RoadVitals

2000 Ford Windstar Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
390
Latest Dec 18, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
23%
of 1,675 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
20
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Ford Windstar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 390 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 390, in the owner's own words

BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 18, 2020

GOING DOWN THE ROAD TRACTION CONTROL WILL GO OFF AND ON . IT WILL MAKE THE STEERING VERY HARD. THEN WHEN YOU TURN THE ENGINE OFF. IT IS VERY HARD TO START UP . SOME TIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT TWO OR THREE HOURS THEN IT WILL START RIGHT UP. THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM IS VERY BAD. SOMETIMES WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL STARTS TO HAVE A PROBLEM THE VAN IS VERY HARD TO EVEN KEEP IT IN CONTROL I'M DISABLED AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET A BETTER VAN. I'VE TRIED TO TAKE IT BACK TO FORD BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. ALL THEY TALE ME IS TO GET ANEW ONE .BUT I CAN'T. THE POWER ON THE DOOR LOCKS ARE BAD THE LOCKS WILL GO LOCKED AND UNLOCK AS YOU DRIVE IT DOWN THE ROAD. BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT. 3 YEARS. OR MORE. HAD IT IN TO FORD MANY TIMES.

NHTSA ID
11384006
Incident
May 4, 2013
Mileage
129,032 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 11, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11139679
Incident
Jan 2, 2015
Mileage
170,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Aug 7, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND THE ABS SENSOR INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11013430
Incident
Jul 1, 2017
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 26, 2017

THE ABS LIGHT COME ON PERIODICALLY. IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE ABS MODULE WITH A SOLDERING JOINT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WILL STAY ON AND DISAPPEAR WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND SWITCHED OFF. THEN THE LIGHT WILL COME ON AGAIN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS MOVED.

NHTSA ID
10980932
Incident
Apr 20, 2017
Mileage
144,000 mi
BrakesFuel systemVisibility
Filed Jan 4, 2017

TAKATA RECALL I SMELL GAS OFTENFROM INSIDE THE CAR, BREAK LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN ENGINE LIGHT WONT GO OFF I HAD A TRANSMISSION PUT INY CA\-

NHTSA ID
10939610
Incident
May 30, 2013
BrakesSuspension
Filed Oct 27, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH CAUSING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE PAVEMENT. THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL UNDER CONTROL. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BRUISES TO THE HIP THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10786433
Incident
Oct 24, 2015
Brakes
Filed Jun 22, 2015

ABS LIGHT TURNED ON WON'T TURN OFF ABS INOPERABLE

NHTSA ID
10726707
Incident
Jun 6, 2013
Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 2015

A.B.S. LIGHT ON. SUSPENSION BROKEN IN RIGHT FRONT TIRE. DASHBOARD GAUGES NOT WORKING PROPERLY

NHTSA ID
10726405
Incident
May 13, 2015
Mileage
98,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 6, 2015

ABS LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10715044
Incident
Nov 8, 2011
Mileage
140,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 4, 2015

THE ABS AND TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON. IF I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT SOMETIMES THE WARNING LIGHTS WILL GO OFF BUT THIS IS INCONSISTENT AT BEST. IF I HIT A BUMP THE SYSTEMS WILL GO OFF. IT DOES SEEM WORSE AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMS UP. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS FAILURE OF MY BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10714454
Incident
Apr 10, 2015
Mileage
124,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 6, 2015

SO I FIXED MY DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER AND GOT A ABS ERROR CODE C1185 WHICH IS A BAD ABS RELAY. THIS RELAY IS DEFECTIVE BY BEING ON THE BACK SIDE OF A HEAT-SINK PLATE THAT MAKES THE BOARD EXPAND AND CONTRACT ALLOWING FOR SOME, IF NOT ALL, OF THE SOLDER JOINTS BREAK. AS IT STANDS NOW I HAVE NO IDEA IF MY VAN IS SAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT STATE WITH THE FAILURE OF THAT RELAY NOR WOULD I LIKE TO RISK IT. SO MY VAN SITS DRIVABLE HOWEVER, NOT USED BECAUSE OF FORD'S LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE ON RECALLS. I WILL NOT PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES ANYMORE!!! IT"S CRIMINAL!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10703971
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Mileage
183,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 30, 2015

HAVING ABS AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. OVER DRIVE LIGHTS WAS BLINKING SO I HAD A FULL SCAN DONE. ABS SYSTEM SHOWS ABOUT 12 ERROR CODES AND THE ABS LIGHT WASN'T ON. CHECK THE LIGHT AND THE LIGHT WORKS. THE MECHANIC SEEMS TO NOT TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY ALARMING TO ME BECAUSE THIS CAN BE REALLY BAD FOR MY FAMILY SAFETY. ALSO ANOTHER CODE PULLED FOR THE ALTERNATOR OVERCHARGING THE BATTERY WHICH NEVER TURNED THE CHECK ENGINE ON. CHECK ENGINE WAS PROVEN TO WORK AND THAT WAS REPAIRED AND WORK TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10702752
Incident
Mar 7, 2015
Mileage
130,727 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 2, 2015

