipment
8 complaints
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
8 complaints
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
8 complaints
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
8 complaints
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
8 complaints
Air Bagssidewindow
7 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
7 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
7 complaints
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
7 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
6 complaints
Seat Belts
6 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
6 complaints
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
6 complaints
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
5 complaints
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
5 complaints
Seat Beltsfront
5 complaints
Visibility
5 complaints
Visibilitywindshield
5 complaints
Electrical Systemwiring
4 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
4 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
4 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
4 complaints
Interior Lighting
4 complaints
Latcheslockslinkages
4 complaints
Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm
4 complaints
Suspensionrearaxlespindle
4 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
4 complaints
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
3 complaints
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
3 complaints
Equipment Adaptivemobility
3 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
3 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust
3 complaints
Seatsmidrear Assembly
3 complaints
Steeringhydraulic Power Assisthose Piping And Connections
3 complaints
Steeringrack And Pinion
3 complaints
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
3 complaints
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Arm
3 complaints
Suspensionmultiple Axle
3 complaints
Visibilitywiper
3 complaints
Child Seat
2 complaints
Electrical Systemignition
2 complaints
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
2 complaints
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
2 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
2 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
2 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
2 complaints
Parking Brakeindicator Light
2 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
2 complaints
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
2 complaints
Power Trainmanual Transmission
2 complaints
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
2 complaints
Service Brakes Air
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
2 complaints
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
2 complaints
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
2 complaints
Suspensionrearshock Absorber
2 complaints
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemrear Window
2 complaints
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
2 complaints
Wheelsrim
2 complaints
Air Bagsfrontaldriver Sideinflator Module
1 complaint
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
1 complaint
Electrical Systemhorn
1 complaint
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
1 complaint
Equipmentelectricalanti Theft Devices
1 complaint
Equipmentmechanicalaccessory Scissorscrewbottle Jacklift
1 complaint
Equipmentrecreational Vehicletrailer
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
1 complaint
Fuel System Otherdeliveryfuel Pump
1 complaint
Fuel System Otherfuel Injection System
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaftseal
1 complaint
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilockcontrol Unitmodule
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipwheel Speed Sensortone Ring
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicbrake Fluid Low Warning Lamp
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfluid
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumshoeslinings
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
1 complaint
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
1 complaint
Steeringcolumn Lockinganti Theft Device
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
1 complaint
Steeringlinkages
1 complaint
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
1 complaint
Structurebodyhood
1 complaint
Structurebodyroof And Pillars
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontmacpherson Strut
1 complaint
Tiressidewall
1 complaint
Trailer Hitches
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwashermotor
1 complaint