C1242 code in owner complaints

Code C1242 is named in 29 US owner complaints. Models: 1, model years 1999–2003.

There is little data for this code or its meaning is ambiguous, so this page is not indexed.

What the code means

This is a manufacturer-specific code: the meaning depends on the make and sometimes on the year.

How to read C1242: the letter C means chassis (brakes, ABS, steering, suspension); the second digit 1 marks a manufacturer code whose meaning is set by the make; the last three characters 242 identify the specific fault.

ABS/ESC codes: wheel speed sensors, the ABS hydraulic unit and pump, brake booster, pressure and yaw sensors. A hit to a wheel or suspension often damages the wheel speed sensor or its wiring, so on a damaged car this code is a reason to inspect the hub, knuckle and control arms, not just swap the sensor.

Key figures

Complaints with this code: 29
Models: 1
Model years: 1999–2003

Which models and years

Models whose owners name this code (1). Years link to the model year problems page.

Model	Years	Complaints
Ford Windstar	1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003	29

Components named together with the code

Component as the owner filed it (one complaint can list several).

Service brakes 25
Electrical system 7
Vehicle speed control 2
Engine 1
Fuel/propulsion system 1
Fuel system 1
Steering 1
Suspension 1

Complaints by model year

1999 4
2000 2
2001 5
2002 9
2003 9

What to do if an auction car has this code

Inspect the wheel and suspension on the impact side: the wheel speed sensor is often damaged together with the hub or knuckle.
Check whether the ABS and ESC lights stay on after start-up.
After replacing sensors or the hydraulic unit, bleeding and scan tool adaptation may be required.

What owners report

Excerpts of owner complaints in the original wording. Owner statements not verified by the regulator; personal data removed.

The codes pulled are followed. C1185, C1198, C1194, C1254,C1246, C1250, C1242, C1214 & C1210. That's right 9 abs codes came out. The 1st on is the problem C1185, the rest are failures at each wheels inlet outlet valves.
Ford Windstar 2003 · 2015-07
We placed our obd scanner on our vehicle and this is what we pulled. P0302, P0305, P0316, C1235, C1185, C1198, C1194, C1254, C1246, C1250, C1242, C1214, C1210, C1103, C1410, C1404, B1318. We were told by many "service departments" a while back that these codes were not important. They cleared the codes every time.
Ford Windstar 2003 · 2015-03
Have multiple abs fault codes all the time now. C1198, C1194,C1254, C1246, C1250, C1242 ,C1214, C1210, C1446 which all point to multiple failures in the computer. Searching the internet it appears on http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/ that a recall for this issue may be in the works as of 5/2014.
Ford Windstar 2002 · 2014-10

Related codes

Sources: public official US data (owner complaints) and the SAE J2012 standard. Complaints are owner statements not verified by the regulator. A code from a complaint does not replace a scan tool diagnosis. Data updated 2026-11-10.