| ID# | Vehicle | Date of Failure | Mileage | Summary |
|---|
| 535276 | 1998 MUSTANG | April 25, 1998 | 0048980 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED. |
| 535078 | 1998 MUSTANG | April 25, 1998 | 0048980 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. |
| 832947 | 1998 MUSTANG | December 22, 1998 | 0077000 | VEHICLE HAS A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. THERE IS A RECALL ON TAURUS WITH SAME ENGINE 3.8L. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND AWARE. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. NO WARRANTY. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 833130 | 1998 MUSTANG | December 23, 1998 | 0085000 | BOTH ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, IN RETURN, CAUSES THE TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK. CONSUMER LEARNED OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DONE ON A FORD WINDSTAR FOR SAME PROBLEM WHICH THEY HONORED. BUT REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE ABOVE PROBLEM AS SIMILAR TO MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. COULD SOMTHING BE DONE? *AK |
| 701422 | 1998 MUSTANG | June 24, 1998 | 0068107 | WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING. WHEN I LOOKED AT DASH THE TEMP GAGE WAS ON HOT AND BURNING SMELL CAME FROM ENGINE. PULLED OVER HAD CAR TAKEN TO CHINO HILLS FORD AND WAS TOLD HEAD GASKET BLEW. I WAS TOLD THESE THINGS JUST HAPPEN SOMETIMES. WORK DONE WAS HEADGASKET BLOWN R/R CYLINDER HEADBOTH SIDES SEND OUT FOR VALVE JOB,REPLACED FRONT COVER GASKET AND WATER PUMP GASKET AND FRONT SEAL///////REGARDING THE A/C WHEN I DROVE WITH THE A/C ON I WOULD HEAR A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. SAME DEALER REGAPED CLUTCH AND FIELD IN A/C COMPRESSOR |
| 701500 | 1998 MUSTANG | December 08, 1998 | 0095950 | HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING COMBUSTION INTO COOLANT |
| 834761 | 1999 MUSTANG | February 10, 1999 | 0072000 | CONSUMER WENT START UP VEHICLE AND NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. *AK |
| 701918 | 1998 MUSTANG | December 28, 1998 | 0060602 | THIS CAR IS IMMACUALTE AND MAINTENACE PERFORMED AS OUTLINED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT RECALL # 98-MO1 HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE, JUST NOT FOR MY MODEL. THIS IS REDICULOUS. IT IS MY FEELING THAT THE MUSTANG 3.8L ENGINE IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THAT THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE WINDSTAR, TAURUS, AND SABLE. JUST BECAUSE MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I PERSONALLY KNOW 2 OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT ALSO HAVE 3.8L. MUSTANGS THAT HAVE BLOWN THEIR HEAD GASKETS IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THERE IS NO REASON THAT A WELL-MAINTAINED AUTOMOBILE THAT IS NOT DRIVEN HARD SHOULD BE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS FEW OF MILES. IT IS ALSO MY UNDRSTANDING THAT THE RECALL ENDED ON 12-31-98. I DID HAVE MY CAR IN AND DIAGONOSED AS HAVING A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM ON 12-28-98 AT ST. GEORGE FORD. *AK |
| 703189 | 1998 MUSTANG | December 12, 1998 | 0048000 | IT WAS FOUND THAT NHTSA HAS BEEN CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM SINCE 1995 (INVESTIGATION # IE98080). WHEN A FORD DEALER WAS CONTACTED, HE EXPALAINED THAT FORD WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE. THEY HAVE SINCE BEEN CHANGED. COULD YOU PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE FOR EARLY HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THANK YOU. |
| 703293 | 1999 MUSTANG | February 07, 1999 | 0062000 | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, VEHICLE DIAGNOSED WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKET. |
| 704417 | 1999 MUSTANG | March 11, 1999 | 0047000 | I HAVE BEEN HAVING COOLING PROBLEMS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF FEB,OF 99, FIRST THE WATER PUMP WENT BAD THAT I PAID TO BE REPLACED,THEN FOR ABOUT 2 WKS EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL I REALIZED MY COOLANT GAUGE WAS RUNNING VERY HOT AND I LOST MY HEAT FOR ABOUT 3-4 MILES THEN EVERYTHING WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL,THEN THE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN ABOUT 10-15 MINS DOWN THE ROAD,UNTIL FINALLY MY HEADGASKET BLEW,NOW MY CAR IS AT THE FORD DEALER WAITING TO SEE WHOS GOING TO PAY FOR THESE DAMAGES. I KNOW FORD HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADGASKETS IN THE 3.8L ENGINES,I WANT MINE TO BE COVERED FOR LABOR AND PARTS ON BEHALF OF FORD,IAM NOT SURPRISED AT THIS, BEFORE THIS AS HAPPEN MY CAR WAS BACK TO THE DEALER OVER 10 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS COVERED UNDER WARRENTY,MY CAR HISTORY WILL PROVE THAT.PLEASE HELP.THANKS |
| 703440 | 1999 MUSTANG | January 22, 1999 | 0045300 | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. CAMSHAFT SENSOR TESTED, ROAD TESTED, COMPUTER RETESTED. HAVE HARD COPY OF COMPUTER RELATED PROBLEM. CAM POSITION SENSOR CODE. TRACED WIRING HARNESS. FOUND CID WIRE BARE AND GROUNDED. WAS REPAIRED TRACED WAVE FORM OF SENSOR NO GOOD. ALSO NOTICED COOLANT LEAK. PRESSURE TESTED SYSTEM. LEAK IS AT TIMING COVER AT ENGINE BLOCK RIGHT SIDE. TOLD HEAD GASKET WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, COST $500-700. CAR NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SPECULATION BY MECHANIC AND DEALER SERVICE RESOURCES SUGGESTED THAT AGE AND LOW MILEAGE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET SOME RELIEF FROM MANUFACTURER. HAVE REVIEWED COMPLAINT DATABASE AND VIEWED 6 COMPLAINTS OF GASKET PROBLEMS DURING 1998 FOR 95 FORD MUSTANGS. |
| 703447 | 1995 MUSTANG | | 0045000 | CAR OVERHEATED. HAD THERMOSTAT REPLACED. CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN, AND HAD TO HAVE TIMING GASKET REPLACED. CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN AND JUST HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED IN JANUARY., ONE MONTH LATER, HAVE TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. IN ALL FAIRNESS TO FORD, THEY OFFERED TO PAY 50% OF TRANS. REPAIRS. I ASKED IF THEY WOULD PAY 75% DUE TO THE FACT THAT I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO KEEP THIS CAR RUNNING PROPERLY AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS I ALREADY PAID FOR. HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM FORD ON THE 75%. CAR STILL IN NEED OF REPAIRS. WILL NOT GO INTO 2ND GEAR AND NOW O/D LIGHT FLASHES ON DASHBOARD. *AK |
| 702975 | 1999 MUSTANG | January 28, 1999 | 0043000 | BLEW ENGINE HEAD GASKET AT 43000 MILES |
| 705578 | 1999 MUSTANG | April 09, 1999 | 0054313 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET DUE TO FAULTY TEMPERATURE GAUGE/WATERPUMP FAILURE @ 53K MILES! |
| 837844 | 1998 MUSTANG | May 12, 1998 | 0035000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSES ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK FROM ENGINE. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 35000 MILES OF WEAR. BELIEVES THIS CONDTION IS NOT NORMAL AT THIS LOW MILEAGE. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER.CONSUMER WAS TOLD OF A RECALL CONCERNING HEAD GASKET, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THIS RECALL. *AK |
| 706243 | 1999 MUSTANG | March 12, 1999 | 0036556 | ON 3/12/99 MY MUSTANG OVERHEATED. I HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AT A LOCAL GARAGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR CLOSER INSPECTION. I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR AS SPECIFIED AND WITH ONLY 36,550 MILES MY MECHANIC CAN THINK OF NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I TALKED TO FORD ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE TAURUS'S AND THE WINDSTARS, BUT WAS TOLD THE BAD PARTS DID NOT GO MUSTANGS. I FIND THIS COINCIDENTAL CONSIDERING OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE NHTSA ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAD THE HEAD GASKET REPAIRED THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER I BEGAN TO HEAR A NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS AT 3500 TO 4000 RPM. WHEN I RETURNED IT TO THE MECHANIC HE DISCOVERED THAT MY MAIN ROD BEARING AND OTHER ROD BEARING WERE BROKEN AND THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. |
| 538142 | 1998 MUSTANG | July 10, 1998 | 0049619 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET. |
| 841921 | 1995 MUSTANG | | 0000000 | AT 44,000 MILESHEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING ENGINE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK |
| 707664 | 1995 MUSTANG | | 0077500 | I WOULD LIKE HELP REGARDING NHSTA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V138000 REFERENCING THE PROBLEM WITH THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER READING. THIS IDENTIFIED FORD MUSTANGS (1995) MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 94 - JAN. 95. THE SUMMARY STATED "THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH SPEEDOMETERS REGISTERING SPPED IN MPH BUT THE ODOMETERS INDICATING DISTANCE IN KILOMETERS. THE ODOMETERS WERE INTENDED TO INDICATE DISTANCE IN MILES AND WERE NOT IDENTIFIED WITH THE METRIC 'KM' DESIGNATION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 101, CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS." THE END RESULT WAS THAT FORD DID NOT HAVE TO RECALL THE CARS OR NOTIFY THE OWNERS AS THE NONCOMPLIANCE DID NOT CREATE AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY. MY PROBLEM IS THIS. IF THE MILES REGISTERED ON THE ODOMETER ARE ACTUALLY IN KILOMETERS THAN A VEHICLE THAT SHOWS 77500 ACTUALLY ONLY HAS 47845 MILES (77500 MULTIPLIED TIMES A KILOMETER 0.62137). AS THIS CAR BLEW OUT HEAD GASKETS (ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH FORD AND REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE ON MUSTANGS) AT 77500 MILES, IT SHOULD STILL BE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY THAT GOES UNTIL 75000 MILES. AS I SPOKE WITH "BILL" AT FORD MOTOR CENTER (800-392-3673) HE SAID THAT THIS WAS CORRECT AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED IF MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THAT TIME. THE DOOR OF THE CAR IS IMPRINTED WITH THE DATE JAN/95. I TOLD HIM THIS AND HE TOOK THE VIN NUMBER AND CALLED ME BACK TO STATE IT SHOULD BE COVERED, HOWEVER, MY CAR WAS RESEARCHED AND FOUND TO ACTUALLY BE MANUFACTURED FEB. 1, 1995 AND NOT IN JANUARY, 1995. HE SAID THE METAL IMPRINT WAS WRONG. I ASKED FOR THIS INFORMATION IN WRITING AND HE WAS NOT SURE THAT WAS POSSIBLE. THE CAR DOES HAVE THE IMPRINT JAN, 1995 AND I HAVE THE ORIGINAL STICKER FOR THE CAR WHICH SHOWS SHIP DATE AS 1/25/95 TO DECKER FORD IN CLOVIS, CA. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN. COULD YOU PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH INFORMATION AS TO YOUR CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V138000. DO YOU KNOW ANY OTHER AGENCY TO REFER ME TO? THANK YOU LORA MANNIE |
| 846801 | 1999 MUSTANG | May 25, 1999 | 0000000 | WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH VEHICLE OVERHEATED AS A RESULT OF A BLOWEN OUT ENGINE HEAD GASKET. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 709105 | 1999 MUSTANG | March 15, 1999 | 0083000 | I KNOW TWO PEOPLE WHO OWN THE SAME TYPE OF CAR WITH THE SAME SIZE ENGINE MADE IN THE SAME YEAR AS MY MUSTANG WHO HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS THAT I AM NOW FACED WITH. FIRST THE CAR STARTS TO OVERHEAT, THEN THE HEAD GASKETS ARE BLOWN, AND FINALLY THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAS TO HAVE THE MOTOR REWORKED OR BUY A NEW MOTOR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD HTAT THE HEAD GASKETS IN THE 1994-95 THUNDERBIRD WITH THE 3.8/V-6 ENGINE HAS HAD A RECALL OR SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THEIR HEAD GASKETS. DON'T THE MOTORS FOR MUSTANGS AND THUNDERBIRDS BASICALLY COME OFF THE SAME ASSEMBLY LINE? |
| 709682 | 1999 MUSTANG | April 18, 1999 | 0051000 | VEHICLE BLEW THE HEAD GASKET AFTER 4 YEARS AND 51,000 MILES. |
| 848591 | 1998 MUSTANG | December 15, 1998 | 0050000 | THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON RADIATOR, WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY. MECHANIC DID NOT FIND CAUSE OF LEAKAGE. NOW, 15,000 MILES LATER, THE HEAD GASKETS ARE CAUSING A PROBLEM. WAS NO OTHER WARNING EXCEPT LEAKAGE EARLIER. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS NOT OVERHEATING. TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER. *AK |
| 849766 | 1999 MUSTANG | September 27, 1999 | 0109000 | THERE IS A LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 711991 | 1995 MUSTANG | | 0007000 | THIS CAR WAS A GOD DAMN LEMON I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT BUY A CHEVY BECAUSE YOU MIGHT HAVE A BATTER LONGER LASTING VEHICLE HEAD GASKET BLEW GRINDING REAR SUPENSION THE AC SUCKED I TOOK IT TO GET FIXED EVERY YEAR IT WOULD BLOW OUT HOT AIR I HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDER THE FRONT DASH BURNT UP ALOT OF WIRING, BOUGHT FOG LIGHTS THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR, TRANSMISION BLEW OUT (REVERSE) ALSO I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FRONT SEAT BROKE AND I ALMOST WENT OUT THE SIDE WINDOW VERY FREAKING DANGEROUS CAR IF YOU ASK ME I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD EVER I WILL TELL EVERYONE TO BUY SOMETHING ELSE LIKE A CHEVY OR SOME OTHER AMERICAN PRODUCT I ONLY SAY THAT BECAUSE I AM A UNION GUY BUT TO TELL THE TRUTH THOSE JAPS MAKE BETTER CARS THAN FORDS FORD MUSTANGS SUCK THEY ARE A CHEEZY EXCUSE FOR A SO CALLED SPORTS CAR |
| 712197 | 1999 MUSTANG | September 11, 1999 | 0044000 | THE HEAD GASKET FAILED ON THIS ENGINE CAUSING ALL OF THE COOLANT TO LEAK OUT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF AN OVERHEAT CONDITION DUE TO THE LOW COOLANT LEVEL.THE VEHICAL STALLED AT 55MPH CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.MY 18 YEAR OLD SON WAS LUCKY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND MANUVER TO THE SHOLDER.THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. |
| 712198 | 1999 MUSTANG | February 23, 1999 | 0061055 | CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING AND LEAKING COOLANT. TOOK TO WOODFIELD FORD FOR ANALYSIS/REPAIR. WAS INFROMED THAT FRONT ENGINE COVER GASKETS WERE LEAKING. PAID 1035.05 FOR REPAIRS. CAR STILL HAD OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. TOOK CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO THEN DISCOVERED HEAD GASKET LEAK. REFUSED TO PAY $900 FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL SHOP WHO REPLACED HEAD GASKETS FOR $838. FOUND OUT VIA THE WEB THAT MANY OTHER 3.8L FORD ENGINES HAVE EXHIBITED SAME PROBLEM, AND FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO COMPENSATE THE CUSTOMERS. THIS IS UNFAIR WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER CARS OF SIMILAR STYLE - GASKETS DO NOT NEED REPLACED AT 30K-60K MILES. I AM ASKING THAT FORD BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THE 3.8L HEAD GASKET DEFECT, AND REIMBURSE ALL CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS THEMSELVES IN THE ABSENCE OF THIS RECALL. |
| 713238 | 1999 MUSTANG | May 20, 1999 | 0098000 | DEALER REPLACED ELECTRIC FAN, THERMOCOUPLE AND LATER THE THERMOSTAT WHICH DID NOT FIX THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A BLOWN HEADGASKET. SO FAR THE COST OF REPAIRS IS OVER $6OO.OO WITH ANOTHER $1100.00 FOR THE HEADGASKETS. |
| 713889 | 1998 MUSTANG | December 15, 1998 | 0075000 | HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE DUE TO OVERHEATING AND BLOWN HEAD GASKETS - COST $4600 |
| 548960 | 1995 MUSTANG | | 0078000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR REPLACED. YH |
| 714607 | 1999 MUSTANG | November 08, 1999 | 0063400 | THE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN ON MY MUSTANG PREMATURLY. THE CAR IS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD YET, NOR IS IT PAID FOR YET. I SAW IN A REPORT THAT FORD HAS COVERED THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS OF FORDS, BUT WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP, SHE SAID THAT THEY DO NOT COVER MUSTANGS. *AK |
| 714839 | 1999 MUSTANG | November 13, 1999 | 0065000 | AFTER FOLLOWING MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE FOR 3.5 YEARS, WITHOUT ANY SIGNS OF MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES (I.E. ENGINE OVERHEATING, LOSS OF COOLANT, LOSS OF POWER), APPROXIMATELY FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME ONE DAY, THERE WAS ROUGH IDLING AND WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO MY NEAREST FORD SERVICE CENTER, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY CAR HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 3 OTHER MODELS (WINDSTAR, TAURUS, AND SABLE) OF FORD OF THE SAME YEAR (1995) WITH THE 3.8 L ENGINES (RECALL 98-MO1) FOR DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE FORD DEALER THAT FORD MOTOR CO., WILL NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 1995 MUSTANGS. I AM ALOS AWARE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER 1995 FORD MUSTANG OWNERS WITH NHTSA FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT THE NHTSA EXERCISE IT'S AUTHORITY AND HOLD FORD MOTOR CO. ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT IN THE 1995 MUSTANG AND INCLUDE IT IN RECALL 98-MO1. PLEASE RESPOND ON YOUR PROPOSED ACTION ON THIS COMPLAINT ASAP AS I AM FORCED TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES (WHICH MAY EXCEED $2000) BY MY LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER. THANK YOU. *AK |
| 715027 | 1999 MUSTANG | November 19, 1999 | 0044000 | WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER OR HELP IN ANY WAY TO REPLACE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 715478 | 1999 MUSTANG | November 18, 1999 | 0054094 | TRAVELING HOME WITH YOUNG CHILD WHEN WHITE SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF EXHAUST - HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THEY STATED THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AND THE ENGINE WAS RUINED. FORD AGREED TO PAY LESS THAN HALF THE COST OF REPAIRS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A RAMPANT PROBLEM WITH THE 94 - 95 FORD 3.8L ENGINES OWING TO DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET DESIGN. *AK |
| 715604 | 1999 MUSTANG | December 01, 1999 | 0055000 | ENGINE BUILDING UP PRESSURE IN COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE OVERHEATING, NO HEAT IN THE CAR, WE REPLACED THERMOSTAT, STILL HAVING DIFFICULTY, TOOK TO LOCAL GARAGE THEY PRESSURE TESTED, LOOKED OK SLIGHT LEAK AROUND TIMING COVER. CALLED LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, BOTH SAID POSSIBLE HEAD GASKET BLOWN. WE KNOW ABOUT RECALLS FOR OTHER V-6 FORD ENGINES, (3.8 ALSO?) |
| 320825 | 1987 TAURUS | December 20, 1987 | 0002000 | LOSS OF ANTIFREEZE, R/R HEAD GASKET, FAILURE REOCCURRED. MM |
| 350418 | 1989 TAURUS | August 14, 1989 | 0017000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET, R/R 6 TIMES, 4 MORE TIMES WITHIN ONE WEEK OF EACH R/R BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T SEAL PROPERLY, BLOWN AGAIN AT 38K MILES. BI |
| 351994 | 1989 TAURUS | June 01, 1989 | 0023000 | COOLANT LOSS PROBLEM, R/R HEADGASKET. MTH |
| 389486 | 1991 TAURUS | August 19, 1991 | 0000000 | REPEATED HEAD GASKET CRACKS RC |
| 389330 | 1991 TAURUS | June 23, 1991 | 0040000 | LEAKING ANTIFREEZE CAUSED BLOWN HEAD GASKET RC |
| 389188 | 1990 TAURUS | December 26, 1990 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET LEAKING FLUID. PEB |
| 389113 | 1991 TAURUS | August 19, 1991 | 0056000 | HEAD GASKET REPLACED DUE TO BROKEN HEAD BOLTS. PEB |
| 343459 | 1989 TAURUS | April 27, 1989 | 0000000 | CRACKED ENGINE HEAD GASKET, REPAIRED. |
| 343444 | 1989 TAURUS | May 05, 1989 | 0000000 | ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING AROUND BACK OF HEAD GASKET, CAUSING HISSING SOUND, REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEEDED. BC |
| 345181 | 1989 TAURUS | May 08, 1989 | 0000000 | LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. HEAD GASKET REPLACED. RC |
| 345130 | 1989 TAURUS | November 23, 1989 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET REPLACED. RC |
| 352880 | 1989 TAURUS | October 17, 1989 | 0057000 | HEAD GASKET BLOWN, CAUSED BY BROKEN HEAD BOLTS. |
| 351977 | 1989 TAURUS | August 01, 1989 | 0000000 | HEADGASKETS R/R, LEAKING. |
| 352963 | 1989 TAURUS | June 02, 1989 | 0000000 | ENGINE PROBLEMS, R/R HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. BC |
| 350988 | 1989 TAURUS | June 05, 1989 | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW, REPLACED. |
| 352956 | 1987 TAURUS | June 01, 1987 | 0007000 | CAR DISPLAYED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ALONG WITH SLUGGISH PERFORMANCE, R/R HEADGASKET, NO IMPROVEMENT. |
| 378724 | 1990 TAURUS | June 01, 1990 | 0000000 | ENGINE HEADGASKET BLOWN. |
| 389234 | 1989 TAURUS | November 15, 1989 | 0000000 | OIL LEAK FROM HEAD GASKET RC |
| 389243 | 1987 TAURUS | November 01, 1987 | 0000000 | 2 HEAD GASKETS AND A WATER PUMP REPLACED RC |
| 389511 | 1990 TAURUS | April 24, 1990 | 0000000 | REPLACED HEAD GASKETS RC |
| 389129 | 1990 TAURUS | March 19, 1990 | 0000000 | BROKEN HEAD GASKET CAUSED BY A FAULTY BOLT ON THE HEAD. PEB |
| 389021 | 1991 TAURUS | August 20, 1991 | 0000000 | VEHICLE OVERHEATING, FOUND HEAD GASKET LEAK. HI |
| 389612 | 1991 TAURUS | April 10, 1991 | 0000000 | LIFTER AND HEAD GASKET REPLACED RC |
| 389394 | 1991 TAURUS | August 18, 1991 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET LEAK RC |
| 432088 | 1991 TAURUS | August 01, 1991 | 0041000 | LEAKY HEAD GASKET, REPAIRED, PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AJ |
| 446124 | 1990 TAURUS | January 01, 1990 | 0004000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *AJ |
| 944735 | 1994 TAURUS | January 07, 1994 | 0074000 | PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSED HEAD TO WARP WITHOUT WARNING. TT |
| 464286 | 1992 TAURUS | October 01, 1992 | 0063000 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED. |
| 481928 | 1995 TAURUS | February 03, 1995 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET REPLACED. *AW |
| 509854 | 1996 TAURUS | October 10, 1996 | 0070000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 515839 | 1989 TAURUS | | 0040000 | REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS; ALSO REPLACED FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS/HEAD GASKETS/POWER STEERING HOSE/AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE/ALTERNATOR. *AK |
| 518196 | 1989 TAURUS | | 0070000 | FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED DUE TO BEING TOO THIN. IN ADDITION, MOTOR MOUNTS/AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE/ENGINE HEAD GASKET/ALTERNATOR/POWER STEERING HOSE/REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK |
| 525467 | 1989 TAURUS | | 0056574 | HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT LESS THAN A YEAR. |
| 824371 | 1997 TAURUS | October 30, 1997 | 0088000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET DIES OUT, IT BLOWS OUT AT 90,000 MILES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE 1995 WINDSTAR HAS THE SAME 3.8 6 CYCLINDER ENGINE. BUT THEY WILL NOT WRITE UP THE REPAIR FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK |
| 544615 | 1989 TAURUS | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 545054 | 1998 TAURUS | March 13, 1998 | 0000000 | VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET AND RADIATOR. MJS |
| 521128 | 1997 TAURUS | January 22, 1997 | 0096837 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED, CAUSED EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE. |
| 529221 | 1998 TAURUS | January 05, 1998 | 0056456 | HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE. |
| 461423 | 1993 TAURUS | August 01, 1993 | 0038000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK |
| 957895 | 1994 TAURUS | December 24, 1994 | 0057000 | REPLACED BROKEN ENGINE HEAD GASKET, ALSO REPLACED LEAKING ENGINE COVER VALVE. TT |
| 531474 | 1998 TAURUS | January 01, 1998 | 0078000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 832722 | 1998 TAURUS | December 14, 1998 | 0100000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 60 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT 1994 AND 1995 VEHICLES WERE UNDER RECALL. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NO RECALL WAS DONE ON THOSE VEHICLES. *AK |
| 522794 | 1992 TAURUS | | 0000000 | ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STILL COMES ON AND OFF WARNING THAT THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE, REPLACE COOLING FAN, AND WARPED HEAD GASKET FROM IT CONTINUALLY OVERHEATING. |
| 825030 | 1992 TAURUS | | 0080000 | HEAD GASKET IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING. OWNER ALSO NOTES OF RECALL FOR PROBLEM, BUT OWNER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK |
| 829553 | 1998 TAURUS | September 12, 1998 | 0120000 | THE HEAD GASKET BY THE 3RD AND 4TH CYLINDER GASKET IS DEFECTIVE. IT BEGAN BLOWING COOLANT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. CAN SMELL THE ANTI-FREEZE, BUT CAN'T FIND THE LEAK. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT'S IN THE MOTOR. REPORTED BY EDWARD PEART. *AK |
| 833997 | 1999 TAURUS | January 24, 1999 | 0085000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS LEAK, AND VEHICLE OVERHEATS. *AK |
| 835235 | 1993 TAURUS | February 15, 1993 | 0079000 | TRANSMISSION SKIPPING WHILE DRIVIN./ ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD THUMP INTO GEAR WHENEVER VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER OF REPLACING ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 543935 | 1999 TAURUS | January 07, 1999 | 0049000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO HAVE COOLLANT IN THE OIL AND COMING OUT THE EXHAUST. |
| 703702 | 1998 TAURUS | February 13, 1998 | 0077523 | I THOUGHT MINE WAS AN ISOLATED INSTANCE UNTIL I LEARNED OF TWO OTHER OWNERS OF FORD WINDSTARS WHERE I WORK WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND THE SAME PROBLEM. BESIDES THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET, BOTH OXYGEN ANALYZERS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. |
| 544095 | 1992 TAURUS | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 545811 | 1999 TAURUS | March 01, 1999 | 0069000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED PRODUCING FLUCTUATION IN TEMPERATURE, AND CLOUDS OF SMOKE TO COME FROM THE TAILPIPE. |
| 504965 | 1995 TAURUS | October 11, 1995 | 0087000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS FAILED. *AK |
| 523556 | 1997 TAURUS | February 13, 1997 | 0057220 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED. |
| 533988 | 1998 TAURUS | March 21, 1998 | 0044392 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 823280 | 1998 TAURUS | May 11, 1998 | 0096000 | THE HEAD GASKET LEAKS. ALSO, THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHEN ANTI-FREEZE WAS FOUND ON THE OLD OXYGEN SENSOR. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS IS A SIGN OF A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET, IT JUST STARTED TO LEAK. BUT DRIVING WILL MAKE IT WORSE, AND COULD RESULT IN MORE DAMAGE TO HEAD GASKET AND THEN AN ENGINE BLOCK. *AK |
| 825241 | 1993 TAURUS | | 0000000 | WHEN TRAVELING CONSUMER NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING. CONSUMER, THEREFORE, PULLED INTO A GAS STATION WHEN FLUIDS STARTED LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER STATED HEAD GASKET BLEW. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK |
| 825829 | 1998 TAURUS | June 06, 1998 | 0094000 | VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING HOT. THE DEALER INFORMED OWNER THAT ONE OF THE HEAD GASKETS CRACKED. *AK |
| 825940 | 1997 TAURUS | June 06, 1997 | 0082000 | CONSUMER'S COMPLAINT CONCERNED THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE FOR VEHICLE 2.8L. CURRENT ENGINE GASKET PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE RECALL FOR THE 1994 & 1995 ENGINE GASKET DEFECTS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 827162 | 1997 TAURUS | July 30, 1997 | 0001500 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. FEELS THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE NORMAL FOR THIS CODITION. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS COST IS CHARGED TO THE CONSUMER. *AK |
| 828421 | 1998 TAURUS | July 18, 1998 | 0056000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, AND DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING DAYS BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, AND THE DEALER WAS GIVING HIM THE RUN AROUND. *AK |
| 539358 | 1997 TAURUS | March 01, 1997 | 0055000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 828878 | 1998 TAURUS | October 02, 1998 | 0021000 | WHILE DRVING CONSUMER NOTICED TEMPERATURE GUAGE WAS GOING FROM HOT TO COLD. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT BOTH REAR HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN ON THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 538877 | 1993 TAURUS | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, OTHER TAURUS MODEL YEARS HAVE RECALL ON COMPONENT HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO MODEL YEAR. |
| 538373 | 1998 TAURUS | February 16, 1998 | 0050353 | HEAD GASKET, RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP FAILED. |
| 829448 | 1998 TAURUS | October 22, 1998 | 0081000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. BELIEVED THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED IN 1994 & 1995. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND NO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. *AK |
| 534563 | 1998 TAURUS | April 19, 1998 | 0092842 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET, BLEW OUT, CAUSING WATER AND ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK. |
| 830776 | 1998 TAURUS | October 01, 1998 | 0070000 | THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET BURNT OUT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 831068 | 1998 TAURUS | November 18, 1998 | 0075000 | VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING. MECHANIC STATES THE HEAD GASKETS ARE DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *AK |
| 542183 | 1998 TAURUS | May 05, 1998 | 0061795 | HEAD GASKET FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, HOWEVER DENIED. |
| 700112 | 1998 TAURUS | October 20, 1998 | 0060750 | WE NOTICED THE ENGINE SEEMED TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER (COX FORD, HAMPSTEAD, MD). THEY INFORMED US THAT OUR PROBLEM WAS TWOFOLD. FIRST THEY SAID THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING, AND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE DETERIORATED. AFTER DOING SOME EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND WITH PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WE LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE MOTOR MOUNTS (REF: TSB #92M77 JUN 95). INITIALLY THE FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CLERK INDICATED THAT THIS WORK WOULD BE PERFORMED WITH NO PROBLEM. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, WE WERE NOTIFIED BY ANOTHER FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CLERK THAT THIS PARTICULAR RECALL WAS SUBJECT TO A 60,000 MILE LIMITATION (THIS WAS NOT INDICATED ON THE INTERNET SITE OR BY THE FIRST CLERK). FURTHER MORE, DISCUSSIONS WITH A SERVICE MANAGER FROM ANOTHER LOCAL FORD DEALER HAD INDICATED THAT FORD HAS HAD A LOT OF PRE-MATURE FAILURES WITH THE 3.8L HEAD GASKETS AND THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHT POSSIBILITY THAT THE EXCESSIVE SHOCK AND VIBRATIONS FROM THE BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. ESTIMATED REPAIRS FOR THIS PRE-MATURE FAILURE IS GOING TO COST ME AS MUCH AS $2000.00 ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. ANY INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED. |
| 832403 | 1998 TAURUS | August 09, 1998 | 0063000 | THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS DETERIORATED, WATER GOT INTO THE ENGINE & IT STARTED TO SPLATTER & STALL OUT. *AK |
| 542577 | 1998 TAURUS | September 26, 1998 | 0091500 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE HEAD, ROD, AND BEARINGS RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE. |
| 781360 | 1998 TAURUS | October 01, 1998 | 0063000 | TRANSMISSION / HEAD GASKET FAILURE. |
| 542804 | 1998 TAURUS | March 05, 1998 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 833145 | 1993 TAURUS | August 14, 1993 | 0045800 | ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS PARTS FAILING TO WORK PROPERLY. THEY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLOWN/ONE DEAD ENGINE CYLINDER NEEDS REPLACEMENT/ONE ENGINE MOUNT BROKE AND OTHER IS CRACKING/POWER STEERING MAKES GRINDING NOISES WHENEVER WHEEL IS TURNED, AND SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO RETRACT. *AK |
| 833185 | 1998 TAURUS | September 21, 1998 | 0100000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. *AK |
| 833278 | 1999 TAURUS | January 08, 1999 | 0077000 | SMOKE STARTED BOLWING OUT OF THE ENIGINE, AND ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE ENGINE DUE TO THE LOSS OF ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 833307 | 1999 TAURUS | January 08, 1999 | 0075000 | ENGINE COOLANT LEAK,CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 833812 | 1998 TAURUS | December 01, 1998 | 0006000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN OUT, CAUSING WATER TO GET INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE HAD STOPPED RUNNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 834335 | 1993 TAURUS | | 0000000 | ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM.CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER STATED AFTER INSPECTION THAT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE CHANGED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. |
| 701469 | 1998 TAURUS | November 21, 1998 | 0096000 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED REQUIRING ENGINE REPAIR TO INCLUDE HEAD GASKETS AND VALVE COVER GASKETS AS WELL AS COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH AND TUNE-UP. FORD STATES NO PROGRAM FOR ASSISTANCE THOUGH ON 94-95 MODELS A RECALL PROGRAM IS OFFERED. |
| 781356 | 1998 TAURUS | October 11, 1998 | 0114000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKED PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE. *AK |
| 543267 | 1997 TAURUS | August 21, 1997 | 0093707 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, RECALL COMPONENT ON OTHER MODEL YEAR, VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO YEAR. |
| 701690 | 1998 TAURUS | March 20, 1998 | 0070000 | HEAD GASKETS BLOWED OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3,000. MILES, WATER KEPT A CHECK ON WAS DRIVING HOME ON INTERSTATE WITH 2 YEAR OLD CHILD WHEN MOTOR STARTED RUNNING HOT, PULLED OVER COOLED OFF, CHECKED WATER IT EAS FINE, DROVE ON, WHEN GOT HOME WAS HOT AGAIN. THEY HAVE RECALLED 94 AND UP MOTORS SAME AS MINE, MAKES IT VERY QUESTIONABLE AS TO WHY 93 WAS NOT RECALLED. SPENT $2,000. DOLLARS TO FIX EVERYTHING. (LOTS OF MONEY TO SOME PEOPLE). OTHER PROBLEM IS SWITCH THAT TURNS WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON AND OFF, WORKS SOME TIMES, SOMETIMES DOESN'T. WILL COST OVER 200. DOLLARS TO FIX (KIND OF HIGH) , BUT HAS TO BE FIXED TO KEEP FROM WRECKING. |
| 543364 | 1998 TAURUS | November 20, 1998 | 0061128 | HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, RECALL COMPONENT ON OTHER MODEL YEARS HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO YEAR. |
| 835201 | 1999 TAURUS | February 10, 1999 | 0076000 | IN 3.8 LITER ENGINES, THE VEHICLE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO BE REPLACED 2X AND IT CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE WHICH NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. |
| 835448 | 1999 TAURUS | March 03, 1999 | 0075000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. NOTIFIED DEALER/MANUFACTURER. WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL, AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK |
| 702420 | 1999 TAURUS | January 12, 1999 | 0058700 | HEADGASKET BLEW WHILE DRIVING, STEAM CAME OUT OF EXHAUST, THEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT OVER TO THE HOT PEG. STOPPED CAR AND HAD BE TOWED BACK TO WOODBURY. DEALER TELLS US ALL FORD PRODUCTS WITH A 3.8 LITTER ENGINE SEEM TO BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAY THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR 3.8 LITTER ENGINES. |
| 702465 | 1998 TAURUS | November 11, 1998 | 0074000 | THE 1994 AND 1995 TAURUS AND SABLE HAVE BEEN CITED FOR HEAD GASKET FAILURES. I HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF OTHERS WHO HAVE REALIZED SIMILAR FAILURES OF THEIR 1993 VEHICLE HEAD GASKETS. I FEEL THAT THESE FAILURES REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW AND A THREAT TO VEHICLE SAFETY. OBVIOUSLY I HAVE HAD REPAIRS MADE TO THESE COMPONENTS. I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER MUST BE COMPELLED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, BOTH LEGAL AND FINANCIAL, FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE FORD EMBRACES THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER. THANKS. GF |
| 702503 | 1995 TAURUS | April 15, 1995 | 0017000 | AFTER BRINGING MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE A LACK OF HEAT, HE CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT AND THEN WATER PUMP. BUT NEITHER WAS THE PROBLEM.HE THEN SPOKE TO A FEW OTHER MECHANICS WHO TOLD HIM IT WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 3.8L FORD TAURUS ENGINES DUE TO FAULTY HEAD GASKETS. ALL OTHER PROBLEMS ARE SELF EXPLANATORY. *AK |
| 835769 | 1998 TAURUS | May 12, 1998 | 0058720 | WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. A LOUD NOISE IS COMING FROM THE STEERING. WHEN CONSUMER IS GOING UP A HILL, THERE IS A VERY LOUD BANGING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND CONSUMER HAD ENGINE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. CONSUMER IS HAVING A LOT OF NOISE PROBLEM. *AK |
| 703824 | 1999 TAURUS | February 26, 1999 | 0070000 | STARTER WIRE ATTACHED TO STARTER KEEPS FALLING OFF..FIRST TIME I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND MY GUARDING ANGEL WAS WITH ME AND I COASTED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND GOT HELP. ALL THE OTHER TIMES I WOULD GET IN THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. A TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOOK PITY ON ME AND TOLD ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND NOW I CAN GET UNDER THE CAR AND PLUG IT IN MY SELF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES. THEY OF COURSE NEVER TOLD ME HOW TO FIX IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. SECOND ISSUE IS THE HEAD GASKET. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, GETTING 2ND OPINION SINCE I HAD IT REPLACED IN JAN 1997. DEALER SAID IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY UNDER MPROGRAM 98M1 AS OF DEC 1998. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID DEALER WAS WRONG IT DEPENDED ON WHERE THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. WHERE DO I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MPROGRAM/98M1? I WANT TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THE 1ST INCIDENT. IS THE GASKET THE PROBLEM OR THE ENGINE? |
| 703881 | 1999 TAURUS | February 01, 1999 | 0050000 | THE CAR WAS OVER-HEATING BUT ICE COLD AIR WAS COMING OUT OF VENTS WHEN HEAT WAS DIALED UP TO THE MAX (90*F). UNDERSTANDABLY THE CAR WAS RUNNING A LITTLE IRRATICALLY (SPUTTERING & HESITATING). I OPENED CAR HOOD TO FIND ALL THE ANTIFREEZE IN THE RESERVOIR LEAKING AND READY TO EXPLODE. A LOCAL MECHANIC SAW THIS AND SAID THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IS SHOT, THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE WITHIN THE COMPRESSION SYSTEM IS NOW TRANSMITTED INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM SO ANTIFREEZE CAN'T CIRCULATE FREELY TO COOL ENGINE OR ENTER HEATING CORE TO FACILITATE HOT AIR INTO CAR (PARTICULARLY INCONVENIENT IN THE NORTHEAST ABOUT NOW) AND ALSO THE REASON IT'S NEARLY EXPLODING FROM COOLANT RESERVOIR. IT'S PRESENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE ($1500.00) AT CARMAN FORD. MY LOCAL MECHANIC DIDN'T WAN'T TO ATTEMPT IT. HE ADMITTED THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH TAURUS'/SABLES AND AT 50000MLS, IT'S VERY PREMATURE. CARMAN FORD OF COURSE CONCURRED WITH HIS DIAGNOSIS AND WHEN I ASKED IF THEY COULD FIX IT THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY REPAIR SEVERAL A WEEK OR MONTH (I CAN'T REMEMBER, I THINK I WAS IN SHOCK). THEY WOULDN'T GUARANTEE THERE WOULD BE NO RESIDUAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, BUT IF I WANTED TO TRADE UP TO A NEW MODEL BEFORE SINKING THIS MUCH $ INTO MY OWN, THEY'D BE HAPPY TO CALL A SALESMAN NEXTDOOR. I CALLED FORD MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY AND AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, I RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. |
| 835873 | 1998 TAURUS | December 30, 1998 | 0910000 | VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH 3.8 V6 ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE; DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 704382 | 1999 TAURUS | March 10, 1999 | 0060000 | I AWS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON THIS CAR IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WAS BEING FIXED UNDER A SILENT RECALL FORMAT. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE OF WHERE AND WHEN IT COULD HAPPEN. THE DEALER OR FORD WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS AND WILL NOT GIVE ME ANY FURTHUR INFO. |
| 544218 | 1998 TAURUS | October 01, 1998 | 0068500 | ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKETS. |
| 836921 | 1999 TAURUS | January 29, 1999 | 0058000 | STEERING WHEEL FEELS LIKE IT'S GRINDING. WOULD MAKE NOISES WHILE TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN & NEEDED REPLACING. THE PROBLEM WITH STEERING WHEEL HAPPENED SOON AFTERWARDS. *AK |
| 542804 | 1998 TAURUS | March 05, 1998 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 837344 | 1993 TAURUS | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE PREMATURELY BLOWN, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK |
| 837536 | 1997 TAURUS | November 01, 1997 | 0043000 | SPEEDOMETER SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING A CLICKING NOISE AND WHEN VEHICLE IS OPERATED ABOVE 50 MPH. SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WILL MOVE UP AND DOWN, AND OCCUPANT CANNOT TELL HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS GOING. DEALER REPLACED SPEEDOMETER ONCE. NEEDS TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS PART OF IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN OF 1994 & 1995'S. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. |
| 705710 | 1997 TAURUS | May 05, 1997 | 0029553 | I HAD NO RESOLUTION ON TIE RODS FROM DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED, AND CURRENTLY WITH THE FAILED HEAD GASKET AT ONLY 48,000 MILES, DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL TAURUS. I DID FIND THIS PROBLEM WITH TIE RODS AND AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM ON SERVICE BULLETINS AT THIS WEB SITE. *AK |
| 780454 | 1998 TAURUS | September 07, 1998 | 0098500 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE. |
| 539805 | 1998 TAURUS | February 02, 1998 | 0042922 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE. |
| 706845 | 1999 TAURUS | May 19, 1999 | 0060000 | HEAD GASKET ON ENGINE FAILING. RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO CYLINDER. ALSO LEAKING OUT OF TIMING BELT COVER. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN FILED WITH NHTSA. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS DENIED MY VERBAL REQUEST TO REPLACE ENGINE AT FORD'S COST. *AK |
| 838849 | 1999 TAURUS | May 15, 1999 | 0076000 | WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, IT BACK FIRED / IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. AFTER DIAGNOSTICS WAS DONE, ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS FOUND TO BE BLOWN. ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS BEING REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *YC |
| 540169 | 1998 TAURUS | August 17, 1998 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO FOUL SPARK PLUG, AND HEAD GASKET MUST BE REPLACED. FORD ISSUED A TSB IN MARCH 1998, ARTICLE 98-4-9, (ISSUED OVER 5 YEARS AFTER MODEL YEAR) IDENTIFING THIS AS A PROBLEM. THEIR WORDS COOLANT MAY LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKET. CAUSED BY INSUFFICENT SEALING OF THE HEAD GASKET. THE IMPROPER SEALING IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SOULD BE REMEDIED BY FORD. FORD HAS DECLINED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. |
| 841190 | 1998 TAURUS | September 30, 1998 | 0099000 | TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO OVERHEATING. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD BE INDICATING HOT (OVERHEATING). MECHANIC RULED OUT HEAD GASKETS, BUT DID REPAIR SOMETHING ELSE. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FINALLY IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED HEAD GASKET. WAS A SERVICED BULLETIN ON VEHICLE DURING THIS TIME. DEALER/MANUFACTURER INDICATED OWNER SHOULD PAY. OWNER FELT MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY SINCE IT HAPPENED WHEN SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ACTIVE. *AK |
| 841516 | 1999 TAURUS | June 24, 1999 | 0070000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK |
| 841575 | 1998 TAURUS | December 12, 1998 | 0080000 | WAS TRAVELING 50-55MPH WHEN SMOKE STARTED FILLING THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DRIVER COULD NOT SEE TO DRIVE. MANAGED TO PULL TO SIDE & CALLED AAA. TOW ARRIVED & DRIVER CHECKED UNDER HOOD. INFORMED OWNER THAT HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN OUT. *AK |
| 841609 | 1993 TAURUS | | 0122000 | THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED DUE TO NO HEAT OVER A MONTH & HALF AGO. TWO (2) WEEKS AFTER REPLACEMENT HAVE NO OIL IN LOWER HALF OF ENGINE, WHICH HAD LOWER THE PRESSURE. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE NEW HEAD GASKETS. THERE IS A TSB BUT NOT FOR THIS VEHICLE. |
| 537685 | 1998 TAURUS | June 25, 1998 | 0064000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW. |
| 843806 | 1999 TAURUS | July 29, 1999 | 0061000 | FAULTY ENGINE HEAD GASKET CAN ALLOW ENGINE COOLANT TO GET INSIDE THE INNER ENGINE.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK |
| 546277 | 1993 TAURUS | | 0085000 | A NEW ENGINE WAS INSTALLED DUE TO FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN NOISE. HOWEVER ON THREE OCCASIONS THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED AT 85,000 / THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED TWICE AT 77,000 MILES, ENGINE FAILURE STILL EXITS. *YC |
| 708474 | 1999 TAURUS | February 01, 1999 | 0045000 | HELP!! FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE FAILED HEAD GASKETS, WHICH COST ME A LITTLE OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE. THEY CLAIM MY 5 YEAR WARRANTY IS UP AND THAT'S THAT. ACCORDING TO MUCH RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON SEVERAL FORD MODELS WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, SINCE FORD HAS ISSUED A REVISED HEAD GASKET TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE. CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ON A POSSIBLE CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT, SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY CONSUMERS INVOLVED WITH THIS? THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE. |
| 708543 | 1993 TAURUS | | 0000000 | REPLACED HEAD GASKET AND MOTOR MOUNTS, DEALER DENIED RESPONSIBILITY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS STUCK IN RAISED POSITION FOR THE LAST 40000 MILES. POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED TWICE, DRAGGING REAR BRAKES, REPLACED ONCE, ACTIVE AGAIN. *AK |
| 710068 | 1995 TAURUS | October 01, 1995 | 0035595 | SINCE OCTOBER 1995 MY TAURUS HAS IRREGULAR FUNCTION OF THE FUEL AND/OR IGNITION SYSTEMS WHICH CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY, USUALLY DURING HOT WEATHER. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPS. OF COURSE, I LOSE THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS STALLING, WHICH IS SIMILAR TO A "VAPOR LOCK" PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS AT SLOW SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, IDLING THROUGH A PARKING LOT, AND SLOWING DOWN TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT HAVE ALL BROUGHT ON THIS UNSAFE SITUATION MANY TIMES. 100+ EPISODES IS A VERY LOW ESTIMATE OF THE TIMES MY CAR HAS BEEN DISABLED IN TRAFFIC UNTIL I CAN CHANGE GEARS TO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE OUT OF SERVICE AND EXAMINED AT RIVERSIDE FORD AND PARKER AUTOMOTIVE IN MACON, GEORGIA WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT IN THESE MONTHS: OCTOBER 1995, JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST 1996, JULY 1997, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST AND OCTOBER 1998, JULY AND AUGUST 1999. DO YOU SEE THE HOT WEATHER PATTERN? WE HAVE REPLACED THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE MLP SENSOR, THE AIR METER AND THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TUNED UP TWICE AND HAD THE FUEL INJECTORS CLEANED. I USE ONLY 89 OCTANE OR PREMIUM FROM A VARIETY OF GASOLINE VENDORS. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD FAILURES OF THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT AND THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. I CHECKED EVERY ITEM OF THE ALLDATA DISC AND ASKED MY MECHANICS TO EVALUATE EACH POSSIBILITY. ON THE LAST VISIT TO RIVERSIDE FORD IN JULY 1999, WHEN I COMPLAINED THAT INTERMITTENT STALLING CONTINUED JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PAID THEM FOR A NEW FUEL PUMP, THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED MY PROBLEMS WERE DUE TO A DETERIORATING HEAD GASKET. I OBTAINED A SECOND OPINION FROM PARKER AND AN REASONABLY CERTAIN THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE INTERMITTENT STALLING IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH IMPAIRS SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, HAS COST ME MORE THAN $1,000 IN UNSUCCESSFUL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, AND WHICH FORD SHOULD CORRECT NOW. |
| 848623 | 1996 TAURUS | January 01, 1996 | 0072000 | THE HEAD GASKET HAS AN INTERNAL LEAK WHICH MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. COMMON PROBLEM PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MJS |
| 850730 | 1993 TAURUS | | 0000000 | WHILE DRIVING TEMPERATURE GUAGE STARTED GOING UP. AFTER A WHILE VEHICLE LOST WATER, AND ENGINE OVERHEATED. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 851309 | 1999 TAURUS | September 30, 1999 | 0058000 | VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER AND INFORMED THAT ENGINE HEAD IS LEAKING DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ALSO 3.8L ENGINE. WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO GET NHTSA ON THIS PROBLEM; WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP ON THIS MATTER. *AK |
| 712540 | 1999 TAURUS | August 01, 1999 | 0091000 | DRIVING ON CROWDED HIGHWAY IN 3RD LANE UPHILL WITH WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN IN CAR WHEN ENGINE HAD SUDDEN ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND WHITE SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT EXHAUST. HAD TO GO THROUGH 2 LANES OF HEAVY TRAFFIC TO MAKE IT TO BREAKDOWN LANE. ENGINE QUIT IN 1ST LANE WITH ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. THEN HAD TO WAIT ON SIDE OF HIGHWAY FOR TOWTRUCK. EXTREMELY HEAVY WHITE SMOKE ALSO BLINDED CARS BEHIND US AND MADE IT TOUGH FOR THEM TO SEE. I FEEL HEAD GASKET SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 100K MILES MINIMUM AND SHOULD NOT FAIL SO CATASTROPHICALLY. UNDERSTAND THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE AND FORD HAS A SECRET OWNER REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR CARS UNDER 5 YEARS/60K MILES. HEAD GASKET DEFINITALY SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 60K MILES. I ALSO FEEL THIS HIDDEN WARRANTY SHOULD BE EXTENDED AND THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT IN THIS ENGINE. |
| 852752 | 1993 TAURUS | | 0000000 | VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING DUE TO THE FAULTY ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED FAN/ RADIATOR, AND WATER PUMP. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTE, AND DEALER HAD SEEN VEHICLE 7 MORE TIMES. DEALER REPLACED THE GASKETS. BUT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STILL CAME ON. ALSO THE VEHICLE STILL OVERHEATED. *AK |
| 852987 | 1999 TAURUS | November 14, 1999 | 0100000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 713856 | 1999 TAURUS | August 06, 1999 | 0117733 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET |
| 714120 | 1999 TAURUS | February 24, 1999 | 0116500 | ENGINE FAILURE FROM HEADGASKET FAILURE AT 116500 MILES. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 97000 MILES BROKEN CLUTCH PISTON. |
| 715175 | 1999 TAURUS | October 18, 1999 | 0041000 | THIS 3.8L ENGINE RUNS VERY HOT AND WILL CAUSE THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS TO CRACK. THE RESULT IS THAT ENGINE COOLANT ENTERS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOULING THE SPARK PLUGS AND USING UP THE COOLANT. THE END RESULT IS THAT THERE IS VIOLENT VIBRATION IN THE ENGINE AND IF YOU CONTINUE DRIVING, YOU WILL DESTROY THE ENGINE. IF THIS HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC, IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. |
| 715673 | 1999 TAURUS | September 01, 1999 | 0026512 | I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT A BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON A TAURUS IS A COMMON OCCURENCE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE ON THIS MATTER. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OR A WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALERS ARE TELLING ME I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 27000 MI. ON IT. THANK YOU FOR ANY INFO YOU CAN PROVIDE. |
| 854114 | 1993 TAURUS | | 0000000 | ANTI- FREEZE WAS BLOWING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE DUE TO BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. DEALER REPLACED 2 HEAD GASKETS. *AK |
| 534549 | 1998 TAURUS | April 19, 1998 | 0064000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. |
| 534532 | 1998 TAURUS | April 18, 1998 | 0064000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 537581 | 1995 TAURUS | | 0000000 | RECALL ON HEAD GASKET MAY RESULT IN ENGINE OVERHEATING OR ENGINE FAILURE, THIS FAILURE HAS NOT YET OCCURED AND REPAIR CAN NOT BE DONE UNTIL FAILURE IS EXPERIENCED DUE TO RECALL GUIDELINES. |
| 700209 | 1998 TAURUS | August 31, 1998 | 0051411 | VEHICLE WAS RETURNED FROM PIONEER FORD AFTER HEAD GASKET FAILURE, FAILURE OF HEAD GASKET WAS COVERED BY FORD UNDER RECALL, 2 DAYS LATER VEHICLE OVERHEATED AGAIN, THIS TIME CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE MAIN CONTROL COVER GASKET FAILURE ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK IN THE OIL. FORD REFUSED TO COVER THIS FAILURE EVEN THOUGH FAILURE WAS TO TO THE SAME CAUSE AS HEAD GASKET FAILURE. SERVICE BULLETIN 96-17-14 IS FOR A NEW ELASTOMERIC GASKET FOR THE MAIN CONTROL COVER AND PAN THAT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS FAILURE. |
| 832684 | 1998 TAURUS | October 30, 1998 | 0051000 | RECALL # 98M01KAA, HEAD GASKETS PREMATURELY FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE PROBLEMS. DEFECTIVE GASKET CAUSED ENGINE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE RECALL, BUT DID NOT REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED, HAD THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET REPLACED, BUT IT CAUSED MORE DAMAGING ENGINE PROBLEMS WHICH FORD WAS NOT GOING TO COVER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFOR ATION. *AK |
| 833330 | 1999 TAURUS | January 06, 1999 | 0076000 | CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY AN MECHANIC THAT THRE ARE TWO DIFFERENT METALS, AND THE FRICTIONS AND CONTRAST CAUSED THE ALUMINUM METAL TO WEAR OUT AND BLOW OUT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 540904 | 1995 TAURUS | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED. |
| 544160 | 1995 TAURUS | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 837014 | 1998 TAURUS | May 20, 1998 | 0064000 | IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. CAN TAKE KEY OUT OF SWITCH & ENGINE STILL GOING. HAD 2 IGNITION SWITCHES REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE, POSSIBLY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. ALSO,ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AT 64,000/FUEL PUMP REPLACED DUE TO OVERHEATING, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER PUTS OUT AN ODOR WHEN RUNNING FOR AWHILE. BEEN TO DEALER EACH TIME ABOUT PROBLEMS. HAD ALSO NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER & TOLD NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *AK |
| 706004 | 1999 TAURUS | April 01, 1999 | 0090000 | I WAS TOLD BY FORD THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RUINED ENGINE. BUT HAD THEY NOT INSTALLED FAULTY HEAD GASKETS, OVERHEATING WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURED AND THEN RUINED THE ENGINE. THIS CAR IS NO LONGER USEABLE, CAN YOU HELP, PLEASE? WHO CAN I CONTACT ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU |
| 545418 | 1995 TAURUS | | 0048000 | CONSUMER NOT NOTIFIED OF HEAD GASKET RECALL DUE TO VIN. (RECALL 98M01) NLM |
| 545841 | 1999 TAURUS | May 11, 1999 | 0000000 | VEHICLE OVERHEATING DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MJS |
| 842740 | 1995 TAURUS | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN WHICH CAUSED THE CHECK OIL LIGHT TO COME ON. VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN RIGHT NOW. DEALER HAS VEHICLE. *AK |
| 707981 | 1999 TAURUS | June 27, 1999 | 0064275 | OUR VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS USUAL PRIOR TO THE BREAKDOWN. WE HAD RECENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE TUNED UP, AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO A SKIP PROBLEM AND LOWER THEN NORMAL GAS MILEAGE. WE HAD JUST COMPLETED A 45 MINUTE TRIP IN THE VEHICLE AND STOPPED FOR DINNER. WE WERE IN THE RESTAURANT FOR 45 MINUTES AND THEN RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETE OUR TRIP. UPON LEAVING THE RESTAURANT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKIP BADLY, WITH SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST, AND THE TEMPERTURE GAUGE BEGAN TO RISE. WE IMMEDITALLY TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE SAID WE HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. UPON CONTACTING OUR FORD DEALERSHIP WE WERE TOLD THAT YES, FORD HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE, BUT THAT WE WERE PAST THE DEC.31, 1998 DEADLINE AND THE 60,000 MILES. WE CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER INQUIRY DEPARTMENT, BUT WE WERE TOLD THE SAMETHING. WE FEEL THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *AK |
| 547202 | 1999 TAURUS | May 01, 1999 | 0065500 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. *YC |
| 708463 | 1999 TAURUS | June 16, 1999 | 0065000 | THE DESERT MOTORS SERVICE DEPT. SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, MY VEHICLE AND ENGINE WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I SENT A LETTER OF COMPLAINT AND DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE FAILED AND DEFORMED HEAD GASKET TO FORD MTR. CO., CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CTR. IN DEARBORN, MICH. BUT SO FAR NO RESPONSE |
| 851261 | 1996 TAURUS | December 01, 1996 | 0080500 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT TWICE. DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET DUE TO OIL LEAKING. ALSO, CRANKCASE WENT OUT, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK |
| 712217 | 1998 TAURUS | December 01, 1998 | 0052000 | HEAD GASKET WAS RECALLED IN 1998 AND REPLACED. IS THERE ANY SIMILARITY OR CONNECTION TO THIS GASKET LEAK. MATERIAL DEFECTS, ETC. I'VE BEEN QUOTED $500 TO FIX. |
| 712779 | 1999 TAURUS | June 10, 1999 | 0075000 | DEALER NEVER INFORMED MANUFATURER OF PURCHASE 0F 1995 TAURUS. NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF EXTENTED WARRENTY 98M01.CALLED FORD WHO STILL HAD ME DRIVING A 1992 TAURUS.HEAD GASKET BLEW 6/10/99. COST OF REPAIR $ 993.51. DEALER MADE NO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT PROBLEM . |
| 714458 | 1999 TAURUS | October 25, 1999 | 0075632 | FORD IS AWARE OF THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS...I RECIEVED A NOTICE,HOWEVER WHEN MY ENGINE GASKET BLEW AND THE CAR OVERHEATED I WAS AT 75,600.600 MILES OVER THE EXTENDED WARENTY.NOW 3 DAYS AFTER PAYING FOR A NEW GASKET AND ALL THE REPAIRS MY DEALER SAID THE CAR NEEDED.I WAS TOLD THE CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE WHICH WILL COST AND ESTIMATED 3,500-4,000$MORE.....MAY I ADD THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YRS OLD....FORD WILL NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONCIBILITY.NOW YOU MUST BE ASKING YOURSELF....IS THIS A SAFTY ISSUE?.LET ME ANSWER THAT.WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING 55MPH AND YOUR ENGINE STALLS BECAUSE IT LOST OIL PRESSURE AFTER IT GOT HOT,AND YOU SUDDENLY LOSE ALL POWER....WELL YES....IT ALMOST CAUSED A VERY BAD ACCIDENT I. |
| 715870 | 1999 TAURUS | December 01, 1999 | 0064000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAK HAS CAUSED THE NEED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR, TIMING CHAIN COVER, BEARINGS, CRANK AND CAM SHAFT, MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REBUILT, BUT THE WARRANTY CO. THAT THE FORD DEALER SOLD US AS THEY WOULD NOT SELL US THE FORD WARRANTY AS WE BOUGHT A DEMO WILL ONLY PUT IN A JUNK YARD MOTOR FROM A CAR THAT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS APPROX. 30,000 MILES ON IT WE ARE PAYING ON A RENTAL CAR AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT LET THE PUBLIC KNOW THAT THEIR ENGINE HEAD GASKETS LEAK, AND THAT THE WHOLE MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF INTERMIXING OF FUEL. WE HAD NO PRIOR WARNING UNTIL WE HAD A LEAK OF ANTI-FREEZE NOW WE WILL HAVE SOME KIND OF JUNK YARD MOTOR FROM SOME CAR AND BILLS BEYOND WHAT THE WARRANTY WILL COVER. WE WANT TO BE PART OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD WHO WHEN WE CALLED THEM SAID "SORRY." *AK |
| 361044 | 1990 THUNDERBIRD | March 24, 1990 | 0024000 | ENGINE BLEW ROD AT SPEED OF 30 MPH, HEAD GASKET BLEW, REPLACEMENT OF UPPER/LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED. RCA |
| 403735 | 1991 THUNDERBIRD | November 19, 1991 | 0023000 | ENGINE HEADS WARPED AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS CRACKED, ALTHOUGH NEWLY INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. ,AK |
| 405026 | 1991 THUNDERBIRD | March 15, 1991 | 0032000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW. *LDG |
| 837787 | 1995 THUNDERBIRD | April 26, 1995 | 0080000 | WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY. 70MPH WHEN ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW AT 50K (1ST TIME). SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AT 70K. DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING WHEN THE ANTI-FREEZE DROWNS THE ENGINE & IT STALLS OUT. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE ENGINE TO BACKFIRE. *AK |
| 531298 | 1998 THUNDERBIRD | January 21, 1998 | 0053422 | HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL IN TRAFFIC. |
| 836743 | 1998 THUNDERBIRD | November 22, 1998 | 0070000 | WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. *AK |
| 534729 | 1998 THUNDERBIRD | March 30, 1998 | 0058355 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. IN ADDITION, BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. |
| 539732 | 1998 THUNDERBIRD | August 03, 1998 | 0080295 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 829997 | 1998 THUNDERBIRD | October 11, 1998 | 0093000 | VEHICLE RUNNING ROUGH. PULLED OVER AFTER NOTICING WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM TAILPIPE. WATER WAS GONE FROM OVERFLOW. RADIATOR DRY. TOLD WAS BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 781299 | 1998 THUNDERBIRD | October 01, 1998 | 0085000 | HEAD GASKET/ HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILURES. |
| 834208 | 1993 THUNDERBIRD | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE GONE BAD, CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC 6 MONTHS AGO THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 834615 | 1993 THUNDERBIRD | | 0000000 | TEMPERATURE NEEDLE RUNS HIGH ON THE CAR, AND BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING OUT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MECHANIC SAID THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. *AK |
| 841490 | 1999 THUNDERBIRD | June 25, 1999 | 0060000 | WHILE DRIVING AT 45MH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT,CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE. *AK |
| 842597 | 1999 THUNDERBIRD | June 25, 1999 | 0060000 | WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. *AK |
| 709322 | 1999 THUNDERBIRD | June 04, 1999 | 0059900 | THE CAR OVERHEATS AND RUNS POORLY, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A LEAKY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. I HAD IT CHECKED FOR HYDRO CARBONS AT A GARAGE WHICH IT HAS, INDICATING A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD THAT THE LOCAL MERCURY DEALER WAS FLOODED WITH 3.8L BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIER WILL BE A RECALL. |
| 710920 | 1999 THUNDERBIRD | August 14, 1999 | 0075200 | WITHOUT WARNING, HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AT 75,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO FORD RECOMMENDED SERVICE SCHEDULE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN 1989-1995 FORD 3.8L V6 ENGINES. |
| 711348 | 1993 THUNDERBIRD | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKETS: W/O ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER SUDDENLY THERE APPEARED WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST PIPE, TEMP. GAUAGE WENT UP, CAR HAD NOT BEEN USING ANY OIL AND/OR ANTI-FREEZE WHICH IS A HEADS UP TO SUCH A PROBLEM OCCURING. ALL MAINTENANCE HAD ALWAYS BEEN KEPT UP ON A REGULAR BASIS ON VEHICLE. TOLD AT TIME THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED THAT THE NEXT THING THAT WOULD HAPPEN WOULD BE THE ENGINE WOULD GO. THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPT. JUST LIKE MECHANIC SAID, THE ENGINE WENT THERE AGAIN, W/O ANY NOTICE. IT THROUGH A ROD. WAS TOLD THAT TO SAVE PROBLEMS/TIME, SHOULD ACTUALLY JUST GO AHEAD AND REPLACE BOTH WHEN DOING THE OTHER BECUASE IT WOULD HAPPEN. TOLD FORD MOTOR AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITHIN A 3 YR. RANGE ON THIS MOTOR & HEAD GASKETS. THEY HAVE SENSE IMPROVED PROBLEM BUT THAT DOES NOTHING TO HELP OUT THOSE OF US WHO BOUGHT THOSE YEARS. PUT OUT THE MONEY OR PART IT OUT! FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE KEPT UP OUR VEHICLES, WE HAVE NO CHOICE. FORD MOTOR KNOWINGLY AWARE OF THIS SHOULD HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY. AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION IN ORDER TO DISCUSS BUT KNOW WHAT THEY'LL HAVE TO SAY..."OUT OF WARRANTY"...YOU'RE STUCK! |
| 852738 | 1999 THUNDERBIRD | November 06, 1999 | 0070000 | WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AT APPROX 45MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKING/ROUGH IDLING. CONTACTED LOCAL MECHANIC THERE WAS A BLOWEN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHO SAID THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *AK |
| 713819 | 1999 THUNDERBIRD | October 23, 1999 | 0066000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT AND BLOWING WATER THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING OF OVERHEATING WHATSOEVER. AS A MATTER OF FACT, NO PROBLEMS INCURRED UP TO THIS POINT. THIS INCIDENT LEFT DRIVER STRANDED AS VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILIZED. |
| 539533 | 1998 THUNDERBIRD | May 29, 1998 | 0059800 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 833863 | 1994 THUNDERBIRD | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET SEAL HAS BLOWN, CAUSING OIL AND ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK ALL OVER THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 709450 | 1998 THUNDERBIRD | August 01, 1998 | 0000000 | 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, TRANSMISSION FAILED, WAS REBUILT. IN 1998 HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS, PADS AND CALIBERS REPLACED. ALSO, IN 1998, HEAD GASKETS BLEW, HAD TO REPLACE. IN 1999, PCV AND PCP VALVE REPLACE, OIL SENSOR, DASHBOARD GUAGE MODULE REPLACED. NOW IN AUGUST OF 1999, TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AGAIN. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. |
| 705142 | 1999 THUNDERBIRD | March 08, 1999 | 0058144 | UPON RESEARCH OF THE 3.8 FORD ENGINES, I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, MOST SPECIFICALLY IN THE TAURUS. HOWEVER, THE THUNDERBIRD IS ALSO EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. FORD HAS RECALLED THE TAURUS, BUT NOT THE THUNDERBIRD. THERE WERE NO PRIOR EVIDENCES OF GASKET TROUBLES. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT BY 2 KNOWLEDGEABLE MECHANICS PRIOR TO PURCHASE, AND BY MY REGULAR MECHANIC PRIOR TO THE USED WARRANTY. ALL AGREED IT TO BE A CLEAN CAR AND GOOD DEAL. THE HEAD GASKETS JUST BLEW WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. AFTER LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS WITH FORD, THEY REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND THE DEFFECT. *AK |
| 548064 | 1999 THUNDERBIRD | June 26, 1999 | 0059596 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. NLM |
| 709960 | 1999 THUNDERBIRD | August 10, 1999 | 0038142 | AT THE TIME OF FAILURE, MY VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING @40MPH. A THICK WHITE SMOKE, WITH AN ODOR, WAS EMITTED FROM EXHAUST. THE CAR HAD NOT OVERHEATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. UPON BRING THE CAR TO A LICENCED FORD DEALER (ISLAND FORD, IN STATEN ISLAND NY), I LEARNED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN REQUIRIN $1500 IN REPAIR CHARGES. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS OF THE SAME CIRCUSTANCE WITH OTHER FORDS OF THE SAME YEAR THAT ALSO HAVE 3.8L ENGINES. RECALL 98-M01 WAS ISSUED TO COVER THE OTHER VEHICLES, HOWEVER, THE THUNDERBIRD MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. |
| 517608 | 1997 WINDSTAR | March 01, 1997 | 0049721 | HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO A SMALL PINHOLE LEAK. *AK |
| 521339 | 1997 WINDSTAR | July 02, 1997 | 0016000 | UPON APPLICATION OF BRAKES VEHICLE CLANGS/RATTLES AT LOW SPEED WHEN GOING UPHILL. ALSO REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS/DRUMS/CALIPERS AND BLOWN OUT ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 818951 | 1997 WINDSTAR | October 27, 1997 | 0062000 | VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING ROUGH. CALLED DEALER & INFORMED TIMING CHAIN HOUSING WAS GONE. NEEDS TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS. *AK |
| 523462 | 1997 WINDSTAR | September 23, 1997 | 0058000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSINGENGINE ROD TO BREAK/ENGINE HEAD TO WARP. *AK |
| 819544 | 1997 WINDSTAR | October 31, 1997 | 0059000 | THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET BLEW WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE BLOCK TO CRACK AND OVERHEAT THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DIE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK |
| 521102 | 1997 WINDSTAR | July 25, 1997 | 0038800 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET. |
| 819697 | 1997 WINDSTAR | November 23, 1997 | 0038000 | DRIVING AT APPROX 60 MPH STARTED TO SMELL ANTI FREEZE, SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST, WENT TO DEALER , HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. *AK |
| 523420 | 1997 WINDSTAR | April 29, 1997 | 0042729 | HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON/OFF. *AK |
| 821553 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0038000 | VEHICLE HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK |
| 821956 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 10, 1998 | 0051000 | CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE IDLING A BIT ROUGH AND JERKING ON HIGHWAY. THE HEATER WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, THEN CONSUMER NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS AT THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE POSSIBLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO TOOK THE ENGINE APART, AND SAW THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS FAULTY, THEN REPLACED IT. THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS DUE TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET WHICH ALL WERE REPAIRED. *AK |
| 822127 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 18, 1998 | 0045000 | WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSTAR, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, SMOKE COMES FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND WINDSTAR SLOWS DOWN AND HARDLY ACCELERATES. DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS A HEAD GASKET AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *AK |
| 532262 | 1997 WINDSTAR | November 01, 1997 | 0032488 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO MISS AND HESITATE. |
| 523936 | 1997 WINDSTAR | September 28, 1997 | 0045453 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK |
| 532677 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0045000 | NEEDED HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT AT 53,000 MILES |
| 822293 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 30, 1998 | 0042000 | THE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN OUT PREMATURELY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 533473 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 01, 1998 | 0046880 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK AND OVERHEAT. |
| 822762 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 18, 1998 | 0056000 | WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH THE HEAD GASKET BLEW UP, LEAVING VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE, AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. CONSUMER SAID THE PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER CONSUMERS BEFORE. *AK |
| 823123 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BEEN BLOWN AND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. DEALER HAS FIXED. *AK |
| 823203 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 28, 1998 | 0046000 | WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 60MPH IT STARTED TO OVERHEAT. TOOK TO DEALER & THE MECHANIC SAID THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. ALSO THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD. *AK |
| 823381 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 28, 1998 | 0058000 | WHIILE DRIVING THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 823433 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH, WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING WATER ONTO ENGINE, CAUSING HEAD GASKET TO BLOW UP, AND VEHICLE TO MAKE LOUD NOISE. *AK |
| 823432 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING WHICH CAUSED WATER TO GET INTO HEAD GASKET OF ENGINE, RESULTING IN A BLOWN HEAD GASKET |
| 823558 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | AT HIGH SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD FEEL AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE. DEALER IS FIXING IT. *AK |
| 823821 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 15, 1998 | 0047000 | ENGINE BLEW HEAD GASKET. VEHICLE OVERHEATED & STOPPED RUNNING. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC SAID HEAD GASKETS FAILED IN 3.8 LITER MOTOR. HEAD GASKETS REPLACED. FORD & OWNER SPLIT COST. *AK |
| 823954 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 01, 1998 | 0049000 | CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER COMPLAINING ABOUT AN ODOR COMING FROM THE HEATER, AND THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. LESS THEN TWO DAYS AFTERWARDS, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 533582 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 08, 1998 | 0054000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP SHUDDER. ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. |
| 535974 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 01, 1998 | 0042000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 825996 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0061000 | HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BLOW. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 826051 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0055000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AT 43,000 MILES. ALSO PROBLEM CAUSED ENGINE PISTONS TO OVERHEAT. DEALERS ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM. |
| 826259 | 1996 WINDSTAR | November 27, 1996 | 0037000 | TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER DID A TRANSAXLE REPAIR, PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR/ HEAD GASKETS/ INTAKE MANIFOLD/ ABS SYSTEM, AND REAR WIPER SWITCH MOTOR. *AK |
| 535603 | 1998 WINDSTAR | January 01, 1998 | 0065000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET/TRANSMISSION FAILED. |
| 535626 | 1997 WINDSTAR | November 28, 1997 | 0056294 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 535672 | 1997 WINDSTAR | August 01, 1997 | 0038000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 535661 | 1997 WINDSTAR | May 11, 1997 | 0047000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 535653 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 06, 1998 | 0043113 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 535469 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 09, 1998 | 0056000 | HEADGASKET FAILED. |
| 535472 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 12, 1998 | 0022500 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 535500 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 535515 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 10, 1998 | 0060000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 534588 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 02, 1998 | 0051423 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET/TRANSMISSION FAILED. |
| 534591 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 15, 1998 | 0069000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. |
| 534605 | 1995 WINDSTAR | April 13, 1995 | 0065000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE (CRACKED) ENGINE HEAD CYLINDER. |
| 535002 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 08, 1998 | 0049300 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 535004 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 10, 1998 | 0054445 | HEAD GASKET/RADIATOR/THERMOSTAT AND HEATER CORE FAILED. |
| 537973 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0036000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET. |
| 536055 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 20, 1998 | 0047900 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET. |
| 539495 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 10, 1998 | 0069275 | TWO ENGINE FAILURES AS A RESULT OF HEAD GASKET/CYLINDER HEAD FAILURE. (QCAW) |
| 536118 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0072000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 535930 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 19, 1998 | 0063400 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. |
| 535925 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 01, 1998 | 0044000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE. |
| 535275 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 14, 1998 | 0070110 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED. |
| 540743 | 1998 WINDSTAR | August 15, 1998 | 0075089 | HEAD GASKET FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. ALSO, WATER PUMP AND ENGINE PISTON ROD BEARINGS #2,5 AND 6 REPLACED. |
| 533386 | 1998 WINDSTAR | January 01, 1998 | 0063000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK |
| 534024 | 1997 WINDSTAR | October 23, 1997 | 0049097 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK |
| 534746 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 01, 1998 | 0069000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. *AK |
| 537516 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET AND TRANSMISSION FAILED. |
| 539186 | 1997 WINDSTAR | December 01, 1997 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW. |
| 534996 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 08, 1998 | 0049300 | HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AT 49300 MILES. |
| 534706 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 04, 1998 | 0051886 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AT LOW MILEAGE. ALSO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. |
| 534556 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 20, 1998 | 0064296 | BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. |
| 533739 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 30, 1998 | 0072169 | HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. |
| 534212 | 1998 WINDSTAR | February 01, 1998 | 0052000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. |
| 534911 | 1995 WINDSTAR | April 13, 1995 | 0065000 | DEFECTIVE/CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSED HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. |
| 534884 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 13, 1998 | 0066023 | DEFECTIVE ENGINE CYLINDER THAT HAD A SMALL GAP IN IT, APPARENTLY FROM A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, CAUSED HEAD GASKET TO BLOW OUT. |
| 533197 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 16, 1998 | 0045800 | REPLACED DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. |
| 532945 | 1998 WINDSTAR | February 28, 1998 | 0056162 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAK. |
| 535062 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 23, 1998 | 0042300 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 535063 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 16, 1998 | 0053424 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSED RADIATOR FLUID TO EMIT FROM TAIL PIPE. ALSO ENGINE CRANKSHAFT FAILED. |
| 535187 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 01, 1998 | 0089571 | HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. |
| 830827 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0079000 | IE 98 080;TIMING GASKET IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE, CAUSING THE HEADGASKETS TO FAIL. DEALER ARE AWARE OF DEFECT. *AK |
| 831001 | 1998 WINDSTAR | August 06, 1998 | 0069000 | IE98080, THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE CAUSING THE COOLANT TO LEAK WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE. DEALER REPLACED HEAD GASKETS 2 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 535031 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 29, 1998 | 0034000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 536361 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 01, 1998 | 0072000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 535375 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 08, 1998 | 0058275 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED. |
| 535385 | 1998 WINDSTAR | January 19, 1998 | 0060390 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED. |
| 780030 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT. VEHICLE AT DEALER FOR REPAIRS. |
| 831103 | 1998 WINDSTAR | November 19, 1998 | 0059000 | THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKETS. THE CONSUMER HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE CAR. WHEN PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, NOTICED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING AND THE TAIL PIPE STARTED SMOKING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK |
| 539702 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 700065 | 1998 WINDSTAR | October 08, 1998 | 0060867 | THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED AND ONLY HAD 35000 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF PURCHASE JUNE 1997. SINCE PURCHASE, IT HAS NEVER SHOWN OVERHEATING. THE HEAD GASKET SHOWED ZERO COMPRESSION AT A SHOP WE TOOL IT IN TO, MEANING IT FAILED. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AL PACKER WEST IN ROYAL PALM, FLORIDA TO EFFECT REPAIR. THE REPAIR PERSON IN SERVICE TOLD US THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR COST AND ALL INCIDENTAL COSTS. WE HAD TO RENT A SMALL DODGE NEON FOR A 2 WEEK PERIOD, $300.00 BIL. FORD SAYS THEY WILL NOT COVER THE CAR RENTAL. THEY DID COVER THE ENGINE GASKET AND VALVE REPAIR, ALTHOUGH WE WERE TOLD THEY WOULD ALSO COVER ALL INCIDENTALS. AL PACKER WEST TOLD US THAT THE REPAIR PERSON WE HAD DEALT WITH, TONY, WAS NO LONGER WITH THE COMPANY. AL PACKER ORIGINALLY TOLD US THE VAN WOULD BE READY ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 20, BUT IT WAS NOT READY UNTIL THE 22ND OF OCTOBER. SO, THIS INCREASED THE RENTAL CHARGES ON THE DODGE NEON THAT WE HAD TO RENT. AL PACKER WEST OWES US COST OF THE RENTAL CAR, OR A PORTION THEREOF, BASED ON OUR UNDERSTANDING ON THE TYPE OF REPAIR THAT WAS DONE. TIM CASH 1409 GEORGIA AVENUE WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33401 TEL 561 833-6142 E-MAIL RAILMAN@FREEWWWEB.COM |
| 700680 | 1998 WINDSTAR | November 07, 1998 | 0075000 | I WAS INFORMED BY RAMP FORD IN NY THAT THE HEAD GASKETS NEEDED REPLACEMENT - THIS WAS DONE NO CHARGE . BUT THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CASE COVER GASKET WAS LEAKING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED . I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS PART IS COVERED BY A RECALL . |
| 700621 | 1998 WINDSTAR | November 14, 1998 | 0063211 | CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FORD IS AWARE OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT IS PROVIDING NO ASSISTANCE. I WAS CAUGHT IN HEAVY, FAST MOVING TRAFFIC WHEN GASKET BLEW ENDANGERING ME AND MY TWO CHILDREN. NOW I FIND FORD IS AND HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS. ISN'T IT TIME FOR NHTSA TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? IT BECAME A SAFTEY ISSUE FOR ME WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE PUT AT RISK! |
| 700229 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | TRANSMISSION CLUTCH PISTON HAS HAIRLINE CRACK. CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO JUMP INTO FIRST GEAR FROM A STOPPED POSITION. REAR BRAKES CONTINUALLY SQUEAL. RIGHT FRONT BRAKE INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS UP. ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEEDS REPLACEMENT. FRONT SHOULDER BELTS GET TANGLED AND TWISTED AT THE POINT WHERE THEY FEED THROUGH A METAL D-SHAPED CLIP ON THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. BELT CAN'T FULLY RETRACK. |
| 536552 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 21, 1998 | 0056500 | HEAD GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS. |
| 833216 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. DEALER SAYS NEEDS NEW HEAD GASKETS. *AK |
| 833340 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS BUSTED AND OIL LEAKED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SIEZE UP. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. *AK |
| 781228 | 1998 WINDSTAR | October 09, 1998 | 0059600 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET/WATER PUMP SEALS, AND TIMING CHAIN AND GEAR FAILED. |
| 833412 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | THE ENGINE STARTS TO OVERHEAT AND THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES COLD. DEALER SAYS ITS A BAD ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 833447 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE COOLANT. DEALER SAID ENGINE HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK |
| 833477 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 08, 1999 | 0082000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AFTER EIGHT DAYS WARRANTY RAN OUT. CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE HONORED BY DEALER. ALSO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK |
| 833492 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0078000 | EVERY GASKET ON THIS VEHICLE IS LEAKING, INCLUDING ENGINE HEAD GASKET/TRANSMISSION GASKET/THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, AND THE VALUE COVER GASKET. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. |
| 833568 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 07, 1998 | 0080000 | THERE IS WATER RUNNING FROM THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET, AND THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING ROUGH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN DRIVING IN LOW SPEED. *AK |
| 833592 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 28, 1998 | 0076000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE FAILING. DEALER/MANUFAXCTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT SERVICE BULLETIN INDICATED THAT THE COST FOR REPAIRS WOULD GO TO CONSUMER. CONSUMER NEEDS HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK |
| 833625 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND SMOKE. DEALER SAYS HEAD GASKETS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK |
| 833699 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. *AK |
| 700872 | 1998 WINDSTAR | January 30, 1998 | 0062347 | THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD NUMEROUS BRAKE ROTARS/PADS/DRUMS REPLACEMENT. THE HEAD GASKET "BLEW" AT 72-74000 MILES. FORD COVERED THE REPAIR FOR THIS AT NO COST TO US. I FEEL THEY SHOULD ALSO COVER THE REPAIRS FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSIONS IN NOVEMBER 1994 RIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED FOR SALE. |
| 701056 | 1998 WINDSTAR | November 10, 1998 | 0071000 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED AT CYLINDERS 3 AND 4. BOTH GASKETS FAILED IN THE SAME LOCATION AND TIME FRAME. THIS POINT TO A DEFECT IN THE GASKETS. AK |
| 701215 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 05, 1998 | 0061000 | AFTER HEAD GASKET REPL. IT RACED, JERKED, CUT-OUT, AND SHOOK. DEALER "RETORQUED" MOUNTS. NEXT DAY, PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE, ENGINE RACED, CLUNKED, AND ACCELLERATED, IN REVERSE, TO 45 MPH PLOWING CAR THROUGH BRICK WALL IN RESIDENCE TOTALLING CAR, MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO HOUSE, ONE INJURY TO DRIVER. |
| 701390 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 13, 1998 | 0084650 | I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS HEAD GASKETS BLOWING AND FORD SHOULD HAVE TO REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VAN IS HAVING THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED AT THIS TIME BUT THERE MAY BE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE ALREADY DONE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. |
