Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The check traction control light comes on. Brake light, ABS light and traction off light start blinking, turn off the ignition for a few minutes and all is well for a few seconds or maby a few days, (this doesn't happen all the time. I think the problem is somehow related to temperature because as soon as it gets cold, (below about 30 degrees) the problem goes away til warmer weather and when it gets vrey warm it happens all the time. I suspect this problem May be related to a defect in the ECM as this might explain the temp situation. Note also fortunately during the winter the traction control works fine but when this light problem is around the traction control does not work.
Brake pressure differential deactivation switch leaked brake fluid down wires to the ABS module, shorting the module and causing a brief but non-sustained fire with resulting smoke and melting of ABS module and wiring harness components. This disabled the speedometer, odometer, ABS system, cruise control, and activated ABS lights and brake system lights. Appears to have occurred while driving and smoke and smell was present when parked in garage after occurrence.
Three months ago, I bought a 2001 Ford Windstar lx and about a week after the ABS and the brake light started to turn on and off sporadically and I noticed that every time I pushed the brake pedal the pedal won't come back up as usual, I changed brake pads, checked the brake fluid level which was low but then everytime I use my van there's like a plastic or fluid burning smell that comes from underneath my van on the passenger side, my cruise control is not working and, I'm afraid something bad could happened in the future, I took my van to a brake shop and they told me there was a recall on the ABS system on these vans, I checked fords website entered my vans VIN # but there is no recall so looking in the internet I found a website that suggested that I should report that to NHTSA because there is an investigation already open and filling these report might help that investigation …
ABS lights illuminate on dashboard during which time antilock brake system and traction control does not operate at all. This occurs approximately 10-15 minutes after vehicle has been started and lasts the entire time the vehicle is being operated. This problem appears in warm weather around 95% of the time and about 30% of the time when temperatures are below freezing. Appears to be the antilock brake control module overheating but I cannot confirm that. Have had the speed control deactivation switch replaced under recall. Dealer inspected brake system at the same time and said the control module will have to be replaced at a cost of over $1,000. I am hesitant to spend the money as I am not sure if the new control module will have the same defect. I was hoping the previous recall would solve this problem but it did not. Wonder if the two issues are related.
There has not been an incident or crash, but the ABS, trace off, and brake! Light all come on at once. Anti-lock brakes and traction control do not function when this happens. It has occurred intermittently for about a year, but happens almost constantly now. The lights would go off after restart, but now come on almost immediately, and stay on in spite of a restart in cold or hot weather. The Ford dealership says their diagnostic code indicates a need to replace the "ABS module" at a cost of nearly $1300.00 with labor on my 2001 Ford Windstar lx minivan which now only has 60,000 original miles. I goggled this problem and found a site at www.fordwindstarrecall.info that discussed my problem.
We purchased a 2001 Windstar. After owning the pre-owned minivan for a few short months we started noticing that the ABS, brake, and trac control lights would come one after we started driving. Additionally when the lights are on we do not have ABS braking or traction control available. I believe the ABS braking system does not work as designed. It seems to happen less frequently during the winter about 60% of the time driving the vehicle. During the other 8 or 9 months the lights are on about 99% of the time. I believe that the website www.fordwindstarrecall.info in problem 2 accurately describes the problem I am having. I believe Ford should recall this vehicle to fix this problem. Thank you.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 40 MPH in rainy conditions the ABS light illuminated on the dashboard and a message displayed reading "check traction control". The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure because the service light was no longer illuminating on the dashboard. The failure began to intermittently recur while driving under normal conditions. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer approximately 4 times where they never attempted to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was never repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 82,000.
We were headed home on the freeway and turned onto our exit. My husband put his foot on the brake to start slowing the van down, but the pedal did nothing. He was able to stop the van by coasting and switching into reverse. He then got out and checked fluid which was full and checked the brake lines which were fine. There was no warning signs or anything that our brakes were going to fail. I am just glad that we were already at our exit and there was no other traffic! We had our 5 children in the van with us at the time. I have been researching and reading about the ABS problems in our year Windstar and am hoping Ford decides to take some action on the matter!
Outrageous ,I have been researching the possible problem of an ABS/brake light ,that keeps coming on in my 2001 Ford wind star lx van. Statement is 1999- 2003 Ford Windstar vans could have this and the problems that could occur. My oh my .. I have 3 children that ride in that van daily, I'm a low income parent. Why would one take this chance with humans. I bought the van in March of 2009. 2 days later ABS/ brake light came on. At the time I was told that I have an Eagle warranty ..that might I add not even the Ford dealer ship would except. I don't take chances where my children are involved.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the air bag, traction control and brake warning lights continued to intermittently illuminate. The contact noticed that a fuse blew and the vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. An unknown local dealer was notified, indicated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer confirmed that there were no recalls and offered no further assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was not available.
Traction Control complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2001 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2001 Ford Windstar, 2% of the model year's 1,686 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Windstar traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for the 2001 Ford Windstar, though it has 15 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Windstar traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to stability & traction control problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.