Ford Windstar Traction Control Problems

Traction Control complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Automatic (asc)
  3

Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  54%
• 25k–50k
  43%
• 50k–75k
  2015%
• 75k–100k
  3626%
• 100k–150k
  5339%
• 150k+
  1914%

What owners report

On May 24 while backing out of the driveway I was a passenger in my sons car when it suddenly accelerated at a tremendous rate of speed and with a loud noise and crashed into the vehicle in front, which was pushed into our shed. I sustained injuries of 6 broken ribs, bruised lung and contusions to my chest. If not for the car and shed in front we would have ended at the bottom of the hill behind our home. The insurance company, 21st century, did not send a claim form and is fighting paying for this accident.

I purchased this vehicle this morning, 4/29/15. I took it for a test drive last night, no problems. This morning when I left the house to get the title transferred and vehicle registered, the brake light came on. When I got to my destination and turned it off, then turned it back on, the light remained on, and the ABS light came one. Neither will go off. I had a 1998 Windstar that I sold due to age but loved. I am not happy to have this issue the first day I own its replacement.

ABS light and traction control light illuminates after driving forward 150 yards. Heavily salted chicago streets have caused corrosion under car. Suspect ABS failure due to salt and water corrosion in electrical connectors. High amperage ABS electrical wires could short- out and cause a fire; an environmental, pollution and safety issue.

Traction control & brake warning light comes on, goes off later. Been doing this for a number of years. Seems to be a huge problem with these vehicles if you read about it on the internet. Ford denies that it is a problem for then to fix on a recall. ????????????????????????

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.

1. Smoke was coming out from under the hood on my 2000 Ford Windstar. Smelled like an electrical fire. Then the speedometer didn't work correctly and ABS,and brake lights were on. 2. Checked fuse box found fuse blown,replaced and blew again. 3. Found brake fluid was leaking out of the brake deactivation switch, sprayed connection with brake fluid,replaced switch,but left unhooked do to it keeps blowing fuse. Brake deactivation switch.

My Ford Windstar has had problems with the ABS for a couple of years. It turns on and off on the dashboard randomly. When the ABS light is on, the ABS is not working. When the ABS light is off, the ABS is working. I had my mechanic fix this for $850. Three weeks later, the new part started doing the same thing. I never know how to brake in an emergency situation because the ABS is on some of the time and off some of the time.