14 problems related to brake fluid leak have been reported for the 2003 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Ford Windstar based on all problems reported for the 2003 Windstar.
Abs & brake light intermittently come on. Brake fluid level is normal. Brake pads & shoes are good. No other problems with hydraulic system. No brake fluid leaks.
Brake fluid is leaking from somewhere near the master brake cylinder. It probably has something to do with the brake pressure differential deactivation switch.
Abs and brake light would go on and off intermittently beginning around 55000 miles. The mechanic told me Fords were known for this, but should not present a problem. Back wheels started smoking and leaking fluid at 76000. This contaminated the wheel wells and brake pads. The abs/brake light also stay on consistently now. Repaired the problem and ran a diagnostic on the abs. Mechanic told me I had a faulty abs module that the dealer would have to repair. Have not done that yet, looking to see if there has been a recall on this problem. Apparently Ford has not addressed this issue. I have this van to transport my disabled son, now concerned that our safety is at risk.
In 2009 our brake and abs light came on and has stayed on. We received the Ford Windstar recall for the leaking cruise control switch. We had this done in Feb. 2010. We went back to Ford on July 7 2010 because of smoke and leaking brake fluid. They did nothing. I did not replace the switch right away and on August 1st we took a trip over a mountain pass. It started leaking very bad on this trip. So bad that the low brake fluid light came on. We got home I replaced the switch and removed there jumper due to the jumper was soaked in brake fluid. Also topped off fluid. Still brake lights are on, and having a family in a van over mountain passes, this should have been taken care of by Ford.
2003 Ford Windstar sel - abs/brake light stays illuminated. The shop technician says this is a common problem among Ford Windstars and that taking no action could result in a fire hazard. The abs brake module needs to be replaced but the problem could still occur. The answer I was given was to remove the brake deactivation switch and replace it with a plug. This will disable the abs and prevent any brake fluid from leaking which could cause fires.
On-going intermittent abs and brake warning lights on a 2003 Ford Windstar. The computer code indicates fault code c1185. The Ford dealer suggests replacing the ecu at a cost of $800 but Ford is not sure if problem will be corrected. A recall was issued for brake fluid leak at the cruise control deactivation switch which is not the cause of the warning lights on my vehicle. The warning lights illuminate on longer drives especially in hot, or wet, or sub-zero weather.
Abs and brake lights intermittently on. Possible brake fluid leak.
Abs and brake light come on dash because my son-in-law said there is brake fluid leak toward the back right side of the engine. When it is hot weather or the engine gets hot the abs light comes on. This has been a problem before. It has happened two times since I bought the van. My dealer closed for business and I need to get this fixed.
My 2003 Ford Windstar is leaking brake fluid from the connector under the reservoir.
2003 Ford Windstar, the abs and brake warning lights comes on and off while driving. Caused by brake fluid leak which could lead to a fire.
My automobile keeps getting multiple emergency brake and abs errors. The lights come on multiple times daily. Upon researching this problem it appears to be a wide spread issue with Ford Windstars 2001-2003. The issue appears to be a faulty brake system including the abs system. Brake fluid leaks from a faulty sensor into electronic connectors causing the potential for fires. There are documented cases where this failure has caused fires. . Read more...
Abs & brake light goes on and off. Diagnostics say it is the modulator. A week ago there was brake fluid leaking but, now there is no leakage so they can't find the source. They want $650 to fix it!!!! this vehicle my daughter drives w/ her 5 children. We cant afford to fix it!!!! we cant afford another vehicle!!! this not safe and Ford should have to pay 4 it!!!!.
Brake and abs lights go on intermittently on 2003 Ford winsdtar. The lights go off after shutting car off. Brake pads have been replaced recently. No visible signs of brake fluid leakage.
This vehicle has had abs control unit problems since it was three years old in 2006. The condition being described is not to be confused with a previous Windstar recall involving a leaking brake fluid pressure switch (NHTSA action #ea08021). The first occurrence was in the spring of 2006 (one month or a few thousand miles after warranty expiration) when I was about 200 miles from home on a trip driving up interstate 91 in MA in the rain. Glanced down at dash display and saw both the brake system warning and abs system warning lights on. I stopped to check the brake fluid. When the car was turned off and restarted, the warning lights turned off. That was 6 years ago and the problem continued to progress to an extremely predictable pattern. In warm weather, (over 40 degrees f), the abs system will not function and the warning lights are on. When winter comes, the warning lights go away and the abs works normally. I was told by dealer that it would be a $700 repair. Since the system worked in the winter (when I need the abs the most) and had spent a lot of money on several other engineering defects of this car, I have lived with the problem. It was mostly an annoyance. Having done some research though, I have found that there are many other Windstars with identical symptoms and they center on a defect of the abs module design. After the module has been cycled thermally for hundreds of times in service (heating, cooling, heating, cooling, etc. ) there are solder connections on the pcb that are no longer reliable and become intermittently connected. It basically is an electrical or mechanical engineering 101 topic known as tce (thermal coefficient of expansion) mismatch. My concern now is that the failure is progressively getting worse and extending further in to the cold weather period. Any design issue with a brake system or component is a serious safety issue.