12 problems related to brake master cylinder have been reported for the 1998 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The master cylinder speed control pressuer swith liking brake oil.
The sensor part #sw-6351 get fire under the master cylinder. 5/7/08- it appears the NHTSA is staring an investigation into the deactivation switch leaking a causing fires! this is certainly good news and I'm sure will save lives. If you have a old deactivation switch that leaked, please do not throw it away, we may need to collect a few!.
Ford Windstar is experiencing problems with the brake equipment which is creating a safety issue. The anti-lock braking system did not operate properly and would activate 80% of the time. The consumer was told that the sensors were the problem on one occasion and on another, the master cylinder, but could not guarantee this.
Master cylinder and hc unit were replaced in January of 2003, in the shop for 6 weeks. On 9/19 brakes failed again. Result hitting a parked car. Told by dealer that same 2 parts were again bad.
The first item listed under other was for a power steeringn leak, which ended up being a power steering rack that needed to be replaced. My car had just gone out of warranty, so a portion was paid for by Ford. I also had to get a front end alignment when the new rack was put in. The next day I drove it and it was making the same noise as before. I returned to the dealer where it was determined that they also need to replace the return hose for the power steering. They said they missed that and didn't charge me anymore. My service advisor is an extremely nice and understanding person. August 2003 problems with the rear brakes and master cylinder. The car is not at a Ford dealer. That repairis 615. 00. I have more problems, but these are the two big ones and the brakes are the current issue.
When the consumer applied the braked, the pedal went to the floor and the vehicle failed to stop, which caused extended stopping distance. The emergency brake had to be engaged to stop the vehicle. This was caused by a failure in the master brake cylinder. The rear brakes were destroyed because the emergency brake had to be used to stop the vehicle.
Intermitent brake failure. Brakes go right to floor! garage can not find problem. Replaced master cylinder not the problem. Have had problems with brakes for 1 year comes and goes. Traction control light starts blinking when brakes applied sharply. When cruise control is turned on the traction control light come on and the cruise does not work. Dt.
In September, 2002, I had to replace the speed control pressure switch on the master brake cylinder of my 1998 Ford Windstar, because it started leaking brake fluid. I also had to replace the drivers side tie rod end because the leaking brake fluid damaged the ruber bushing.
While driving 40 mph, consumer attempted to stop vehicle by applying brakes, and brakes failed to slow vehicle down. Consumer eventually managed to stop vehicle. No determination has been made as to component that failed. The consumer stated that master cylinder failed and was replaced. Gateway Ford stated that the abs was damaged and needs to be replaced.
Master cylinder has prematurely failed at only 52,000 miles while consumer was driving, causing a complete loss of brakes, there is a national backorder for part at minimum of 30 days. At time of replacement, dealer also replaced abs pump due to it being faulty as well.
01/04/1999-- !998 Ford Windstar had approx 95% brake failure while wife and kids were driving. No warning or noise,just "mushy pedal" stopping vehicle at last inch of brake pedal movement. Autofair dealer service mgr experienced the condition. Repair was to replce master cylinder. 01/18/1999--the same brake failure occurred with the same discription of brake pedal. Condition of brakes was experienced by dealership again as well. Repair was to check all lines for leaks and bleed the air out of the lines. No reason given as to how the air got in the system. (remember master cyclinder replaced 13 days previous). 01/28/1999(Sunday) driving home from church, traveling approx 25 mph the brakes failed again causing me to go past the road I was going to turn into,no traffic. This was without warning,noise or warning lights. . 01/29/1999 autofair said to bring it back in again for repair. They kept it for approx 3 weeks and could not get the brakes to fail again in 300 miles of driving. They were unable to make a proper repair of the problem using their words, but had to give me my car back from orders from Ford regional rep mike holt who said even though Ford autofair service mgr had experienced the problem and they had not "repaired" the problem, (they only bled the brakes, no cause why this happened) and that the problem had corrected itself just as fast as it had occurred, the customer should have the auto back. We, along with the service dept and the vp in charge of Ford at autofair Ford have no confidence in this car and that the brakes will not fail unexpectedly again possibly causing injury to occupants/bystanders or other drivers.
Consumer has called several dealerships to have four recalls done and they were refusing to honor them. Recall # 01v199 concerning front springs:coil spring/ 99v147 000 concerning brake master cylinder/ 00e11 Ford's additional warranty for front springs:coil spring corrosion, and 01m 03.