Brake Fluid Leak problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar

Vehicle had a recall on the speed control deactivation switch (scds) in 2009, repair was done by installing jumper as scds was not leaking. Took vehicle to dealer as brake light was on. Found leaking scds to be problem. Ford contacted to cover repair as scds was known to be bad when recalled in 2009, but was not leaking. The leaking scds caused the jumper (installed during recall) to go bad and leak brake fluid out of scds. Ford advised that "sorry, there is nothing we can do because the recall had been done. " customer care personnel elevated concern to supervisor, who also reiterated Ford's stance that the original recall had been performed and there was nothing that could be done. Our concern is for the safety of my family and children who get taken around in this vehicle. Ford kept saying, "sorry. . . " case was closed with no action on safety issue. I guess loss of brake fluid from a known bad part is of no concern to Ford. Repair for bad part and previously recalled part and labor was over $200. Ford knew part would leak and advised dealers to replace scds if leaking during inspections. For knew the texas instruments part was bad, but only changed the ones leaking. If it leaked after the recall work was done, it would be the customer's responsibility.

During the course of normal driving, on a Ford Windstar with less than 100k miles, the abs system failed. The abs/tc/e-brake lights all came on, permanently. I had to have the system replaced, at extensive cost. In online research it turns out this is a fairly common problem, potentially due to leaking fluid from the scds component. Nhtsa please make Ford deal with this!.

Red brake light and yellow abs light on at same time. At first intermittent then more likely on than off in June of 2014 I found leaking brake fluid from switch on bottom of master cylinder and found brake fluid leaking to numerous electronic components causing o/d light to come on intermittently speedometer would stop working odometer shows - - - - - in place of mileage. Learned of recall via internet and took vehicle to ron carter Ford 3005 fm 528 alvin TX 77512 on 07/17/2014. They explained that in spite of all damage caused the only thing they would do was replace leaking switch with new one as mandated by the recall. They replaced this switch and returned vehicle with all of the same problems including brake fluid inside the transmission range selector switch and vehicle speed sensor directly underneath master cylinder. I cannot tell if the vehicle still presents a fire hazard or not as there is still brake fluid everywhere. Ron carter refuses to look at vehicle or provide any further repairs even though this is clearly all related to the recall.

Ecu module for abs is shorted out and causes gauge cluster to short out. This causes abs light & brake light to turn on and all gauges stop working and they jump around . This was diagnosed by Ford dealership in WI. Said brake fluid leaks in to ecu and shorts out wires . Told me . $2000. 00 to fix . These problems are a safety issue . Abs and speedometer and gauges don't work . Should be a recall .

Brake pressure switch leaking brake fluid onto wiring harness causing cruise control and abs brake issues. Potential fire hazard.

Tl-the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that there was an unknown fluid leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the abs module and brake booster were defective which caused a brake fluid leak. The dealer replaced the abs module. The failure mileage was 93,850. Mah.

I took my vehicle for a recall for the rear axle a year ago and they sprayed some sealer on it and said it was good to go. So now the axle is cracked, and ready to snap. What should I do? also there is a recall on the brake pressure deactivation switch on my vehicle which is leaking brake fluid on the wiring harness. I shouldn't be driving it, but I need to get to boston. Again what can I do about this?.

Abs and brake lights come on. Go off when vehicle is turn off and back on. Problem is intermittent. Less so in cooler weather. Front and back brakes check out o. K. No sign of fluid leak in brake system, however abs seems nonfunctional. Had dealer check lights. Said couldn't find a problem with the brakes and that the abs module might be bad. Read that numerous other owners have the same problem. I feel that these cars were assembled with defective abs modules.

Abs trouble light keeps coming on and going off. It was checked and the mechanic said it was safe to drive if I didn't want to spend the money. I have found out that the connector is absorbing fluids and shorting out. This shorting out happens mostly in warm weather. In sub 0 weather the light pretty much stays off. There is still a chance of fire when it is shorting out. I complained to Ford and was told there was no recall on this item. They gave me a case number for my complaint. It is #4013467. This problem is a direct cause of fluids leaking on the modgular connector and heat from engine. Rick.

The brake fluid is leaking from the brake pressure differential deactivation switch. I called russ milne Ford my local dealership and where the vehicle was purchased and they said there was no recall, but when I looked it up online it states it is a major problem and could cause a fire. The said it would cost about $90 or so to fix it. I have already put a over $2000 in repairs in the last 2 years on this vehicle. I feel this should be fixed for free being it is a problem that they are very well aware of.

The abs and the brake light come on after driving 4-5 miles. The lights go off when the ignition is cycled. There is brake fluid leaking onto the scds circuit which may be related to this issue. I've had this vehicle serviced by Ford for about a half dozen issues and I think the scds was one of them ( 09s09 ), so what ever they did it didn't solve this safety issue.

The abs and brake light began coming on intermittantly a couple of months ago. It seems that the abs ecu module is the problem as multiple abs codes were read. Now, two months later my cruise control no longer works. If you do the research online as well as in your complaint section for 2001 winstar it is an all too common problem. It seems to be a problem that was not addressed properly on an earlier recall by Ford (09s09) which included a scds wiring harness replacement only caused by brake fluid leaking onto wiring and causing a potential fire hazard. Many owners believe the fluid not only ran down the wiring continuing to run onto the abs connector causing parts to short out and fail and also onto the cruise control connector causing it to fail. I truly believe this is the reason all these abs modules are failing. . . It's amazing how many complaints with my same problem are on your website these are very expensive parts to replace (over $1000) plus labor. The absence of the abs system does cause braking problems and can cause the brakes to lock up and skid. . . This happened to me. . . Just missed having a wreck! the connector to the cruise is also being effected causing it to fail as well. I think Ford should be required to at least check these vehicle and replace these parts if they are found to be faulty before someone gets in an accident. They may have already.

Good day. I have a 2001 Ford Windstar passenger van. On the bottom of the master cylinder, there is some kind of pressure switch. This switch constantly leaks brake fluid onto a wiring harness connector below it. My research has found that many Windstars of this era also leak brake fluid from this switch. My brake lights (on the rear of the car) sometimes stay on when the car is parked. Also, since the cruise control recall was repaired, the dashboard light indicator telling me that the cruise control is on no longer operates. Also, the cruise control will not work unless I pump the brakes prior to using it. I believe all of these problems are related. The Ford dealer told me he would gladly fix the problems but will charge me quite a lot of money to do it. I believe Ford should be responsible for the costs associated with the repairs of these safety items. Thank you.

2001 Ford Windstar. I took it to the dealership to have some safety recalls done. A few days later I was driving along and smoke started boiling out from under the hood so I pulled over and by the time I got stopped and got the kids out safely it quit smoking. I raised the hood and could see some burned wiring under the brake master cylinder. We got back in and drove on then the transmission started shifting wrong and the brake pedal didn't feel right,it felt spongy. I took it to my mechanic who is ase master and Ford senior master certified. He replaced the trans range sensor and told me that the fire was caused by a defective cruise control deactivation switch leaking brake fluid. He replaced the switch and advised me to take it back to the dealer and have them do the recall which is what they were supposed to have done in the first place. He said that it also had a damaged abs module and wiring and that was part of the recall. I called them and they said they only did the rear axle recall that was on the letter I got from Ford. My mechanic said that they were required by law to complete all safety recalls while it was in their possesion. I am going to take it back but I'm afraid to drive it cause it hardly has any brakes. My mechanis said it was because all the brake fluid leaked out of the switch and got air in the lines.

Brake and abs lights on dashboard come up on during driving randomly, but go off after you restart the vehicle. There is no leak under brake fluid master cylinder, so must be some other problems out there other than the recall Ford made on the scds in 2009.

I stopped at a red light and noticed smoke puff out from under the left side of my hood. I thought I was overheating, but my temp gauge showed nothing. As I pulled away from the red light and off to the side of the road I noticed my abs light and my brake light had come on and my o/d light began flashing. My speedometer and odometer had completely shut down. I checked under the hood and saw no visible problems. I drove the vehicle back home and over the next few days I noticed I was losing brake fluid and brake pressure. I parked the vehicle and began driving a second vehicle until I could get a mechanic to check out the Windstar. I took it to my mechanic and he said the brake fluid was leaking around the brake pressure differential deactivation switch in front of the master cylinder. He said he had heard there had been problems with this on Windstars and recommended I check to see if there had been a recall, which I am doing now.

Customer brought vehicle in for abs light on, found scds switch to be leaking brake fluid and replaced with a motorcraft updated switch. After service while vehicle was still in shop bay with ignition off, vehicle abs unit started on fire. We then removed all power from vehicle and found that after removing the abs module connector brake fluid was found inside of abs module, and the connector was melted. We then called Ford dealership to see if the were any recalls concerning this vehicle and the abs module and or switch, and were told that there were none. We have since found many articles online concerning this matter, and yet no recall ? another half hour and the doors would have been closed for the night, we would have lost our shop, all vehicles inside. Please make them stand behind this clear and evident problem.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact had a recall repair performed in relation to a brake fluid leak. She was not sure of the recall information and stated that it may have been issued by the manufacturer as a voluntary recall. Although the vehicle was repaired, the brake fluid leaked over the engine (it was not cleaned up after the recall repair) and the leak ruined the transmission range sensor and the abs sensor. The contact called the manufacturer who refused to correct the problem. The VIN was unavailable at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000. The current mileage was approximately 126,000.

Feb 26th 2010 2001 Ford Windstar perfect condition no problems no lights on dash. . . . Feb 27th 2010 car is started and smoke poured out of hood on driver side after being started after that the abs light emergency brake light and o/d light are on and the computer information center on the display is advising to check transmission and there is a fuel data computer error and the odometer is blank and the speedometer is not functioning the heater on our vehicle has stopped but the fans still blow but only regular air. I've taken it to a Ford dealership today to be repaired under the recall for the vehicle speed control issue and they have done the bare minimum to fix the leaking that has occurred due to the faulty switch leaking brake fluid and starting the small fire I experienced Feb 27th 2010 but are unwilling to resolve the remaining issues caused by and listed above.

The abs warning light on my van comes on intermittently. After the vehicle has been turned off for awhile, it will go out. This happens at least once a day, though the light does not come on every time the vehicle is used. This problem has been steadily getting worse over the past three months. Also, the brake pressure differential deceleration switch has been leaking brake fluid for many months. I replaced it with a new part from Ford a few days ago.

On our 2001 Ford Windstar: abs deactivation switch on the brake master cylinder leaked to the point of blowing fuse #10. Having replaced the fuse twice, I discovered the leak and replaced the switch. The brake fluid in the reservoir was very low, that being the consequence of the leak and the "cry wolf" indication on the brake light being on all the time. The connector to the switch was burned - I replaced it. The danger for us was the brake light "on all the time" was not mentally connected to a leak and loss of fluid because it went off when I replaced the fuse (until the third fuse failure -at that point, the brake light was legitimate but we were in "cry wolf" mode). The old parts are available for inspection.

Abs and brake light come light up intermittently on my 2001 Ford Windstar. Brakes seem ok, but I have read of a problem common with this model that causes this from leaking brake fluid and possible fire hazard. This occurs 3-4 times a week. I am having the van looked at by my mechanic next week.

Ford Windstar brake, abs brake, cruise control problems: brake light stays on, abs light intermittent, cruise control inoperative. Abs system disconnected by Ford dealership to prevent fire. Vehicle has developed a brake fluid leak and I have not isolated it as of yet. Since seeing an online recall on the system, I will get it repaired tomorrow.

In my 2001 Ford Windstar the pressure actuated sensor attached directly below the master cylinder leaked all over everything below it(after replacing the master myself and everything in that area was clean I figured the problem was taken care of,but less than a week went by and my wife lost her brakes again . Thankful that she had the smarts to take proper precautions. (that was the third time )so now that it was clean I could identify the source of the problem(the sensor leaking)I went everywhere to find the part (using the # off of the defunct original)no one had it. Went to drew Ford explaining the problem ,they said I would have to pay for the part(ok it was 25 bucks) the thing about it is that it was a part that was designed to accommodate the problem and of course a new part #(which is why I could not find it,it was recalled everywhere) added to that the brake and abs lights on the dash have been on for quite a time our mechanic couldn't fix the problem. When I replaced the part the lights went off for a day and a half but are back on constantly. My wife and kids are planning a trip and I wanted to make sure that there are going to be no problems. There is no more fluid leaking ,but I am concerned about what I have discovered on the internet. . Read more...

2001 Ford Windstar: brake pressure differential deactivation switch (2b264) develops a leak causing brake fluid to work down two wires to the abs brake module, the fluid accumulates on the power connectors for the abs system which are powered by fuses and the fluid attracts moisture and leads to fire; therefore no speedometer/odometer-cruise control abs brake electrical problems failure. Taking the van to the dealer to be fixed because of major safety problems@ our cost.

Abs and brake light come on intermittently. Pressure switch under master cylinder was leaking causing fluid loss and potential brake failure. The switch was replaced with an oem part from a reseller. The abs light is constantly on now and a code reader indicates a bad relay and no abs motor function. This has not been repaired due to cost of parts and labor involved.

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar and the plug that plugs into the master brake cylinder is leaking brake fluid. Through research to appears that this is a frequent problem with the Windstar.

While driving the van and approaching a stop, the brakes pedal went to the floor and the vehicle would not stop (had to use the emergency brake). We filled the master cylinder back up with fluid, and it worked for 1 day, until the fluid leaked out. Then the same issue occurred, but because we were aware of some sort of brake problem, we drove much more cautiously and hesitantly. We stopped the van and drove it home very slowly. The master cylinder has developed a leak where it connects into what I believe is the power booster. In my short research, I have found that this is common, but typically results in fire or faulty dashboard lights. At this point, I have not fixed the vehicle, but will be fixing it today. The failure has not been fixed as of yet.

The brake pressure differential deactivation switch (2b264) located under the master cylinder (behind the air filter) over time develops a leak. This causes a short and a fuse trip, fuse #10 if the engine is on. This leak also causes brake fluid to leak down two wires to the abs brake module (2c219). The fluid accumulates on the (always on) power connectors for the abs brake system which are powered by fuses 101 and 102 and are both 40 amp. The fluid attacks moisture, road salt and leads to a fire when the fluid and moisture act as conductor between the hot leads and ground. This switch has been the subject of other Ford recalls, just not the Windstar van yet. Notice the fluid that leaked on the part below it. This switch will cause cruise control problems, speedometer, odometer and abs brake system problems.

I noticed a few months ago that my brake fluid was low. There was no visible leak. Just recently my 2001 Ford Windstar had to be taken to the dealer. During an inspection it was noted that the brake switch was leaking brake fluid. I was told that this needed to be fixed immediately as it could lead to a fire. However, the dealer did not have the part in stock. I was advised not to drive the vehicle till the part could be fixed. It will be fixed this weekend and I plan to keep the old part. This is extremely concerning considering that the reason most people get this type of vehicle is because they have children. Knowing that a vehicle could start on fire while children are being transported is extremely concerning to me. It is obvious from what I have found that this is a common problem that Ford is aware of.

I took my vehicle in to have it checked because my abs indicator and brake light would not go out. I was informed that my brakes were okay but the brake switch was leaking brake fluid. About once a month I have to add brake fluid, then the lights go out. I purchase a brake repair kit but has not had it installed yet.

Brake pressure deactivation switch is leaking brake fluid, which causes a short and blows the fuse controlling abs, cruise control, speedometer, etc. This is in our 2001 Windstar Mini van.

My abs and brake lights are on and off intermittently throughout every day. The mechanic said that the abs control module was faulty, but when we researched on the internet, we did some checking at the brake pressure deactivation switch and there is fluid leaking from the bottom of the connection. We took out the fuses, but we understand that this is the problem that causes fires. Please make Ford call this as a recall. We have already been through this with our 98 Ford expedition. . . . We don't need to have another car as a fire hazard!.

Cruise control stopped working, and noticed intermittent abs/brake light. After researching, found that the brake pressure switch was leaking brake fluid through the connector. Fluid had wicked into the cruise control module as well. Even though this switch is the subject of failures and recalls on numerous models, the dealer refused to replace or apply the company designed fix to the vehicle. I am concerned that this issue has led to numerous vehicle fires, and that the company is not responding to this issue by replacing the switch, but only installing a fuse. Repair charges were $210. 00.

Around March of 2008 the brake warning light and the abs warning light started coming on intermittently then about 2 months later they came on permanently and have not gone out. The antilock brakes do not work any more. A Ford dealer diagnosed the problems as being a bad abs control module and a leaking speed control deactivation switch. Symptoms are as follows. Loss of brake fluid leaking brake deactivation switch brake light on dashboard trouble indicator brake light (red) dashboard trouble indicator abs brake light (yellow) speedometer shows 1/2 vehicle speed cruise control will not activate Ford trouble code c1185 and others an on line search using key words 2000 Ford Windstar speedometer problems or 2001 Ford Windstar abs problems has found more descriptions of this failure then I could count. . Read more...