IN JUNE OF 2012 THE ABS LIGHT BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY COME ON. REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE RELAYS AND THE LIGHT STAYED OFF UNTIL OCTOBER 2012. REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. AGAIN THIS FIXED THE INTERMITTENT LIGHT, HOWEVER, WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THE LIGHT WAS COMING ON THIS TIME SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR WAS STARTED AND STAYING ON. IT CURRENTLY COMES ON WHEN I START THE CAR AND STAYS ON. I DON'T KNOW IF THE ABS BREAKING SYSTEM IS ACTUALLY WORKING. THE BREAKS DO WORK, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT AS LONG AS I CAN STOP THE CAR I IGNORE THE ABS LIGHT. I NOW WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 97500 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN GARAGED KEPT FOR THE LAST 77500 MILES. I GOT THIS AS A COMPANY CAR AT 19000 MILES AND PURCHASED IT FROM MY COMPANY AT 75000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10669653
Incident
Jun 20, 2012
Mileage
88,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 30, 2014

I HAVE HAD AN INTERMITTENT ABS LIGHT ON IN MY VAN. I HAD THE CODES READ AT UTOZONE AND THEY ARE C1185 C1198 C1194. I HAVE READ ON SOME FORUMS THAT THIS ERROR IS DUE TO A FAULTY SOLDER JOINT IN THE ABS MODULE. IF THIS IS THE CASE, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BY FORD. *JS

NHTSA ID
10669211
Incident
Dec 30, 2014
Brakes
Filed Nov 23, 2014

ABS SYSTEM FAILURE . ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10660331
Incident
Nov 3, 2014
Mileage
135,121 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 25, 2014

DURING A TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON AS LONG AS VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN UNTIL ITS RESTARTED AGAIN AND CYCLE CONTINUES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649962
Incident
Jul 12, 2010
Mileage
110,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 23, 2014

FOR SOME REASON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL CUSTARD NEEDLES STARTED,TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON AND SOMETIMES ITS OK.THAN YOU BE DRIVING AND EVERYTHING ITS OK, BUT THAN THERE GOES THE NEEDLES BOUNCING UP AND DOWN AGAIN AND THAN IT STOPS OR IF I STOP AT STORE OR GAS STATION AND START THE IGNITION AGAIN IT DOES IT AGAIN.PROBLEM 2, BEFORE THE FIRES ON THE FORD VEHICLES ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH MINE HAD ALREADY BURNED OUT AS I WAS AT THE STORE PARKING LOT I PICKED UP MY HOOD AND THERE WAS THE SMOKE AND SHORT WIRES BELOW THE BRAKE FLUID HOLDER I FIXED IT,ON MY OWN THAN SEE ALL THE PROBLEMS ON THE DAILY NEWS. THIS HAPPEN WHEN I ONLY HADABOUT 85000 MILES.PROBLEM 3, FOR SOME REASON I'M HAVING WITH MY ABS,THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND MY BRAKES DON'T WORK RIGHT,BUT WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS OFF MY BRAKES WORK FINE, I TELL YOU FORD CAN REALLY MAKE SORRY VANS LIKE THE WINDSTAR LX MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649538
Incident
Sep 4, 2014
Mileage
186,888 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 19, 2014

AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH WINDSTARS. THERE IS A SWITCH (CALLED THE BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH) HOOKED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM THAT DETECTS WHEN THE BRAKE HAS BEEN PUSHED AND STOPS THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCORDINGLY. WELL? THIS SWITCH IS KNOWN TO DEVELOP LEAKS, WHICH ALLOWS BRAKE FLUID TO RUN DOWN INTO THE WIRING AND CAUSE A SHORT. THIS BLOWS THE FUSE WHICH CONTROLS THE SPEEDOMETER, A/C, ODOMETER, ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10648636
Incident
Oct 19, 2014
Mileage
110,856 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 2, 2014

BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LEAKING FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640917
Incident
Jun 14, 2013
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 2, 2014

ABS LIGHTS CAME ON AND ABS STOPPED WORKING AND SPEEDOMETER RPM STOPPED WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640847
Incident
Jul 16, 2014
Mileage
198,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 30, 2014

THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES, DIFFERENT SPEEDS, AND DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, ALTHOUGH WET CONDITIONS AND BUMPY ROADS SEEM TO GUARANTEED IT COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640333
Incident
Jul 15, 2011
Mileage
140,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 2014

MY ABS LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF. WE HAVE REPLACED BRAKES ETC AND THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10638325
Incident
Feb 10, 2012
Mileage
102,798 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 2014

ABS LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10632359
Incident
Sep 11, 2014
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 10, 2014

THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10632106
Incident
Sep 10, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 6, 2014

ABS LIGHT STAYS ON MAKING THEM INOPERABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10631288
Incident
Feb 3, 2014
Mileage
133,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .