# 1999 FORD WINDSTAR — SERVICE BRAKES
> NHTSA complaint `1029695` · 2013-12-31 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** WINDSTAR
- **Year:** 1999
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** SERVICE BRAKES
- **Miles at failure:** 195,000
- **Speed:** 5 mph
## Narrative
WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RAISED THE HOOD. I AM FAMILIAR WITH AUTOMOBILES AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT OIL OR COOLANT SMOKE BUT AN ELECTRICAL BURN IN THE MAKING. I RAPIDLY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. AT THE HOUSE, I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND NOTHING HAPPENED,THEN DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 5 MILES AND THE SMOKE CAME BACK. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE HOUSE ( WAS VERY CLOSE) AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AGAIN. THE SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE ABS CONTROLLER. I HAVE DONE SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND DETERMINED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, SO I CALLED FORD. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. I THEN CALLED THE FACTORY HELP LINE AND ADVISED THEM OF THE SITUATION. THEY WANTED ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, PAY THE BILL AND SUBMIT IT FOR CONSIDERATION. I AM NOT INCLUDED TO DO SO, AS I AM AFRAID THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH FIRE.   *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*