Ford Windstar Brake Problems

Brake complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
  629
• Foundation components
  122
• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › ABS warning light
  108
• Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  70
• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
  51
• Foundation components › Disc
  49
• Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
  49
• Foundation components › Disc › Pads
  37

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  543%
• 25k–50k
  1417%
• 50k–75k
  31215%
• 75k–100k
  59128%
• 100k–150k
  74035%
• 150k+
  27613%

What owners report

Purchased the car used on 5/26/12, drove away from the dealership and the ABS warning light and the break warning lights both came on, indicating issues with ABS. Took it to the repair shop and was told that the ABS module (??) was causing the issues. Car dealership and warranty company refused to cover it because it's an optional system. There appears to have been a recall for this but for some reason my car wasn't included - it was originally purchased in Canada, so I'm not sure if that effects recall information. On 6/12/12 driving in to work the car suddenly lost speed while trying to accelerate on the highway. I was attempting to make it across 4 lanes and the car suddenly wouldn't go over 30mph - thankful there wasn't a lot of traffic but this could have caused an accident. …

Tl* - the contact stated that while driving heard a noise from the brakes the contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who repaired the brakes by sanding down the rotors. The dealer told the contact that Ford has changed the materials that were used to make the rotors. Also, the dealer told the contact that this failure occurred because he didn't drive the vehicle often. Updated 1/30/2007 -

When driving my muffler broke loose and was dragging on the ground. My axel creaks when I stop or sit idle at a light. When several miles from home my ignition cylinder came out. I couldn't start or turn the ignition on nor operate the steering. I'm now afraid to drive my vehicle. Since acquiring it. I've put a lot of money into repairs. In addition to purchasing this vehicle, I've spent well over $2,000 in repairs. Once I learned of the recall and viewed the risks (Video) of the dangers I became grossly disturbed by what I am facing at the thought of driving. I have contacted 4 Ford Service Centers and none of them contacted back regarding fixing my 'recall'. I NEED HELP!! I have a disability and now I don't have transportation besides this car. How come no one is returning my calls? I am stranded at my home knowing that my safety is at risk. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the brakes failed without warning and caused the contact to crash the vehicle into a deer. The failure recurred on several occasions. The contact stated that the ABS and brake warning indicators were continuously illuminated. The contact did not specify if a police report was filed or if any injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

Exiting highway from off ramp into 4 lane red light intersection at normal speed. Applied brakes, no reaction to slow down. Pumped brakes still no slowing. Drove car into shoulder and field at off ramp. Car went through chain link fence and finaly came to a stop when it hit a tree. Police responded. No injuries or major property damage. Car was towed to garage and finally Ford dealer. The brake module failed. Month old inpection, no brake problem. Police commended fast thinking to avoid a major accident invovling hitting any other vehichles. I have a police report but I do not have a scanner.

I''m reporting this as a fire hazard. The vehicle was in the driveway and began to smoke. The vehicle is in good repair, not neglected or abused. I located the source it was the ABS module and disconnected the battery until I could make arrangements with the dealer. I drove the vehicle to the dealership. The ABS module had failed and burned the wiring harness. There were no warning lamps or fuses burned. I questioned why there was no warning and shouldn''t there been safeguards in place to prevent such damage. I asked if there were other cases of the same occurrence and the dealer didn''t know. I asked if there was someone else I could contact and they told me I could call Ford customer care. …

I came up to a stop sign, the entire front axle broke off the frame, I lost steering, brakes, had to slam it into park to stop. I ended up across the road. There was a recall in 2011 for the axle mount and Ford decided it only needed a coating on it, 5 seconds later we would of been on the highway and killed. I emailed Ford and they said the recall was still open, the Ford dealer never closed it, so they won't help me. That is bull, the coated it and forgot to close it out, thats their fault, I can take pics if you want them.

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.

Related recalls (2)

NHTSA investigations