| 834240 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 27, 1999 | 0070000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE DEFECTIVE. HEAT STOPPED WORKING, STARTED OVERHEATING AND SHAKING, OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED AND AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT STATED RECALL ENDED AND VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED. NO REMEDY FOR PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 701403 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 14, 1998 | 0050231 | FORD IS AWARE OF DEFECTIVE TRASMISSIONS IN '95 WINDSTAR. CAR LURCHES FORWARD AFTER NOT ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION, COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT IF ANOTHER CAR WERE IN FRONT, SLIPPING TRANSMISSION AT 50,000 IS UNCONSCIONABLE. DEALER CHECKED AND SAID I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED AT $2,400. CHECK ONLINE UNDER "FORD WINDSTAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS" THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CUSOTMERS WITH TRANSMISSIONS AND HEAD GASKETS BLOWING AT VERY LOW MILAGE. IS THERE A CLASS ACTION SUIT REGARDING THIS DEFECT? APPARENTLY, FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WON'T DO A RECALL BECAUSE IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE. I AM SINGLE MOM WITH 3 CHILDREN WHOM I MUST DRIVE TO AND FROM SCHOOL EVERY DAY AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY. PLEASE HELP ME! ACCORDING TO OTHER OWNERS, AFTER THEIR TRANSMISSIONS BEGAN TO SLIP, IT WAS ONLY WEEKS BEFORE THE WHOLE THING BLEW. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION. FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING. |
| 781175 | 1998 WINDSTAR | October 09, 1998 | 0058000 | TRANSMISSION/ENGINE HEAD GASKET, AND TIMING CHAIN FAILED. |
| 543387 | 1998 WINDSTAR | January 19, 1998 | 0030346 | RECALL WORK ON HEAD GASKET DENIED DUE TO VIN. |
| 781346 | 1998 WINDSTAR | October 01, 1998 | 0114000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET/TRANSMISSION/ABS/BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH/TIE ROD AND POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED. *AK |
| 834487 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 26, 1999 | 0063000 | ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. MECHANIC TESTED COOLANT SYSTEM, AND FOUND COOLANT WAS POURING INTO THE HEAD, AND HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME FOR COOLANT LEAKAGE/HEAD GASKET, IE-98-080 (PLEASE ADD VIN#.) *AK |
| 834530 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE, AND THE ENGINE TO BE INOPERABLE. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 543292 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 04, 1998 | 0056132 | HEAD GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. |
| 781746 | 1998 WINDSTAR | November 27, 1998 | 0071000 | ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO BLOWN HEAD GASKET. |
| 834634 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 05, 1999 | 0063000 | IE98080; ANTI-FREEZE GOES THROUGHOUT ENGINE HEAD GASKET, CAUSING ENGINE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW UP, AND RESULTING IN MAJOR DAMAGE. COMMON PROBLEM. THERE IS A TSB, BUT ONLY UP TO 60,000 MILES. DEALER DID NOT FIX VEHICLE BEFORE 60,000 MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 834879 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 01, 1999 | 0060000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKS COOLANT, WHICH MAY CAUSE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND SEIZE. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. THE VAN IS BEING SERVICED FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK |
| 834884 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 10, 1999 | 0065314 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS PREMATURELY WORE OUT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO WARRANTY ISSUES. *AK |
| 701783 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0032000 | FORD PAID A PORTION OF THE HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT PRIOR TO THE RECALL. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION WHEN I INITIALLY DETECTED IT AT 32K MILES. IN LATE NOVEMBER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR INTO NEUTRAL ON CITY STREETS, MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FORD WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE PAID THE MAJORITY OF THE BILL, LEAVING ME WITH A BALANCE OF $500.00. FOUR DAYS AFTER THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE FOR ME OR MY CHILDREN. |
| 835070 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 30, 1999 | 0068000 | IE98080, COOLANT IS LEAKING FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET WHICH MAY MIX WITH THE OIL AND SPRING INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE A FIRE. *AK |
| 702020 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 15, 1998 | 0069000 | NO HEAT. APPARENTLY A BLOWN HEADGASKET. I'VE HEARD OF NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE (SO IT'S NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT). TAKING IT TO DEALER FOR CONFIRMATION OF PROBLEM NEXT WEEK. |
| 702078 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 23, 1998 | 0095563 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE, COVERED UNDER RECALL, REPAIRED 7/98. ENGINE DEVELOPED A KNOCK, STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, COOLANT LEVEL LOW WITH NO EXTERNAL LEAKAGE. DEALER DIAGNOSED #3 CYLINDER FUEL INJECTOR INOPERATIVE AND A TIMING COVER GASKET FAILURE. REPAIRED AND ENGINE FAILED IRREPAIRABLY 6 WEEKS LATER, LOW COOLANT LEVELS AGAIN. TOLD WE MUST REPLACE ENGINE. |
| 702226 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 31, 1998 | 0060158 | FORD HAVE A RECALL ON THERE 95 WINDSTAR HEADGASKET.I NEVER GOT A RECALL NOTICE ANNOBODY CALL ME.WELL ON 12/31/98 MY HEADGASKET BLEW,HAPPEN AROUND 8.00PM.WE CALL BUT THET WAS CLOSE AN NEXT DAY WAS NEW YEAR.SO WE CALL FIRST THING MONDAY MORN.WE ASK THEM DID THEY HAVE A RECALL OUT FOR BLOW HEADGASKET AN THEY SAID YES,,THEY ASK FOR OUR VAN NUMBER AN WE GAVE IT TO THEM AN THEY SAID OUR VAN NUMBER WAS IN THE LIST.WELL THEY CAME AN PICKUP VAN AN ABOUT 3 DAYS LATER I TALK TO THEM AN THEY SAY THEY WANT PAY FOR IT,THEY SAY I CALL TO LATE,I SURE HAVE GOT THE VAN IN BEFORE 12/31/ |
| 702244 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 13, 1999 | 0072000 | FORD OFFERED PROGRAM UNTIL 12/31/98 IF HEAD GASKET BLEW. (FORD DID NOT MAKE ME AWARE OF THIS PROGRAM, HAD I KNOW, I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR). OUR HEAD GASKET BLEW WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH OUR 19 MONTH OLD BABY IN THE CAR. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED AT THE RELATIVELY LOW SPEED. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW BUT IS UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEED FOR A FULL RECALL. ANY HELP IN BRINGING THIS MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF FORD SO THAT A RECALL WILL OCCURR WOULD BE APPRECIATED. |
| 702271 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 12, 1999 | 0104000 | AFTER STARTING VEHICLE FROM COLD START, PISTON FULL OF ANTIFREEZE, DUE TO DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. DEALER INFORMED ME OF RECALL NUMBER 98M01, BUT STATED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY COSTS, SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. HE SHOWED ME THE DIAGNOSTIC WHICH SAID "CHECK HEAD GASKET ONLY IF CUSTOMER REPORTS A PROBLEM". |
| 702274 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 26, 1998 | 0080000 | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON--DIAGNOSTIC CODES SHOWED EGR/COOLANT TEMP. (NON FORD)MECHANIC REPLACED EGR VALVE, SENSOR. RAN FINE, THEN LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN (1 WEEK). CHECKED & REPLACED THERMOSTAT (LIGHT AGAIN AFTER 1 WEEK) THEN COMPUTER, LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN (2 DAYS). VEHICLE OVERHEATED & NO HEAT IN VEHICLE. MECHANIC DETERMINED HEAD GASKET FAILED. REPLACED 1/14/99. |
| 702288 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 07, 1999 | 0092000 | FORD HAD INITIATED AN "OWNERS NOTIFICATION PROGRAM" BECAUSE OF FAULTY HEAD GASKETS IN THE 1995 WINDSTAR. BASICALLY, IF YOUR HEAD GASKET BLEW PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 1998, FORD WOULD COVER THE COST. THIS WAS NOT A RECALL, THEREFORE, THEY WERE ABLE TO PLACE A "DEADLINE" DATE ON IT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW IN MY VAN ON JANUARY 7, 1999 - SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE DEADLINE. AT THE TIME OF FAILURE, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WITH MY TWO LITTLE DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR (ONE AND THREE YEARS OLD). MY COMMUTE IS 40 MINUTES IN PRIMARILY FARM COUNTRY. I WAS HALFWAY INTO MY COMMUTE WHEN THE HEATER NO LONGER BLEW HOT AIR (THE OUTSIDE WIND CHILL WAS ABOUT MINUS 20), AND I NOTICED THE HEAT GAUGE AT THE H. THANK GOODNESS FOR CELLULAR PHONES. I GOT ON THE PHONE IMMEDIATELY WITH THE DEALER AND HE KNEW OVER THE PHONE IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A SMALL TOWN JUST WHEN THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WENT ON AND IT DIED ON ME. MY SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME LATER THAT MY ENGINE WAS AT 225 DEGREES WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE DEALER AND I HAVE TRIED TO GET FORD TO COVER THE $900 REPAIR, HOWEVER, FORD WILL NOT MOVE ON ITS DEADLINE DATE. THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM, YET WILL NOT ISSUE THE RECALL. THEY BASICALLY GOT AROUND IT WITH THIS OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM. I CAN ONLY BE THANKFUL THAT I MADE IT WITH MY TWO GIRLS TO A SMALL TOWN IN THAT SUBZERO WEATHER, AND THAT MY ENGINE DIDN'T BLOW UP. THE 1995 WINDSTARS ALSO HAVE MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. MINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. FORD DID COVER SOME OF THE COST. PLEASE LOOK ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THE 1995 WINDSTAR. THERE ARE MANY, MANY MORE STORIES LIKE MINE (A GOOD WEBSITE IS WWW.FORDWINDSTAR.COM). THERE ARE DEFECTS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DEAL WITH THEM APPROPRIATELY. THANK YOU. |
| 702053 | 1997 WINDSTAR | July 25, 1997 | 0040200 | IN ADDITION TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATING/ AC, DOOR LOCKS, WIPERS AND DOOR SENSORS. MY WINDSTAR ALSO HAD THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS PART OF A VOLUNTARY RECALL BY FORD. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF THIS MODEL IS WELL KNOWN. ADDITIONAL ANECDOTAL INFO CAN BE OBTAINED THROUGH THE CAR TRACKERS WEBSITE ON INTERNET. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THE 95 WINDSTAR IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AT FORD, HOWEVER NO RECALL HAS EVER BEEN ISSUED. |
| 835272 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE GOING BAD, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND OIL LEAKING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 702113 | 1997 WINDSTAR | July 01, 1997 | 0045000 | TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT TWICE AND HEAD GASKET REPLACED TWICE. WHEN TRANSMISSION GOES BAD SLIPS STALLING TIME TO PULL OUT. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS DELAY COULD CAUSE AXIDENT |
| 702118 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 03, 1999 | 0077000 | KNOWN HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON THE 3.8L 6 CYLINDER ENGINE USED IN THE WINDSTAR AND THE TAURUS. CONTACTED FORD. GAVE THEM EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE CARE OF THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. OTHER INFO ON THE INTERNET AT A SITE CALLED WWW.FORDWINDSTAR.COM. ANYTHING YOU COULD DO TO PROMPT A RECALL WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. |
| 542196 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE OF RECALL NOTICE. |
| 543472 | 1998 WINDSTAR | July 15, 1998 | 0060942 | PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET (RECALL COMPONENT) RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPONENTS. |
| 835426 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 18, 1999 | 0043000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. ALSO, DAMAGED THE ENGINE AND MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED GASKETS TWICE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 835441 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 02, 1999 | 0610000 | AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WITHIN 61,000 MILES OF WEAR. DEALER/MANUFACTURER INFORMED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE EXTENED WARRANTY RAN OUT ON DECEMBER 31, 1998. MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WILL BE DONE DUE TO EXPIRATION OF WARRANTY. CONSUMER SEEKING HNTSA FOR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK |
| 835464 | 1996 WINDSTAR | October 18, 1996 | 0026000 | DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE HEAD GASKET, BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND NOW IT IS CONSUMER'S RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 702557 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 20, 1999 | 0061000 | REF SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01. HEAD GASKETS FAILED 3 WEEKS AFTER PROGRAM EXPIRED. FORD OFFERED NO FLEXIBILITY. $1500 REPAIRS. *AK |
| 702603 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 20, 1998 | 0086000 | I RECEIVED A LETTER IN AUGUST OF 98 REGARDING FORD HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET SEALS ON THE 3.8L MOTOR, IF I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM BEFORE 12/98 TO BRING IT IN. ON 12/20, THE VAN OVERHEATED AN ICE COLD AIR WAS BLOWING OUT OF THE HEAT VENTS. I REFERRED TO MY OWNERS MANUAL, AND CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, FLUSHED THE SYSTEM AND CHANGED THE RADIATOR CAP, THE VAN THEN SEEMED FINE. WE HAD A MAJOR SNOW AND ICE STORM AND THE VAN SAT FOR 2 WEEKS. ON 01/23, WE WERE TWO MILES FROM HOME AND WHITE SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT OF THE EXHAUST, AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS UP TO HOT, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. WE GOT THE VAN HOME AND SEEN ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. WE CALLED THE FORD DEALER IN CANFIELD, AND THEY SAID THE LETTER EXPIRED ON 12/31/98, AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME, SAID THEY HAVE HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ARE NOT RECALLING AT THIS TIME. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND RECTIFY THIS KNOWN PROBLEM BY ISSUING A RECALL. *AK |
| 702666 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 16, 1998 | 0070000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED PREMATURELY, CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGH SPEEDS. |
| 702685 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 11, 1999 | 0068000 | TRANSMISSION REPAIRED ON 11/29 /98 . ONLY 7 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, 6 WEEKS LATER ENGINE WENT WAS TOLD IT WAS A POSSIBLE HEAD GASKET. WAS TOLD FORD HAD A NOTIFICATION. THE FORD DEALER TOLD US THAT THE WORK ENDED ON THIS ON 12/31 98. THERE NOW SITS 4 WINDSTARS AT CROSSROAD FORD IN CARY NC. *AK |
| 702729 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 27, 1999 | 0086000 | AFTER BRINGING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ON 11DEC98 FOR RECALL OF HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY TESTED WITH TOTAL HOURS BY TECH #128 WAS .6 . AT THIS TIME THE TRESSURE TEST OF GASKET WAS OK. NOT MUCH MORE THAN A MONTH LATER, THE HEAD GASKET FAILED. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS AT HIS EXPENSE OR PARTIAL EXPENSE. WE WERE INFORMED THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. ACCORDING TO THE LETTER RECEIVED FROM FORD COMPANY NO MATTER WHETHER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THE COMPANY WOULD STILL HONOR THE RECALL. AT PRESENT TIME VEHICLE HAS BEEN MOVED TO ANOTHER LOCATION FOR REPAIR AFTER WE WERE ESTIMATED A COST OF 1200.00 TO 1500.00 FOR REPAIR BY DEALERSHIP. *AK |
| 702785 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 16, 1998 | 0053841 | I EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKET FAILURE 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE RECALL PROGRAM EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP DELAYED IN FIXING IT, RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. |
| 835834 | 1997 WINDSTAR | December 26, 1997 | 0055000 | WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT ON MARCH 5TH. THE PROBLEMS RETURNED, AND THE CONSUMER VEHICLE ISN'T WORKING RIGHDEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. *AK |
| 702809 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 26, 1999 | 0074200 | THE VEHICLES ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WE CALLED FORD SERVICE, SAID NOT TO WORRY KEEP FLUIDS FILLED AND YOU SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD A VOLUNTARY SERVICE RECALL FROM FORD FOR A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM, THE LETTER IS DATED 6/98, WE WERE NEVER TOLD OF THE PROBLEM AND WE HAD OUR VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE IN BOTH 6 AND 8/98. UPON BRINGING OUR VEHICLE IN TO FILL OUT THE PAPER WORK THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD US THAT IT WAS OK TO DRIVE, WE LEFT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE AN OPENING UNTIL 2/3/99, LATER THAT DAY THE TEMPARTURE GAUGE ROSE TO HOT, SO WE WENT BACK TO DEALER, THEY SAID LEAVE THE VEHICLE ON FRIDAY WE WERE TOLD THE ENGINE IS GONE..FORD WON'T COVER. IF FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, WHY ISN'T IT KNOWN TO OWNERS? WE LIVE IN UPSTATE NY, WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY ENGINE WOULD HAVE GONE OUT IN A SNOW STORM? WE CARRY CHILDREN IN THESE VANS, DOES SOMEONE NEED TO GET INJURED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? WHERE HAVE OUR ETHICS GONE IN THIS COUNTRY?? CHECK THE INTERNET MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE ..WWW.FOR |
| 702921 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 30, 1999 | 0060215 | IN JUNE 1998, FORD MOTOR IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. WE WERE MAILED A LETTER FROM FORD THAT PROVIDED EXTENDED WARRANTY UNTIL 12/98 OR 60,000 MILES. ON 1/30 @ 60,215 MILES, OUR VEHICHLE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. FORD WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY REIMBURSEMENT. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. WHAT CAN WE DO? *AK |
| 703242 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 15, 1998 | 0070000 | DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS LEAK COOLANT INTO COMBUSTION CHAMBER. FORD RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM (SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01) BUT WONT FIX VEHICLES AFTER 60000 MILES OR A CUTOFF DATE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SALE DATE. MINE HAD SYMPTOMS IN DEC 97, BUT SERVICE EITHER DIDN'T RECOGNIZE SYMPTOM OR IGNORED IT DUE TO WORK OVERLOAD. FORD SHUNS MY PROBLEM AND I AM LEFT WITH A NICE CAR THAT NEEDS $1000+ IN ENGINE REPAIRS ON A KNOWN PROBLEM JUST BECAUSE MY VEHICLE DIDN'T COMPLETELY FAIL BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. |
| 703269 | 1997 WINDSTAR | February 15, 1997 | 0055000 | ON THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET ISSUE, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD LAST MAY 1998 AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY CHECK THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE GASKET. NOW I AM FACE WITH MAJOR REPAIRS ON THE ENGINE. THE FUEL TANK IS EXTREMELY SLOW FILLING. I FEAR A POTENTIAL FIRE OR EXPLOSION RELATED TO THE FUEL FILLER ISSUE. THE TRANSMISSION GROANS MOSTLY IN THE MORNING AND AT TIMES DOES NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALSO THE FORM WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED EARLY IN THE VEHICLES LIFE , ANOTHER EXPENSIVE REPAIR WAS NECESSARY. THERE IS NO TEMPERATURE CONTROL TO MODIFY THE REAR HEATER TEMPERATURE. |
| 703871 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 22, 1998 | 0061000 | ON 12/22/98 VEHICLE OVERHEATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST SERVICE STATION FOR FEAR OF DAMAGING THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE STATION REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN, IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP THAT REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. UPON HEARING "HEAD GASKET" REMEMBERED THE WARRANTY LETTER. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT DEALER SAID FORD WOULD NOT COVER. THE CONDITION DESCRIBED IN THE LETTER WAS INDEED EXHIBITED WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT FORD REFUSED THREE TIMES TO BACK EXTENDED WARRANTY. |
| 703920 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 17, 1999 | 0076500 | MY VEHICLE'S HEAD GASKETS 'BLEW' WHICH RESULTED IN WATER/COOLANT IN MY ENGINE/OIL PAN RESULTING IN THE REQUIREMENT FOR A NEW ENGINE BLOCK. I DID NOT HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. FORD AGREED THERE WAS A RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY GIVEN TO ALL WINDSTARS FOR DEFAULTY HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS BUT THEY WOULD ONLY COVER THROUGH 12/31/98 SO WOULD NOT COVER MY CAR. I WAS NEVER NOTIIED. BASED UPON DISCUSSIONS WITH NUMEROUS OWNERS, THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM IN ALL WINDSTARS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MY FRIEND'S WINDSTAR, 1995, REPLACED HER TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND AIR CONDITIONER BUT SHE HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THESE CARS ARE NOT SAFE AND ARE ALL LEMONS. |
| 703971 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 24, 1999 | 0071321 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED. FORD AWARE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, BUT WILL NOT COVER IT. |
| 703993 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 26, 1999 | 0083300 | I NOTICE WHITE SMOKE FROM MY EXHAUST PIPE PLUS THE CAR STARTED OVERHEATING. I HAD CAR TOWED INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE OVERHEATING. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A BLOWN HEADGASKET. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT BUT HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT AND REIMBURSE THE NUMEROUS WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED THAT I MISSED THEIR OWNER'S NOTIFICATION PROGRAM BY ONE MONTH, HOWEVER I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE (PROGRAM END-DATE 31 DEC 98). I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RECEIVED NO COMPENSATION OR RESOLUTION. PLEASE ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. ALL 95 FORD WINDSTARS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BLOW THEIR HEADGASKET DUE TO A DESIGN FAULT BUT FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE |
| 704011 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 25, 1999 | 0052950 | DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 72MPH WHEN THE MOTOR SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING STOPPED RUNNING. TRAFFIC HAD TO STEER AROUND ME TO AVOID A COLLISION, HAD IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID I LOST THE LOWER END OF THE MOTOR WILL NEED A NEW MOTOR TO REPLACE IT. THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. |
| 704033 | 1998 WINDSTAR | October 20, 1998 | 0059000 | I HAVE SPENT A TOTAL OF $5,000.00 IN REPAIRS FOR OUR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR VAN - A 3.8 ENGINE, 6 CYCLINDERS. FORD SENT OUT A NOTICE IN JUNE OF 1998 ADVISING THE DRIVERS OF 1995 FORD WINDSTARS THAT THEY WOULD POSSIBLY EXPERIENCE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. FORD S |
| 704074 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 06, 1999 | 0062000 | THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED AT 62000 MILES ON 6 FEB 99. FORD KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE GASKETS, BUT SENT A NOTIFICATION LETTER TO COVER THE COSTS AS LONG AS FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE 31 DEC 98, OR 60000 MILES. I CONTEND THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR ALL REPAIRS, ON ALL SIMILAR VEHICLES WITHOUT OIMPOSING A MILEAGE LIMIT. THE FORD DEALER AGREES, BUT TELLS ME THAT THEIR HANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE THE PARENT COMPANY WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM FOR REPAIRS THEY IMPLEMENT FREE OF CHARGE. FORD IS CHEATING THEIR CUSTOMERS. |
| 704145 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 07, 1998 | 0045907 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLOWN CAUSING CRACKED HEADS. FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 60,000 MILES BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY OWNERS. ALSO, REPLACED ENTIRE BRAKE ASSEMBLY AT 50,000 MILES, ABS NEVER WORKED, AND PLASTIC DOOR PANEL ON SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. TRANSMISSION SLIPS, DOWNSHIFTS, OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF, AND VEHICLE ACCELERATES SLUGGISHLY. |
| 704146 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | TRANSMISSIONS HAS BEEN ALWAYS A PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW IT WAS TAKEN SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER THAT AFTER IT IS PLACED ON PARK, THETHERE IS A PLAY OF ABOUT 3 -4 INCHES AND THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD BY 3 - 4 INCHES. WAS TOLD THAT IS THE DESIGN OF THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION FROM FORD. WAS NOT SATISFIED AT ALL. ALL ALONG PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. FINALLY IT GAVE WAY AT 49, 000 MILES. HAD A REBUILT INSTALLED AND THAT TOO GAVE WAY AT 61K. NOW A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 65K. OTHER NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TO LIST. FORD IS RIPPING OFF CONSUMERS. |
| 704261 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 08, 1999 | 0078000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING COOLANT. I CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 5 YEARS AND 60K MILES WHICH I HAVE EXCEEDED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP. |
| 704268 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 03, 1999 | 0064400 | NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE FROM FORD ABOUT A "HEAD GASKET CHECK" OR AN EXTENSION ON THE ENGINE WARRANTY. LOCAL FORD DEALER WOULD NOT CONSIDER COVERING ENGINE HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT DUE TO OUT OF WARRANTY. |
| 704273 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 01, 1999 | 0078300 | LEAK OF COOLANT IN HEAD GASKET CAUSED FLUID TO ENTER ENGINE BLOCK CAUSING DAMAGE TO BEARINGS AND VALVES |
| 835856 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 20, 1999 | 0070000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROIMATELY 35 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE COST OF REPAIR WOULD GO TO CONSUMER. *AK |
| 703314 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 13, 1999 | 0064900 | THERE MAY BE OTHER UNDERLYING PROBLEMS THAT CASUED HEAD GASKET TO BLOW, BUT THIS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO EXTREME DAMAGE FROM COOLANT IN THE ENGINE, 3RD CYLINDER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. *AK |
| 703310 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 12, 1999 | 0069000 | FAILURE OF ENGINE HEAD GASKET 2 MONTHS BEYOND FORD'S "EXTENSION" OF RECALL NOTICE 98M01 FOR THIS PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED ISSUE WITH FORD 3.8L 6CYL ENGINES. FORD IS REFUSING TO PROVIDE ANY RELIEF ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE ADMITTED THAT THE FAILURE IS DUE TO POOR PARTS. THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS STATED THAT FORD HAS KNOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTED AS FAR BACK AS '91, BUT CONTINUED TO USE THE POOR QUALITY PARTS. *AK |
| 703308 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 05, 1999 | 0075000 | A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND A BULLETIN WAS RELEASED BUT HAD A MILEAGE AND TIME LIMIT WHICH I AM SLIGHTLY OVER, FORCING ME TO PAY $1,000.00 FOR REPAIRS. *AK |
| 703397 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 16, 1999 | 0061820 | I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A LETTER SENT TO SOME OWNERS OF WINDSTARS STATING THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER I NEVER RECEIVED THIS LETTER. *AK |
| 704409 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 13, 1999 | 0047000 | I BLEW THE HEAD GASKET ON THE ENGINE 2 WEEKS AGO,AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS READY TO GO AS WELL..AFTER ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM,IM SURPRISED FORD HASNT HAD A RECALL ON THIS AS YET.I KNOW I LIVE IN CANADA BUT I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME IN SOME WAY..TKS VERY MUCH... |
| 704457 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 20, 1998 | 0079000 | HEAD GASKETS BLEW DURING 12/98. THIS SITUATION COULD POSSIBLY CASE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH UNDER HIGHER SPEEDS. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR OF THE ENGINE BECAUSE I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ON 1/4/99, 4 DAYS AFTER THEIR WARRANTY PROGRAM 98M01 EXPIRED. EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER HAD TESTED THE HEAD GASKETS AS GOOD DURING 10/98. ONLY TWO MONTHS EARLIER. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD ISSUE A FULL RECALL FOR. THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID THE ISSUE WITH THEIR 98M01 PROGRAM. |
| 704544 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT THE TROUBLED HEAD GASKET. DEALER COMMENTED THAT THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THE MILLAGE CAN'T EXCEED 60K. I TOLD THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER RECALL ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "EYE BURNING GASES WHEN DEPLOYED" THE DEALER COMMENTED THE RECALL, BUT AGAIN THE MILLEGE OF THE VEHICLE COULDN'T EXCEED 50,000. AT NO TIME DID I RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. ALSO, I'M NOW HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION "PARK SELECTION". IT WON'T RELEASE OR DIS-ENGAGE. |
| 704559 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 16, 1998 | 0071000 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED COMPLETELY. UPON BRINGING TO FORD DEALER, INFORMED THAT THEY KNOW PROBLEM EXISTED. NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM. FORD COMPANY CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT MY SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOWING CHARGES INCURRED. BASICALLY, THE FORD COMPANY IS NOT COOPERATING. |
| 781956 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 10, 1999 | 0073000 | REAR AXLE BROKE, AND ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT. |
| 703432 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 11, 1999 | 0071000 | A RECALL LETTER RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 1998 STATED THAT HEAD GASKET REPAIR WAS COVERED UNTIL DEC,31.98. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD IS VERY AWARE OF AND SHOULD COVER REPAIR EVEN THOUGH IN MY CASE I AM PAST 60.OOO MILES AND IT IS PAST DEC. 31,98. MY REPAIR BILL IS APPROX. $800.00 FOR THIS, AND THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY TO ME, ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM STRUGGLING TO PAY PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK |
| 703458 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 18, 1999 | 0079240 | I AM SURE THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN ON THE ENGINE. I HAD HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE, AND WHITE SMOKE WITH WATER COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE PERSON THAT TOWED MY VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT MY WINDSTAR WAS THE 5TH FORD HE HAS TOWED IN THIS WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY WERE ALL 1995 FORD'S WITH A 3.8 LITER V-6. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE FORD DEALER IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE ,AND HE SAID THERE WAS, BUT REAPAIRS HAD TO BE MADE BEFORE DEC. 31, 1998. I WAS NOT AWARE OF A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM, IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO SO MANY CARS AND TRUCKS JUST IN THE TULSA OK AREA, THERE IS CERTAINLY A TREND. *AK |
| 703468 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 20, 1999 | 0064000 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER RECALL PERIOD HAD EXPIRED. FORD RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF HEAD GASKET AT OWNER'S COST. AFTER HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT, VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, AND FORD DEALER DECIDED THE ENGINE WAS PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN MONTHS PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. FORD WILL NOT COVER ENGINE DAMAGE. *AK |
| 836193 | 1997 WINDSTAR | July 01, 1997 | 0040000 | IE98080, THE COOLANT IS LEAKING FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET WHICH MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, ENGINE SIEZED WHILE DRIVING AND ENGINE PROBLEMS RESULTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 703518 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 14, 1999 | 0081260 | ENGIN EHEAD GASKET FAILED 14 DAYS AFTER EXPIRATION OF EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM. *AK |
| 836273 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 13, 1999 | 0079000 | CONSUMER RECEIVED A SAFETY BULLETIN DATED JUNE-98 REGARDING ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. CONSUMER EXPRIENCED THE PROBLEM IN MARCH-99 AND THE BULLETIN HAS EXPIRED. *AK |
| 836384 | 1998 WINDSTAR | November 21, 1998 | 0063000 | WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AND THE ANT-IFREEZE LEAKED OUT INTO THE OIL. *AK |
| 836484 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 29, 1999 | 0089000 | IE98080; WHILE DRIVING ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. FORD DID AN OWNER'S NOTIFICATION FOR THE HEAD GASKETS, BUT IT WAS ON DECEMBER 31, 1998. AT THAT TIME OCCUPANT DID HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED, BUT IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH HEAD GASKETS. BUT, IN MAR 99, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKET FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 836493 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 14, 1998 | 0055000 | HAD RECEIVED A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN OUT. HAD TO GET TIMING CHAIN REPLACED. THE MOTOR BLEW OUT & ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED THROUGH THE MOTOR. *AK |
| 704863 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 23, 1999 | 0067000 | ON 3-21-99, WAS PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLE AND FOUND TRACES OF OIL IN RADIATOR. EXPERIENCE TELLS ME THAT THIS MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH HEAD GASKET FAILURE. ON 3-23-99, SPOUSE DRIVING VEHICLE ADVISED OF TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS AND VEHICLE FOUND TO HAVE LEAKED OUT RADIATOR FLUID. TOOK TO MECHANIC ON 3-24-99, AND WAS ADVISED THAT FORD 3.8 ENGINES HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE SINCE 1993, AND THAT MECHANIC BELIEVES THE ENGINE WAS SUBJECT OF A RECALL TO REPAIR HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. SPOKE TO LOCAL DEALER-UHLMANN'S IN CHEHALIS, WA., WHO ADVISED THAT THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM AND REPAIR AT THEIR FACILTIY RELATED TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN THIS ENGINE,. DEALER STATED FORD HAD DONE A RECALL, BUT THAT FORD WOULD NO LONGER COVER REPAIR IF OVER 60, 000 MILES ON ENGINE, PAST 12-31-98 OR IF NO EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE HAD BEEN PURCHASED. CALLED FORD REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS TOLD THAT IN MAY OF 1998, FORD HAD SENT OWNERS AN OFFER FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT "WOULD" HAVE COVERED THE FAILURE, BUT THAT THEY HAD CHOSEN NOT TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM AND POTENTIAL FAILURE OF PART. WAS TOLD FORD WULD NOT PROVIDE SERVICE FOR FAILURE AS PAST MILEAGE AND DATE OF OFFER TO REPAIR, AND AS I HAD NOT PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE LESS THAN 5 YEARS AND HAS APPROX. 67000 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE. REPAIR COST ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $1400. *AK |
| 836789 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 02, 1998 | 0069000 | CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. ANTI-FREEZE WAS COMING OUT FROM HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 704888 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 18, 1999 | 0059363 | ON 1/18/99, VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AFTER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. ENGINE HAD BEEN IDLING AND RUNNING ROUGH--"LURCHING" AS NOTED IN SERVICE INVOICE. VEHICLE HAD 59363 MILES. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AT NEAREST EQUIPPED SERVICE CENTER--MERIT INC, A GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER. THEY PERFORMED MOST OF A 60,000 MI SERVICE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION AND ENGINE OPERATION IMPROVED, BUT STILL RAN ROUGHER THAN NORMAL. WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO MERIT ON 1/20, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO OFFER FURTHER INSIGHTS ON PROBLEM. PROBLEM REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THEN GOT NOTICEABLY WORSE THE WEEKEND OF 2/20. ON 2/22 OR 23, WE CALLED CROSSROADS FORD IN RALEIGH, NC, DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM AND RECENT HISTORY. THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT THEY OFFERED WAS LATER THE FOLLOWING WEEK, SO AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR 3/5. ON THE EVENING OF 2/26, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AT 61,054 MILES. THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF BEFORE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDLE REACHED RED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CROSSROADS FORD THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. THEY ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO THE HEAD GASKET DEFECT NOTED IN SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01, AND ADVISED REPLACING THE ENGINE AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF JUST OVER $3400. DEALER AND FORD REFUSED TO COVER UNDER THE WARRANTY DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE PROGRAM, EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITHIN THE 5-YR, 60,000 MI PERIOD COVERED. *AK |
| 704940 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 08, 1999 | 0068306 | FORD ADMITTED IN A LETTER TO ME IN JUNE 1998 UNDER SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01 THAT THE HEAD GASKETS COULD FAIL PREMATURELY. IF THE CONDITION OCCURRED WITHIN 5 YRS OR 60,000 MILES OR BY THE END OF 1998, TO BRING THE VAN IN AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS. MY VAN HEAD GASKETS FAILED ON MARCH 8TH,1999, AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY VAN DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE SERVICE PROGRAM. SINCE FORD HAS ADMITTED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE HEAD ASKETS THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS AT NO CHARGE REGARDLESS OF WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. I WROTE A LETTER TO MR. KUDAK WITH FORD, AND DID NOT RECEIVE A WRITTEN OR VERBAL RESPONSE. *AK |
| 704950 | 1998 WINDSTAR | November 13, 1998 | 0060000 | BRAKES SQUEAK AND GROWL, BUT SO FAR HAVE STOPPED THE VEHICLE WHEN APPLIED. THEY DON'T SHOW ANY UNUSUAL WEAR. I WOULD LIKE FORD MOTOR CO. TO REIMBURSE ME FOR $1307.00 FOR THE HEAD GASKET REPAIR SINCE I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. *AK |
| 704977 | 1998 WINDSTAR | August 01, 1998 | 0080000 | THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW FOR ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS AND POOR RUNABILITY. COMPRESSION TESTS RAN IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE ENGINE RAN POORLY. DEALER REPLACED OXYGEN SENSORS ,AND THEN A MONTH AND A HALF LATER, THE HEAD GASKET FAILED. FORD WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL SINCE IT EXPIRED ON DEC. 31,1999. I THINK THE DEALER MISSED THE DIAGNOSIS ALL ALONG, THE GASKET WAS FAILING. THE FAILURES OF THE GASKET AND TRANSMISSION ALONG WITH THE NUMEROUS SENSOR REPLACEMENTS HAS COST ME ABOUT $5800. THESE PROBLEMS ARE TOO NUMEROUS IN NUMBERS, MANY 95 FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME OR WORST PROBLEMS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE WELL KNOWN TO FORD AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. YOU MUST MAKE THESE RECALL ISSUES TO FORCE THEM TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY. *AK |
| 705015 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 04, 1999 | 0089000 | RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD JUNE, 1998 STATING THAT PREMATURE FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS MAY OCCUR. THEY WOULD PAY FOR THIS IF VAN IS LESS THAN 5 YRS OLD OR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES OR IF HEAD GASKET FAILS BETWEEN JUNE, 1998 & DECEMBER, 1998. OUR VAN HAD 89,000 MILES & HEAD GASKET FAILED MARCH 3, 1999. FORD WOULD NOT PAY. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. 03/28/99. THEY SAID THAT OUR ONLY RECOURSE IS TO WAIT TO SEE IF FORD ISSUES ANOTHER NO-CHARGE WARRANTY FOR THIS COVERAGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *AK |
| 705022 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 15, 1999 | 0064981 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED JUST AFTER RECALL EXPIRED. IT WAS TESTED ONLY A FEW MONTHS BEFORE AND TESTED OK. *AK |
| 705055 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 15, 1999 | 0061000 | FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FOR ANY HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WHICH IS NOW COSTING ME AN EXCESS AMOUNT OF MONEY. |
| 705066 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 27, 1999 | 0063000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING STARTER NOSE TO SHEAR OFF, AND COOLANT TO BE EJECTED ONTO EMISSION CONTROL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING CATALYTIC CONVERTER) AND OUT OF EXHAUST SYSTEM. *AK |
| 704765 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 11, 1999 | 0062000 | FORD APPARENTLY SENT OUT A BULLETIN ON HEAD GASKETS IN 1998. WE DID NOT RECEIVE SUCH A BULLETIN. IF WE DID, I WOULD HAVE CONTACTED FORD AT THAT TIME TO SCHEDULE A GASKET REPLACEMENT. FORD REPS ARE TELLING ME THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I GOT THE LETTER OR NOT. MY GASKET BLEW IN 1999 SO THEY ARE BEARING NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRING THE DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR (ONE NEW HEAD, AND A PROPOSAL TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE!). I MAINTAIN THAT I WOULD HAVE HAD HAD MY GASKETS REPLACED LAST YEAR REGARDLESS OF THEIR CONDITION. FORD'S ARGUMENT ABOUT THE CLOCK RUNNING OUT ON DEC 31, 1998 IS SPECIOUS. MY HEAD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE. IT DID NOT GET ANY BETTER AFTER DECEMBER 31. FORD NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ENGINEERING. *AK |
| 704720 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 05, 1998 | 0061000 | FORD COVERED THE COST FOR THE HEAD GASKET AT 117000KMS. BUT AS YET HAVE NOT REPORTED TO THEM ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION UNTILL I GET THE FINAL BILL (TUES. MARCH 23/99) I HAVE NOW 126000KMS ON VEHICLE. I AM A RESIDENT OF CANADA, AND WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT COMPLAINT TO AN AUTHORITY HERE IF YOU COULD ADVISE ME OF ONE. THANKS. *AK |
| 704725 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 19, 1999 | 0093891 | ORIGINAL HEAD GASKET LEAKED COOLANT INTO CYLINDER # 3 MAKING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. ENGINE SHUDDERED AND SMOKED/STEAM AND WATER CAME OUT OF EXHAUST PIPE. HAS FORD RECALLED THIS PROBLEM? SEEMS LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MORE THAN ONE OWNER. |
| 836820 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0011490 | COOLANT LEAKAGE IS CAUSING ENGINE HEAD GASKE/TIMING BELT AND WATER GASKET TO FAIL. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THE COOLANT LEAKAGE. *AK |
| 704865 | 1997 WINDSTAR | November 28, 1997 | 0060000 | INITIALLY, THE PROBLEM WAS A LOSS OF COOLANT AND AN INABILITY OF THE HEATER TO PRODUCE HOT AIR. AFTER A TRIP TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TIMING COVER, WATER PUMP AND HEAD GASKETS HAD LEAKED, AND REPLACING THE GASKETS WOULD CURE THE PROBLEM. WITHIN 500 MILES, OUT OF STATE, THE ENGINE KNOCKED HORRIBLY, THEN STALLED. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO MOCK FORD IN GRANT'S PASS, OREGON. AFTER AN ENGINE TEARDOWN, WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT A ROD BEARING HAD SPUN, SEIZING THE ENGINE. FORD IN OREGON WOULDN'T HELP US, FORD IN CALIFORNIA WOULDN'T TALK TO FORD IN OREGON AND HENRY CURTIS WOULDN'T HELP US. SUBSEQUENTLY, FORD HAS HAD A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKETS AND WE'VE GOTTEN A REFUND FOR THE GASKETS. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT GASKETS BLEW AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE, I TEND TO FEEL FORD SHOULD COVER THE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR OF THE ENGINE. HENRY CURTIS HAS REFUSED TO COOPERATE WITH US, AND FORD'S WARRANTY REPS WON'T TALK WITH US. I'M AWARE OF THE NUMEROUS SIMILAR WINDSTAR PROBLEMS, AND I INVITE YOU TO BROWSE "WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/MECHGOBLINS/HTML" *AK |
| 544555 | 1997 WINDSTAR | December 26, 1997 | 0000000 | VEHICLE EXPERIENCED CONTINUED ENGINE FAILURES RELATED TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE (RECALL NOTICE SENT AFTER REPAIRS), HOWEVER FAILURE DAMAGED ENTIRE ENGINE, DENIED SERVICE DUE TO MILEAGE. |
| 837016 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 26, 1999 | 0076000 | TRANSMISSION CAN SHIFT INTO REVERSE, BUT WILL NOT BACK UP. THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD GO ON/OFF ON THEIR OWN, DAY OR NIGHT. THE KEY SHIFT INTERLOCK WILL NOT RELEASE OUT OF PARK POSITION. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES HAD CRUMBLED INSIDE. HEARD GRINDING/RAMBLING NOISES WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. BEEN TO DEALER 3 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR BRAKES. *AK |
| 705118 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE OF EXTENDED WARRANTY OF HEAD GASKETS. THEY WENT 5 DAYS AFTER 12/31/98. DEALERSHIP PAID FOR THE REPAIR, BUT NOW ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKETS. *AK |
| 705131 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 29, 1999 | 0068000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET OCCURRED AT STOP SIGN, HUGE PLUME OF WHITE SMOKE. LUCKILY, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY AND CAUSED A CRASH/FATALITY. FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET PER THEIR SERVICE PROGRAM 99M01. PEOPLE CAN AND WILL GET HURT BY THE VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT REPAIRED BY THIS PROGRAM THAT EXPIRED 12/98. MY WIFE SAID THE PLUME OF SMOKE WAS HUGE, IT COULD BLOCK THE VIEW OF DRIVERS BEHIND A VEHICLE THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM ALONG WITH CAUSING THE SUDDEN STOPPAGE OF THE VEHICLE THAT HAS ITS ENGINE SEIZED UP AS A RESULT OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. PLEASE REFER TO THE WEB SITE OF HTTP://WWW.PRIMECUTSOFBLUEGRASS.COM/WINDSTAR2.HTM FOR A LIST OF OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND BE SURE TO KNOW THAT THIS LIST WAS JUST STARTED THIS MONTH ON 3/13/99. 24 VEHICLES IN 17 DAYS, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT. AND THIS IS JUST A LIST OF THE 95 WINDSTARS, THE FORD 'PROGRAM' COVERS 94 & 95 TAURUS AND SABLE OWNERS ALSO. *AK |
| 705216 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 24, 1999 | 0095775 | HEAD GASKET REPLACED LAST AUGUST, NOW HEAD IS CRACKED AND NEEDS REPLACED |
| 705220 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 29, 1999 | 0053024 | HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 48K AND AGAIN AT 53K MILES. FORD'S EXTENDED WARRANTY 98M01 FOR THE GASKET ENDS AT 60K, BUT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER RECURRING FAILURES, AND SHOULD ENCOMPASS OTHER/LATER ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE GASKET FAILURE. *AK |
| 705239 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 16, 1999 | 0060000 | MY WINDSTAR RECENT ENGINE FAILURE WAS PRECEEDED BY THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING INDICATOR COMING ON AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE. UPON OPENING THE HOOD I WAS IMMEDIATELY EXPOSED TO A DOUSING OF BOTH BOILING WATER & STEAM ESCAPING FROM THE RADIATOR OVERFLOW RESERVOIR WHICH OVERFLOWED ITSELF FROM THE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTION. I RECEIVED PAINFUL BURNS ON BOTH MY HANDS AND FACE. *AK |
| 705272 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 01, 1999 | 0098000 | THERE ARE EVIDENTLY SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE 1995 WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET AND TRANSMISSION. WHEN WILL THE GOVERNMENT RESPOND TO OUR COMPLAINTS AND FORCE FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKE? *AK |
| 705273 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 29, 1999 | 0089964 | FORD RECALLED THE HEAD GASKETS IN THE '95 WINDSTARS. THEY SENT THEIR LETTERS OUT, AND I TOOK MINE DOWN TO THE DEALER NEAR ME TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THEY SAID THAT IT PASSED THE TEST. BUT THREE MONTHS AFTER THAT MY GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT HELP. HOW CAN I GET FORD TO PAY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PART THAT THEY RECALLED BECAUSE OF PREMATURE FAILURE? I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU COULD GIVE ME. SINCERELY, SERENA TERRY. *AK |
| 705298 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 15, 1999 | 0076000 | WAS NOT INFORMED BY FORD OF THE "OWNER'S NOTIFICATION" PROGRAM. TOLD BY THEE THAT TIME HAD EXPIRED. WOULD LIKE YOUR OFFICE TO SEE IF THEY WILL EXTEND THEIR PROGRAM. 75000 MILES IS WAY TOO SOON FOR A HEAD GASKET. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THANKS. *AK |
| 837134 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 05, 1999 | 0063000 | HAD STARTED VEHICLE & NOTICED IT WAS BLOWING SMOKE. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. RECEIVED A TSB ON HEAD GASKETS. HAD NO PROBLEM BEFORE RECEIVING TSB. DEALRE REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO VEHICLE BEING OVER THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT. *AK |
| 705357 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 01, 1999 | 0061000 | HEAD GASKET IN ENGINE FAILED, CAUSING OVERHEATING OF ENGINE. *AK |
| 705379 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 30, 1999 | 0055235 | HEAD GASKET BLOWN, POSSIBLE CRACKED BLOCK. FORD WON'T HELP PAY. *AK |
| 705459 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 29, 1999 | 0084000 | MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME OF THE HIDDEN WARRANTY THAT EXISTED ON THE HEAD GASKET OF THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THEY ASKED FOR MY MILEAGE AND VIN NUMBER UP FRONT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED AND HAD ME TOW THE VEHICLE TO THEM. AFTER A WEEK THEY HAVE COME BACK AND LET ME KNOW THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE WHICH I GAVE TO THEM IN ADVANCE. IF KNOWN THIS IN ADVANCE I WOULD HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED AT THE MECHANIC'S LOCATION THAT I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED FROM. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN WITH ONE VEHICLE FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS AND HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT GO TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE. MY INVESTIGATIONS ON THIS PROBLEM HAS FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL. MOST FAILURES HAPPENING JUST OUT OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT CORRECT IT UNLESS THERE WAS DAMAGE OCCURRING. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A WAY TO KEEP THEIR COSTS DOWN FOR REPAIRING WHAT THEY KNEW AS A DEFECT. *AK |
| 705497 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 22, 1999 | 0080155 | WE PURCHASED OUR WINDSTAR FROM HERTZ SALES IN BOISE IDAHO IN MAY 1995 WITH ABOUT 15,000 MILES ON IT. WE TRANSFERRED THE REST OF THE NEW CAR WARRANTY TO OUR NAME. NEAR THE END OF NOVEMBER WE RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD ABOUT HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. THE WORDING IN THE NOTICE, WHICH WAS NOT A NOTICE OF RECALL, LED US TO BELIEVE THAT ANY PROBLEM WE HAD WOULD NOT BE COVERED, AND AT THAT TIME WE HAD NOT HAD ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY 1999 THE HEATER QUIT WORKING. WE TOOK IT TO TWO LOCAL MECHANICS WHO ADDED COOLANT. WHEN THE HEATER STILL WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY ONE SAID THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKETS. WE TOOK THE VAN TO MERIDIAN FORD IN MERIDIAN, IDAHO. THEY CHARGED US $2000 TO RDO THE HEADS. THEY DID NOT TELL US THAT REDOING THE HEADS MAY CAUSE THE MAIN ENGINE TO FAIL DUE TO DAMAGE FROM LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE. ON APRIL 4, 1999 THE ENGINE FAILED AT 65 MPH FREEWAY SPEEDS. FORTUNATLEY WE WERE NEAR AN EXIT AND A TRUCKSTOP OR WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS DANGER ON THE FREEWAY. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO MERIDIAN FORD. AS OF TODAY, APRIL 10, THEY STILL HAVE THE VAN. THEY COULD NOT GET FORD TO PAY FOR ANY OF EITHER THE FIRST OR SECOND REPAIR. THEY WANT $2500 TO PUT IN A NEW SHORT BLOCK. WE HAVE FOUND OUT ON THE INTERNET THAT FORD HAS HELPED PAY FOR SOME REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH MILEAGE WAS ABOVE THAT INCLUDED IN THEIR NOTICE AND EVEN THOUGH SOME PROBLEMS OCCURRED AFTER THE DEC 31, 1998 DEADLINE FOR REMEDYING ANY PROBLEMS. WE TRIED TO CONTACT FORD OURSELVES THROUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND OTHEREWISE AND WERE STONE WALLED AT EVERY STEP. THE PEOPLE WERE RUDE AND DEMEANING IN THEIR MANNER. WITH THE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE 1995 WINDSTARS IT IS APPARENT THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL. THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM FAULTY HEADGASKETS. FORD KNEW THEY WERE FAULTY. THEY SENT A SLICK WORDED NOTICE AT THE END OF THE YEAR DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND GAVE ONLY A VERY SHORT TIME TO ACT BEFORE THE YEAR END DEADLINE. WE WANT FORD TO MAKE IT RIGH |
| 705616 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 06, 1999 | 0073000 | FAULTY HEAD GASKET IS A KNOWN DEFECT, SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED |
| 705619 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 02, 1999 | 0060533 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. APPEARS TO BE KNOWN DEFECT BUT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM. |
| 705625 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 14, 1999 | 0080209 | ENGINE REPLACED DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. WARRANTY EXPIRED. TOTAL COSTS $3869.64 |
| 706020 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 17, 1999 | 0067100 | AT 57,898 MILES (SEPT. '98), MY WINDSTAR STARTED ACTING FUNNY. I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP , WHO SAID IT APPEARED TO BE A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM, AND TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT. I BROUGHT IT IN, HAD IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. ON 4/17/99, IT STARTED DRIVING VERY POORLY, AND ON 4/19 BROUGHT IT TO THE SAME LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO SAID AGAIN, IT WAS THIS TIME A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, AND TO CALL THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THERE HAD BE A RECALL THAT ENDED 1/99 (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NEVER REC'D ANY NOTICE), AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE EXPENSES MYSELF. THEY ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS AGIANST THE LAW FOR THEM TO COVER ANY EXPENSES, AFTER THE RECALL NOTICE EXPIRED. I HAVE NOW BEEN WAITING W/OUT MY CAR FOR A WEEK NOW, FOR THEM TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS. I HAVE CALLED FORD DIRECTLY AND THEY SAY ESSENTIALLY, TOUGH LUCK. |
| 706027 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 01, 1999 | 0061000 | THE WINDSTAR IS VERY UNSAFE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED THREE TIMES, ALWAYS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSES SERIOUS OTHER ENGINE COMPNONETS TO FAIL, EVENTUALLY CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH CAN ALSO OCCUR SUDDENLY WHILE IN TRAFFIC. |
| 837330 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | CONSUMER HAS A BAD ENGINE HEAD GASKET THAT IS CAUSING OIL LEAKS AND OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 837366 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0066000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET CRACKED CAUSING FAILURE. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THE HARD GASKETS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *YC |
| 837495 | 1909 WINDSTAR | April 27, 1909 | 0062000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKS. REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER EXPENSE. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK |
| 837550 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 22, 1999 | 0066000 | CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN ENGINE TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE. THEN CALLED TOW TRUCK, AFTER TOWING VEHICLE, GARAGE FOUND NOTHING. AGAIN, ON 22-APR-99, WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON. DRIVER PULLED OVER. THEN HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. DEALER FOUND A LEAK IN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. DEALER REPLACED HEAD GASKET/OXYGEN SENSOR, AND CHECKED ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD. FOUND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD TO BE OKAY. AN OPEN INVESTIGATION OF COOLANT LEAKAGE IN ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS PENDING, IE-98-080. *AK |
| 837940 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 12, 1999 | 0105000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A LEAKAGE THAT LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *AK |
| 838011 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 27, 1999 | 0063000 | IE98080, DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKS COOLANT WHICH MAY CAUSE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. KNOWN PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK |
| 705683 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 01, 1999 | 0068600 | HEAD GASKET IS DEFECTIVE ON 1000'S OF 3.8L ENGINES, SHOULD BE RECALLED |
| 705685 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 22, 1999 | 0068600 | HEAD GASKETS BLOWN CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH OIL IN ENGINE. FORD HAD A PROGRAM WHICH EXPIRED 12/31/98 THAT COVERED REPAIRS TO HEAD GASKETS REGARDLESS OF MILES OR TIME OWNED. HOWEVER, MY HEAD GASKETS BLEW IN 2/99 SO THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT IS CAUSING THE BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. |
| 705721 | 1998 WINDSTAR | June 20, 1998 | 0057000 | MY VEHICLE OVERHEATED IN JUNE, 1998 AND I ADDED ADDITIONAL COOLANT. IN APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS, I RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE FROM FORD WHERE HEAD GASKETS ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE TYPE AND MAKE WERE FAILING PREMATURELY. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT (DELTA FORD, VICKSBURG, MS) ON 7/28/98 (INVOICE NUMBER 017128) AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME THE HEAD GASKET WAS STILL GOOD. MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REQUIRE COOLANT EVERY 2 - 3 MONTHS. THE PROBLEM RECENTLY HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. I ADDED COOLANT TO IT ON 4/5/99 AND THEN AGAIN ON 4/17/99 - 368 MILES LATER. TODAY (4/17/99) MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IT DOES APPEAR THAT I HAVE A HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF DELTA FORD WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE FAULTY GASKET ON 7/28/98 WHILE THE REPAIR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM THAT CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING. *AK |
| 705739 | 1994 WINDSTAR | September 05, 1994 | 0500000 | 1. FRONT END LOOSENESS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING TO THE PRESENT TIE BARS CTC. REPLACED WITHOUT ANY NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT. 2 SPEEDOMETER FAILURE AT 45K 3. POWER WINDOW MOTOR (LEFT FRONT) QUIT. 3. TRANSMISSION FAILED/ REPLACEMENT (WITH ONLY 17K FAILED.4. HEAD GASKET BLEW. I FIND IN RESEARCHING THE DEFECTS THAT MY EXPERIENCE IS QUITE COMMON BUT THAT FORD HAS NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN SOME OF THESE AREAS -ESPECIALLY THE FAILED TRANSMISSIONS,. IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOUR ORG. CAN VERIFY THESE FEFECTS AS BEING WORTHY OF FORD COMPENSATING THE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THESE MFAILURES OF MANUFACTURE. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF THE STATUS OF YOUR WORK . THANK YOU, GEARY LEASON. *AK |
| 705791 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 15, 1999 | 0062270 | CAR WAS IDLING ROUGH, WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF REAR OF VEHICLE, TEMP GAUGE READING NORMAL, SMOKE GOT WORSE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE DIED, ALL IN 3 BLOCK DISTANCE. GARAGE SAYS BLOWN HEAD GASKET, NEW ENGINE NEEDED, FORD WILL DO NOTHING.*AK |
| 705806 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | THE HEAD GASKETS BEGAN TO FAIL ON APRIL 12,1999, RESULTING IN THE OVERHEATING OF OUR ENGINE. ALTHOUGH FORD ISSUED A LETTER TO US LAST JUNE REGARDING THE PROBLEM THEY WERE HAVING WITH HEAD GASKETS RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE, THEY CLAIM WE CANNOT BE COMPENSATED FOR OUR EXPENSES BECAUSE WE MISSED THE CUTOFF TO THEIR NO CHARGE COVERAGE BY 3 MONTHS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD REALIZED THAT THIS PRODUCT WAS FAULTY, AND WE WANT FORD TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE COST TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE WILL BE $3200.00. WE FEEL THAT FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING AND COMPENSATING FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY KNEW WOULD OCCUR. *AK |
| 705817 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 18, 1999 | 0063321 | THE HEAD GASKET(S) FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT AND POSSIBLY SUSTAIN INTERNAL DAMAGE. MY WIFE WAS STRANDED IN TRAFFIC, POSING A DANGER TO HERSELF, OUR CHILDREN WHO WERE PASSENGERS, AND VEHICLES HAVING TO DRIVE AROUND HER. I'VE HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS FAILURE MAY BE EPIDEMIC AMONG 1995 WINDSTARS WITH 3.8L ENGINES. FORD TEMPORARILY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY IN RECOGNITION OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT TERMINATED IT AS OF 12/98. SINCE MY VEHICLE DID NOT SHOW ANY SYMPTOMS UNTIL THIS PAST WEEKEND, I DID NOT TAKE IT IN TO FORD FOR A REPAIR UNDER WARRRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR MY ENGINE AT THEIR COST, AS THE UNEXPECTED, SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET DUE NOT TO WEAR AND TEAR, BUT TO A FLAW IN THE VEHICLES DESIGN, CAN CAUSE PASSENGERS TO BE PLACED IN CONDITIONS OF EXTREME DANGER. WEAR AND TEAR IS SOMETHING THAT A VEHICLE OWNER CAN ANTICIPATE; A BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE AND MILEAGE IS NOT TO BE EXPECTED, AND THEREFORE CONSTITUTES A SAFETY DEFECT. *AK |
| 705835 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 06, 1998 | 0035910 | IN AUGUST OF 1997 I PURCHASED A USED FORD WINDSTAR FROM ROBIN FORD IN GLENOLDEN,PA. I TRADED IN MY 91 FORD TOPAZ. THE MILEAGE ON THE WINDSTAR WHEN PURCHASED WAS 28,853. IN SEPTEMBER OF 1997 I TOOK THE WINDSTAR IN TO FORD IN HAZELTON TO FLUSH AND FILL RADIATOR, AND A NEW FUEL FILTER. AT THAT TIME I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY DOORS STICKING. THEY LUBED CYLINDER. IN DECEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR, I TOOK IT BACK TO HAVE ALL LOCKS REPLACED, HAVE A RECALL DONE, OIL CHANGE AND FILTER, AND AT THAT TIME I INFORMED THEM THAT I WAS SMELLING ANTI-FREEZE, TO PLEASE LOOK INTO IT. THEY CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND LOOSE HOSES, AND FOUND NOTHING. EVEN THOUGH I CONTINUED TO SMELL IT, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. IN MARCH OF 98 I COMPLAINED OF MY WINDOWS FOGGING, AGAIN. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO LEAKS THAT THEY COULD SEE.THEY INSTALLED NEW HEAD GASKETS OIL AND FILTER TWO PLUGS. I ALSO HAD AN INSPECTION DONE AND AN ALIGNMENT. THINGS SEEMED TO BE OKAY TO ME. THEN I STARTED SMELLING ANTI-FREEZE AGAIN, AND WENT BACK TO TELL THEM THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. WHEN THEY CHECKED IT THEY FOUND THAT THE GASKETS HAD NOT SET RIGHT. AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN. THAT WAS IN FEBUARY OF THIS YEAR. ALSO HAD A STATE INSPECTION DONE. ALTHOUGH I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE GASKETS I DID HAVE TO PAY FOR A HEAD COVER, BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS SEPARATE FROM THE GASKETS. I PICKED MY CAR ON THE 26TH OF FEBUARY THAT WAS A FRIDAY, AND BY MONDAY MORNING I WAS BACK TELLING THEM THAT I STILL SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE, AND THAT THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY, THAT IT FELT AS IF IT WANTED TO STALL, EVERYTIME I STOPPED OR PUT IN REVERSE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER WOULD HAVE TO RELEARN ITSELF??????? AND THAT I PROBABLY WOULD SMELL ANTI-FREEZE FOR AWHILE. THEN THIS PAST WEEKEND I HAD TO TAKE MY SON TO VISIT WITH A FRIEND, AND THE CAR SEEMED TO NOT HAVE ANY PICKUP, AND IT STARTED TO STALL, IT WOULD STALL WHEN I CAME TO A STOP, OR TRIED TO PARK IT, WHEN I WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT IT. *AK |
| 705882 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | APRIL, 1998 AT 34,000 MILES CAR TAKEN TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS A SLIGHT OIL LEAK. KEPT CAR OVERNIGHT AND THEN FOR A FEW MORE DAYS. REPLACED NUMEROUS SEALS AND GASKETS. VALVE COVER GASKET, ETC. ONE YEAR LATER, APRIL, 1999 AT 47,000 MILES CAR BROUGHT IN AGAIN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND UNEXPLAINED ENGINE COOLANT LOSS. DEALER ADVISED THAT HEAD GASKET MUST BE REPLACED. *AK |
| 705967 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 24, 1999 | 0079000 | THE HEAD GASKET ON OUR 95 FORD WINDSTAR BLEW UP TODAY, AND WE HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS 95 FORD VAN'S HEAD GASKET ON THE INTERNET. WE ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED AND HOPE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. *AK |
| 706123 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 28, 1999 | 0075500 | I CONTACTED FORD CUST. SERVICE AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN THE 95 WINDSTAR. THEY DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL, THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE DESIGN CAME FROM THE FACTORY, AND WAS ORIGINAL TO MY CAR AS IT LEFT THE FACTORY FLOOR.ONLY CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT, MY CAR IS ONE OF THEM.FORD ONLY ISSUED A NOTICE TO DEALER'S THAT IF A CUSTOMER CAME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM BETWEEN MAY AND DEC 98, THEN THE DEALER WAS TO FIX THE VAN FOR FREE. FORD DID NOT INFORM ME BY MAIL OR OTHERWISE THAT MY CAR COULD FAIL TO OPERATE AFTER ACCELERATION HAD TAKEN PLACE. IF MY DEALER KNEW OF THIS DEFECT, WHY WAS I NOT GIVEN THE INFORMATION.THIS REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY $2,600.00. THIS REPAIR IS ONLY GUARANTEED FOR 12,000 MILES AND THEN BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE DESIGN, THE FAILURE COULD OCCUR AGAIN. I SPENT 27,000 DOLLARS ON THIS CAR AND NOW IT IS BROKE, FORD REFUSES TO PAY ANY MONEY TO REPAIR MY CAR BECAUSE IT BROKE AFTER THE DEC.98 CUT OFF. MY CAR WAS NOT BROKEN THEN SO THE CUTOFF DATE ONLY WORKS FOR THEM. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A FAILURE THAT FORD KNEW WOULD HAPPEN, REGARDLESS OF HOW WELL I DROVE MY CAR. THIS FAILURE OCCURED AS I WAS DRIVING MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. I AM GLAD I GOT MY CAR OFF THE ROAD BEFORE AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURED. I CALLED FORD TODAY AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD, TOO BAD FOR YOU. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. |
| 706187 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 01, 1998 | 0059160 | ENGINE - BOTH HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER, THEN ENGINE REPLACED, TRANMISSION SHOWED BURNT FLUID AND WAS REPLACED 3 MONTHS FOLLOWING ENGINE REPLACEMENT, AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO WORK 3 DAYS AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. |
| 706235 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 07, 1999 | 0094000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREWWAY APPROX 100 MILES FROM HOME. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO CONTACTED FORD AS FORD HAD RECOGNIZED THAT THIS PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD EXTENEDED THE WARRANTY UNTIL 12-31-98. FORD WOULD NOT PAY ANYTHING TOWARDS THE REPAIR. INSPECTION OF THE HEAD GASKET REVEALS THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A FLAW IN THE DESIGN, (AT LEAST OBVIOUS TO ME).. NEW HEAD GASKET DESIGN HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. |
| 706252 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 04, 1999 | 0069000 | HEADGASKETS ON THESE ENGINES ARE BOUND FOR FAILURE, FORD UPGRADED THE GASKETS BUT WILL NOT STAND COVER THE COSTS AFTER DEC. 1998. MOST PEOPLE LOOSE THIER ENGINES OR WARP THIER HEADS. |
| 706267 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 27, 1999 | 0070460 | AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I LEARNED THAT MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS IN THE WINDSTAR BEFORE REACHING 50,000 MILES AND REPLACE HEAD GASKETS AROUND 70,000 MILES. THE COST OF BOTH REPAIRS IS EXPENSIVE AND FORD DOES NOT COVER THESE EXPENSES IF YOU DID NOT RESPOND TO A LETTER THEY SAY THEY SENT EVERYONE. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD PAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WHICH THEY KNOW EXISTS. |
| 706282 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 04, 1999 | 0053000 | OUR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR BLEW A HEADGASKET ON 05/04/99 WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES. APPARENTLY THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THESE VEHCILES CONCERNING HEADGASKETS BUT FORD HAS NOT NOTIFIED ANY OF US WITH RECALLS. I'M CURRENTLY CONTACTING FORD AND MY DEALER TO SEE IF THERE IS A REMEDY TO THE PROBLEMS OR IF THEY'LL PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I DON'T APPRECIATE NOT BEING NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. MY NEW BABY BOY WAS IN THE VEHCILE WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER. THEY COULDV'E BEEN OUT OF TOWN AND NO ONE TO CALL BUT FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED IN TOWN. PLEASE REQUEST THAT FORD MAKE A RECALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF EXAMPLES OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB. JUST CHECK IT OUT. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP AND CONSIDERATION. |
| 706357 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 02, 1999 | 0057500 | I RECEIVED A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FORD IN 1998 WHICH STATED THAT: IF THERE WERE PROBLEMS WHERE THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE 60,000 MILES, THAT FORD WOULD COVER THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. THEY HAVE DECLINED TO DO SO BECAUSE THE SERVICE BULLETIN "EXPIRED" ON 12/31/1998. MY POINT: I AM STILL UNDER THE MILEAGE LIMIT AND THE REPAIR COST SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. THE ENGINE DESIGN IS FAULTY, DOES THE PROBLEM JUST DISAPPEAR BECAUSE IT OCCURED AFTER 1998? THE TIME LIMIT ON THIS SERVICE BULLETIN IS A BOGUS COP-OUT. *AK |
| 706365 | 1998 WINDSTAR | August 13, 1998 | 0055000 | COOLING SYSTEM AND HEAD GASKET RELATED FAILURES IN 1995 FORD WINDSTARS ARE COMMON FROM 35 TO 70K AND RESULT IN MAJOR REPAIR EXPENSES. *AK |
| 706256 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKETS AROUND JULY, 1998 WHICH FORD PAID FOR. THEY CHARGED ME AROUND $900 TO FIX A LEAK TO THE TIMING COVER THAT I THINK WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAD GASKETS. WHILE IT WAS IN THE SHOP, I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHILE ROUNDING CORNERS AND IT "JERKS" INTO GEAR AFTER STOPPING AT LIGHTS/SIGNS. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITENTLY AND REMAINS ON AND DIAGNOSTICS ARE NOT CONCLUSIVE, THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS "DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEM". I'VE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES SQUEAKING AND BEEN TOLD IT'S "BRAKE DUST" BUT I'M NOT CONVINCED. |
| 541498 | 1998 WINDSTAR | September 01, 1998 | 0071000 | CRACKED HEAD GASKET. |
| 531075 | 1998 WINDSTAR | February 14, 1998 | 0060180 | BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. |
| 536722 | 1997 WINDSTAR | December 02, 1997 | 0062000 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE. |
| 536734 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 03, 1998 | 0068683 | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. A HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSED THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO FAIL. |
| 838200 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 31, 1999 | 0060000 | WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH TRIED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT THE CONSUMER 'S VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER AND STALLED.MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER VEHICLE HAD AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK |
| 532642 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 01, 1998 | 0066000 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE. (TSB #98-4-9) |
| 545216 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED, RECALL ON HEAD GASKET HOWEVER DENIED RECALL REPAIR FROM DEALERSHIP DUE TO PART DISCREPANCY. (98M01) MJS |
| 545271 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 08, 1999 | 0069723 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 706522 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 06, 1999 | 0064307 | FORD HAD ACKNOWLEDGED A FAULTY HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH THE 95 WINDSTARS BY EXTENDING THEIR WARRANTY SERVICE TO COVER UP TO 60,000 MILES. THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR COSTS FOR MY 95 WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET FAILURE CLAIMING I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AT 64000 MILES. I FEEL THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGED A FAULTY PART BY EXTENDING THEIR WARRANTY AND SHOULD COVER ALL HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON THIS MODEL, NOT JUST TO 60,000 MILES. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ABSOLUTELY REFUSED TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS CLAIM IN ANY WAY. THEY SIMPLY STATE THAT IT IS NOT A COVERED WARRANTY ITEM AND THEREFORE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENSE. *AK |
| 706530 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 26, 1999 | 0039300 | HEAD GASKET SHOULDN'T FAIL ON A MINIVAN LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. HOPE NO OTHER FAILURES ARE IMMINENT. *AK |
| 706632 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 17, 1999 | 0080171 | IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL. WHAT THEY DID WAS TO EXTEND WARRANTY COVERAGE THROUGH DECEMBER OF 1998. THOSE OF US LEFT WITH THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET PROBLEM ARE LEFT WITH HUGE REPAIR BILLS AND NO HELP FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT AT LEAST 50% OF THE WINDSTARS HAD EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE 5 MONTHS TOO LATE FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE. *AK |
| 706634 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 17, 1999 | 0083068 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK WHICH ALSO CAUSED ENGINE BEING TOO COLD OR TOO HOT. CONTACTED FORD, NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. *AK |
| 706655 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 19, 1999 | 0062024 | THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT LESS THAN 62000 MILES OR 5 YEARS. FORD HAD SAID THEY WOULD PAY, BUT NOT PAST 5 YEARS OR 60000 MILES. THAT OFFER EXPIRED 12/31/98.*AK |
| 706663 | 1998 WINDSTAR | October 26, 1998 | 0083510 | 8/3/98 OUR '95 WINDSTAR HAD THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED UNDER FORD'S "EXTENDED WARRANTY" PROGAM. WE HAD HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MISSING IN THE PAST. ON 10/26/98 THE ENGINE MISSED SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE GOING 70MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, THEN I LOST ENGINE POWER AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ANTIFREEZE RAN OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. WE NURSED IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THAT A CRANK SHAFT BEARING HAD GONE BAD. THE ONLY REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE TO THE TUNE OF $3000. WE QUESTIONED THE DEALER'S MECHANIC AT THAT TIME ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS BEING RELATED TO THE RECALL AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RELATIONSHIP. WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THE REPAIR UNTIL APRIL. AFTER TALKING MORE WITH THE DEALERSHIP WE DISCOVERED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD PAID FOR OTHER ENGINE REPLACEMENTS AFTER HEAD GASKET WORK, BUT BECAUSE OUR DEALER DIDN'T CONTACT THEM PRIOR TO THE DEC '98/JAN '99 EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRATION DATE, EVEN THOUGH WE NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE OUR ENGINE. WE FEEL THAT EITHER THE HEAD GASKETS HAD ALREADY LEAKED ENOUGH COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE TO CONTAMINATE THE FLUID AND CAUSE THE BEARING FAILURE PRIOR TO THE HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT OR THERE WAS FLUID CONTAMINATION DURING THE HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. WE FEEL WE HAVE BEEN TREATED UNFAIRLY BY TOWN AND COUNTRY FORD AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *AK |
| 706673 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 12, 1998 | 0035000 | THE 1995 WINDSTAR IS A THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF THEIR OWNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE TRANSMISSIONS MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME AND THE HEAD GASKET WILL LEAD TO BLOWN ENGINES . THIS CAR IS A KNOWN LEMON AND NTSA MUST ACT TO PROTECT THE FAMILIES OF AMERICA BEFORE ANY MORE PEOPLE GET HURT PHYICALLY OR FINANCIALLY. *AK |
| 706765 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 06, 1998 | 0038361 | AT35,000 MILES, FIRST TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. AT 38,000 MILES I HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE . FORD SAID I HAD A MAIN BEARING KNOCK . THEY TOOK ENGINE APART AND SAID " RODS MARKED 1-6, BUT NOT IN ORDER?TOP OF ROD AT WRIST PINS ARE BLUE( HOT OVERHEAT CONDITION). HEAD GASKETS SHOW SIGNS, RUSTY AT BLOCK &HEAD AREAS. MAIN BRGS SCORED THUR BEDS & #5 IN COPPER BED. MAINBOLT BLACK SMELLS LIKE BURNED OIL.. NOW AT 56,200 FORD SAYS I NEED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION THE ONE REPLACED IS BAD NOW!!! ONE THING TO ADD I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 2,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEARLER HAD TOLD ME IT WAS AN "UNWIND" NO PROBLEMS WITH , SOMEONE DID'NT QUALIFY FOR THE CREDIT SO THEY HAD THEM RETURN IT. THEY CAN'T SELL IT AS NEW ANYMORE!!!!!! 56,200 MILES 3TRANSMISSIONS & 2 ENGINES!!!!!!! WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT HOW THE ENGINE WAS TOTALLY DEFECTIVE , I BASICALLY GOT THE RUN AROUND. *AK |
| 706781 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 08, 1999 | 0082000 | PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKETS ALLOWED ENGINE COOLANT TO RUIN PISTON BEARINGS WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE OVERHEATING AND FAILURE. FORD HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WHICH EXPIRED 12/31/98. WE TOOK THE VAN IN BECAUSE WE DETECTED AN ENGINE NOISE ON 12/22/98. WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. ON 2/1/98, WE TOOK THE VAN IN BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANTLY. WE WERE GIVEN A TUNE-UP. ON 2/8/99, THE ENTIRE ENGINE BLEW AS IT WAS BEING STARTED PRIOR TO OUR DRIVE HOME. *AK |
| 706829 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 01, 1999 | 0031200 | SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF ACTIVITY WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKETS ON THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR WITH A 3.8L V-6. CERTAINLY THERE MUST BE SOME RECOURSE WITH FORD IN HAVING THIS REPAIRED. WOULD LIKE TO FILE COMPLAINT AGAINST FORD CONCERNING SAME. *AK |
| 838964 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP BECAUSE THERE WAS A LEAKY ENGINE HEAD GASKET THAT BLEW. DEALER SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW. *AK |
| 838914 | 1996 WINDSTAR | August 19, 1996 | 0098000 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: CHIMES FOR DOOR AJAR, RINGS WHEN DOORS ARE CLOSED. HAD BEEN TO 10 DIFFERENT SHOPS FOR EITHER FUSE REPLACEMENT OR SLIDING DOOR PANEL REPLACEMENT. ALSO, WIRING TO WINDOWS GOES UP OR DOWN WITHOUT BEING SWITCHED EITHER WAY AND DOME LIGHT COMES ON BY ITSELF. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSIO: WORN OUT DUE TO LEAKAGE (OIL) FROM THEENGINE HEAD GASKETS. NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK |
| 704659 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 01, 1999 | 0037200 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET/RADIATOR REPLACED, DOMN LIGHTS WON'T SHUT OFF, WATER IN REAR TAIL LIGHT, HOOD WONT SHUT, AIRCONDITIONING SWITCH REPLACED, BRAKES MAKING NOISE AFTER BEING JUST REPLACED, DIDNT SOLVE PROBLEM,. SEAT BELT SEEMS LOOSE. *AK |
| 703572 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 17, 1999 | 0132000 | CHARGED $900 TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET. IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL? WHAT ELSE SHOULD I CONTACT FOR ABOUT? *AK |
| 536172 | 1995 WINDSTAR | May 10, 1995 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET BLOWN |
| 536180 | 1997 WINDSTAR | May 01, 1997 | 0000000 | CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THE VEHICLE HAD HESITATION AT STOP LIGHT, DUE TO BAD HEAD GASKET. |
| 536192 | 1995 WINDSTAR | April 13, 1995 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW, BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTED CYLINDER HEAD (IT HAD A SMALL GAP IN IT, APPARENTLY FROM A MANUFACTURING DEFECT) |
| 536868 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 01, 1998 | 0053000 | THIS MODEL YEAR WINDSTAR I AM TOLD IS NOTORIOUS FOR HEAD GASKETS FAILURES AT LOW MILEAGE. FORD STATES THAT THIS FAILURE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER 36000 MILES. |
| 540166 | 1996 WINDSTAR | November 01, 1996 | 0119000 | FAULTY HEAD GASKET, BEGAN OVERHEATING ON THE WAY HOME, HEAD GASKET FAILED, REQUIRE A NEW ENGINE. RETURN TO THE GARAGE AND FOUND 3 OXYGENATORS, DEALER SAID THAT IT IS MISSING 3 BOLTS NEEDED TO STABILIZE THE ENGINE AND THAT NONE OF THE BOLTS ARE TORQUED PROPERLY, CAUSING THE STARTER AND FLYWHEEL TO DESTROY ITSELF. IMPOSSIBLE FOR THESE BOLTS TO HAVE WORKED LOOSE IN THIS SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME IF PROPERLY INSTALLED. |
| 707038 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 15, 1999 | 0066000 | THE HEAD GASKET BLEW ON THE ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY OVERHEAT. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I FOUND IT WAS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT IN THE 1995 FORD 3.8 LITER ENGINE. I LEANED THIS FROM ALL 3 LOCAL DEALERS AND 2 LOCAL ENGINE SHOPS. APPARENTLY FORD WAS FIXING ANY ENGINE THIS OCCURRED ON UP TO 60000 MILES, SO THEY OBVIOUSLY KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM. UPON CONTACTING FORD, I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE AND WOULD HAVE TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE DEALER WHO CHARGED ME $50 AN HOUR INSTEAD OF $60, RESULTING IN A BILL OF $1350 INSTEAD OF $1600. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER. FORD OBVIOUSLY KNEW ABOUT IT OR THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD ANY REPAIR POLICY FOR THIS PROBLEM. NOT ONLY AM I OUT THE $1400 ( A SENSOR ALSO FAILED WHCICH HAD TO BE REPLACED), BUT I COULD HAVE BEEN OUT MUCH MORE SINCE THE ENGINE OVERHEATS SO QUICKLY THEY OFTEN SUFFER SEVERE DAMAGE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED(I WAS TOLD THIS AGAIN BY SEVERAL DEALERS AND ENGINE SHOPS).ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS HURT I FEEL THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS BECAUSE IT CAN OCCUR SO SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. *AK |
| 707081 | 1998 WINDSTAR | November 22, 1998 | 0059000 | THE SYMPTOMS ORIGINALLY SHOWED UP IN NOVEMBER OF 1998. I CALLED THE DEALER THAT DID NOT TELL ME THAT THERE WERE ANY KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. I ALSO NEVER RECEIVED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY NO-CHARGE WARRANTY LETTER DATED JUNE, 1998, TELLING ME OF THE SYMPTOMS AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO DECEMBER 31, 1998. WHEN THE PROBLEM WORSENED, I TOOK THE VAN IN ON MAY 26. AGAIN, PRIOR TO TAKING IT IN, THE DEALER ADMITTED NO PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. I WAS CALLED WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF BLOWN HEAD GASKET, $1100. *AK |
| 707120 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 14, 1999 | 0070000 | ON MAY 14, 1999 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MODERATE CITY TRAFFIC, MY 95 FORD WINDSTAR'S ENGINE STARTED TO SKIP AS IF A SPARK PLUG WAS NOT FIRING. I WAS ABOUT 2 MILES FROM HOME AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE SLOWLY WATCHING FOR FURTHER SIGNS OF TROUBLE. AT ABOUT 1/2 MILE TO 1 MILE LATER THE "CHECK ENGINE" CAME, ON AND I SLOWED MY SPEED TO ABOUT 20 WHEN I NOTICED THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGAN TO RISE. I STARTED TO PULL OVER WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE RUNNING ( A WHITE VAPOR CLOUD WAS EMERGING FROM THE TAILPIPE) I COASTED TO A STOP. THE MECHANIC AT DAVE DINGER FORD AT BRAINTREE MA SAID THE HEAD GASKET(S) FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE PARTS DUE TO THE ANTI-FREEZE MIXING WITH THE OIL, AND RECOMMENDED A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE AT A COST OF $ 4,200.00 . FORD HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERING THIS PART FOR UNLIMITED MILEAGE, BUT NOT LATER THAN 12-31-98. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER FORD AND THEY REFUSE TO PAY OR NEGOTIATE THE COST OF ENGINE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT FOR THEM IN THE 3.8 LITER V-6 ENGINE (TAURUS & SABLE 94-95) FOR SOME TIME PRIOR TO MY BUYING THE CAR USED IN 6/97. THE CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED AS A FORD CORPORATE VEHICLE IN MASSACHUSETTS SINCE NEW. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR OF A LATENT DEFECT, KNOWN TO THEM, AT THE TIME OF SALE. *AK |
| 707125 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 01, 1999 | 0062500 | ENGINE RACED WHEN FIRST STARTED IN THE AM--DEALER SAID THAT HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN,THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR WINSTARS, THAT FORD HAD A HIDDEN WARRANTY IF CAR WAS LESS THAN 5 YR/60,000 MILES--VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX ($1300)--IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? *AK |
| 707145 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 29, 1999 | 0064900 | THE HEAD GASKET ON MY WINDSTAR IS DEFECTIVE. I CALLED FORD TO FIND OUT IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED. I WAS TOLD THAT A LETTER WAS SENT OUT TO DEALERS AND OWNERS FOR THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE MY CAR'S MILEAGE WAS OVER 65000 AND THAT THE RECALL ENDED IN DECEMBER OF 1998, THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HEAD GASKET. I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT WHEN THEY KNEW THAT THEY HAD USED FAULTY MATERIAL. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE '95 WINDSTARS. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THIS I WAS TOLD THAT NO PROBLEM EXISTS AND NO RECALL WAS IN PLACE FOR THE TRANSMISSION. FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR USING FAULTY EQUIPMENT. THE BAD PART IS THAT THE WINDSTAR HAS A 5 STAR RATING FOR SAFETY AND YET FORD USES FAULTY MATERIALS FOR ITS PRODUCTION AND DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS PRODUCT. *AK |
| 839453 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETMALFUNCTIONED. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED MANUFACTRURER'S WARRANTY, BUT IT HAS EXPIRED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 536169 | 1998 WINDSTAR | April 21, 1998 | 0000000 | WE HAVE HEARD SEVERAL COMMENTS FROM MECHANICS, FRIENDS AND ON THE INTERNET, THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. OUR RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE WINDSTAR IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BLOW HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS AT BETWEEN 40 AND 60,000 MILES. WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT INJURED WHEN THE ENGINE BLEW, BUT HAD WE BEEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND FEEL THAT IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. |
| 536166 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 01, 1998 | 0083000 | APPARENTLY THERE ARE A LARGE PRECENTAGE OF HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON FORD 3.8L ENGINES. 2 BELIEVE FORD SHOULD WARRANTY THIS PROBLEM BEYOND THE NORMAL WARRANTY PERIOD. IF NOT, I WOULD TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT. |
| 536066 | 1996 WINDSTAR | January 10, 1996 | 0000000 | INTERNET SITE WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM HAS MANY, MANY FOR WIDSTAR OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PART FAILURE-FORWARD THRUST PISTON (TRANSMISSION) AND HEAD GASKET LEAK. 1996 AND 1997 OWNERS ARE ALSO STARTING TO LEAVE MESSAGES ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THERE WINDSTARS. |
| 839497 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0070000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN. A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT COMPAIGN WAS ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE FOR THE CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 545455 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 25, 1999 | 0078500 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *YC |
| 840697 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 12, 1999 | 0086000 | THE ENGINE'S HEAD GASKETS LEAKING OIL. HAD IT REPAIRED ONCE BEFORE & NOW PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. |
| 545057 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 09, 1999 | 0061966 | VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE OVERHEATING DUE TO DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, HOWEVER REPAIRS MADE AT TIME OF OVERHEATING WERE ONLY TO THE THERMOSTAT(12-98), CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT WITH FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET HOWEVER DENIED DUE TO MILEAGE AND DATE. MJS (98M01) |
| 545891 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 01, 1998 | 0057942 | HEAD GASKET FAILED AND WAS COVERED BY SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01, THIS FAILURE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO ENGINE (NOISE) BUT FORD WILL NOT COVER THIS DAMAGE. |
| 545772 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET BLOWN, AS PER NOTICE 98M01. NLM |
| 841375 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 25, 1999 | 0145000 | WHILE DRIVING ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP, AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK |
| 841478 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 23, 1999 | 0074000 | WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, TIMING CHAIN AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER NOT TO HAVE ANY POWER WITHIN THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CURRENTLY,VEHICLE IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP. *AK |
| 530903 | 1997 WINDSTAR | November 12, 1997 | 0064000 | ENGINE BLEW THE HEAD GASKET. |
| 530802 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 532779 | 1998 WINDSTAR | January 01, 1998 | 0070500 | FAULTY SEALS AND BOLTS ON THE HEAD GASKETS CAUSE COOLANT LEAKAGE AND OVERHEATING. |
| 537677 | 1998 WINDSTAR | June 22, 1998 | 0051714 | HEAD GASKET FAILRE. |
| 528304 | 1998 WINDSTAR | January 13, 1998 | 0075458 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 531594 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 02, 1998 | 0000000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET. |
| 842333 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET ALLOWING OIL AND ANTI-FREEZE TO GO INTO ENGINE, CAUSING A POTENTIAL ENGINE FAILURE. *AK |
| 842697 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 21, 1999 | 0065000 | A LEAK WITHING ENGINE HEAD GASKET CAUSED VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND FLOOD WITH ANTIFREEZE. CONSUMER HAD ENGINE REBUILT. *AK * MJS |
| 843213 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 15, 1999 | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING GAS TO SPILL ALL OVER ENGINE AND DRIP OUT OF TAIL PIPE.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK |
| 843912 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 27, 1999 | 0080000 | ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF, INDICATING THERE IS A LEAKAGE COMING FROM ENGINE HEAD GASKET. ALSO, SPARK PLUGS CAME OFF. *AK |
| 843934 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 27, 1999 | 0077000 | VEHICLE KEEPS RUNNING HOT. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSED OVERHEATING. NO REPAIRWORK DONE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK |
| 707314 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 13, 1999 | 0090200 | HEAD GASKET BLEW WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT RAPIDLY. *AK |
| 707354 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 01, 1999 | 0034570 | THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURES (ENGINE TIMING GASKET AND TRANSMISSION) WITH LESS THAN 35000 MILES. ADDITIONALLY IT HAS ALSO HAD ONE MAJOR RECALL TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET. ALL OF THREE OF THESE PROBLEMS REQUIRED EXTENSIVE WORK TO REPAIR. THE TRANSIMISSION PROBLEM WAS THE MOST SERIOUS FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT, BECAUSE ITS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT INTERMITENTLY PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING, UNTIL IT FINALLY FAILED COMPLETELY AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT SHIFT AT ALL. *AK |
| 707597 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 02, 1999 | 0079417 | PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET CAUSED THE CAR TO START LURCHING SEVERELY WHILE DRIVING UP AN EXTENDED GRADE ON HIGHWAY 101. THE SUDDEN LURCHING CAUSED THE DRIVER TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL ON THIS ALREADY HAZARDOUS SECTION OF FREEWAY. UPON INVESTIGATION I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. FORD IS AWARE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND BECAUSE OF THIS FORD HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS WARRANTY IS ONLY VALID AFTER A PROBLEM OCCURS. BY THEN IT IS TOO LATE. FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES PROACTIVELY AND CORRECTING THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT MY DEALER AGREED WITH ME, BUT WASN'T WILLING TO TAKE A STAND WITH THE MANUFACTURER ON MY BEHALF. I WAS AMAZED WHEN THIS SMALL TOWN DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD 5 OTHER '95 WINDSTARS IN THE SHOP AT THIS SAME TIME WITH THE SAME FAILURE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF WEBSITES WITH PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND UNABLE TO GET ANY SATISFACTION FROM FORD. *AK |
| 707612 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 14, 1999 | 0071000 | ON 3/26/99 THE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT ON MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THIS CREATED AN UNSAFE SITUATION SINCE I WAS TRAVELING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 494 IN INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN AND HAD TO SUDDENLY PULL OF THE ROAD. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENDED ON 6/14/99. AGAIN I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 494, THIS TIME IN OAKDALE, MN, WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO BLOW APART. AGAIN, NO ACCIDENT OCCURED, BUT I WAS PLACED IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION BECAUSE I HAD TO TRAVEL AT A SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED SPEED ON TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE I ARRIVED THERE AND THEY HAD A CHANCE TO CHECK THE ENGINE, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHOT AN WOULD REQUIRE A "LONG BLOCK" REPLACEMENT. *AK |
| 707637 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 17, 1999 | 0071000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, COOLANT LEAKED INTO ENGINE, DESTOYING THE ENGINE |
| 707718 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 21, 1999 | 0072225 | A LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE NEEDS A HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT A HEAD GASKET FAILURE SHOULD BE EXPECTED AT ANY TIME, ESPECIALLY IN A VEHICLE THAT HAS NOT SEEN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IN THE TWO YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, VARIOUS DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT SOME ISSUES THAT WERE MERELY ANNOYING (SPEEDOMETER WAVERING AND JUMPING; WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT; REAR WIPER ARM BOOT FAILURE; BUILDUP OF SNOW/ICE ON FRONT WIPERS DURING SNOW). WITH THIS RECENT FAILURE (HEAD GASKETS), I AM CONVINCED THAT I HAVE PURCHASED A LEMON. |
| 707737 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 07, 1999 | 0063000 | FORD VAN RECALLED FOR HEAD GASKETS 8/98 (MILEAGE 58000). BROUGHT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AS IT WAS A NINE TO TEN HOUR JOB UNLESS THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SUNDAY MARCH 7TH AND THE CAR WAS PARKED AND LATER TOWED TO METRO FORD, STATE ST. SCHENECTADY NY. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE AND RUINED IT. REPLACEMENT WOULD BE $3500+ DEPENDING ON WHETHER OR NOT THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED. ADDITIONALLY CONSUMER WAS CHARGED A $30 FEE FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT IT, AND IF THE VAN WAS NOT OUT OF THERE QUICKLY, THEY WERE CHARGING STORAGE FEES. CONSUMER APPEALED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE "LOOPHOLE" IN THE LAW WAS THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED AND THE CONSUMER WAS ENTITLED TO NO FURTHER REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VAN AND THIS IS IN LITIGATION WITH THE NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. SO FAR, THERE HAS BEEN NO SATISFACTION ON THIS CASE. |
| 707748 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 15, 1999 | 0051500 | FORD DID PAY FOR THE HEAD GASKET PER RECALL, HOWEVER THE DEALER RECOMMENDED AN ENGINE FLUSH BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET. HAD TO PAY 100 FOR THAT. THEN THE DEALER (APPLE FORD) SAID THE THE TIMING COVER GASKET NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND CHARGED 598 LABOR. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM A LOT WITH THE WINDSTARS. I ALSO BELIEVE I WAS CHARGED LABOR FOR THE HEAD GASKET, BUT THE DEALER GOT AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE OF THE TIMING COVER. ALSO NOW THE DEALER IS SAYING TIE ROD PROBLEM TOO! THESE 95 WINSTARS ARE LEMONS! |
| 707768 | 1998 WINDSTAR | July 09, 1998 | 0025327 | CURRENTLY OUR VEHICLE IS AWAITING A NEW ENGINE AFTER HAVING THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED ON A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD LAST OCTOBER. WHILE WE HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE, WE FEEL IT IS NOT FAIR THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE REPLACEMENT IN LIGHT OF OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD WINDSTARS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 34,489 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION CONCERNS ABOUT THIS VAN AS WELL, HOWEVER THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS VAN IS INFACT A LEMON, AND WE HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, WHICH ADVISED US THAT NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY BY TIME, NOT BY MILES. *AK |
| 707778 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 19, 1999 | 0073837 | MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE HEAD GASKET (COMMON PROBLEM ON 95 FORD WINDSTAR). FORD HAS REPAIRED SEVERAL VEHICLES IN EXCESS OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT ONLY ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS AND VERY FEW (FORD WILL NOT ADMIT TO THIS AND I HAVE THE VIN NUMBERS THAT WERE WARRANTIED). FORD WILL NOT DISCUSS THE DEFECT WITH OWNERS. |
| 707877 | 1999 WINDSTAR | January 11, 1999 | 0073224 | OIL PAN LEAK NOTED @ 60K. DEALER RECOMMENDED FIX @NEXT SERVICE. AT 73224 DIED WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, OIL WARNING LIGHT FLICKERING. DEALER IDENTIFIED LEAKING TIMING COVER GASKET CAUSED COOLANT TO ENTER OIL SYSTEM. MAJOR LOWER ENGINE OVERHAUL REPLACEMENT OF ALL MOVING PARTS REQUIRED. REPAIR WAS COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH EXPIRED @ 75K. DEALER REQUESTED REPLACEMENT OF KNOWN HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AT THAT TIME DECLINED BY FORD AS NO CURRENT PROBLEM APPARENT. AT 83K VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO START, EXHAUST BLOWING WHITE SMOKE WHEN IT FINALLY STARTED. DEALER HAS HAD CAR OVER A WEEK & HAS IDENTIFIED HEAD GASKET FAILURE WHICH HAS ALSO CAUSED THE REBUILT LOWER ENGINE TO FAIL AGAIN. DEALER RECOMMENDS FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. FORD IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH AN APPARENT RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED AGAINST PREMATURE HEADGASKET FAILURE. IN COMMON WITH OTHER NOTIFICATIONS YOU HAVE RECEIVED AND WE HAVE NOTICED ON THE INTERNET. WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE WITH A MANUFACTURER WHO IS AWARE OF A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW AND REFUSES TO SERVICE ITS CUSTORMERS? OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND SERVICED FOR ITS ENTIRE LIFE SOLEY BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP FROM WHOM WE PURCHASED THIS "DEAD" VEHICLE. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR--$5,000. *AK |
| 707897 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 24, 1999 | 0047000 | THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF REPORTS OF FAILED TRANSMISSIONS AND HEAD GASKETS IN THE 1995 WINDSTAR. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES? *AK |
| 707937 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 05, 1999 | 0075150 | I BEGAN EXPERIENCING ALL THE CLASSIC SIGNS OF A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO KINGS CROWN FORD AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS ONLY A THERMASTAT. I PAID THEM ALMOST $200 AND WAS ON MY WAY. A SHORT TIME (3 DAYS) LATER THE CAR AGAIN BEGAN RUNNING HOT AND SMELLING OF ANTI-FREEZE. I BROUGHT IT TO RICHBORG AUTOMOTIVE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE, FL AND THEY CONFIRMED "HEAD GASKET." FORD NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HEAD GASKET DEFECT BEYOND THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY EARLIER ANNOUNCED. PLEASE HELP US. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $1,100 GETTING THE GASKET REPLACED AND ENGINE FIXED. FORD SHOLD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF. *AK |
| 708053 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 20, 1999 | 0089000 | I JUST PAID A $2200 REPAIR BILL FOR A VERY WELL MAINTAINED WINDSTAR. MY "MASS SENSOR" OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER. EVIDENTLY, MY CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WAS GONE. IT WAS A MAJOR JOB TO GET IT REPLACED. |
| 708112 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 26, 1999 | 0066000 | THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 1995 AFTER FAILING AT APPROXIMATELY 9000 MILES. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION HAD A SPEED SENSOR FAILURE AT 31,500 MILES AND NOW APPEARS TO BE FAILING THE SAME WAY THE ORIGINAL FAILED. FORD CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS TRANSMISSION COUPLED WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE. AFTER WRITING TO YOUR ORGANIZATION ABOUT MY HEAD GASKET PROBLEM, I WAS VERY PLEASED THAT SOMEHOW FORD WAS PERSUADED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THAT COMPONENT AS IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT LED TO THE PROBLEM. FROM WHAT I AM READING, THE TRANSMISSION IS A SIMILAR FACTORY DEFECT (POORLY DESIGNED PART: FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON). ANY HELP IN THIS AREA WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK |
| 708183 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 28, 1999 | 0060167 | ENGINE DEAD DUE TO HEADGASKET FAILURE. *AK |
| 708203 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 15, 1999 | 0065000 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED AT 61,000 MILES. AFTER REPAIRS MADE, DEALER NOTED THAT RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WAS WORN OUT. THIS IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER 65,000 MILES. *AK |
| 708266 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 01, 1999 | 0083000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND FRONT ENGINE TIMING COVER LEAK. MINIMUM ESTIMATE FROM DEALER IS $1900. WE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR WHO OFFERED NO RELIEF. WE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISION AT 40,000 MILES. WE FOUND A POSTING IN THE EDMUNDS WEB SITE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THIS PROBLEM AND LACK OF COMPENSATION FROM FORD MOTOR. *AK |
| 708304 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 02, 1999 | 0064100 | TRANSMISSION: SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTING WITH DRAMATIC LOSS OF SPEED; FOLLOWED BY UPSHIFTING AND SPEED SURGE. ENGINE: COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AFTER DEALER HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT, RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED AND MANEUVERABILITY. SIMILAR EXPERIENCES FREQUENTLY REPORTED IN VARIOUS PUBLIC FORUMS BY MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MODELS. |
| 708308 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 05, 1999 | 0045000 | HAD 2 HEAD GASKET FAILURES - NOW THE CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS GONE, REQUIRING A SHORT BLOCK. BELIEVE BEARINGS ARE A RESULT OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. |
| 546271 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 01, 1999 | 0084000 | HEAD GASKET OVERHEATED, CAUSING ENGINE TO BLOW. *YC |
| 844424 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 08, 1999 | 0074500 | WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH THE ENGINE BLEW A HEAD GASKET. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SHOULDER SAFELY. THE DEALER WAS CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. OWNER HAD PROBLEM CORRECTED AT A LOCAL GARGAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 844567 | 1997 WINDSTAR | June 11, 1997 | 0095000 | ENGINE BLEW THE HEAD GASKETS AFTER OVERHEATING & WAS REPLACED 11 JUN 97. AFTER A FEW THOUSAND MILES, SAME PROBLEM EXISTED & THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW AGAIN AFTER OVERHEATING ON 19 AUG 97. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS REPAIRED AGAIN. THE LAST TIME ON 22 JUN 99, THE ENGINE BLEW THE HEAD GASKETS AFTER OVER HEATING. HAD LOST OF POWER & HEATING. WAS REPLACED. *AK |
| 547602 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 09, 1999 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, RECALL ON COMPONENT HOWEVER NO NOTICE WAS GIVEN TO CONSUMER AND THE DATE HAS RUN OUT, CONSUMER DENIED RECALL SERVICE. MJS |
| 547535 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW, COOLING FLUID (ANTI-FREEZE) LEAKED DOWN INTO THE OIL GALLEY AND CONTAMINATED THE ENGINE OIL AND RESULTED IN DESTROYING THE BEARINGS (ROD,MAIN & CAMSHAFT), CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BE REBUILT. *YC |
| 547855 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 22, 1999 | 0066056 | HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING A LOUD CLUNK AND WHITE SMOKE TO BE EMMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. NLM |
| 845944 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 12, 1999 | 0070000 | WAS DRIVING 45-50MPH WHEN ANTIFREEZE WAS COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE, THEN VEHICLE DIED. VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC, WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO TSB ON HEAD GASKETS. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER & INFORMED THE 02 SENSORS NEEDED REPLACING. *AK |
| 846135 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 20, 1999 | 0000000 | CONSUMER WAS SENT A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING HEAD GASKETS . CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL, DEALER STATED THAT HE HAS ALREADY PERFORMED RECALL REPAIRS, AND THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED. THERE WILL BE A CHARGE FOR FURTHER RECALL. REPAIRS. PLEASE NOTE RECALL NOT LISTED IN NHTSA DATA BASE. *AK |
| 846280 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | IE98-080; WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDTIONING ON, THE AIR CONDITIONER CUT OFF. ALSO, ENGINE OPERATED ERRATICALLY AND WHITE SMOKE COME FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. DEALER HAS REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET AND OTHER PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. |
| 536679 | 1998 WINDSTAR | February 12, 1998 | 0054000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. NLM |
| 548084 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 02, 1999 | 0086750 | HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING SMOKE TO COME OUT FROM EXHAUST. MJS |
| 708410 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 30, 1999 | 0084757 | FORD ADMITS HEAD GASKETS ARE DEFECTIVE, BUT WILL ONLY REPLACE THEM IF THEY BLOW BEFORE 60000 MILES. |
| 708454 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | WE PURCHASED THE VAN WITH 42,00 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PREFORMED SINCE APRIL 1998: BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED, ROTORS WERE WARPPED BECAUSE OF HEAT, WE BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VAN TO COVER COST OF REPAIRS INCLUDING ELECTRICAL TO FIND OUT IT COVERS ZIP. A SENOR IS CONSIDERED A COMPUTER CHIP AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, THEN AFTER THE 90 DAY WARRANTY WAS UP THE SENOR IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DOOR SENORS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE TURN SIGNAL/CURSE CONTROL SENOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ABOUT AN AVERAGE OF EVERY TWO MONTHS IN THIS CAR AND IT COSTS US AT LEAST $180.00 EACH TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED. I JUST HAD THE VAN IN TO CHECK OUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND HAVE THE CAR SMOGED THE FIRST WEEK IN JUNE 1999 THEN TWO AND A HALF WEEKS LATER AS I WAS DRIVING HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, FUMES COME IN THROGH THE VENTS AND CAR STARTS CUTTING OUT. HAD TO WAIT TIL THIS WEEK TO TAKE TO SHOP SO I COULD AFFORD TO FIX IT AS THE SHOPS DON'T TAKE PAYMENTS. CONTACTED THE 1800 # FOR FORD AND THEY SUGESTED I TRADE THE CAR IN. I STILL HAVE 2.5 YRS TO PAY ON THIS PIECE OF FORD. THIS CAR HAS BEEN DOWN TOTALING 8.6 MONTHS SIN THE LAST 15 MONTHS. I FIND THAT THE SENORS ARE A MAJOR DEFECT IN THIS VAN, MAYBE SOMEONE SHOULD CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM HERE. ALSO HAD TO TAKE VAN IN FOR A RECALL ON HEADGASKET. I AM FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A BACK UP CAR OR I WOULD HAVE LOST MY JOB DUE TO THIS CARS COST AND REPAIRS TO ME, NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO MAKE THE PAYMENT BUT ALSO THE COSTLY REPAIRS. THIS TIME IT IS COSTING ME OVER $700.00 TO FIX AND IT HAS ONLY BEEN OUT OF THE SHOP LESS THEN A MONTH. |
| 708532 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 04, 1999 | 0082000 | CAR FIRST RAN HOT ON 2/4/99. FORD WOULD NOT PAY SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HAD AN INDEPENDENT TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS. PICKED UP CAR - CAR RAN BAD. RETURNED CAR TO GARAGE WAS TOLD THAT CRANKSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS WERE BAD. ELECTED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN LIEU OF REPAIRING. CAR OK FOR 3 MONTHS. RAN HOT AGAIN. REPLACED THERMOSTAT. CONTINUED TO RUN HOT. TOOK IT TO HILLARD FORD IN ARLINGTON TX. HILLARD CHECKED IT OUT FOR A WEEK. COULD NOT GET IT TO OVERHEAT BUT REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND AN IGNITION MODULE. HAVE HAD CAR FOR 3 DAYS. CAR OVERHEATED, AGAIN. HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, BUT IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTAR. *AK |
| 708538 | 1996 WINDSTAR | August 10, 1996 | 0051000 | PROBLEMS BEGAN WITH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AT 32,000. MANUF. SAID "DON'T WORRY." HEAD GASKETS/BLOCK AT 51,000. NEW ENGINE ONE YEAR LATER. SECOND ENGINE THREE MONTHS AFTER THAT. WITHIN EIGHT MONTHS, DEALER WANTS TO INSTALL WHAT AMOUNTS TO FOURTH ENGINE. TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO BE GOING, TOO, MECHANIC THINKS DUE TO MULTIPLE OVERHEATING/S OF ENGINE. |
| 708587 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 09, 1999 | 0082445 | THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR VAN WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 1997 WITH ABOUT 45,000 MILES. ON JULY 9, 1999 A STRANGER APPROACHED IN THE PIZZA HUT PARKING LOT TO SAY THAT BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VAN. I TOOK THE VAN TO JOHNSON FORD IN MARBLE FALLS WHERE THE MECHANIC SAID THE PROBLEM WAS A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST $ 1136.00. ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP SAID THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKETS FOR THAT VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS CONTACTED. THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE SAID THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL BUT IT HAD EXPIRED. I TOLD THEM I HADN'T RECEIVED ANY NOTICES REGARDING A RECALL. THEY THEN SAID THERE WAS NO RECORD OF MYSELF AS THE VEHICLE OWNER AND A NOTICE HAD BEEN SENT. WHEN ASKED WHERE THE NOTICE WAS SENT THEY SAID TO ME. WHEN ASKED TO WHAT ADDRESS THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID SHE ONLY HAD A NAME ANOTHER DEPARTMENT HAD THE ADDRESS. A SECOND PHONE CALL WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY INFORMED ME I DIDN'T RECEIVE A NOTICE SINCE I WAS THE SECOND OWNER, AND BECAUSE I DIDN'T RESPOND WITHIN THE PROPER TIME FRAME OF THE RECALL THERE WAS NO RECOURSE. IT WAS UP TO THE CUSTOMER TO NOTIFY FORD WHEN THEY PURCHASED A FORD VEHICLE. THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALL. *AK |
| 708787 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 15, 1999 | 0090000 | LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT, ENGINE OVERHEATING. REPLACED DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, OWNER NOTIFICATION 98M01. FORD WILL NOT COMPENSATE FOR REPAIRS. *AK |
| 708849 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 15, 1999 | 0061130 | THIS HEAD GASKET FAILURE APPEARS TO BE COMMON ON THIS MODEL OF 1995 WINDSTAR. ALTHOUGH FORD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 60,000 MANY DEFECTS OCCUR JUST MILES BEYOND THIS. THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A WEAKNESS IN THIS MODEL, BUT DO NOT REIMBURSE THE OWNER FOR THE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THIS PROBLEM FIRST SURFACED AT 26.400 MILES AND WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS NOT PERMANENTLY REPAIRED FOR THE SAME SITUATION IS NOW OCCURING. MY RESEARCH REVEALS AN EXTREMELY HIGH NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MODEL. *AK |
| 708976 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 16, 1999 | 0057169 | WHO'S WINDSTAR ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVEN'T BLOWN? DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ALSO A PAIN. WAITING FOR TRANSMISSION TO GO NEXT. *AK |
| 709928 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 12, 1999 | 0096360 | I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT . ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE IT STARTED SKIPPING AND HESITATING, BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP WITH 46,000 MILES ON MARCH 25 1997 HAD BLOWN HEAD GASKET. RECEIVED AN "OWNERS NOTIFICATION" ON HEAD GASKET TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP THEY SIGNED OFF STATING NOTHING WRONG. TEN MONTHS LATER ON AUGUST 12TH 1999 BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP WITH 96,000 MILES ON IT FOR A TUNE UP AND AGAIN HAD BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. THEY WILL REPAIR AT A COST OF $1200. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS TO BE FIXED AS THEIR PARTS HAVE FAILED WITHIN SUCH LITTLE TIME OF "OWNERS NOTIFICATION". WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS MY PROBLEM |
| 710082 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 15, 1999 | 0071000 | THIS IS THE 2ND TRANS. (NEW TRANS. HAD TO BE INSTALLED APPROX. 2MONTHS AFTER ORIGINAL SALE) AND 3RD MAJOR REPAIR (ENGINE PEPLACED LAST YEAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS). THERE ARE TONS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AT HTTP://WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/MESSAGES/460.MECHGOBLINS.HTML SO IT SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM/ DEFECT. PLEASE HELP US ! |
| 710131 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 10, 1999 | 0065205 | WIFE NOTICED CAR JERKING ON INTERSTATE FROM BURKE TO NORFOLK, VA. TOOK CAR TO FREEDOM FORD, WHERE PURCHASED NEW. LINDA CREASON (BLUE TEAM) TOLD WIFE AND ME THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING. NEED TO REMOVE HEADS AND SEND TO MACHINE SHOP FOR HEAT CHECK OF CRACKS. ESTIMATE = $68 (DIAGNOSIS) + $780 (REPLACE 2 HEAD GASKETS) + $200 (MACHINE SHOP CHECK) + $300 (PLUGS, SENSORS, FLUIDS, ETC) = $1350. MS. CREASON TOLD ME FORD SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01 DOES NOT APPLY BECAUSE CAR PAST 60000 MILES. WHEN I ASKED FOR REGIONAL SERVICE MGR SHE CALLED BACK AND OFFERED: (1) FORD WOULD PAY FIRST $1000 OF REPAIR OR (2) IF I BOUGHT 75000 MILE/6 YEAR POWER TRAIN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $495 THEN FREEDOM FORD WOULD COVER ALL THE REPAIRS. I CHOSE (2). VISIT TO WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/HVE/YOURLEMON/10.HTML THEN SCROLL TO POSTING BY "CK1712" AND YOU'LL SEE THE SAME PLOY. MY CALLS TO FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER GOT ME NOTHING. 98M01 DIRECTED OWNERS TO DO NOTHING UNTIL THE HEAD GASKET FAIL. APPARENTLY AFTER 60000 OWNERS ARE OUT OF LUCK! |
| 846753 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 02, 1999 | 0092000 | DUE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE, AND MAY HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK |
| 708398 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 08, 1999 | 0063705 | ENGINE HEAD-GASKET FAILURE, AT THE NO. 4 CYLINDER, ON A WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE. WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET FAILURE (PARTICULARLY AT THE NO. 4 CYLINDER) IS A KNOWN AND WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM WHICH FORD MANAGEMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED, OBLIQUELY, THROUGH FORD'S "M01" PROGRAM. HOWEVER, SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS BEYOND THE 60,000 MILE DRIVE-TRAIN WARRANTY (63,705 MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE), WARRANTY SERVICE WAS DENIED AND I WAS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL REPAIR CHARGE OF THIS *KNOWN PROBLEM*. THE RESULTING $1,961.00 REPAIR BILL HAS PUT A SEVERE BURDEN ON OUR FAMILY FINANCES. |
| 847475 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 10, 1999 | 0110000 | DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKED FUEL ONTO ENGINE MANIFOLD WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 709047 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 10, 1999 | 0069000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET, 9,000 MILES AFTER THE RECALL LIMIT |
| 709363 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 13, 1999 | 0062144 | FIRST OVER-HEATING PROBLEM WAS TAKEN TO THORNTON FORD ON 4/23/99 @ 57,687 MILES AND RADIATOR WAS DIAGNOSED AS HALF PLUGGED BY THORNTON ON 5/28/99 (~59,600 MILES). RADIATOR REPLACED ON 6/8/99 AND BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACED ON 7/1/99. HEAD GASKET PROBLEM FINALLY DIAGNOSED ON 7/13/99 AT 62,144 MILES. DID NOT RECEIVE A COPY OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY LETTER FOR SERVICE PROGRAM NO/ 98M01. DEALER ONLY PAID ONE-HALF OF HEAD GASKET REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOW OVER 60,000 MILES ALLOWED ON THE EXTENDED COVERAGE. |
| 709478 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 11, 1999 | 0059925 | I NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE ACTING ABNORMALY AT 59, 925 MILES. MY VAN WAS DRIVEABLE, SO I DID CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED DURING THE WEEKEND. I CALLED IMMEDIATELY ON MONDAY MORNING, AND THE EARLIEST I COULD GET MY VEHICLE IN WAS TUESDAY EVENING. ON TUESDAY EVENING, MY MILEAGE WAS 60,057. FORD HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE HEAD GASKET TO 60,000. EVEN THOUGH THE TROUBLE OCCURRED BEFORE 60,000 MILES, I COULD NOT GET MY VEHICLE INTO A FORD SERVICE CENTER UNTIL AFTER THE 60,000. AS A RESULT, FORD DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE REPAIR. THE GASKET FAILURE ALSO DAMAGED OTHER ENGINE PARTS. AS A RESULT, I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN MY VAN. |
| 709509 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 20, 1999 | 0066876 | ENGINE FAILED 50 MILES AFTER THE HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED! |
| 709511 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 15, 1999 | 0076000 | ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO MAJOR LOSS OF COOLANT. DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS FAILED HEADGASKETS. FORD REFUSED TO PAY ANY PART OF REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ADMITTED THE ORIGINAL GASKET DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE. COST OF REPAIR = $1600 |
| 709516 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 27, 1999 | 0068700 | HEAD GASKET FAILED WITHOUT WARNING OR PREVIOUS PROBLEM (I.E. NO OVERHEATING, NO POOR HEATER OPERATION, ETC.). CAUSED VAN TO START RUNNING VERY ROUGH. ALMOST STALLED IN SEVERAL MID-INTERSECTIONS AFTER STOPPING, WHICH COULD HAVE LED TO REAR-END COLLISION. MANAGED TO MAKE IT SAFELY HOME (LESS THAN 3 MILES). ENGINE TEMPERATURE HAD INCREASED, BUT WAS STILL CLEARLY WITHIN "NORMAL" ZONE OF INDICATOR. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART LATER IN THE EVENING. TOWED TO LOCAL SERVICE STATION. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, ADVISED TAKING IT TO DEALER. DEALER'S "ENGINE PERSON" BOOKED SOLID AND UNABLE TO LOOK AT IT UNTIL 8/10 (TWO WEEKS!). HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER (C&C FORD, HORSHAM, PA) WHICH CONFIRMED BLOWN HEAD GASKET, AND SAID IT HAD A SEIZED ENGINE WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ESIMATED COST: $4600. FORD'S "OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM" EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 60,000 MILES, BUT DID NOT ADVISE OWNERS TO BRING IN VANS TO BE CHECKED FOR DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET SHOW THAT THIS IS CLEARLY A MAJOR PRODUCT DEFECT ABOUT WHICH FORD IS AWARE BUT REFUSES TO COMPENSATE OR WARN OWNERS (I.E. OWNERS ARE NOT ADVISED TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET CHECKED). THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND STALLING, WHICH CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AND/OR SERIOUSLY JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS. SEE HTTP://WWW.PRIMECUTSOFBLUEGRASS.COM/WINDSTAR3.HTM FOR OTHER REPORTS. I'LL BE ADDING MINE AS SOON AS I SEE WHETHER FORD WILL PAY FOR THE REPAIR. (SO FAR, THEY ARE REFUSING.) |
| 709572 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 28, 1999 | 0062758 | JUST ONE MORE OF THE MANY 3.8L 95 WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET FAILURES. |
| 709608 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 12, 1999 | 0061860 | THERE IS NOT AMPLE SPACE TO DESCRIBE THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS WINDSTAR HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR BY US, WITH ALL THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TIMELY DONE. WE HAVE ALSO TAKEN OUR VAN TO ONLY FORD DEALERS FOR SERVICE. ON ALL OCCASIONS BEFOR MAJOR BREAKDOWNS OR REPAIR JOBS, WE HAVE TAKEN OUR CAR IN FOR COMPLAINTS OF NOISES OR PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE. WE BELIEVE THAT THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM DID SEVERE DAMAGE TO OUR VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN THE LATER PROBLEMS, MOST SIGNIFICANTLY THE TIMING CHAIN COVER AND ENGINE FAILURE. WE BELIEVE FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS AND DID NOTHING TO COMPENSATE US EXCEPT FOR THE REFUND FOR REPAIRS ON THE HEAD GASKET. FORD HAD A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKET ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER WE INCURRED THE EXPENSE, AND THEIR CHECK DID NOT COVER ALL OUR EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE HAVE SO MUCH ADDITIONAL MONEY INVESTED IN REPAIRS, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO SELL THE CAR BECAUSE WE WOULD NOT RECOVER OUR COSTS. WE HOPE THAT YOU CAN GIVE US SOME ASSISTANCE. WE HAVE JUST RECENTLY APPEALED TO THE FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION, BUT WERE TURNED DOWN. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER IS ALSO OFFERING SOME HELP IN PURSUING THIS, BUT DOESN'T SEEM VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT IT. WE ARE AWAITING OUR SECOND APPEAL. |
| 709632 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 31, 1999 | 0070000 | REPLACED HEAD GASKET LESS THAN ONE WEEK AGO. REPLACED OXYGEN SENSORS SAME DAY OF FAILURE. ON HIGHWAY HEADED FOR VACATION ENGINE DIED AND LOSS ALL POWER. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE TWO CHILDERN AND A PREGANT WIFE - OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE I WAIT FOR A RIDE. MECHANIC SYAS I NOW NEED FULL REBUILD OF THE ENGINE TO REPAIR DAMAGED BEARINGS AND RODS FORM THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET. UTHIS WILL COST ME $2,500 IN ADDITION TO THE 1,300 I HAVE ALREADY SPENT. I WILL LOSE THE USE OF THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER 10 DAYS. FORD HAS DENEID ANY RESPONSIBILITY. |
| 709647 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 19, 1999 | 0066972 | WE KNEW WE HAD A PROBLEM WHEN WE WERE COMING HOME ON THE FREEWAY AND THE INDICATOR ARROW SHOWED IT WAS OVER HEATING. WE TOOK IT IN TO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR CAP BECAUSE IT WASNT HOLDING PRESSURE. THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM A WEEK LATER WE TOOK IT BACK BECAUSE IT WAS LOSING POWER, BLOWING STEAM AND OVER HEATING AGAIN. IT TURNED OT TO BE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. UPON RECENT PERSONAL RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL ITEM/DEFECT. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT OTHER MAJOR SYMPTOMS WE ARE EXPERIENCING WITH OUR 95 WINDSTAR SUCH AS W/THE BRAKES,TRANSMISSION IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY GO ALSO. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK ON THIS PROBLEM THANK YOU, DAN HIGUERA |
| 709712 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND AT 42,300 MILES ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD DID NOT ADMIT FAILURE OF ENGINE DUE TO HEAD GASKET, AND OWNER HAD TO PAY $3700 FOR REBUILT ENGINE. |
| 709756 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 07, 1999 | 0052000 | VEHICLE IN FOR BRAKE SERVICE, DEALER REQUESTED PERMISSION TO REPLACE HEAD GASKETS UNDER FORD EXT. WARR. 98M01, ENGINE FAILED WITHIN 600 MI. OF REPAIR SERVICE, NO INDICATIONS OF PROBLEMS PRIOR TO DEALER VISIT |
| 709892 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 05, 1998 | 0075132 | HEAD GASKET FAILED WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO ACKNOWLEDGED FORD QUALITY PROBLEM, CAUSING $2,200 IN DAMAGE TO CRITICAL ENGINE PARTS. FORD WAS REPAIRING OR REPLACING ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE FOR OTHER OWNERS REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH IN WHICH THE FAILURE OCCURRED. REFUSED TO REIMBURSE OUTSIDE REPAIR BILLS FROM QUALIFIED SHOP AFTER NUMEROUS WRITTEN AND VERBAL APPEALS TO DEALER, REGIONAL REP, AND NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE CHANNELS AT FMC IN DETROIT. |
| 710389 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 14, 1999 | 0081431 | THIS FORD VEHICLE HAS HAD AN EXTREME NUMBER OF FAILURES. STARTING WITH THE HEAD GASKET THAT THE DEALER WANTED US TO PAY FOR AFTER THEY MADE THE MISTAKE OF SAYING IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. AT A PREVIOUS REPAIR THE DEALER HAD REPLCED THE DASH BECAUSE OF THE SPEEDOMETER CABLE AND THE DEALER SERVICE PERSON HAD FORGOT TO ADD IN THE PREVIOUS MILEAGE. LATER FORD RECALLED THE HEAD GASKETS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED YET BUT CONTINUES TO SHIFT POORLY. I DO NOT WANT TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AMOUNTS SPENT ON POOR QUALITY PARTS SEPARATE THAN NORMAL MAINTENANCE. SO FAR ALL THAT FORD HAS OFFERED IS $1000.00 CASH. THIS IS NOT A RESPONSIBLE OFFER. WE HAVE SPENT ALMOST $8000.00. IT IS FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS HURT WHEN THESE PARTS FAILED. THESE SIX DEFECTS WERE NOT THE ONLY PROBLEMS BUT ARE PROBABLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE DEFECTS. |
| 710533 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 21, 1999 | 0070000 | VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF CRASH WHEN THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. |
| 710572 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 01, 1999 | 0085000 | MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THIS IS HIS 28TH HEAD GASKET REPAIR TO A FORD CAR THIS YEAR SO FAR. I CONTACTED MY DEALER'S SERV. DEPT. AND THEY TELL ME THERE WAS A RECALL IN 1998 FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR MY TYPE OF CAR. I DID NOT GET A NOTICE. I CALLED FORD'S 800# AND THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. |
| 710577 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 11, 1999 | 0054123 | ONE MONTH BEFORE "THROWING ROD" IN ENGINE, ENGINE BEGAN TO MISS BADLY. MIDDLETON FORD SAID IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET, AND WOULD BE COVERED BY RECALL WARRANTY, BUT THAT IT ALSO NEEDED A FRONT TIMING COVER GASKET. THEY SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE HEADGASKETS AND THE TIMING COVER GASKET USUALLY FAIL TOGETHER, FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE TIMING COVER GASKET. OUR BILL WAS $810.81. ONE MONTH LATER, WE STARTED ON A TRIP TO MONTANA, AND GOT AS FAR AS SOUIX FALLS, S.D., WHEN AT 2:00AM, THE ENGINE LOST MOST POWER, AND BEGAN MAKING A LOUD CLANKING SOUND. WE MANAGED TO GET TO A GAS STATION, WHERE WE ASKED FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE NEAREST FORD GARAGE (SIOUX FALLS FORD, PO BOX 89120, SIOUX FALLS, SD). WE BARELY MADE IT THERE, WHERE WE SLEPT IN THE PARKING LOT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THE GARAGE WAS ABLE TO GET IT IN THE NEXT MORNING, AND SAID THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3000, AND WOULD TAKE 3-4 DAYS. WE WERE ON A TIGHT SCHEDULE GOING TO MONTANA TO VISIT OUR DAUGHTER IN THE AIR FORCE. WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TRADE THE WINDSTAR IN ON A LEASED 99 EXPLORER. THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE REPAIRS NEEDED, OUR TRADE IN WOULD BE $3000 LESS THAN IT WOULD BE IF THE ENGINE WAS OK. I AM VERY ANGRY WITH FORD, AND FEEL THAT THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET THEM TO REIMBURSE THOSE OF US UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE GOTTEN STUCK WITH THIS LEMON. |
| 710630 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 20, 1999 | 0070262 | THE HEAD GASKET BLEW WHICH CAUSED THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" TO COME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISS. THE DEALER HAD ADVISED TO WATCH COOLANT LEVELS BECAUSE THIS ENGINE KNOWN FOR BLOWING THE HEAD GASKET. DEALER SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT ACTUALLY REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET UNTIL IT BLEW. WHEN IT BLEW, THEY SAID THAT FORD WOULD ONLY COVER VEHICILES WITH LESS THAN 60000 MILES OR UNDER 60 MONTHS. THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY FORD MOTOR CO! |
| 710669 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 07, 1999 | 0060466 | ON 12/21/98 (50,795 MILES), OUR WINDSTAR HAD BEEN BUCKING AND BEGAN OVERHEATING. WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED, THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED, AND THE COOLANT FLUSHED. ON 12/27/98 WE BEGAN TO EMIT WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS TOWED TO FORD WHICH REPLACED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET UNDER RECALL. HOWEVER, WE HAD TO REPLACE WITH A RE-BUILT TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $1,993 SINCE WE WERE OVER 50,000 MILES. A TRANSMISSION LEAK REPAIRED ON 5/17-18/99 (56,866 MILES) UNDER WARRANTY. ON 8/7/99 WE HAD OUR GAS TANK REPLACED AT A COST OF $445 DUE TO WHAT THE TECHNICIAN CALLED A STRESS FRACTURE - AN INHERENT DEFECT. |
| 848614 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 22, 1999 | 0098000 | THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS FAILED. THE PISTON HAD BURNT OUT. UNDERHOOD INTERIOR WALL WAS SCORCHED. VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED. HAD NOTICE PUFF OF SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. |
| 709330 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 24, 1999 | 0064000 | VAN BLEW A HEAD GASKET WITHOUT WARNING. |
| 848802 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | THE VEHICLE IS LOSING WATER AND OVERHEATING DUE TO A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. DEALER SAYS GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BETWEEN THE BLOCK AND THE HEAD. *AK |
| 849071 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN OUT AT 80,000 MILES, CAUSING POTENTIAL SAFTEY HAZARD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 849158 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0045000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT, RESULTING IN OVERHEATING, CAUSING A HOLE IN THE ENGINE DEALER WILL REPAIR THE GASKETS. *AK |
| 849203 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 27, 1999 | 0070000 | WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, AND THE CONSUMER SAW ALOT OF SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. *AK |
| 849307 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 29, 1999 | 0094000 | WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM TAILPIPE. VEHICLE AT DEALER & INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ENGINEHEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK |
| 849557 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 29, 1999 | 0064000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY RESULTIN A CRASH. COMMON PROBLEM. THERE WAS A TSB BULLETIN BUT IT HAS EXPIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 849727 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0077000 | HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN, LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE OIL PAN. A SERVICE RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE OWNER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 849839 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 01, 1999 | 0071000 | WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUMER NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE DUE TO ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLOWING OUT. *AK |
| 850646 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 19, 1999 | 0069000 | A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS MADE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. LESS THEN A YEAR LATER, MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE ENGINE MAIN BEARING HAD GONE BAD. ESTIMATED COST WOULD BE APPROIMATELY. $2,900.00. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER, PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THIS ASAP.*AK |
| 710768 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 05, 1999 | 0086002 | 3.8 L ENGINE FAILED 1 YR AFTER HEAD GASKET REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT AN ENGINE SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 86,000 MILES. |
| 710770 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 04, 1999 | 0063627 | DUE TO THE FAULTY HEAD GASKET, 2 DAYS LATER NOTICED A KNOCK (CONFIRMED BY DEALER TO BE A BAD ROD BEARING CAUSED BY THE ABOVE )CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE 2WEEKS LATER |
| 710804 | 1997 WINDSTAR | November 04, 1997 | 0047971 | SINCE 1997 WE HAVE REPLACED 4 HEATER CORES, 2 RADIATORS, HEAD GASKETS TWICE, WE ARE FACING REPAIRS AGAIN ONLY A FEW WEEKS AFTER REPLACING THE 3RD HEATER CORE. DAMAGE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. WE WISH TO SELL THIS MINIVAN, BUT FEEL IT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO BURDEN AN UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER WITH THIS POORLY DESIGNED VEHICLE. *AK |
| 710816 | 1999 WINDSTAR | July 01, 1999 | 0099500 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON #4 CYLINDER. *AK |
| 710854 | 1998 WINDSTAR | October 16, 1998 | 0088000 | HEADGASKET ON ENGINE FAILED; THIS FAILURE PROMPTED ENGINE DAMAGE THAT WAS IRREPARABLE. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE. NOW TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AND IT WILL NOT EASILY ENGAGE AFTER A STOP. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ACCORDING TO MECHANIC *AK |
| 710886 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 15, 1999 | 0065202 | HEAD GASKETS BLEW WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO SEIZE REQUIRING A NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF 3864.73. I WAS TOLD IF I HAD TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR THE ENGINE COULD'VE STARTED ON FIRE. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD AND FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 LITER ENGINES IN THE '95 WINDSTARS. IN ADDITIONAL TO THE SAFETY HAZARD OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM... THE CONDITION GOES UNDETECTED UNTIL THE HEAD GASKETS "BLOW" WITHOUT WARNING. I AM VERY UPSET WITH FORD'S RESPONSE TO THIS MATTER. I CALLED SEVERAL TIMES TO EXPRESS MY DEEP DISSATISFACTION WITH THEIR HANDLING OF THIS MATTER . I BELIEVE THE HEADGASKET PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. IF IT HAD I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LEFT WITH A NEARLY $4,000 REPAIR BILL FOR A RELATIVELY NEWER CAR. I BELIEVE THE POSSIBLE HARM TO MY FAMILY IS ALSO AN ISSUE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP FROM THE NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK |
| 710995 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 14, 1999 | 0057000 | VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN HIGHWAY,TOWED TO DEALER DIAGNOSED AS HEAD GASKETS/RELATED FORD WOUILD FIX UNDER RECALL/WORK DONE/WENT TO PICK UP VEHICLE/WORK COMPLETED/RELATED FORN PAYES FORALL WORK/ TEN MINUTES LATER THEY RELATE WORK NOT COVERED/BILLME FOR $2,000 WORK |
| 711082 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 22, 1999 | 0067200 | OUR 95 FORD WINDSTAR HAS IT'S 3RD ENGINE, BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS, WE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND 11 DAYS AFTER IT EXPIRED THE ENGINE WENT OUT WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET FORD TO COVER THE ENTIRE COST, WHICH THEY ARE FIGHTING, WE FEEL THIS IS A RE-ACCURING PROBLEM WHICH THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT. WE EXPECT A BRAND NEW VEHICLE TO LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THIS A FOUR YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE ON IT'S 3RD ENGINE. WE HAVE BEEN LOYAL FORD CUSTOMERS, BUT FEEL WE HAVE A LEMON WITH THIS VEHICLE. |
| 711461 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 14, 1999 | 0096000 | WE JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACE IN OUR WINDSTAR. OUR REPAIR MAN TOLD US THAT DUE TO A ALUMINUM PART THAT FAILS UNDER NORMAL USE IS THE REASON FOR THIS . I HAVE BEEN CHECKING THIS OUT AND FOUND MANY WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP. FORD CAN NOT GET AWAY WITH SELLING SUCH CRAP!! AND NOW TWO DAYS AFTER WE SPET 1,500 DOLLARS ON THE TRANSMISSION WE FIND THAT OUR HEAD GASKET IS SHOT. TWO MAJOR REPAIRS IN A MATTER OF A WEEK IS INSANE. |
| 711470 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 24, 1999 | 0082000 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE-LEAKED COOLENT INTO ENGINE, ENGINE FAILURE, NOW WE NEED NEW ENGINE, HAD EXTENDED WARRENTY, FORD WILL NOT HONOR ANY WARRANTY ON THIS DEFECT. I CANNOT GIVE YOU THE VEHICLE NUMBER BECAUSE FORD HAS HAD THE CAR SO LONG, I CAN BARELY REMEMBER THE COLOR. |
| 711680 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 12, 1999 | 0060000 | ON NOVEMBER 19 '98 I TOOK MY '95 FORD WINDSTAR VAN TO TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT. I TOOK THE VAN IN BECAUSE I HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD REGARDING A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. AT THAT TIME THE VAN HAD 59,000 MILES ON IT. I PICKED UP MY VAN THAT EVENING AND WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS O.K. ON SEPTEMBER 12 '99 THE VAN OVERHEATED AND A MECAHANIC TOLD ME THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE MECHANIC SAID HE HOPED THE HEAD WAS NOT CRACKED AND/OR THE MOTOR DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR ($2500 TO $3500 IF MOTOR DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR). I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, HARPER'S FORD, AND THE ASSISTANT SALES MANAGER SAID HE THOUGHT FORD WOULD REPAIR THE DAMAGE OR I WOULD "HAVE A GOOD LEGAL CASE". THE VAN NOW HAS 68,OOO MILES ON IT. WELL A WEEK LATER THE DELAERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THEY CAN NOT GET FORD TO RETURN THEIR CALLS. I CALLED FORD AND A MAN NAMED AL SAID THE RECALL EXPIRED DEC 31ST '99 AND MY VAN WAS BEYOND THE 60,000 MILES WARRANTY. AL SAID HIS DECISION WAS FINAL AND FORD WOULD NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIR. AL SAID THAT FORD HAD NO OTHER AVENUE FOR ME TO PURSUE EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT SATISFIED. I RE-CONTACTED HARPER'S AND THEY SAID THAT I SHOULD JUST WAIT TO HEAR FROM THEM. HARPER'S SAID THEY WOULD GIVE ME A PRICE BREAK REGARDING THE WORK THAT WOULD NEED TO BE DONE. I'M LOST, I GUESS I COULD TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN CIVIL COURT (PROBABLY TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS). THE REAL KICKER IS MY FAMILY, TWO SONS OF 4 YEAR OLD AND 1 YEAR HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FAMILY VACATION THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO START ON FRIDAY, 09-24-99. THE VAN IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE LARGE ENOUGH TO HAUL THE FAMILY. CANCELLED VACATION AND A BILL OF LEAST $1200.00. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE FORM HARPER'S NOR WILL I EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. THANKS |
| 711683 | 1997 WINDSTAR | July 15, 1997 | 0074013 | FIRST HAD PROBLEM WITH COOLING SYSTEM. CAR GOT HOT ABRUPTLY ON MORE THAN 4 OCCASIONS. WATER BOTTLE WAS NORMAL ON LAST 3 TIMES.. ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING HEAD GASKET SO STOP LEAK ADDED AND PROBLEM STOPPED. ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER THE ROD BEARINGS LOCKED UP. COST $1700 TO FIX. OUT OF WARRANTY BY 2000 MILES. FORD SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AS THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF SAME PROBLEM AND BELIEVE IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL YEAR DESIGN. CAN YOU HELP PLEASE? |
| 711796 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 10, 1999 | 0094086 | PURCHASED VAN USED FROM FORD DEALERSHIP. 2 MONTHS OR APPROX 2,500 MILES LATER HEAD GASKET FAILED LEAKING COOLANT INTO OIL AND DESTOYING ENGINE. FORD DEALER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE SALE AND ALSO SAID THAT IT NEW OF NO KNOWN PROBLEMS THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE REPLACING GASKETS IF VEHICLES HAD 60,000 MILES OR LESS. I BELEIVE I WAS DECEIVED BY PEOPLE WHO KNEW THERE WAS A POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND CHOSE TO SAY NOTHING. |
| 711875 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 22, 1999 | 0087696 | TRANSMISSION - CRACKED ALUMINUM PISTON, NO 1ST OR REVERSE, HAD TO SHIFT TO SECOND,BRAKE, AND INCREASE RPMS TO ENGAGE IN 2ND. FLYWHEEL CRACKED RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER ON RESIDENTIAL STREET. HEAD GASKET BLEW ON RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE STOPPED. ANTI FREEZE LEAKING OUT OF MUFFLER, ENGINE OVERHEAT. |
| 711930 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 01, 1999 | 0077500 | WE HAVE HEARD RUMOR OF A "SECRET WARRANTEE" ON THE HEAD GASKET THAT FAILED. IS IS TRUE AND IF SO WHERE DO WE START? WE PAID $1100. FOR REPAIRS AND FEEL BADLY RIPPED OFF. |
| 712071 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 20, 1999 | 0082000 | IN JUNE OF 1998, WHILE WE WERE LIVING IN FAYETTEVILLE, AR, WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATING THAT THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR HEAD GASKETS IN THE '95 WINDSTARS. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, WE HAD THE CAR SERVICED FOR AN OIL LEAK (AT SPRINGDALE FORD IN SPRINGDALE, AR). THEY SAID THEY SAW NO PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET WHEN WE ASKED ABOUT IT. WE FAITHFULLY HAD THIS VAN SERVICED AT SPRINGDALE FORD WHILE WE LIVED IN AR. WE MOVED TO IOWA IN JAN. OF THIS YEAR. WE THEN BEGIN SERVICING THE VAN AT BOB ZIMMERMAN FORD IN CEDAR RAPIDS. THIS SUMMER WE SPENT ABOUT $700 ON REPAIRS AGAIN, BUT NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET. THEN IN AUG, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED AND LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE ENGINE, RUINING IT. WE NEEDED THE VAN, AND WERE FORCED TO PUT A NEW ENGINE IN AT A COST OF $4000. AFTER TRYING TO PURSUE HELP FROM BOB ZIMMERMAN AND SPRINGDALE FORD AND ALSO FROM FORD DIRECTTLY, WITH NO LUCK, I BEGAN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET. WE FOUND CASE UPON CASE OF THE ENGINE/ HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION FAILURES. WE JUST TRADED THE VAN IN 2 WEEKS AGO, RATHER THAN WAIT FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I AM INTERESTED IN GETTING REIMBURSED FOR ALL OR PART OF THE $4000 DAMAGE. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE DEFECT AND ALSO KNOWS THAT IT WILL FAIL, NOT IF IT WILL FAIL. |
| 851754 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 14, 1999 | 0035000 | WHEN DRIVING UP THE HILL VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE. CONTACTED DEALER AND HE REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED AGAIN. STOPPED, AND USED FUEL INJECTION FLUID. CONTACTED DEALER AGAIN, AND REPLACED GASKET. *AK |
| 852068 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 24, 1999 | 0070000 | WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. STEAM WAS COMING FROM VEHICLE. TEMPERTURE GAUGE WENT UP TO HOT LEVEL, AND ALL THE WATER CAME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK |
| 712195 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 25, 1999 | 0070000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, MISFIRE ONE CYLINDER DRAINING COOLANT, NO SMOKE THOUGH. 98M01 EXPIRED. NOW WHAT? |
| 712211 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 23, 1999 | 0049000 | HEAD GASKET WENT OUT. IT WAS REPLACED WITH RECALL. REAR HATCH LOCK ACUATOR BROKE NOT FIXED YET. WINDSHIELD WASHER WORKS ONLY AFTER IT IS PUSHED REPEATEDLY ABOUT 20 TIMES, NOT FIXED YET. I'M TIRD OF SPENDING MONEY ON A 4 YEAR OLD $25000.00 CAR. |
| 712238 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 12, 1999 | 0084372 | HEAD GASKETS BAD - THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH FORD HAS ALREADY ADMITTED IS A DESIGN FLAW. THEY REPAIRED CARS WITH UNDER 60K MILES (WHICH OWNERS SELF-DIAGNOSED) FREE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MOST OWNERS CAN'T TELL THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER 60K MILES. THE SYMPTOMS ARE OFTEN SUBTLE, AND DON'T IMMEDIATELY POINT TO HEAD GASKETS AS THEIR CAUSE. FORD OBVIOUSLY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR AS NEEDED. INSTEAD THEY DECIDED TO ONLY DEAL WITH THE FEW OWNERS WHO MANAGED TO FIGURE OUT ON THEIR OWN THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE THE PROBLEM. MY CAR DIDN'T SHOW SYMPTOMS UNTIL IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN OVER AN HOUR (SOMETIMES SEVERAL) ON LONG TRIPS - AN INFREQUENT OCCURANCE. THEREFORE I COULDN'T HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL I DROVE IT ON ENOUGH LONG TRIPS TO SEE THE SYMPTOMS. MAKE FORD PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES! |
| 712316 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 22, 1999 | 0074000 | HEAD GASKET FAILURES - 3 TIMES @ 54,000, @65,000, @74,000 MILES |
| 712419 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 02, 1999 | 0048834 | TIMING COVER GASKET & SEAL FAILURE AND CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS FAILURE AT 48,834 MILES. SYMPTOMS WERE HESITATION/JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING & COOLANT LOSS. BOTH FAILURE SYMPTOMS BEGAN AT THE SAME TIME, INCREASING IN FREQUENCY FOR 1-2 WEEKS UNTIL "ENGINE WARNING LIGHT" CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH/COOLANT REPLACEMENT ABOUT 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO FAILURE, & NO PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AT THAT TIME. DEALER COVERED COST OF CYLINDER HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT, BUT DID NOT COVER TIMING COVER GASKET & SEAL REPLACEMENT($708.61). APPEALED TO CORPORATE LEVEL, ASKING IF THE COOLANT LEAKAGE MIGHT BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE KNOWN CYLINDER HEAD GASKET PROBLEM, BUT THEY REFUSED REIMBURSEMENT, SAYING BOTH FAILURES WERE INDEPENDENT. I FIND IT ODDLY COINCIDENTAL & HARD TO BELIEVE THAT BOTH PROBLEMS INITIATED AT THE SAME TIME, BUT ARE UNRELATED. |
| 712433 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 22, 1999 | 0063902 | THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND THEREFORE THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. FORD STATED THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND THEY EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY FROM 50,000 MI. TO 60,000 MI. THE ONLY PROBLEM OUR VAN HAD 63902 MI. IT WAS GIONG TO COST US $4000 BUT AFTER PRESSING THE ISSUE FORD AGREED TO PAY $3500. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND 7 OTHER SIMILAR CASES OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT ABOOUT THE SAME MILEAGE IN THE GREATER DAYTON AREA. |
| 712515 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 22, 1999 | 0098049 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THIS WAS A PROPERLY MAINTAINED ENGINE AND THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY PROBLEM. I AM FACED WITH BUYING A NEW LONG BLOCK AT A COST OF $4700. FROM FORD. |
| 712558 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 30, 1999 | 0077434 | HIGH TEMPERATURE INDICATION DURING DILEING AND 0-15MPH. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE A BAD HEAD GASKET THAT WILL REQUIRE ME TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE DEALER TOLD ME COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE AND CRANKCASE AND THAT REPLACING THE ENGINE IS THE BEST ALTERNATIVE. REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET WOULD BE A TEMPORARY FIX AS THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF FAILURES WITH THIS ENGINE BEFORE . |
| 712578 | 1998 WINDSTAR | September 11, 1998 | 0060865 | THE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN TWICE IN 53 WEEKS, AND FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE WEB THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. |
| 852336 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 05, 1999 | 0078000 | WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN. HEARD A FUNNY SOUND, RESTARTED VEHICLE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT HIGH. TOWED TO DEALER, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE ENGINE FLUSHED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND REPLACED HEAD GASKET. OIL LIGHT WAS COMING ON. DEALER SAID THAT VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS. STEPPED ON GAS PEDAL AND VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN STOPPING, THEN SHUT OFF. *AK |
| 852378 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 29, 1999 | 0066000 | THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL & ANTI-FREEZE ONTO THE ENGINE CAUSING FAILURE. *AK |
| 548925 | 1998 WINDSTAR | September 11, 1998 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. MJS |
| 852444 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND VAPORS FROM THE COOLANT CAME INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ALSO, VEHICLE'S ENGINE STARTED STUTTERING. THIS WAS DUE TO BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW. *AK |
| 549149 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 26, 1999 | 0067585 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE RESULTED IN COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. MJS |
| 852586 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 15, 1999 | 0062149 | THE HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON & OTHER COMPONENTS TO MALFUNCTION. *YC |
| 852613 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING DUE TO A FAULTY ENGINE HEAD GASKET. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. |
| 852757 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | VEHICLE STARTED STEAMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPES, AND BLOWING WATER OUT OF THE RADIATOR. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. *AK |
| 852823 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 09, 1999 | 0075000 | CAR STARTED TO IDLE AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE, AND OIL WAS COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. TOOK TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID IT WAS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. CONSUMER RECEIVED A WARRANTY LETTER, SAYING IT WOULD BE COVERED UP TO 60, 000 MILES, BUT IT BLEW OUT AT 70, 000 MILES. *AK |
| 852964 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0071000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT, CAUSING COOLANT TO BE ABSORBED INTO THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 853210 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 27, 1999 | 0074000 | WHILE VAN WAS BEING DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM, VAN JUST SHUT OFF. VAN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. VAN HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 712749 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 01, 1999 | 0085000 | THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IF YOU NEED NUMBERS, THEY ARE OUT THERE. |
| 712768 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 23, 1999 | 0076050 | HEAD GASKET BLEW CAUSING A LOT OF STRONG SMELLING, WHITE SMOKE TO COME FROM UNDER THE CAR AND OUT OF THE EXHAUST. MY WIFE HAD FOUR CHILDREN IN THE VAN AT THE TIME. SHE STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT ALL THE CHILDREN OUT OF THE VAN - THINKING IT MIGHT BLOW UP. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND FOUND OUT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN REQUIRING $1,400 TO $2,500 IN REPAIRS (DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY). WE CHOSE TO HAVE JUST THE GASKET REPLACED BUT WILL PROBABLY NEED TO HAVE LOWER ENGINE WORK DOWN IN A FEW MONTHS FOR ANOTHER $1,000 OR SO. |
| 712805 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0064000 | I HAD RECEIVED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE FROM FORD STATING THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE 95 WINDSTAR. THE LETTER STATED THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY EXTENDED TO 60,000 MILES OR 5 YEARS. MY VAN STARTED OVERHEATING WHENEVER I WOULD DRIVE IT. I RE-PLENISH THE ANTIFREE SEVERAL TIMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT HAD A HEAVY EXHAUST. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS A SENSOR GOING BAD BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO BE CHECKED. THEY INFORMED ME THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE I HAD OVER 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. THEY GAVE ME FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE'S NUMBER TO CALL. I SPOKE TO THEM AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I COULD UNDERSTAND THIS PROBLEM IF I HAD ABUSED THE VAN. HOWEVER, I KEPT THE MAINTENACE UP ON IT. I THINK FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THE "1995 FORD WINDSTAR" TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. |
| 712930 | 1999 WINDSTAR | May 20, 1999 | 0083000 | IN MARCH 1999 THE HEAD GASKET FAILED ON MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR.THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 75000 MILES WHICH WAS BEYOND FORD'S EXTENDED WARRENTY FOR THIS DEFECT BY 15000 MILES AS WELL AS BEING BEYOND THE DEC.1998 CUTOFF DATE.WHEN WE CONTACTED FORD'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT WE WERE TOLD THIS WAS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" SO WE HAD TO EAT THE $1000 REPAIR BILL.IN MAY 1999,ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK AFTER MIDNIGHT THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR CAME ON.THE UPSOT OF THIS WAS A COMPLETE ENGINE REBUILD AGAIN AT MY EXPENSE;$2800.00.LAST MONDAY,OCTOBER 4,1999 ON THE WAY BACK TO LOUISVILLE,KY.FROM WAYMART,PA. IN MARYLAND THE TRANSAXLE GAVE OUT 600 MILES FROM HOME.REPAIR BILL FOR THIS,$1800.00.THE SAFETY ISSUE IN ALL OF THIS?ANYTIME YOU ARE STRANDED ALONG THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AWAY FROM HOME AFTER DARK YOUR SAFETY IS IN JEAPORDY. |
| 712960 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 26, 1999 | 0053500 | HEAD GASKET BLEW WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE HAD BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED |
| 713003 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 29, 1999 | 0070000 | THE ENGINE FROZE UP. THIS WAS DUE TO THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM THAT THIS 3.8L V6 ENGINE IS KNOWN FOR. THE ONLY INDICATION WE HAD WAS ERRATIC READINGS OF THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. IT WOULD CLIMB TO THE UPPER RANGE BUT THEN DROP IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS NO WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. I PLANNED ON TAKING IT TO MY MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT EXCEPT THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. MY MECHANIC SAID THE HEAD GASKET MUST HAVE BEEN BLOWN AND ANTIFREEZE WAS MIXING IN THE OIL. HE SAID THAT WITH THIS ENGINE ONE TIME OF OVERHEATING CAN CAUSE THE HEADGASKET TO BLOW. THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARS FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO EXTEND THE WARRENTY TO 60000 MILES BUT NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT IT. DOESN'T HELP ME ANYWAY. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MECHANICAL DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE. OVERHEATING ONE TIME SHOULD NOT REQUIRE HEADGASKET REPLACEMENT OR A NEW ENGINE. |
| 713021 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 01, 1999 | 0077500 | EXCEEDED FORD'S 60K WARRANTY ON HEAD GASKETS AND FORD REFUSED TO COVER REPLACED |
| 713080 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 09, 1999 | 0063300 | IN THE PAST FOUR MONTHS, THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: 6/17/99: COOLANT LEAK, RESULTING IN REPLACING HEAD GASKET AND WATER PUMP, REAR WHEEL BRAKES SEIZED, SCHEDULED TUNE-UP.TOTAL COST $1688.21. COST OF TUNE-UP WAS $272.92. 7/22/99: REMOVE ENGINE AND INSTALL RE-MANUFACTURED ENGINE. TOTAL COST $4,087.88. 8/23/99: OIL LEAK. MAIN ENGINE SEAL LEAKING: TOTAL COST: NO CHARGE. PRIOR TO THIS WE HAVE HAD A TEMPERATURE GAUGE MALFUNCTION, NEW STARTER MOTOR, ABS BRAKE MALFUNCTION, SLIDING DOOR RECALL AND REAR COURTESY LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. NOW THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISION HAS FAILED. |
| 713095 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 23, 1999 | 0074500 | HEAD GASKETS BLOWN ON FORD 3.8L ENGINE. |
| 713118 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 10, 1999 | 0178000 | LAST MONTH MY VAN STARTED OVERHEATING AND RUNNING OUT OF WATER, WHICH I KEPT REFILLING. THEN THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VAN TO A GARAGE AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. UPON TEARING OFF THE HEAD GASKET THEY FOUND A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE CYLINDER. AS A RESULT I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS OF USE TO THE TUNE OF $4000.00. I HAVE CALLED FORD AND THEY BASICALLY SAID MY WARRANTY IS UP AND I AM OUT OF LUCK. AFTER BEING ON THE INTERNET, I AM FINDING THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE 95 WINDSTAR AND I PLAN ON DOING WHATEVER IS NECCESSARY TO GET SOME SATISFACTION FROM FORD. I SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WHICH THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY WHEN MY VAN WAS UNDER WARRANTY, ONE OF WHICH WAS HAVING TO DO WITH TRANSMISSION AND LUGGING. |
| 713159 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 01, 1999 | 0053000 | DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. FORTUNATELY FORD REPLACED UNDER SECRET WARRANTY. HOWEVER, I HAVE ASKED FOR CREDIT OF $4,000.00 TOWARD PURCHASE OF 2000 WINDSTAR BECAUSE OF SIGNIFICANT MARKET DEVALUATION CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AS WELL AS REPORTED WIDESPREAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN THIS VEHICLE. FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE DENIED REQUEST. BOTH THE HEAD GASKET AND TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. SEE FORUMS AT EDMUNDS.COM AND CARTRACKERS.COM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. |
| 713260 | 1998 WINDSTAR | November 30, 1998 | 0090000 | VEHICLE IS ONE OF MANY 1995 WINDSTARS TO BLOW A HEAD GASKET WITHOUT OWNER NEGLECT AND HAVE ITS TRANSMISSION FAIL WITHOUT OWNER NEGLECT OR OVERUSE. |
| 713367 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 13, 1999 | 0090000 | DEALER DIAGNOSED A HEAD GASKET FAILURE DURING ROUTINE 90K MILE CHECK UP (ANTI-FREEZE ON SPARK PLUGS). FORD REFUSES TO PAY. |
| 713401 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 09, 1999 | 0053800 | RECALL FOR ENGINE HEAD GASKET, WIRING, ALSO HAD CRACKED WHEEL AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *AK |
| 713476 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 04, 1999 | 0051400 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO INTERNAL ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ENGINE BURNED INTERNALLY AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST 3990.00. FORD HAS NOT HELPED STATING THAT WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT GASKETS WERE DEFECTIVE. |
| 713512 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 07, 1999 | 0086000 | SAME PROBLEM WITH HEAD GASKETS AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING. *AK |
| 713523 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 02, 1999 | 0065100 | SYMPTOMS OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE BECAME MANIFEST ON 10/2/99. HOWEVER, IN RETROSPECT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER LURKING SYMPTOMS SINCE ABOUT 40K MILES THAT DID NOT CAUSE ME TO SUSPECT THE HEAD GASKET. THIS MEANS THAT I MAY HAVE SERIOUSLY JEOPARDIZED THE SAFETY OF THE MANY WHO HAVE TRAVELED IN THIS VAN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS WHILE THIS GASKET WAS WAITING TO FAIL. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS IS SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES THAT THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. *AK |
| 713525 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 18, 1999 | 0061101 | VIRTUALLY NO FIRST GEAR. AT A COMPLETE STOP IT WOULD HESITATE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 2.5 RPM AND THEN TAKE OFF. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT ONE WEEK LATER ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW. *AK |
| 713620 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 18, 1999 | 0075000 | THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED, THIS WAS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY FORD.*AK |
| 853273 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0065000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING OIL ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 713669 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 21, 1999 | 0053000 | DUE TO THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, THESE FAILURES OCCURRED. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE OR REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIRS. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE SOME ACTION AS I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR SUCH A NEW VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT NECESSITATED A SERIES OF ENGINE REPAIRS. I WOULD LIKE MY SITUATION TO BE INVESTIGATED. OUR ENGINE COULD BLOW UP AT ANY TIME AND IT COULD HAVE OVERHEATED HAD WE NOT GOTTEN IT IN FOR THE WARRANTEED REPAIR ON TIME. |
| 713720 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 10, 1999 | 0051000 | ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FAILED CAM SHAFT BEARING. HEAD GASKET HAD BEEN REPLACED 6 MONTH PRIOR DUE TO LEAKAGE. FORD DEALERSHIP MAKING REPAIR COULD NOT OBTAIN THE CAM SHART REPLACEMENT KIT BECAUSE "DEMAND HAD EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS". WE HAD TO BUY A SHORT BLOCK. OTHER PROBLEMS: BRAKES PUMPING - NEED NEW ROTORS SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER GETTING NEW PADS. ANOTHER PROBLEM - INTERIOR LIGHTS THAT WILL NOT GO OFF HAVE REQUIRED REPAIR TWO TIME. |
| 713791 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 25, 1999 | 0069034 | A HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE CAR AT 69,000 MILES CAUSING ADDITIONAL REPAIRS, I.E: PLUGS, AIR FILTER, COOLANT ETC. THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED ME THAT THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN APPARENT ON THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE ON THE WINDSTAR, TAURUS AND SABLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS PERFORMED SERVICE ON THIS PROBLEM AT THE RATE OF 2 AUTOMOBILES PER WEEK SINCE LAST YEAR, AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET ON THOSE VEHICLES UNDER 75K MILES AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER UP UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1998. BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE REOCCURRING PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO HAVE AN OFFICIAL RECALL, WE HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. THE COMPLAINT IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THERE IS AN APPARENT DEFECT WITH THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE INVOLVING THE SAME HEAD GASKET, AND THAT A REDESIGNED GASKET IS NOW BEING USED.. MY WINDSTAR WAS SERVICED ON JUNE 24, 1999 FOR A 65K MILE MAINTENANCE CHECK AT A COST OF $255 SHOWING NO APPARENT ENGINE DIFFICULTIES AND THEN I HAD TO INVEST ANOTHER $1,140 AT THE TIME OF THIS REPAIR 3 MONTHS LATER. |
| 713838 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 15, 1999 | 0089643 | WE HAVE HAD THE SAME DEFECTS/REPAIRS THAT MOST OF THE OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE HAD. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT ASSIST IN HELPING TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. WE FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE BECAUSE OF THEIR DESIGN FLAWS, BUT THEY ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. OUR MOST EXPENSIVE REPAIR HAS BEEN THE ENGINE WHICH NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. PER THE FORD DEALERS, AND OTHER SOURCES, THIS IS DUE TO ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINES, AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING APPROX. 10,000- 20,000 MILES AFTER THE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. |
| 714016 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 26, 1999 | 0092450 | FAILED HEAD GASKET, WHICH HAS BEEN ON GOING PROBLEM. DEALER STATES SINCE I AM OVER THE MILEAGE WOULD NOT HELP PAY BILL ON A PRO-RATED OFFER. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN OF THE PROBLEM, I COULD HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT OR TRADED THE VEHICLE. |
| 714033 | 1998 WINDSTAR | June 04, 1998 | 0050000 | THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT HEAD GASKETS ARE DAMAGE OR BLOWN IN LESS THAN 16 MONTHS DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX PROBLEM MORE THAN ONCE EVEN WHEN THEY KNOW TAHT PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN MORE THAN ONCE |
| 714067 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 29, 1999 | 0090000 | HEADGASKET FAILED. DEALER SAID RECALL EXPIRED DEC.1998. ESTIMATED $900 REPAIRS. UNDERSTAND PROBLEM WAS AND IS RECURRING |
| 714077 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 29, 1999 | 0075000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET. EXISTING FORD SERVICE BULLITEN 98M01. |
| 714105 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 28, 1999 | 0080714 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. HAD TRIED TO GET PROBLEM LOOKED AT DURING WARRANTY PERIOD, WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT REPAIR WOULD NOT BE MADE UNTIL PART FAILED. WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER REPAIR , WHEN FAILURE OCCURED. |
| 714148 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 14, 1999 | 0075739 | DRIVING CAR TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN CHECK ENGINE LITE COMES ON. VEHICLE STARTS ROUGH IDLE AND WIFE NOTICES WHITE SMOKE FUMING OUT OF EXHAUST PIPE. KNOWING THAT 95 WINDSTAR 3.8L HAS A REPUTATION FOR BLOWN HEAD GASKETS SUSPECTED THAT WAS WHAT OCCURED. COMPLEATED TURN AND GOT CAR SAFETLY OFF THE ROADWAY, CALLED FOR TOW TO NEAREST FORD DEALER. DIAGNOSIS, BLOWN HEAD GASKET, CAUSING HYDRO-LOCK DURING DIAGNOSTIC TEST . SOLUTION . REPLACE ENGINE WITH LONGBLOCK DUE TO COOLANT DAMAGE TO CRANKSHAFT AND CYLINDERS AND BLOCK. NO WARNING AND THIS CAR HAS BEEN PROFESSIONALLY MAINTAINED. OIL AND COOLANT WERE CHECKED THE DAY BEFORE AND WERE AT PROPER LEVELS. COOLANT CHANGED 07/99. SOLUTION ENGINE REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. NO PROPERLY MAINTAINED CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS KIND OF FAILURE,ESPECIALLY DURING FIRST 100,000 MILES. AM PURSUING THIS WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HOT-LINE WITH LITTLE SUCESS. ANY SUGGESTIONS? |
| 714208 | 1998 WINDSTAR | December 25, 1998 | 0067600 | OUR ENGINE BEGAN OVERHEATING DURING THE LAST WEEK ON DEC. '98. DUE TO THE HOLIDAYS, WE WERE UNABLE TO GET IT INTO OUR PERSONAL MECHANIC UNTIL 1/9/99, AT WHICH TIME HE DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE AS HEAD GASKET FAILURE. WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALER, WHO SAID TH |
| 714230 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 26, 1999 | 0081000 | I UNDERSTAND THAT A VERY HIGH % OF THESE ENGINES HAVE A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE FORD COMPANY HAS MADE A REPLACEMENT GASKET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED ON MY VEHICLE (I PAID FOR THE REPAIR) BUT A FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE SAME REPAIR DONE THIS PAST APRIL WITH 52000 MILES ON AND FORD COVERED HIS REPAIR UNDER A RECALL LETTER. WITH THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS PROBLEM, FORD SHOULD COVER ALL COST. |
| 714232 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 29, 1999 | 0075970 | ON FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 29, 1999 MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR BLEW IT'S 3.8 LITER V-6 ENGINE HEAD GASKET. AS I DROVE THE CAR IT BEGAN TO EMIT CLOUDS OF STEAM FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THAT HAD A VERY HEAVY CHEMICAL VAPOR SMELL. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MY ENGINE VIBRATING AND RUNNING VERY ROUGHLY. UPON CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT OVERFLOW CONTAINER WAS DRY. I CHECKED MY OIL AND FOUND THAT IT HAD ANTIFREEZE IN IT. THESE ARE THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS OF A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. |
| 714272 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 02, 1999 | 0072000 | CAR WILL NOT CRANK DUE TO BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKETS ON 1995 3.8L ENGINES BUT STATE THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS FAILURE SINCE THE CAR HAS OVER 60,000 MILES. $1000 REPAIR BILL IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A KNOWN DEFECT IN FORD'S PRODUCT. BOTH DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE STATE MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE CAMPAIGN FORD HAD CONCERNING THEIR HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. |
| 714299 | 1998 WINDSTAR | May 02, 1998 | 0074000 | WE HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION TWICE. THE FIRST TIME AT 72,000 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 94,000 MILES. THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, TIE RODS, REAR WHELL CYLINDERS, FRONT DRIVE AXLE HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THE PADS 4 TIMES AND THE ROTORS TWICE, GROUND DOWN IN BETWEEN. NOW THE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN AND POSSIBLE CAUSED ENOUGH DAMAGE TO WARRANT REPLACING THE WHOLE ENGINE. |
| 714310 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 28, 1999 | 0066000 | WE HAVE JUST EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT MANY OWNERS OF 95 WINDSTARS COMPLAIN ABOUT - BLOWN HEAD GASKETS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE OUR VAN IN THE SHOP AND WILL BE PAYING ABOUT $5,000 IN REPAIRS FOR BOTH PROBLEMS. FORD BRUSHED US OFF SINCE OUR CAR IS OVER THE 60,000 MILE POINT. |
| 714342 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 28, 1999 | 0065210 | AS THE OWNER OF A 95 FORD WINDSTAR WITH THE 3.8L MOTOR, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD EXTENDING WARRANTY COVERAGE DUE TO PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. AT 59,482 MILES I HAD THE 95 WINDSTAR SERVICED AT BATTLEFIELD FORD, SPECIFICALLY ASKING THEM ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM TO MAKE SURE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF PROBLEMS. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE 60,000 MILE SERVICE AND GAVE MY VEHICLE A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. ON 28 OCT 99, AT 1030 PM ON A DARK ROAD, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW ON MY VEHICLE WITH NO WARNING. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX MY VEHICLE. EVERY DEALER I HAVE SPOKEN WITH WILL NOT REPAIR THE HEAD GASKET ON WINDSTAR'S, THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE MOTOR AT A COST OF $6,000.00 DOLLARS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CYLINDER HEADS IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CASTING NUMBERS WERE FOR A FORD TAURUS, NOT A WINDSTAR. I HAVE ALSO FOUND OVER 40 PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIANCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS WITH THEIR 95 WINDSTAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OF THESE 3.8L MOTORS HAVE FAILED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. SINCERELY, SCOTT A. HEFFNER |
| 714364 | 1999 WINDSTAR | August 07, 1999 | 0082904 | ENGINE OVERHEATED. AT 82,904 MILES, DEALER REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND HEAD GASKET ON 8/7/99. ON 10/29/99 WITH 86,411 MILES IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE JUST STALLED ON US75 N. DEALER NOW STATES THAT ENGINE IS BLOWN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. |
| 714386 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 29, 1999 | 0092000 | OUR MINI-VAN BLEW A HEAD GASKET AND HEAD WAS CRACKED. THESE DEFECTS WERE KNOWN TO FORD WHO REAPIRED THEM THRU DECEMBER 1998 HOW CAN FORD LIMIT REPAIR OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT? |
| 714403 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 29, 1999 | 0064153 | HEADGASKET BLEW AND CAUSED MOTOR TO BE RUN WITH ANTIFREEZE IN THE #1 CYLINDER. MOTOR GONE... |
| 714474 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 05, 1999 | 0079255 | PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO FACTORY DEFECTIVE GASKETS (FORD SERVICE PROGRAM # 98M01) |
| 714510 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 31, 1999 | 0062500 | WIDESPREAD FAILURE OF 1995 WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE HEAD GASKET... ME THIS TIME. |
| 714587 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 05, 1999 | 0070000 | THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT FORD WOULD COVER UP TO 5 YRS. OR 60,000 MILES, IF THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, HOW CAN THEY PUT A CAP ON THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY VANS FROM 95 WE WERE LUCKY WE WERE NOT ON THE HI |
| 549201 | 1998 WINDSTAR | November 01, 1998 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. MJS |
| 714401 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 05, 1999 | 0079255 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER, ROUGH RUNNING, WHITE SMOKE OUT EXHAUST, AND STRONG COOLANT SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND ENGINE.*AK |
| 714842 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0038000 | WE REPLACED THE HEADGASKETS AT 38,000 AND HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD AT (72,000) THAT THE HEADGASKETS WERE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER SET OF FAULTY HEAD GASKETS, AND THAT FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM EVENTHOUGH THEY HAD THE LIMITED "RECALL" PROGRAM ON HEADGASKETS. IT IS TOO RISKY TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN SHORT TRIPS. DUE TO VAST NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE RESALE IS HORRIFIC AND WE ARE STUCK WITH A CAR WE CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP AND CAN'T AFFORD TO SELL. *AK |
| 714858 | 1999 WINDSTAR | September 01, 1999 | 0087000 | THIS IS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET IN THE WINDSTAR - WHAT I'VE LEARNED TO BE A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM. I THINK FORD SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS SINCE IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. *AK |
| 714877 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 17, 1999 | 0052776 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW,CAUSING WHITE SMOKE TO EMINATE FROM TAILPIPE AND ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN DESTRUCTION OF ENGINE. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEAD GASKETS, AND HAD A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE INSTALLED. MY TRANSMISSION AND POWER STEERING RACK ALSO FAILED BEFORE THIS. WHAT NEXT? *AK |
| 714920 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 03, 1999 | 0044000 | THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE 1ST. TIME WAS 1 YEAR AGO. MY VAN WAS MAKING A TICKING OR KNOCKING SOUND. THIS WAS RIGHT AFTER THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS RECALLED. I ASKED THE FORD DEALER WHO DID THE WORK IF THE SOUND COULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD NO IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MY PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW SHORT BLOCK. I HAD BOUGHT A WARRANTY FROM THE PERSON I BOUGHT THE VAN FROM FOR $430.00 WHICH WAS FOR $2500.00, I ONLY HAD ABOUT $1900.00 LEFT ON IT. I GOT AN ESTIMATE OF ABOUT $3500.00 TO DO THE WORK FROM FORD. ICOULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY THAT MUCH MONEY. I ASKED IF THEY COULD FIX THE PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN WIHT THE AMOUNT THAT WAS LEFT ON MY WARRANTY. THAT IS WHAT THEY DID. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT IS THE LONGB LOCK THAT I MUST REPLACE I HAVE BEEN TOLD. WHY BECAUSE I SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE SHORTBLOCK THE FIRST TIME. I COULD NOT SEE HOW THE MOTOR COULD HAVE GONE WITH SUCH LOW MILAGE ON IT. THE FIRST TIME IT ONLY HAD 37668 MILES ON IT. IT HAD 36914 MILES ON IT WHEN THEY REPLACED THE HEADGASKET RECALL ON 09/08/98. I AM JUST FINDING OUT NOW THAT THIS COULD HAVE VERY WELL BEEN A PROBLEM THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE FAULTY HEADGASKET. I BELIEVE THAT FORD DEALER HERE IN SEASIDE, CA. KNEW THIS AT THE TIME. I BELIEVE THEY DID NOT TELL ME SO THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR IT. SINCE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT THEN, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT NOW AFTER THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ONLY WORSE. MY VAN BROKE DOWN OUT OF TOWN I MUST TRY AND GET IT TOWED OVER A 100 MILES BACK TO MY CITY. I STILL DO NOT HAVE THE VAN WITH ME TO THIS DATE. I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A CAR IN MY LIFE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THIS NEW EITHER. I GOT THE VAN SO I COULD DRIVE MY FATHER AROUND WHO IS HANDYCAPPED AND IS 86 YEARS OLD. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET HIM TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS NOR MY SON TO HIS ACTIVITES FOR SCHOOL. I WOULD BE MOST GREATFULL FOR ANY ADVICE OR HELP. THANK YOU. |
| 715010 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0043000 | FAILURE OF FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON. ORGINAL WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND WAS REPLACED WITH A STEEL PISTON. WORK DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP DUE TO THE DEALER REFUSING TO COVER THE COSTS. ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKETS, ELECTRIC HARNESS, IGNITION WIRING |
| 715016 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 16, 1999 | 0079023 | IN 7/99 A 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' CAME ON AFTER A LONG TRIP [BOCA RATON, FL TO CHARLOTTE, NC] AN OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY A FORD DEALER[YOUNG FORD, 704-598-2599] IN 10/99 THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' CAME ON AGAIN. WALLACE FORD [DELRAY BEACH, 561-278-0303]WAS INFORMED OF THE PREVIOUS SENSOR REPLACEMENT, AND REPLACED ANOTHER SENSOR. NO OTHER INDICATING LIGHTS HAD COME ONE AT ANY TIME. ON NOV. 14 THE CAR WAS ROUGH ON STARTUP, THEN RAN OKAY. ON NOV. 16 THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WALLACE FORD HAS FOUND A HEADGASKET FAILURE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS INDICATED OVER 200 OF THE SAME FAILURES FOR THIS MAKE & MODEL YEAR. I WAS INFORMED THAT FORD HAD A 'PROGRAM' FOR THIS IF THE MILEAGE WAS UNDER 60K. MY UNDERSTANDING IS A RELATIVELY EASY CHECK COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT IS ESTIMATED AT $2100 TO REPAIR AT THIS TIME. NEITHER DEALER, WHEN MAKING THE EARLIER REPAIRS , THAT WERE LIKELY CAUSED BY THE LEAKING OF THE HEADGASKET, MENTIONED THE POSSIBILITY OF A HEADGASKET FAILURE FOR THIS MAKE & MODEL, ALTHOUGH FORD IS CLEARLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. A GRAPH ATTRIBUTED TO NHTSA INDICATES THE VERY HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I EXPECT TO BE CONTACTING FORD AT A NUMBER OF LEVELS TO VOICE THIS COMPLAINT. IS THERE ANY INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY FOR THIS? I UNDERSTAND KRON TV IN SAN FRANSCISCO RAN AN INVESTIGATIVE STORY ON THIS PROBLEM THIS WEEK. |
| 715038 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 14, 1999 | 0072354 | MY CONCERN IS PRIMARILY AIMED AT ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM IDENTIFIED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THE 1995 FORD WINSTAR. IN MARCH OF 1999, MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE DRIVING IN THE CAR WHEN THE HEAD GASGET BLEW! THE ENSUING REPAIRS RAN OVER $2,486.00. BELIEVING THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED I HAD A PRIVATE MECHANIC FIX THE CAR. UPON REALIZING THAT FORD HAD MANUFACTURED A FAULTY PART I REQUESTED A REFUND FOR MY REPAIR BILLS. FORD HAS REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE MY CLAIM, INDICATING THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I BELIVE THIS UNSAFE SITUATION WAS DIRECTLY A RESULT OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE FAULTY HEAD GASKET PLACED INTO MY CAR BY FORD. THE OTHER COMPONENTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE FAILING HEAD GASKET. I WISH TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GROWING NUMBER OF CONSUMERS LODGING COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH DEALING WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD BE APPRECIATED, HOWEVER I HAVE LITTLE TRUST THAT THEY WILL FULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO FORWARD COPIES OF MY CORRESPONDANCE WITH FORD TO YOUR OFFICE IF THIS MIGHT BE OF ASSISTANCE. WITH SINCERE THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT IN THIS MATTER, ROBERT A. MARTINEZ. *AK |
| 715058 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 12, 1999 | 0093683 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT CRANKSHAFT FAILURE. *AK |
| 715071 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | TRANSMISSION GOING TO FAIL SOON; DEALERSHIP FAILED TO DIAGNOSE IN 1997 UNDER OEM WARRANTY. HEAD GASKET BLEW, DEALERSHIP REPAIRED AT NO COST. GASOLINE SMELLS DURING AND AFTER DRIVING. *AK |
| 715101 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 28, 1999 | 0049000 | THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM IS SOMETHING FORD MOTOR CO. IS AWARE OF. IT IS EVEN LISTED IN THE OCT. ISSUE OF CONSUMER REPORTS. WE SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY 1,000--2,000 FOR REPAIRS FOR THIER MISTAKE. |
| 715108 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0042000 | FORD WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THERE IS AN ENGINE PROBLEM WITH THE FIRST YEAR MODEL OF THIS VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST $1500 TO HAVE SPARK PLUG WIRES, OXYGEN SENSOR, THERMOSTAT, AND HEAD GASKETS REPLACED. *AK |
| 715131 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 19, 1999 | 0097750 | COOLANT SYSTEM PROBLEMS SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED - SENSORS, RADIATOR, HEAD GASKET. I THOUGHT I RECEIVED A RECALL CONCERNING HEAD GASKET IN 1998 FROM FORD - WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD TO COME BACK WHEN THE HEAD GASKET FAILED. THE DEALER KEPT THE LETTER THAT I RECEIVED FROM FORD DESPITE TWO ATTEMPTS OF HAVING IT RETURNED. A YEAR OR SO LATER THE HEAD GASKET FAILED ,AND I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS NOT COVERED BY A RECALL, BUT WAS UNDER A WARRANTY EXTENSION. (I WAS NOT TOLD THIS BY THE DEALER IN 1998) NOW THE VEHICLE IS PAST THE ALLEGED WARRANTY EXTENSION, AND FORD WILL NOT ADDRESS MY PROBLEM FURTHER. APPARENTLY THE RADIATOR IS POORLY DESIGNED. IT'S CHEAPER FOR ME TO HAVE IT REPLACED UNDER A THIRD PARTY WARRENTY THAN HAVE IT FLUSHED ONLY TO CLOG AGAIN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 1996 AND HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT TIRES IN 1997, 1998 AND 1999. *AK |
| 715146 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 19, 1999 | 0080200 | SEVERAL MINOR ENGINE COMPONENTS (O2 SENSORS, COOLANT LINES, COMPUTER, ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON & OFF) FAILED OVER A ONE YEAR PERIOD FOLLOWED BY THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED, ABOUT 100 MILES LATER THE ENGINE FAILED. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, THE VAN LOST POWER AND THE SPEED STARTED FLUCTUATING. THIS WAS ON A HIGH SPEED, BUT NO SHOULDER BRIDGE, SO SLOWING DOWN COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T THIS TIME. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED TOWING THE VAN TO THE GARAGE, AND AFTER REVIEW THE ENGINE WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK |
| 715213 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | TRANSMISSION: NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT 64527 MILES, HEADGASKETS WERE REPLACED AT 48000 MILES AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 64527 MILES. |
| 715221 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 20, 1999 | 0091000 | 1995 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8 ENGINE FAILURE WITH HEAD GASKET. THIS FAILURE DESTROYED ENGINE, FORD HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKET MATERIAL, AND THEY KNOW THIS AND HAVE EVEN POSTED A SERVICE BULLETIN 98M01. BUT IF YOU OVER THE 60,000 MILE FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR YOU AND LOTS OF CONSUMERS ARE PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR $4,000-5000. I INVESTIGATED THIS WITH 12 SHOPS AND 6 TOW TRUCK DRIVERS AND AND ARE BEING TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER WON'T TELL CONSUMERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM OR SUPPORT THEM IF THEY ARE OVER THE 60,000 MILE MARK? MY VAN HAD BEEN IN FOR GENERAL REPAIR AND NOT ONE PERSON SAID ANYTHING TO ME ? PLEASE THIS PROBLEM IS COSTING CONSUMERS SO MUCH MONEY WHEN FORD SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THESE REPAIRS. THE MATERIAL USED FOR THESE HEAD GASKETS WAS BAD. FORD KNEW THIS AND WE HAVE TO PAY THE REPAIR BILL. I TALKED TO TWO OWNER OF FORD DEALERS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS SINCE 1995, AND THEY WANT THE TO SUPPORT THEIR CUSTOMERS, BUT WONT DO ANYTHING FOR VAN OVER 60-70,00 MILES. MY VAN HAD 90,000 MILES, AND HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BUT RIGHT NOW I'M TRYING TO FIND THE MONEY FOR THIS REPAIR? *AK |
| 715272 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 09, 1999 | 0064200 | VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. APPOINTMENT MADE FOR DEALER TO LOOK AT PROBLEM. APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR 11/10/99. ON 11/9/99 VEHICLE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AND DEALER REPORTS THAT HEAD GASKET IS THE PROBLEM, BUT THAT ENGINE HAS SEIZED, POSSIBLY REQUIRING NEW ENGINE. FORD SAYS IF PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED PRIOR TO 60,000 MILES REPAIRS WOULD HAVE BEEN FREE BECAUSE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. SINCE PROBLEM OCCURED AFTER 60,000 MILES, FORD WILL PAY NOTHING. |
| 715448 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 05, 1999 | 0079255 | PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. ALSO CAUSED INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE WHICH REQUIRED ENGINE REBUILD AT A TOTAL COST OF $2,441.00 |
| 715453 | 1999 WINDSTAR | June 18, 1999 | 0067616 | THIS MOTOR HAS A HISTORY OF DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS WITH NO COVERAGE FROM MFGER AFTER 60,000 MILES. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN PROBLEM. *AK |
| 715460 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 30, 1999 | 0058500 | FORD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR HEAD GASKETS TO 60000 MILES OR 12/98, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST. MY WINDSTAR'S HEAD GASKET FAILED TODAY (11/30/99) WITH 58500 MILES ON IT. PLEASE CONSIDER FORCING A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT. *AK |
| 715473 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 01, 1999 | 0084000 | THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FAIL IN OCT 1998. SHIFTING TO OVERDRIVE WOULD NOT OCCUR OR WOULD SHIFT BACK AND FORTH CAUSING A BUCKING MOTION. AFTER FIRST TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FILTER AND FLUID WERE CHANGED. THE THE CONDITION WORSENED UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT ALL. THIS WAS THEN REPAIRED BUT STILL DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY ALL THE TIME. THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED NOW AT 84,000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN THESE COMMON PROBLEMS ON WEBSITES AND THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT AS THEY ARE THE SAME TYPE THAT SEEM TO RE-OCCUR ON THIS MODEL. *AK |
| 715515 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 12, 1999 | 0108000 | 1995 WINDSTAR HAS DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS IN THE 3.8L ENGINE, PREMATURE FAILURE ADMITTED BY FORD, THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY FORD AND REPAIRED, BUT FORD IS PUTTING THE REPAIR COST ON THE CONSUMER. |
| 715543 | 1999 WINDSTAR | March 08, 1999 | 0072795 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET MISSED OWNER NOTIFICATION WARRANTY BY 68 DAYS. ENGINE DAMAGED, TOTAL COST $3,975.06. FORD WOULD NOT HELP WITH REPAIR COST. |
| 715568 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 02, 1999 | 0075000 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE NOT COVERED BY MANUFACTURER DUE TO MILEAGE OVER 60000. PROBLEM EXISTED PRIOR TO THE NOTICE OF THE FAILURE DUE TO SAME SYMPTOMS IN EXCESS OF 30000 MILES. FORD EXPECTS $2400 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. OVER 156 COMPLAINTS ON SAME COMPONENT LISTED IN COMPLAINTS SECTION OF NHTSA. |
| 715575 | 1998 WINDSTAR | February 15, 1998 | 0035500 | WITHIN THREE DAYS OF MY PURCHASE OF MY 1995 WINDSTAR IN FEB. OF 1998 TIMING CASE BLEW AT 35,500. AT 51,440 HEAD GASKET BLEW. DEALER TOLD US UNDER WARRANTY 5YR AND OR 60,000 MILES .DEALER CALLED TO TELL US WARRANTY EXPIRED. 8-99 1995WINDSTAR WAS PUT IN |
| 715584 | 1999 WINDSTAR | December 01, 1999 | 0091000 | IN THE TIME FROM JULY 1999 TO DECEMBER 1, 1999 THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, HEAD GASKET, TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKET. THE COST HAS NOW RUN OVER $5,000 AND FORD WILL NOT ADMIT ONE OUNCE OF RESPONSIBILITY DESPITE HAVING PREVIOUS SECRET WARRANTIES ON EXACTLY THESE COMPONENTS ON EXACTLY THIS ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. |
| 715618 | 1998 WINDSTAR | September 16, 1998 | 0075724 | HEAD GASKETS FAILING AGAIN AFTER FORD REPLACED ORIGIONALS |
| 715684 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 18, 1999 | 0063000 | THE HEAD GASKET IN MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR FAILED RUINING THE ENGINE. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL WE COULD ARRAINGE TRANSPORTATION. FORD, AFTER REPEATED COMPLAINTS IS ONLY WILLING TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COSTS. I THINK THIS IS A HARZARDOUS PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD BE MORE FORTHCOMING. |
| 715725 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 01, 1999 | 0065000 | DRIVING IN FREEWAY VEHICLE STARTED TO CHUG. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE BEST I CAME REMEMBER. FINISHED DRIVING HOME THINKING I'LL GET A TUNEUP ON MONDAY. SUNDAY EVENING I DROVE TO REPAIR SHOP, (PERFECT TUNE) TO HAVE A TUNEUP DONE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. THE SHOP CALLED AND TOLD MY HUSBAND A HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I WROTE TO FORDS TRYING TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE AND ALSO CALLED THEM. I WAS TOLD IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT CONSIDERED ANY HELP OR REIMBURSEMENT TO ME. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE STILL SEEMED TO RUN ROUGH. I TOOK IT BACK TO PERFECT TUNE THINKING TI WAS THE ENGINE (SO DID THEY). THIS WENT ON FOR MONTHS HAVING THEM LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM AND TRYING TO FIX IT. FINALLY THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND SAID I BETTER TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALER. I TOOK IT TO BRIGHTON FORD AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A BAD TRANSMISSION. WITHIN APPOXIMATELY 6 MONTHS I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION. RECENTLY MY SISTER SAW A NEWS REPORT ON WINDSTARS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD GASKETS THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TROUBLE. IS THERE ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HOPE YOU CAN HELP. THANKYOU |
| 715736 | 1999 WINDSTAR | December 01, 1999 | 0052163 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING ENGINE TO SIEZE @52,000 MI.9 MONTH PREGNANT WIFE &4 SMALL CHILDREN IN VEHICHLE I HAVE READ THE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICHLE IS THERE A WAY 2 REMOVE THIS VEHICHLE FROM THE ROADS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED WHAT CAN I DO??? *AK |
| 715739 | 1999 WINDSTAR | December 05, 1999 | 0075000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPAIRS DESPITE KNOWN PRODUCT DEFECT. *AK |
| 715847 | 1999 WINDSTAR | December 04, 1999 | 0067100 | ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THEN ON 12/4/99 SMOKE CAME FROM EXHAUST WHEN STARTED. WE DROVE IT IMMEDIATELY TO VELDE LINCOLN MERCURY IN PEORIA, IL. WHEN THEY GOT TO LOOK AT IT, IT WOULD NOT START. THE ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1,250 TO FIX. I SINCE HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 60,000 MILES. I HAVE ALSO HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS OF IT GOING OUT SHORTLY AFTER 60,000 AND FORD REFUSING TO COVER ANY REPAIRS. *AK |
| 715856 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 01, 1999 | 0074000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET ON THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR FIRST FAILED AT 35000 MILES WHICH WAS FIXED UNDER. *AK |
| 549723 | 1998 WINDSTAR | June 01, 1998 | 0000000 | RECALL REPAIR DENIED FOR (98M01), HEAD GASKET FAILURE, VEHICLE OUT OF SCOPE DUE TO MILEAGE. MJS |
| 549805 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 01, 1999 | 0067822 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. YH |
| 549309 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. NLM |
| 854164 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0057000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN OUT, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK |
| 854165 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0070000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN OUT, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK |
| 854247 | 1999 WINDSTAR | November 09, 1999 | 0090000 | ENGINE'S HEAD GASKETS FAILED. THEY BLEW WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. WAS EMITTING WHITE SMOKE & THEN DIED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER OF HEAD GASKETS. NO FLUID WAS LEAKING. HAD NO WARNING EXCEPT WHITE SMOKE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED & VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED. INFORMED NO LEAKS & VEHICLE BEYOND GIVEN MILEAGE. *AK |
| 854311 | 1995 WINDSTAR | | 0067000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN ENGINE MALFUNCTIONING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 337784 | 1989 CONTINENTAL | August 22, 1989 | 0022000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLOWN. |
| 375263 | 1990 CONTINENTAL | October 05, 1990 | 0024000 | ENGINE PROBLEM, R/R MAIN BEARINGS, HEAD GASKET, 3 PISTON RODS AND ALL GASKETS. |
| 488011 | 1995 CONTINENTAL | September 15, 1995 | 0050000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK |
| 836268 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | June 11, 1998 | 0100000 | ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK BACK TO BE USED. DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, LATER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK & WAS INFORMED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. *AK |
| 364492 | 1989 CONTINENTAL | June 03, 1989 | 0032000 | PROBLEM WITH HEADGASKET. |
| 438610 | 1990 CONTINENTAL | November 20, 1990 | 0036000 | BROKEN HEAD GASKET/LOSS OF COOLANT. |
| 467459 | 1993 CONTINENTAL | December 30, 1993 | 0075000 | FAULTY HEAD GASKET, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. *JQH |
| 957206 | 1994 CONTINENTAL | November 17, 1994 | 0078000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. *AK |
| 484926 | 1995 CONTINENTAL | August 08, 1995 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKETS REPLACED. |
| 980735 | 1989 CONTINENTAL | | 0000000 | WHILE DRIVING, HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK |
| 504274 | 1993 CONTINENTAL | December 01, 1993 | 0070000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 602461 | 1995 CONTINENTAL | August 03, 1995 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET REPLACED. |
| 823402 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | March 30, 1998 | 0083000 | VEHICLE STARTED SKIPPING AND ALOT OF OTHER PROBLEMS. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC AND TAKEN OUT/TESTED AND REPLACED THE HEAD GASKETS. MECHANIC STATES THAT THE 3.8 ENGINE VEHICLES HAVE THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. *AK |
| 712296 | 1997 CONTINENTAL | June 09, 1997 | 0088177 | I FIND I'M ONE OF MANY FORD 3.8L ENGINE OWNERS WITH FAILED HEADGASKETS |
| 965549 | 1990 CONTINENTAL | | 0056000 | THE FRONT AND REAR STRUT/SHOCK WENT OUT, THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING AND THE BALL JOINT , THE ALTERNATOR. TT |
| 535478 | 1997 CONTINENTAL | October 15, 1997 | 0097000 | HEAD GASKET DEFECTIVE. |
| 700547 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | November 11, 1998 | 0053000 | THERE ARE 17 TBS ON THE TRANSMISSION! I PAID TOP DOLLAR FOR A LOW MILEAGE CAR, NOT I AM STUCK! THERE IS A TBS DATED 7/98 ON THE HEADGASKET! BUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. |
| 544091 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | January 01, 1999 | 0077000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 544327 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | February 15, 1999 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING SMOKE TO COME FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE HEATER TO BLOW ONLY COLD AIR. |
| 837031 | 1990 CONTINENTAL | | 0000000 | THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL BECAUSE OF A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. DEALER SAID HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK |
| 537801 | 1997 CONTINENTAL | February 10, 1997 | 0086727 | HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS. |
| 547907 | 1990 CONTINENTAL | | 0064000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. NLM |
| 962685 | 1995 CONTINENTAL | March 28, 1995 | 0058000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE DEFECTIVE. TT |
| 488367 | 1995 CONTINENTAL | October 01, 1995 | 0055000 | HEAD GASKETS REPLACED DUE TO LEAK. *SD |
| 503998 | 1996 CONTINENTAL | May 01, 1996 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET CRACKED. *SD |
| 505323 | 1996 CONTINENTAL | May 01, 1996 | 0059000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING OVERHEATING. *SD |
| 986512 | 1991 CONTINENTAL | | 0000000 | PURCHASED CAR USED, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW , PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK |
| 516101 | 1997 CONTINENTAL | March 11, 1997 | 0055000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 604715 | 1991 CONTINENTAL | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 505323 | 1996 CONTINENTAL | May 01, 1996 | 0059525 | HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO CONTINUALLY OVERHEAT WITH EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM. |
| 542977 | 1991 CONTINENTAL | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED. |
| 704006 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | February 23, 1999 | 0122000 | HEAD GASKETS ARE BLOWN. COOLANT COMING OUT OF EXHAUST SYSTEM. |
| 836170 | 1997 CONTINENTAL | June 24, 1997 | 0086000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AND BURNED WATER AND GAS. DEALER NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM, AND REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. ALSO ABS LIGHTCONTINUOUSLY FLASHES ON AND OFF, DEALER NOT AWARE, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 854256 | 1991 CONTINENTAL | | 0064000 | WHILE DRIVING ORIGINAL ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW. WERE BLOWING SMOKE & LEAKING FLUID. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC REPLACED ENGINE. HEAD GASKETS BLEW ON THE 2ND ENGINE ALSO & ENGINE WAS REPLACED ONCE AGAIN. *AK |
| 821445 | 1992 CONTINENTAL | | 0080000 | THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT AND THE OIL PAN IS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 828193 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | September 24, 1998 | 0078000 | VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING WHILE DRIVING. LEARNED LATER THAT HEAD GASKET WAS BROKEN.DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL, AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK |
| 542465 | 1992 CONTINENTAL | | 0059301 | HEAD GASKET IS FAILING. |
| 542260 | 1992 CONTINENTAL | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET STARTING TO FAIL CAUSING EXHAUST TO SMELL SWEET FROM COOLANT LEAKING INTO EXHAUST, RECALL ON HEAD GASKET HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN #. |
| 833206 | 1992 CONTINENTAL | | 0062000 | IMPROPER TORQUE OF THE BOLT UNDERNEATH ENGINE MANIFOLD IS CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO LEAK ANTI-FREEZE ONTO AND OUT OF ENGINE, RESULTING IN THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH AND WITHOUT HEAT. *AK |
| 543601 | 1992 CONTINENTAL | | 0052000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS, RECALL ON OTHER MODEL YEARS. |
| 703172 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | November 08, 1998 | 0075000 | 3.8L ALUMINUM V6 FAILURE AFTER DEALER IGNORED SITUATION THREE TIMES...NOW DEALER CLAIMS HEAD GASKETS FAILED AFTER NOTIFICATION |
| 704196 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | September 10, 1998 | 0076000 | THE POWER MOTORS FOR THE TRUNK AND GAS CAP HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. THE DEALER WOULD GET IT TO WORK AFTER TWO TO THREE DAYS IT WOULD STOP AGAIN. AT THE END OF 90 DAYS OR 3,000 MILES THEY WOULD KNOW LONGER FIX IT. I CAN NOT FIND THE NUMBERS IN THE TRUNK THAT IS SURPOSE TO HELP WITH GETTING A KEYLESS ENTRY CODE. HOW DO I GET THAT? THE BAD HEAD GASKET WAS DISCOVERED BY A LINCOLN DEALER BEFORE MY WARRANTY RAN OUT BUT THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. PROBABLY BECAUSE A FAN MOTOR SWITCH WAS NOT WORKIG DAY OF PURCHASE AND AIR SUSPENSION SHOCKS STOPED WORKING WITHIN 3 DAY OF PURCHASE. I HAD TO PAY HALF FOR THE SHOCKES. AFTER ALL OF THESE THINGS I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH. THE LOCAL DEALER HAD DONE A NUMBER OF HEAD GASKET REPAIRS FOR MODELS 3.8L V6 FOR YEAR 89 - 94, CONSIDERBLY MORE THAN ANY OTHER MAKES. I CHECKED WITH TWO OTHER ENGINE REPAIR SHOPS. THEIR RECORDS ALSO SHOWED MORE REPAIRS FOR THAT MOTOR SIZE IN A LINCOLN THAN ANY OTHER MOTOR SIZE. I FOUND OUT FROM LINCOLN MOTORS THAT THEY HAD A RECALL ON 94 MODEL ENGINES BECAUSE OF OVER HEATING PROBLEMS. THAT WAS ALSO THE LAST YEAR 3.8L ENGINES WERE USED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY ONLY 94S WERE RECALLED AND NOT A RECALL FOR ALL 3.8L MADE BETWEEN 89-94. DATA SHOWS THOSE MOTORS HAD OVER HEATING PROBLEMS CAUSING BAD HEAD GASKETS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REEMBURSTED FOR THE $1100.00 IT COST ME TO REPAIR MY MOTOR. WHY DID LINCOLN GO BACK TO PUTTING V8 ENGINES IN THEIR CARS IN 95? PLEASE FORWARD ALL REPLYS TO MY E-MAIL ADDRESS. |
| 544589 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | December 04, 1998 | 0124590 | CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS FAILED/LEAKING/REPLACED. |
| 705977 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | April 21, 1999 | 0075577 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET, CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO CYLINDERS AND STEAM TO COME OUT OT TAIL PIPES. DEALERS ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR $1500. *AK |
| 706789 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | March 17, 1999 | 0106374 | FORD OFFERED EXTENDED WARRANTIES COVERING 1993 AND 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTALS WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. I'M FILING THIS FORM CONCERNING 1992 MODELS TO SEE IF THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY PROGRAM. *AK |
| 548924 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | June 01, 1999 | 0087093 | MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM, RECALL COMPONENT HOWEVER OWNER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, RECENT REPAIR OF THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET WAS POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE RECALL COMPONENT FAILURE (92M77). |
| 524352 | 1993 CONTINENTAL | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 824148 | 1997 CONTINENTAL | December 17, 1997 | 0000000 | WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT 30 MPH, THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE AND MOVE OFF ROAD SAFELY. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK |
| 540958 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | April 15, 1998 | 0067000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. QCAW |
| 829795 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | October 25, 1998 | 0082000 | CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET; CONSUMER HAS LEARNED OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECAL DONE ON THE 1994 VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ENGINE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 832302 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | October 01, 1998 | 0000000 | ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE HEAD GASKETS TO BLOW OUT. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 97V019000. ALSO, BATTERY BLEW UP, AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAN WAS NOT WORKING, REPLACED FUSE. *AK |
| 701568 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | December 21, 1998 | 0059000 | ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED, COOLANT LEAKING FROM HEAD GASKETS. OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF SUDDEN ROUGH IDLING. DEALER CAN PROVIDE NO EXPLANATION BUT RECOMMENDS THE PURCHASE/INSTALLATION OF NEW ENGINE BLOCK. |
| 705514 | 1998 CONTINENTAL | March 01, 1998 | 0062500 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE - CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED - HAS NEVER OVERHEATED - OCCURED AT ONLY 62500 MILES |
| 851616 | 1993 CONTINENTAL | | 0000000 | SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO A LEAKING HEAD GASKET. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK |
| 813532 | 1994 CONTINENTAL | | 0000000 | THE ENGINE OVERHEATS BECAUSE OF THAT THE CAR HAS TO BE CUT OFF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER BEFORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. 2 HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. |
| 521569 | 1997 CONTINENTAL | July 18, 1997 | 0083000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. |
| 543567 | 1994 CONTINENTAL | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 704118 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | January 01, 1999 | 0115000 | REVIEW OF YOUR HOTLINE INDICATES THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS OF WHICH I HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THERE WAS NO OVERHEATING. COST OF REPAIR $5300.00 |
| 837138 | 1994 CONTINENTAL | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET PREMATURELY BLEW, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION. ALSO, TRANSMISSION HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS. CAUSE UNKNOWN, PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK |
| 837535 | 1994 CONTINENTAL | | 0084000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. FORD HAS A EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 75,000 OR 6 YEARS. *AK |
| 705540 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | April 09, 1999 | 0082341 | NOT INFORMED OF PRE-EXISTING DEFICIENCY WITH HEAD GASKETS WHICH RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF ENGINE |
| 546164 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | January 01, 1999 | 0000000 | VALVES REPLACED, VALVE COVER HEAD GASKET REPLACED. MJS |
| 531582 | 1996 CONTINENTAL | September 01, 1996 | 0056000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE WITHIN 76000 MILES. |
| 843080 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | July 01, 1999 | 0108000 | RIGHT FRONT MOTOR MOUNT BUSTED. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING/ ENGINE RAISED UP 8 INCHES, AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK. *AK HEAD GASKET BLOWN AND REPLACED. *YH |
| 708302 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | April 13, 1999 | 0056000 | WE PURCHASED CAR AS A COMPANY PROGRAM AND FOUND THINGS WRONG AT THAT TIME WHICH INDICATED CAR HAD BEEN IN SOME SORT OF ACCIDENT WHICH WE WERE NOT INFORMED OF TILL WE DISCOVERED THINGS LATER, SUCH AS INSIDE OF BACK RIM BENT, PIECES OF GLASS INSIDE BACK PAKAGE TRAY, RUBBER BUMPER MISSING ON 2 LEFT DOORS, AND AIR BAG WARNING WIRES UNHOOKED INSIDE STEERING WHEEL. AT 35000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET BLEW ON MOTOR(COVERED BY WARRANTY) THEN RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 50000 MILES WE HAD 2 MASS AIR SENSORS FAIL, THEN THE IDLE CONTROL AND AT 56000 MILES FOUND LOW KNOCK IN ENGINE AND WHEN OPENED FOUND MANY WORN AND BAD PARTS IN ENGINE TO THE POINT WE HAD TO PUT NEW ENGINE IN CAR AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. DEALERS OR FORD MOTOR CO. WOULD NOT PAY ANY. CAR HAD ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT 2000 MILES SINCE WE'VE HAD IT AND DIDN'T USE ANY OIL. WE BELIEVE THIS FAILURE UNCALLED FOR AT THIS MILEAGE WITH THIS HIGH PRICED OF A CAR. THE LOCAL DEALER SHIP HAD 4 CARS IN THEIR SHOP AT THE SAME TIME WITH THIS 3.8 V6 ENGINE BEING REPLACED. ALSO FOUND A FORD VAN IN THE COMMUNITY AT A DIFERANT DEALER WITH SAME MOTOR OUT AT JUST UNDER 50000 MILE. SEEMS TO ME WITH THE CARE WE GAVE CAR AND THE DAMAGE FOUND TO THE CRANKSHAFT. PISTONS AND CAMSHAFT OF OUR ENGINE, THESE ENGINES MUST BE FAULTY FROM START. |
| 844535 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | May 12, 1999 | 0059000 | VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING DUE ENGINE HEAD GASKET THAT BLOWING OUT. *AK |
| 709980 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | July 01, 1999 | 0099000 | THE HEAD GASKET WENT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FAILURE IN FORD'S 3.8L ENGINE. THIS FAILURE IS KNOWN TO FORD AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. |
| 709584 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | July 16, 1999 | 0083100 | ENGINE BLEW,PROBABLY DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. HEAD GASKET HAD BEEN REPLACED AT RECALL 8 MONTHS PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. HAD CAR IN TO DEALER FOR COOLANT LEAK, JUST 300MI BEFORE ENGINE FAILURE.NEITHER DEALER OR FORD WOULD TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILY FOR ENGINE FAILURE |
| 709216 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | July 06, 1999 | 0059300 | THIS FAILURE DETECTED SIMILAR WORK IN THIS AREA, PRIOR TO MY OWNERSHIP. IS THIS A LEMON RESOLD AFTER HEAD GASKET/TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE AS A FORD PROGRAM CAR? THE MILEAGE OF BEARING REPLACEMENT IS VERY, VERY LOW. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 31K SO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WERE HIDDEN FROM US. |
| 851932 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | April 12, 1999 | 0061000 | LEFT WHEEL SEAL TO THE TRANSMISSION HAS A LEAKAGE. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHICH CAUSED OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE, AND RADIATOR TO LEAK ANTI-FREEZE. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S SIDE LEFT WINDOW FELL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME THAT CINSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP FOR REPAIRS, DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK |
| 714981 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | September 29, 1999 | 0054000 | PURCHASED CAR AT USED CAR SALE THROUGH COMPANY CREDIT UNION IN APRIL OF 1999. THE CAR HAD JUST OVER 50,000 MILES. CALLED LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND THEY HAD NO SERVICE RECORD ON THE CAR. TRACKED DOWN FORMER OWNER AND HE ADVISED THAT HE HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE HAD A CIRCUIT REPLACED. THE BLOWN CIRCUIT EFFECTED THE SPEEDOMETER AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REV UP AND DOWN DEPENDING ON WHAT THE BROKEN SPEEDOMETER REFLECTED. IN AUGUST THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND HAD REPLACED BY LINCOLN SERVICE CENTER. DRIVING HOME FROM SERVICE CENTER THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED. THE SERVICE CENTER REFUSED TO REPAIR SAYING THAT THE HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION WAS PROBLEMATIC FOR THIS MODEL. THREE WEEKS LATER THE HEADGASKETS BLEW AFTER A LESS THAN 15 MILE DRIVE (TO CHURCH). *AK |
| 715823 | 1999 CONTINENTAL | December 08, 1999 | 0071500 | THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND ENGINE FORD HAS ISSUED A NOTICE TO OWNERS THAT THEY WILL FIX ALL CARS THAT FAIL WITHIN SIX YEARS OR 75000 MILES THIS CAR IS OVER THE SIX YEAR PROID BY THREE MONTH AND FORD WILL NOT HELP IN THE REPAIRS WHICH I WAS QUOTED A PRICE $1200.00 FOR REPAIR THE ENGINE I BET THIS CONDOCTION HAS COST THOUSAND ON LINCOLN OWNERS A LOT OF MONEY ,IT A SHAME THAT THE COMSUMER HAS TO PAY FOR FORDS MISTAKE OF USING FALTY HEAD GASKETS. *AK |
| 459110 | 1993 COUGAR | June 28, 1993 | 0067000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, ALSO OIL PAN ROD BROKE. *AK |
| 481917 | 1995 COUGAR | January 02, 1995 | 0061000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, DAMAGING ENGINE HEADS. *SKD |
| 438494 | 1992 COUGAR | June 10, 1992 | 0040000 | HEAD GASKETS LEAK, REPLACED. AJ |
| 808691 | 1990 COUGAR | | 0074000 | GASKETS DETERIORATED ON ONE PORTION WHERE THE HEAD AND GASKET MEET. REPLACED HEAD GASKETS AND BOLTS ON BOTH SIDES. *AK |
| 851306 | 1999 COUGAR | January 01, 1999 | 0095000 | REPORTING A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET ON A 3.8L ENGINE, WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AT CONSUMER'S COST. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. TOO MANY COMPLAINTS & REPORT ON THIS BLOWN HEAD GASKETS FOR 3.8L ENGINE. WE ARE CALLING FOR HELP. *AK |
| 810661 | 1997 COUGAR | March 14, 1997 | 0046000 | WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT MADE A PUFFING SOUND AND CUT OFF, AFTER RESTARTING AND DRIVING ABOUT ONE BLOCK, THE ENGINE SUDDENDLY DIED. THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED BY MECHANIC. *AK |
| 704514 | 1999 COUGAR | March 11, 1999 | 0074875 | BOTH HEAD GASKETS BLOWN; HOWEVER, COMPLAINTS RE; FAULTY TEMPERATURE GUAGE SUBMITTED TO DEALER SINCE 10/15/1993. REPAIR COST: $1390.92 (INCL. TAX). |
| 549571 | 1999 COUGAR | June 08, 1999 | 0000000 | VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKET FAILURE, RECALL ON OTHER MODELS HOWEVER COUGAR WAS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH SAME ENGINE AS RECALL MODELS, DENIED RECALL REPAIR (98M01). MJS |
| 704091 | 1992 COUGAR | | 0000000 | CYLINDER HEAD GASKET ARE A COMMON FAILURE ON THE 3.8L ENGINES. FORD TAURUS (SABLE) AND MERCURY COUGAR ARE EQUIPPED WITH THIS ENGINE. I THINK FORD HAS RECALLED TAURUS BUT HAS NOT RECALLED THE COUGAR. |
| 545875 | 1999 COUGAR | January 10, 1999 | 0051100 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, RECALL ON COMPONENT HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO YEAR BUILT. MJS |
| 536969 | 1998 COUGAR | April 26, 1998 | 0057300 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 825626 | 1998 COUGAR | June 15, 1998 | 0069000 | WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VERY BADLY. LITTLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. MAKES A TAPPING NOISE IN ENGINE. RUNS HOT. LEAKS ANTI-FREEZE; HEAD GASKET NOT GETTING FREON. |
| 831080 | 1998 COUGAR | June 11, 1998 | 0084000 | VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE READS HOT. THERMOSTAT CHANGES INTERMITTENTLY. WAS OUT FOR SUMMER, BUT VEHICLE STILL RAN HOT. BEEN LOSING COOLANT. WOULD RUN ROUGH WHEN STARTS UP. WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST. TOLD COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE DUE TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET. HAD TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET. |
| 831808 | 1998 COUGAR | November 21, 1998 | 0061000 | HEAD GASKETS HAVE CORRODED AND FAILED. ALSO, GREY SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE, CAR WAS TOWED AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE AND HAS REDESIGNED THE GASKETS TO AVOID THE PROBLEM. |
| 832927 | 1998 COUGAR | December 07, 1998 | 0076000 | WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT. WHEN TAKEN TO GOODYEAR, THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A CRACK ENGINE HEAD GASKET. THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. *AK |
| 702875 | 1998 COUGAR | May 10, 1998 | 0107000 | COULD ANYONE TELL ME WHY WHEN YOU HAVE THE HEADS AND VALVE GASKETS REPLACED IN MAY BECAUSE THEY FAILED WITH ONLY 15,000 MORE MILES, THEY BLEW AGAIN. NOW I AM FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE QUITE A FEW 93 MERCURY COUGARS JUST IN OUR AREA HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM??? WHAT IS THIS? *AK |
| 702947 | 1998 COUGAR | May 13, 1998 | 0107000 | I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THIS 3.8 ENGINE BLOWING GASKETS AND DAMAGING HEADS. WHY NOT A RECALL?? HAVE JUST HAD MY VEHICLE BLOW THE GASKETS AND HEADS AGAIN. *AK |
| 704547 | 1998 COUGAR | December 05, 1998 | 0090000 | HEAD GASKET REPLACED (BOTH BANKS) THREE GARAGES STATED THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WAS COMMON IN MOST 3.8 LITRE ENGINES. MASTER MECHANIC CONSIDERS THIS TO BE A QUALITY ISSUE, AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. MECHANIC FURTHER STATED THAT THE JAPANESE WOULD NOT LET THIS PROBLEM GO PAST THEIR PRODUCTION LINE AND THE GERMAN'S WOULD COMPLETELY THROW OUT ANY REPEATED MECHANICAL DEFECTS. THIS IS THE FOURTH FORD/MERCURY AUTOMOBILE I HAVE OWNED AND THE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS I HAVE INCURRED ARE USUALLY REPEATED YEAR-TO-YEAR/MODEL-TO-MODEL. I HAVE SAVED ALL RECEIPTS FOR REPAIRS FOR ALL FORD VEHICLES OWNED AND WILL SEND A LETTER WITH COPIES TO FORD'S PRESIDENT. |
| 836559 | 1999 COUGAR | January 01, 1999 | 0118000 | WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING OIL AND WATER TO GET INTO THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 830546 | 1998 COUGAR | November 03, 1998 | 0070000 | BOTH ENGINE HEAD GASKETS FELL APART ON THE ENGINE, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK |
| 539482 | 1998 COUGAR | July 20, 1998 | 0052000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. (QCAW) |
| 543962 | 1999 COUGAR | January 27, 1999 | 0045000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. |
| 345179 | 1989 SABLE | April 01, 1989 | 0000000 | TWO HEAD GASKETS BLEW, CAUSING EXTENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGE. |
| 352870 | 1989 SABLE | October 31, 1989 | 0000000 | CRACKED HEAD AND BLOWN HEAD GASKET. |
| 389438 | 1991 SABLE | January 28, 1991 | 0047000 | HEAD GASKETS REPLACED RC |
| 934177 | 1992 SABLE | September 30, 1992 | 0036000 | LEAK IN HEAD GASKET CAUSED SMOKE TO COME OUT FROM AROUND REAR OF ENGINE. AK |
| 378591 | 1991 SABLE | January 14, 1991 | 0000000 | ENGINE SEALS LEAK, REPAIRS MADE BUT LEAK RETURNED, HEADGASKET LEAK ALSO. |
| 389179 | 1990 SABLE | January 06, 1990 | 0000000 | VEHICLE HAS A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET, REPLACED BUT NOT PERFORMING PROPERLY. PEB |
| 389079 | 1990 SABLE | August 30, 1990 | 0000000 | ENGINE PROBLEM, HEAD GASKETS REPLACED. |
| 389617 | 1987 SABLE | | 0028000 | HEAD GASKET REPLACED RC |
| 516290 | 1997 SABLE | February 20, 1997 | 0062000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 701092 | 1997 SABLE | October 31, 1997 | 0055920 | I WAS JUST TOLD RECENTLY THAT THIS MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE WAS KNOWN ABOUT BY THE MANUFACTURES ABOUT THE HEAD BOLTS CAUSING THE HEAD GASKETS TO BLOW AND DAMAGE THE HEADS AND VALVES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF I WERE TO SEND IN A COPY OF MY REPAIR BILL TO THE MANUFACTURER THAT I WOULD BE FULLY REIMBURSED. CAN YOU PLEASE SEND ME BY MAIL THE ADDRESS THAT I COULD SEND THE COPIES TO? I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH , THANK YOU. |
| 545284 | 1988 SABLE | | 0107400 | HEAD GASKET LEAKED CAUSING SMOKE TO COME FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE. NM |
| 440080 | 1990 SABLE | April 02, 1990 | 0000000 | ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED 3 TIMES, HEAD GASKETS REPLACED. *TW |
| 450092 | 1992 SABLE | November 21, 1992 | 0035000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED RC |
| 948541 | 1991 SABLE | March 15, 1991 | 0038000 | REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND HEAD GASKET. TT |
| 488879 | 1995 SABLE | September 28, 1995 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET REPLACED. *SD |
| 535069 | 1998 SABLE | April 04, 1998 | 0047316 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS FAILED THREE TIMES. |
| 835860 | 1999 SABLE | February 15, 1999 | 0070000 | VEHICLE IS ALWAYS RUNNING HOT DUE TO DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK |
| 852276 | 1990 SABLE | | 0000000 | TEMPERATURE GUAGE INDICATED THE VEHICLE WAS HEATING AND LOSING ANTI-FREEZE. OWNER ADDED ANTI-FREEZE. HEAD GASKET WENT OUT. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK |
| 515829 | 1997 SABLE | March 13, 1997 | 0058000 | PREMATURE FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS CAUSED BY OPPOSING METALS IN ENGINE WHICH RESULT IN EXCESS HEAT. *AK |
| 518339 | 1997 SABLE | March 13, 1997 | 0058000 | PREMATURE FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS DUE TO OPPOSING METALS, IRON ANDALUMINUM IN ENGINE CAUSING EXCESS HEAT. *AK |
| 523872 | 1996 SABLE | November 01, 1996 | 0064866 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. IN ADDITION, REPLACED HEAD GASKET/POWER STEERING LINE/ENGINE/THERMOSTAT. *AK |
| 542576 | 1997 SABLE | January 20, 1997 | 0039453 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 847888 | 1991 SABLE | October 01, 1991 | 0100000 | WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, AND THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO TURN. VEHICLE WILL GO ANY OTHER WAY BESIDES THE WAY CONSUMER IS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, AND THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET AND TRANSMISSION, AND SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK |
| 503802 | 1996 SABLE | March 04, 1996 | 0064000 | ENGINE DESIGN OF ALUMINUM HEAD/CAST IRON BLOCK RESULTS IN DIFFERENT HEATING/COOLING RATES, CAUSING THE GASKET TO TEAR. *DSH |
| 504263 | 1996 SABLE | April 01, 1996 | 0057000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. *DSH |
| 821110 | 1993 SABLE | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED, COOLANT GETS ALL OVER THE CAR AND LEAKS WHILE THE CAR OVERHEATS. DEALER REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK |
| 534078 | 1998 SABLE | March 20, 1998 | 0056540 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 823556 | 1998 SABLE | April 15, 1998 | 0056000 | WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40-45MPH, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 56,000 MILES. IT STARTED TO VIBRATE & RUNNING ROUGH. SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THAT HE HAS A LOT OF HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS & WILL TRY TO REPAIR IT. *AK |
| 824514 | 1998 SABLE | June 20, 1998 | 0059000 | WHILE DRIVING THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 825021 | 1998 SABLE | June 15, 1998 | 0055000 | CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE HEAD GASKET AT 55,000 MILES. BELIEVED THIS WAS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A NORMAL CONDITION AT THE TIME. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REIMBURSE CONSUMER FOR GASKET. *AK |
| 534595 | 1998 SABLE | April 15, 1998 | 0058562 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 827163 | 1998 SABLE | August 07, 1998 | 0050000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED REPAIR WILL BE DONE IF THE CHARGES ARE PICKED UP BY CONSUMER. *AK |
| 828545 | 1998 SABLE | October 02, 1998 | 0052000 | HEAD GASKET BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK |
| 538573 | 1998 SABLE | April 01, 1998 | 0000000 | CRACKED HEAD GASKET, RECALLED COMPONENT HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN. |
| 536110 | 1993 SABLE | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 538002 | 1998 SABLE | March 01, 1998 | 0068000 | CRACKED HEAD GASKET DESTROYING ENTIRE ENGINE, RECALL ON COMPONENT,HOWEVER DENIED DUE TO VIN #. |
| 830348 | 1998 SABLE | November 06, 1998 | 0070000 | THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK |
| 831033 | 1998 SABLE | November 18, 1998 | 0043000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. DEALER INSPECTED AND INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN WITH 43000 LOW MILEAGE.*AK |
| 831799 | 1998 SABLE | November 24, 1998 | 0030000 | VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS CONCERNING OVERHEATING; ON THE THIRD TIME, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. *AK |
| 832087 | 1993 SABLE | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE GONE BAD BECAUSE OF A LEAK THAT CAUSED THE ANTI-FREEZE TO RUN DOWN ON THE ENIGINE AND BURN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 832366 | 1998 SABLE | December 13, 1998 | 0098000 | HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN IN ENGINE, CAUSING STEAM TO COME OUT OF EXHAUST.FORD IS AWARE OF DEFECT. *AK |
| 833867 | 1993 SABLE | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING INTO THE COOLANT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. *AK |
| 701024 | 1998 SABLE | November 20, 1998 | 0067000 | VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE AT 60MPH WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF EXHAUST. SMELL OF COOLANT IN EXHAUST ALSO. THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF, ENGINE WOULD NOT START AGAIN SINCE FLUID HAD FILLED UP THE CYLINDERS. TRYING TO START THE CAR CAUSED A SECONDARY PROBLEM, I.E.,THE STARTER BROKE. |
| 701705 | 1998 SABLE | December 17, 1998 | 0074000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED (KNOWN DEFECT ACCOR. TO MECH.) RESULTING IN $1337 REPAIR |
| 543725 | 1999 SABLE | January 18, 1999 | 0039750 | HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. |
| 835726 | 1999 SABLE | March 07, 1999 | 0044000 | DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED WHICH MAY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. DEALER IS REPLACING THE GASKET, BUT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 703290 | 1999 SABLE | February 06, 1999 | 0050550 | THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED AT JUST OVER 50,000 MILES ON A VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE DEALER AND MECHANIC WHO FIXED THE VEHICLE SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURE, WHEN I CALLED THE CONSUMER OFFICE, SAID THE |
| 703615 | 1999 SABLE | February 01, 1999 | 0072138 | THE DIAGNOSTICS SHOWED THAT THE VEHICAL NEEDED A HEAD GASKET A FRONT COVER GASKEST AND A NEW RADIATOR. THE CAR LOSES HEAT AND THERE WAS OIL LEAKING AROUND THE FRONT COVER AND WITH THE COMPRESSION TEST SHOWED THE HEAD GASKET AND SOME OF THE COOLANT WAS SEAPING FROM THE RADIATOR. THESE TEST WERE ALL COMPLETED AT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THE COST TO FIX WOULD BE ABOUT $1700.00 |
| 544299 | 1998 SABLE | December 01, 1998 | 0037000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, LEAD IN THE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED ALSO CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE. |
| 836606 | 1998 SABLE | July 01, 1998 | 0080000 | VEHICLE BLOWS WHITE SMOKE. ANTI-FREEZE IS BEING LOST. VEHICLE RUNS HOT. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED HEAD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO, REAR LAP SEAT BELT DOES NOT TIGHTEN/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 705259 | 1999 SABLE | March 13, 1999 | 0070028 | I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT FORD HAS HAD BLOWN HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS FOR SOME TIME OVER THE YEARS, AND THAT FORD HAS PAID FOR REPAIRS FOR 1994 AND 1995 VEHICLES WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE. THEY REFUSED TO HELP ME OUT AT ALL. I ALSO CONTACTED DETROIT MICHIGAN AND THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED. EVEN THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A BAD ENGINE. *AK |
| 539862 | 1998 SABLE | July 15, 1998 | 0069000 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF. |
| 838222 | 1999 SABLE | March 12, 1999 | 0066000 | WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE TEMPERTURE WENT UP HIGH AND VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH. ENGINE WAS JERKING AND THE HEAT DIDN'T WORK DUE TO BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 838735 | 1993 SABLE | | 0051000 | AT APPROXIMATELY 51,000 MILES, THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. THE ACTUATOR RODS BROKE, AND THE OTHER ONE CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STAY ON, IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. *YC |
| 707000 | 1999 SABLE | May 24, 1999 | 0066000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING INTO CYLINDERS 3 AND 4. THIS HAS APPARENTLY BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE 1993 SABLE ENGINE. I CONTACTED MERCURY AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER ISSUED A RECALL ALTHOUGH THE DEALER HERE (PB LINCOLN MERCURY) TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD. MY CAR HAD ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PLUS THE ADDITIONAL CLEANING OF THE THROTTLE BODY AND WHEN I DROVE TO A LOCAL GROVERY STORE, IT SPEWED WHITE SMOKE OUT OF THE TAILPIPE. I CALLED THE GARGAGE WHERE THE MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED AND I HAD IT TOWED THERE AS THEY SAID THAT THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I GOT IT TOWED HOME AFTER THEIR DIAGNOSIS OF HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS, IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. IT HAS NOT DONE THAT BEFORE. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS ON THE 1993 MERCURY AND I FEEL THAT THE FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *AK |
| 545924 | 1999 SABLE | April 05, 1999 | 0054459 | HEAD GASKET OVERHEATED DUE TO THE BLOCK BEING CAST IRON CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CRANKSHAFT. NLM |
| 843307 | 1999 SABLE | July 05, 1999 | 0068393 | ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. REPAIRWORK WAS DONE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 546471 | 1993 SABLE | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET BLOWN AND TIMING COVER GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN DAMAGING FUEL INJECTOR. MJS |
| 547327 | 1999 SABLE | May 05, 1999 | 0048000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. MJS |
| 844612 | 1999 SABLE | May 09, 1999 | 0044000 | WIFE TOOK CAR TO BE SERVICED, AND COMPLAINED THAT AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT BLOWING COLD AIR. MECHANIC AT THE DEALER CHECKED THE ENGINE AND SAID THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK |
| 547484 | 1999 SABLE | April 01, 1999 | 0000000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *YC |
| 547984 | 1998 SABLE | February 17, 1998 | 0095572 | THE GASKET CYLINDER HEAD BLEW AND REPLACED. YH |
| 710602 | 1999 SABLE | March 01, 1999 | 0057000 | I AM TERRIBLY ANGRY THAT A CAR WITH 59,500 MILES SHOULD HAVE A HEAD GASKET FAILURE RESULTING IN $1131 IN DAMAGES TO REPAIR AND THEN 5 MONTHS LATER THROW A ROD RESULTING IN $3500 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THANK GOD MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING AND STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND CALLED FOR A RIDE. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE WO MANY HEAD GASKET FAILURES REPORTED AND WOULD ASK THAT YOU INCLUDE A MILEAGE COMPONENT IN YOUR COMPLAINT SUMMARIES. FORD OF COURSE TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS, THEY JUST WANT MORE MONEY. I CURRENTLY OWN 3 FORDS AND YOU CN BET THAT THE NEXT CAR I BUY WILL NOT BE A FORD. |
| 711027 | 1999 SABLE | September 01, 1999 | 0072350 | I FILED REPORT DUE TO INFO FOUND ON WEBSITEMEMBERS.AOL.COM/MKBRADLEY/INDEX.HTML; APPARENTLY THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH TAURUS/SABLE TRANSMISSIONS, ENGINES, AND HEADGASKETS; FORD SHOULD BE PRESSURED FOR A RECALL; FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME WITH ANY FEEDBACK OR ADDITIONAL INFO AT GEISY@WDGBT.COM |
| 712973 | 1999 SABLE | October 01, 1999 | 0084000 | 1. HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, ENGINE COOLANT FOUND IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, DAMAGE IS BEING EVALUATED. 2. AIR COMPRESSOR APPEARS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD LINE. HAVE REPLACED ONE IN 89 TAURUS AT SAME MILEAGE WHICH HAS FAILED AGAIN. HAVE ALSO REPLACED AIR COMPRESSOR IN 96 ASPIRE AT 35000 |
| 714778 | 1999 SABLE | August 24, 1999 | 0073000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING, REQUIRING THE CAR TO BE TOWED. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP (NOT A DEALERSHIP). |
| 549788 | 1993 SABLE | | 0046200 | CYLINDER HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE OTHER COMPONENTS. YH |
| 826507 | 1994 SABLE | | 0050000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE GASKETS. *AK |
| 700069 | 1998 SABLE | October 24, 1998 | 0114042 | HAVE HAD HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED, BUT CONTINUES TO RUN HOT AT INTERMITANT INTERVALS. NEED ASSISTANCE WITH THIS PROBLEM! PLEASE, CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. SINCERELY, JACK K. VAN SANDT, JR. |
| 834179 | 1999 SABLE | January 20, 1999 | 0060000 | WHILE DRIVING ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO GARAGE FOR MECHANIC'S INSPECTION, MECHANIC MENTIONED HEAD GASKET LEAKEAGE AND NOT PROPERLY OPERATING. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK |
| 834678 | 1999 SABLE | February 09, 1999 | 0065000 | THERE ISN'T ANY HEAT IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO ENGINE HEAD GASKET BREAKING AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. *AK |
| 702193 | 1998 SABLE | August 03, 1998 | 0067048 | MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT THE ORIGINAL PARTS USED WHEN THE CAR WAS BUILT WERE MADE OF ALUMINUM RATHER THAN A STRONGER METAL AND THAT FORD IS NO LONGER USING THESE ALUMINUM PARTS. IT WAS THE ALUMINUM PISTON THAT CRACKED IN MY TRANSMISSION, CAUSING SOME $2,600 OF REPAIR. I HEARD AND SAW A REPORT ON NBC TODAY IN DECEMBER THAT SOME TAURUS AND SABLE CARS WERE BEING RECALLED BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. BUT WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THAT TELL ME IT ISN'T SO. I HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED ONE RECALL WITH REGARD TO THE HEAD GASKET ON THIS CAR. ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SUCH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AS I DECRIBED? IS THERE A RECALL? PLEASE REGISTER MY COMPLAINT. THANK YOU. |
| 704618 | 1999 SABLE | February 24, 1999 | 0084000 | MECHANICS ADVISE AS FOLLOWS: MOTOR MOUNT FAILS BECAUSE TOO MUCH TORQUE IS PLACED ON IT BY ENGINE; POWER STEERING HOSE RUPTURED BECAUSE IT RUBS AGAINST STEERING RACK; REPLACEMENT HOSE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM FORD WHICH REDESIGNED HOSE TO AVOID RUBBING ON STEERING RACK; HEAD GASKET FAILS BECAUSE ONLY 6 BOLTS HOLD ENGINE HEAD TO ENGINE BLOCK, FORD REDESIGNED HEAD GASKET TO MAKE IT THICKER; RADIATOR CRACKS BECAUSE IT IS MANUFACTURED OUT OF PLASTIC AND IS NOT REPAIRABLE. FORD RESPONDS THAT NONE OF THE FOREGOING ARE ITS PROBLEM; FORD STATED THAT ONLY REAR MOTOR MOUNTS ARE COVERED BY A NHTSA RECALL ; FORD STATES THAT IT EXTENDED WARRANTY ON HEAD GASKET ONLY UP TO 60,000 MILES; FORD STATES THAT POWER STEERING HOSE IS NOT SUBJECT TO NHTSA RECALL. |
| 836071 | 1999 SABLE | March 14, 1999 | 0087000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING AND VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE DUE TO HEAT ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 706183 | 1999 SABLE | May 02, 1999 | 0086698 | RECEIVED LETTER FROM FORD VEHICLE SERVICE AND PROGRAMS DATED JUNE, 1998 ABOUT A PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE TO OWNERS WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL: SERVICE PROGRAM NUMBER 98MO1. THE LETTER STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE COULD CAUSE ENGINE OVERHEATING AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE PROGRAM HAD A FIX AT NO CHARGE TILL DEC. 31, 1998. I HAD SOME ENGINE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER COULD FIND NO CAUSE FOR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THIS PROGRAM AND NOW, FIVE MONTHS AFTER EXPIRATION, AN ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE OF WHICH FORD SAYS I WILL JUST HAVE TO PAY FOR: $1228! MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IF THIS WAS A DEFAULT FORD ADMITTED AND WAS WILLING TO REPAIR THEN WHAT ABOUT THOSE OF US THAT DIDN'T HAVE PROBLEMS UNTIL AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THEIR PROGRAM? THERE WAS ALSO A 5 YR. OR 60,000 MILES LIMIT ON IT, I AM STILL IN THE 5 YR. BUT DUE TO A HIGHWAY COMMUTE OF 100 MILES PER DAY, I AM OVER THE 60,000 MILE PERIMETER THAT WAS SET FOR THE PROGRAM. WHAT CAN I DO? |
| 706395 | 1998 SABLE | December 30, 1998 | 0081000 | I CONTACTED THE FORD COMPANY TO FIND OUT IF THIS WAS A RECALLED ITEM. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY HAD PUT AN EXTENED WARRANTY ON THE HEAD GASKETS WHICH EXPIRED ON 12/31/98. BUT SINCE IT WAS PAST THAT DATEWHEN I CONTACTED THEM THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. WHILE FINDING OUT THIS IMFORMATION I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD NEVER SENT ME THE WARRANTY INFORMATION BECAUSE THEY STILL HAD THE PREVIOS OWNERS NAME IN THEIR FILES ( 2 YEARS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR). SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM I HAVE TALKED TO 6 OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SAME CAR ( MAKE MODEL AND YEAR) THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM! AND THOSE ARE ONLY A FEW I KNOW IN THIS SMALL COMMUNITY! *AK |
| 838340 | 1999 SABLE | May 24, 1999 | 0033159 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO IDLE REALLY ROUGH. IN ADDITION, REPLACED DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNTS/ REBUILT TRANSMISSION, AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE STARTER. *AK |
| 544915 | 1994 SABLE | | 0000000 | RECALL NOTICE NOT RECIEVED FOR HEAD GASKET FAILURE. |
| 706639 | 1999 SABLE | April 18, 1999 | 0063000 | HEAD GASKET HAS ALSO CAUSED $800 IN OTHER DAMAGE. PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN ON THIS ENGINE, SEE '95 WINDSTAR ISSUES. *AK |
| 545582 | 1999 SABLE | February 16, 1999 | 0089753 | HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO OVERHEATING, RECALL ON HEAD GASKET HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO MILEAGE AND DATE. (98MO1)MJS |
| 843012 | 1999 SABLE | January 15, 1999 | 0079000 | WAS TAKING VEHICLE OFF ROAD & NOTICED THE INFLUCUATION OF HEAT. HAD THE THERMOSTAT CHANGED & FLUCUATION HEAT STILL EXISTED. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOT TO BE SOLD & THE MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SOLD. MANUFACTURER INFORMED OWNER THE TSB ON HEAD GASKETS HAD EXPIRED. *AK |
| 843013 | 1994 SABLE | | 0000000 | HEADGASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. ALSO, TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATED BETWEEN ON/OFF. *AK |
| 710196 | 1999 SABLE | August 12, 1999 | 0045000 | FORD ISSUED A NOTICE, NOT A RECALL AS I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE, BECAUSE OF THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKETS. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY IF THEY FAILED AT A TIME OR PLACE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS. IN THE NOTICE FORD SAID THEY WOULD PROVIDE COVERAGE NO CHARGE COVERAGE FOR 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES. NO MENTION WAS MADE ABOUT "WHICHEVER COMES FIRST." IT WAS A CLEAR STATEMENT OF 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES. I FEEL FORD IS TRYING TO TAKE THE EASY & CHEAP WAY OUT AND NOT ACTING IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER AS A MANUFACTURER SHOULD. |
| 848752 | 1994 SABLE | | 0000000 | ENGIN EHEAD GASKETS ARE RELEASING WATER FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. MANUFCTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 548259 | 1994 SABLE | | 0045000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (97V-019). MJS |
| 851278 | 1999 SABLE | September 21, 1999 | 0018000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW UP AND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM ENGINE . *AK |
| 710890 | 1999 SABLE | August 30, 1999 | 0080900 | I HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS RECENT FAILURES WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT I BELIEVE ARE DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN, MATERIALS, AND WORKMANSHIP BY FORD. SOME OF THESE CAN RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF NOT ADDRESSED. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE HEAD GASKET, TIMING COVER GASKET, ENGINE MOUNTS, AND A/C FAILURES ARE QUITE COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS TENDS TO SUPPORT THE NEED FOR AN INVESTIGATION BY YOUR OFFICE AND SUBSEQUENT RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES. THE COST TO REPAIR ALL OF THESE ITEMS IS APPROXIMATELY $3500. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD WHO IN TURN OFFERED ME A MERE $500. TOWARDS THE HEAD GASKET REPAIR. FORD HAD INSTITUTED AN "INTERNAL RECALL" ON THESE HEAD GASKETS (ESSENTIALLY ADMITTING THAT THEY ARE DEFECTIVE), BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOW NOT COVERED UNDER THIS PROGRAM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND FORCE A RECALL ON THESE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION. THANK YOU, JOHN MACIEL. |
| 712030 | 1999 SABLE | September 03, 1999 | 0056123 | HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. LOST COOLANT, HEAD CRACKED. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT ON THIS 3.8 ENGINE. FORD REFUSE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE CAR IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD EVEN THOUGH IT ONLY HAS 56,123 MILES ON IT. |
| 851732 | 1994 SABLE | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AT 30,000 MILES, CAUSING OIL TO GET INTO ENGINE, AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING. *AK |
| 853255 | 1999 SABLE | June 23, 1999 | 0051000 | HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR HEATER PROBLEMS AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE HEAD GASKET. IT LEAKS AIR INTO THE RADIATOR OR COOLING SYSTEM, AND THE WATER DOES CIRCULATE IN ORDER FOR THE HEATER TO WORK. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK |
| 549793 | 1994 SABLE | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET WAS RECALLED BUT CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED DUE TO DEALER PROBLEM. NLM |
| 822112 | 1998 SABLE | March 01, 1998 | 0024000 | CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK AND BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. IN ADDITION, MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED, AND ONGOING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS OF KNOCKING/HESITATING AND LURCHING. *AK |
| 539461 | 1997 SABLE | June 10, 1997 | 0029053 | HEAD GASKET AND WATER PUMP FAILED TWO TIMES. |
| 833615 | 1995 SABLE | | 0077000 | A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED ABOUT PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, SAYING THAT THE VEHICLE CAN STOP UNEXPECTEDLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 838171 | 1997 SABLE | January 12, 1997 | 0070000 | THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. ALSO, WHEN SETTING CRUISE CONTROL AND APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE ACCELERATED. FINALLY, MOTOR MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHAKE. *AK |
| 838635 | 1999 SABLE | April 14, 1999 | 0064724 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING ENGINE LEAKAGE . *AK |
| 545785 | 1995 SABLE | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, CONSUMER NOT NOTIFIED BY DEAL ABOUT 60,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRENTY PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. NLM |
| 711626 | 1999 SABLE | September 01, 1999 | 0070000 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET, FAILED MOTOR MOUNTS, FAILED TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET, TRANSMISSION GASKET FAILURE, RADIATOR LEAK, COOLONG FAN FAILURE |
| 832555 | 1997 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | AT 67,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK |
| 534624 | 1998 WINDSTAR | March 01, 1998 | 0035338 | OUTER HOOD PANEL SEPARATED FROM BODY OF VEHICLE PRIOR TO RECALL (97V-180). IN ADDITION, REPLACED FRONT ELECTRIC DOOR LATCH/MULTIFUNCTIONED WIPER SWITCH/WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH/ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS DUE TO COOLANT LEAK, AND DIFFERENTIAL SEAL. |
| 703815 | 1999 WINDSTAR | February 27, 1999 | 0069042 | I AM REPORTING THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT FORD MOTOR FAILS TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY GARAGES IN THE CINCINNATI AREA AND THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY HEAD GASKETS. THE MECHANICS AT CASTRUCCI FORD SAID THEY HAVE REPAIRED TWO WINDSTARS AND WERE WORKING ON THE THIRD. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE CATASTOPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT!!!! I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES. |
| 706222 | 1999 WINDSTAR | April 26, 1999 | 0039562 | COMPUTER CODES INDICATE A HEAD GASKET FAILURE |
| 848008 | 1996 WINDSTAR | | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET ONCE BEFORE, FOR THE SAME DEFECT. PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN. *AK |
| 849554 | 1996 WINDSTAR | | 0062000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET CRACKED, RESULTING IN OIL LEAKAGE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK |
| 852147 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 20, 1999 | 0054000 | OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC TO HAVE TIRE CHANGED & NOTICED THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WAS LEAKING COOLANT ON MANIFOLD/FRONT TIMING CHAIN. IF ENGINE RAN DRY, WOULD HAVE SEIZED . WAS VERY HARD TO WARM UP. MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF PROBLEM. *AK |
| 713878 | 1999 WINDSTAR | October 21, 1999 | 0086309 | HEAD GASKETS FAIL ON THE 3.8 L ENGINE. FORD WILL NOT FIX. THEY HAD A RECALL IN 1998, 98M01 BUT WILL NOT FIX AFTER JAN 1999. |
| 831728 | 1997 WINDSTAR | December 12, 1997 | 0015000 | THERE WAS AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKAGE AND THE DEALER FIXED THE LEAK. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT FROM FIRST GEAR INTO SECOND GEAR, AND FROM SECOND TO FIRST WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING IN TRAFFIC. THE DEALER CAN'T DETEMINE THE PROBLEM, AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK |
| 534247 | 1998 MUSTANG | April 04, 1998 | 0059390 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO THE USE OF ALUMINUM HEADS CONNECTED TO A CAST IRON BLOCK. THE DIFFERENT EXPANSION RATES OF THE TWO METALS CAUSES STRESS ON THE GASKET, RESULTING IN FAILURE. |
| 535060 | 1998 MUSTANG | April 01, 1998 | 0057000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT TWICE. |
| 700368 | 1998 MUSTANG | November 05, 1998 | 0083000 | I AM AWARE THAT THE ENGINE USED IN MY 3.8L 1994 MUSTANG IS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO THE ENGINES OF TAURUS, AND WINDSTAR, WITH THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BEING REAR WHEEL DRIVE VS. FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. HOWEVER, THERE IS A RECALL SURROUNDING THE TAURUS AND WINDSTAR 3.8L V-6 ENGINE REGARDING BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. MY HEAD GASKET JUST BLEW ON MY 3.8L MUSTANG AND I FEEL THAT THE SAME DEFECT OR RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO ALL TO 3.8L MUSTANGS AS WELL. |
| 836560 | 1999 MUSTANG | April 04, 1999 | 0078000 | VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING DUE TO ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLOWING OUT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ,AND THE DEALER NOTICED ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLOWOUT. *AK |
| 544721 | 1999 MUSTANG | March 17, 1999 | 0041995 | HEAD GASKET FAILED DUE TO THE USE OF ALUMINUM HEAD WITH CAST IRON BLOCK (MATERIAL). |
| 705832 | 1998 MUSTANG | November 30, 1998 | 0078000 | VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND ENGINE FROZE UP. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. HEAD GASKETS BLEW; ENGINE FAILED. NEED TO REPLACE ENGINE. NO ADVANCE WARNING. *AK |
| 537608 | 1997 MUSTANG | December 01, 1997 | 0000000 | APPARENTLY THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH FORD'S 3.8 IS PRETTY COMMON, AS THERE ARE MANY OF US WITH THE SAME SITUATION. ANY REASEARCH INTO THIS SITUATION WOULD BE GREAT APPRECIATED. |
| 843612 | 1998 MUSTANG | November 15, 1998 | 0042000 | HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH, CAR STARTED SMOKING. *AK |
| 843850 | 1999 MUSTANG | June 11, 1999 | 0037000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING OIL. TOOK TO DEALER & THE MECHANIC CHECKED THE PISTONS FOR CRACKS. NONE WAS FOUND. WOULD BE REPAIRING THE HEAD GASKETS & VEHICLE NOT UNDER RECALL. *AK |
| 708885 | 1999 MUSTANG | July 02, 1999 | 0076000 | I BLEW A HEADGASKET AND I HEAR THIS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8LITER ENGINE IN THE 1994 FORD MUSTANGS.*AK |
| 710240 | 1999 MUSTANG | February 16, 1999 | 0065000 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE ALSO CAUSED MULTI-OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE. FORD IS AWARE OF THE HEAD-GASKET PROBLEMS ON THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. |
| 848621 | 1999 MUSTANG | August 17, 1999 | 0069000 | THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET BROKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SEIZED WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH IF DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MJS |
| 711023 | 1999 MUSTANG | August 29, 1999 | 0046000 | I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR OVERHEATING. I TOOK IT IN TO MY REGULAR SHOP TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE OVERHEATING. THEY TESTED THE RADIATOR AND RAN THE CAR, AND IT DID NOT OVERHEAT AGAIN. THE PRESSURE IN THE RADIATOR WAS GOOD. THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, THINKING THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN STICKING. TWO WEEKS LATER, I DROVE MY CAR FOR A 5 MINUTE DRIVE AND WHEN I REACHED THE DESTINATION, IT WAS OVERHEATING. I TOOK IT IN TO THE SHOP AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY SAID THE HEAD GASKETS THAT WERE GOING BAD AND WERE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 V6? THE SHOP TOLD ME THEY HAD DONE SIMILAR WORK ON THIS ENGINE, AND THEY THINK IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE, ORIGINATING WITH WHEN IT IS MANUFACTURED. MY CAR HAS 46,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE OWNED IT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. I RESEARCHED THE CAR PRIOR TO BUYING IT. I AM UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS SITUATION WITH MY CAR AND WONDER IF I MAY WANT TO SELL IT, BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE PROBLEM. I JUST SPENT $900 FOR THE NEW THERMOSTAT AND HEAD GASKETS, NOT TO MENTION THE NEARLY TWO WEEKS I HAVE SPENT WITHOUT A CAR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE RECALLED. THANKS. |
| 853200 | 1994 MUSTANG | | 0000000 | A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET CAUSED OVERHEATING IN THE VEHICLE AND OIL LEAKINGOINTO THE RADIATOR. DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 715407 | 1998 MUSTANG | July 20, 1998 | 0058000 | AT FIRST OCCURRENCE THE WATER PUMP GASKET / TIMING COVER GASKET FAILED ON ORIGINAL MOTOR. HAD THAT REPLACED PUT CAR IN STORAGE FOR THE WINTER. MIDWAY THROUGH THE 1998 SUMMER HEAD GASKET WENT OUT AND THIS TIME IT LET THE ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE ENGINE AND SPUN THE BEARINGS. I HAD THE FORD DEALER INSTALL A RECONDITIONED 3.8 (I HAD TO PAY FOR IT). CAR WENT IN SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE REPLACMENT AND HAD THE WATER PUMP / TIMING GASKET REPLACED. CAR WENT INTO WINTER STORAGE. THIS YEAR, AFTER DRIVING FOR THE SUMMER, WE NOTICED ENGINE FLUID LEAKING AGAIN! TOOK BACK TO FORD DEALER AND WE WERE TOLD THAT AGAIN, THE WATER PUMP / TIMING COVER GASKETS NEED REPLACING. COST THIS TIME $1056.00. THERE HAS TO BE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT WITH THE FORD 3.8L MOTOR REGARDING THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. PLEASE ADVISE US ON THIS. THANK YOU. *AK |
| 343446 | 1989 TAURUS | May 01, 1989 | 0000000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKING 16 OUNCES OF ANTI-FREEZE EVERY 400 MILES. BC |
| 383953 | 1991 TAURUS | June 18, 1991 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET LEAKS OIL RC |
| 389215 | 1991 TAURUS | March 23, 1991 | 0000000 | 2 HEAD GASKETS AND 3 WATER PUMPS REPLACED RC |
| 389008 | 1990 TAURUS | January 29, 1990 | 0009000 | HEAD GASKET SET BROKE, VEHICLE INOPERATIVE, R/R SEVERAL ENGINE PARTS. HI |
| 435785 | 1992 TAURUS | May 06, 1992 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET REPLACED. |
| 485784 | 1995 TAURUS | March 16, 1995 | 0075000 | ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD/GASKET FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, ALSO WHITE SMOKE AND ANTI-FREEZE CAME OUT OF EXHAUST PIPE. *AK |
| 504401 | 1989 TAURUS | November 01, 1989 | 0000000 | MOTOR LOCKED UP DUE TO HOLE IN HEAD GASKET, STARTER FAILED, AND ENGINE CYLINDER TAKING IN WATER. |
| 809718 | 1997 TAURUS | February 28, 1997 | 0075000 | WHILE DRIVING LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE, PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS STEAMING.TOOK VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. *AK |
| 519321 | 1994 TAURUS | | 0044203 | HEAD GASKET FAILED. |
| 512635 | 1996 TAURUS | October 15, 1996 | 0041815 | HEAD GASKET FAIURE. *AK |
| 538810 | 1994 TAURUS | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. |
| 828291 | 1998 TAURUS | August 17, 1998 | 0035000 | THERE WAS A NEW HEAD GASKET PUT ON THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME, AND THE FUEL WAS EMPTY IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING, BUT CAN'T DETERMINE WHERE THE FUEL IS COMING FROM. *AK |
| 829096 | 1998 TAURUS | June 19, 1998 | 0064000 | VEHICLE WOULD MAKE NOISES WHILE DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. TRANSMISSION WAS DEAD & NEEDED WATER. ALSO, WATER PUMP & ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEEDED REPLACING. SERVICE BULLETIN #98MO1 FOR HEAD GASKET. *AK |
| 829197 | 1998 TAURUS | October 17, 1998 | 0072000 | CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE AND IN PROCESS OF TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, AND THE FUEL GOT ALL OVER THE ENGINE. *AK |
| 538451 | 1997 TAURUS | October 31, 1997 | 0046036 | REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET. |
| 831172 | 1998 TAURUS | November 16, 1998 | 0060000 | VEHICLE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, AND IT WAS AS A RESULT OF A TIMING COVER GASKET THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HEAD GASKET WAS RECALLED BY FORD, BUT THE REPAIR OF THE TIMING COVER GASKET WOULD BE $426. AT CONSUMER EXPENSE, CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED SINCE THE HEAD GASKET WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *AK |
| 831443 | 1996 TAURUS | April 12, 1996 | 0124000 | VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CONSUMER NOTICED THE OIL LEAKING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE IN REPAIR SHOP ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET. HOWEVER, THE THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. WHEN DRIVING ON NOV 30, THE OIL LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE AND IN ANOTHER PART, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP WIHTOUT GIVING ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE CONSUMER SAW SMOKE AND COULD SMELL THE OIL ON THE ENGINE. *AK |
| 700358 | 1998 TAURUS | October 02, 1998 | 0070733 | WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AS A PART OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SERVICE PROGRAM NUMBER 98M01 FOR PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT MIDDLETON MOTORS IN MIDDLETON, WI IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A TIMING GASKET COVER FAILURE. THIS ALSO SEEMS PREMATURE FOR A FAILURE OF THIS TYPE. I HAVE WRITTEN TO FORD REQUESTING TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THEM. THANK YOU FOR UTILIZING THIS INFORMATION. |
| 833844 | 1998 TAURUS | December 25, 1998 | 0087000 | THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AFTER IT WAS FIXED 3 YEARS AGO THROUGH A RECALL BY FORD. CURRENTLY FORD HAS A NEW DESIGN GASKET WHICH THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK |
| 834263 | 1994 TAURUS | | 0000000 | VEHICLE HAD BAD ENGINE HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS NOTICED WHEN CONSUMER WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK |
| 702748 | 1998 TAURUS | April 20, 1998 | 0041300 | 1988-1993 FORD HAS RECALLED MOTOR/ENGINE MOUNTS ON ALL 3.8 L ENGINES INSTALLED IN TAURUS, SABLE, & CONTINENTAL, PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS IN 94 MODEL BUT FORD WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. 3.8L ENGINE NOT OFFERED IN THESE AUTOS AFTER 95. WHEN TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET FAILED COVER COULD NOT BE REMOVED, WAS BROKEN OFF, LOSING WATER PUMP IN PROCESS, NO COVERAGE FROM FORD. AT SAME TIME HEAD GASKETS REPLACED AT FORD EXPENSE. ENGINE FAILED TWO WEEKS LATER, FORD INSTALLED SHORT BLOC REPLACEMENT. |
| 703835 | 1998 TAURUS | November 01, 1998 | 0094000 | HEAD GASKETS NEED TO BE REPLACED TWICE |
| 704189 | 1999 TAURUS | March 08, 1999 | 0091000 | HEAD GASKET FAILURE POST FMC 98M01 GUIDELINES (PROGRAM TERMINATED AT 12/31/98). I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AS DEALER CLAIMS THAT A NUMBER OF THESE HAVE OCCURRED SINCE 12/31/98 IN HIS OWN SHOP AND OTHERS IN THE AREA. FORD ADMITS A POSSIBLE DEFECT BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE FURTHER OWNER ASSISTANCE. I SEE A NUMBER OF THESE IN YOUR DATABASE. |
| 704212 | 1999 TAURUS | March 09, 1999 | 0091000 | HEAD GASKET BLOWOUT RESULTED IN TIMING COVER GASKET BLOWING. ALSO RESULTED IN ANTIFREEZE LEAKAGE WHICH CAUSED TIMING COVER BOLTS TO HARDEN AND CRASKED THE TIMING COVER HOUSING ITSELF. THE HEAD GASKET BLOWOUT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERERED IF IT HAD HAPPENED PRIOR TO DEC 31, 1998 (FORD TSR 98M01). HOWEVER MY CASE LIKE SO MANY OTHERS I HAVE HEARD ABOUT DID NOT HAPPEN UNTIL THAT EXPIRED, NOW I HAVE OTHER DAMAGE AS A RESULT THAT FORD ALSO REFUSES TO HELP WITH. |
| 704254 | 1999 TAURUS | March 09, 1999 | 0068000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. SAYS ENTIRE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED ($3,600). |
| 781817 | 1998 TAURUS | December 30, 1998 | 0084150 | BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET/4 MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE, AND ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTIONED. |
| 544220 | 1999 TAURUS | February 23, 1999 | 0000000 | HEAD GASKETS FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO SMOKE/STARTING DIFFICULTY. |
| 704711 | 1999 TAURUS | January 10, 1999 | 0074000 | MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING HOT OFF & ON FOR OVER A YEAR. HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED, BUT NOT SO. TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER MACHANIC, THEY PUT A NEW RADIATOR IN THAT COST 600.+ THE CAR RAN HOT. A WEEK LATER,TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MACHANIC. HE FOUND OUT IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I CALLED LEWIS FOR AND BECAUSE IT HAPPENED 10 DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION ON THE RECALL,THE WOULD NOT FIX IT. I SPENT ANOTHER 1100.00 TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY WHAT THE FORD DEALERS CHARGE PER HOUR. THEREFORE DID NOT TAKE MY CAR TO THEM. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES AND IT MAKES ME MAD. NOW I'M STUCK WITH THIS CAR THAT HAS 5 RECALLS ON IT. IT IS A PAIN TO TRY AND FIND RIDES BACK & FOURTH TO WORK, AS WELL AS GETTING MY SON TO SCHOOL, AS THEY DO NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR. IT IS NOT MY FAULT THEY COULD NOT BUILD THIS CAR CORRECTLY, BUT STILL PUT IT OUT THERE AND SELL THEM. I THINK IT IS VERY UNFAIR TO MAKE US PAY THE PRICE, AND I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD AND WILL DISCOURAGE ANYONE ELSE FROM PURCHASING ONE. *AK |
| 544678 | 1999 TAURUS | February 12, 1999 | 0081488 | BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSED VEHICLE NOT TO START. |
| 706818 | 1994 TAURUS | | 0000000 | BEARINGS AND CONNECTING RODS DAMAGED. DEALER SERVICED ENGINE ONE WEEK PRIOR. REPLACE GASKETS AND THERMOSTAT. FORD ISSUED ENGINE RECALL NOTICE JUNE 1998 FOR ENGINE OVERHEATING THAT COULD CAUSE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. NON-DEFECTIVE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED, THERMOSTAT INSTALLATION BY DEALER WAS NEGLIGENT, AND QUITE LIKELY GASKET 'REPAIRS', CONTRIBUTED TO ENGINE FAILURE. *AK |
| 838669 | 1994 TAURUS | | 0000000 | POOR DESIGN OF ENGINE HEAD GASKET CAUSED GASKET TO FAIL AT APPROXIMATELY 53,335 MILES. *AK |
| 838748 | 1999 TAURUS | April 15, 1999 | 0065834 | TRANSMISSION ISN'T SHIFTING PROPERLY. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE DUE TO FAILURE. THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN THE HEAD GASKET, WHICH IS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE OUT THE EXHAUST PIPE. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL PRIOR TO FAULTY HEAD GASKETS. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR , BUT DEALER ONLY REPLACED ONE GASKET, WHEN BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *YC |
| 545630 | 1998 TAURUS | February 02, 1998 | 0081336 | HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING OVERHEATING, OVERHEATING CAUSED DAMAGE TO WATER PUMP & RADIATOR. *YC |
| 840858 | 1999 TAURUS | April 12, 1999 | 0070000 | HAD PARKED VEHICLE & LEFT. RETURNEDTO VEHICLE & TRIED TO START IT & IT FAILED TO START. FINALLY GOT IT STARTED & DROVE TO DEALER. WAS INFORMED MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED REPLACING. THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN & THE STARTER WAS ERRACTIC. RECA *AK |
| 530794 | 1998 TAURUS | February 09, 1998 | 0048200 | BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. |
| 707741 | 1999 TAURUS | June 20, 1999 | 0084000 | DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME OF PRE-MATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, DETECTED ANTIFREEZE ON MY SPARKPLUGS, ADVISES HEAD-GASKET REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1400 |
| 707887 | 1999 TAURUS | May 15, 1999 | 0050500 | THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED. SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO ME THAT FORD IN THE YEARS OF 94 & 94 HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD GASKET BLOWING OUT. BENA FORD IN DULUTH MN HAS SOLD UP TO 3 PER WEEK FOR THE 3.8L ENGINE FOR THE YEAR REPORTED. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO REPAIRS FORDS AND HE IS THE ONE WHO FIRST REPORTED THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM TO ME. IT COULD BE A SAFETY FACTOR IF IT HAPPENS ON A HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND CORRECTED. I CAN PROVIDED FUTHER INFORMATION IF NEEDED, I.E. NAMES. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. RALPH LARSEN. *AK |
| 546189 | 1994 TAURUS | | 0052000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING LEAKAGE, CAUSING FAILURE TO THE TIMING COVER GASKET / INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET / THERMOSTAT / CRANKSHAFT & BEARINGS WHICH WERE REPLACED. *YC |
| 547440 | 1999 TAURUS | April 01, 1999 | 0000000 | CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE ON THE HEAD GASKET, HEAD GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO ENGINE, DENIED REPAIR PER RECALL DUE TO EXPIRATION DATE (98M01). MJS |
| 845707 | 1999 TAURUS | August 24, 1999 | 0049174 | ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS MATTER AND THE DEALER DID NOT NOTIFY CONSUMER. *YC |
| 708511 | 1999 TAURUS | May 30, 1999 | 0093045 | WHILE TRAVELING AT 50MPH WHITE CLOUD BEGAN COMMING FROM EXHAUST PIPE AND WATER TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO RISE, PULLED OVER AND HAD CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT BOTH HEAD GASKETS HAD FAILED AND THAT REPAIR ESTAMENT WAS $1200.00, I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND RECIEVED A SLIGHTLY HIGHER ESTAMENT BUT FORD FAILED TO MENTION THAT THE TAURUS AND SABLE ENGINES WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FAULITY HEAD GASKETS. |
| 710097 | 1999 TAURUS | August 17, 1999 | 0065000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY COMPLETELY UNCONCERNED ABOUT HEAD GASKET FAILURE OF CAR WITH 65K . I AM ORIGINAL OWNER WHO HAS KEPT ALL SERVICE AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AS PER MANUFUACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS. |
| 546507 | 1999 TAURUS | May 03, 1999 | 0090837 | RECALL COMPONENT HEAD GASKET FAILED, HOWEVER DENIED DUE TO EXPIRATION DATE OF JANUARY 1999. MJS |
| 710609 | 1999 TAURUS | August 27, 1999 | 0078000 | I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD BE PENALIZED FOR A FAULTY HEADGASKET BEING PUT IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE I DRIVE CAREFULLY AND MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE PART WORKING UNTIL I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE MARK. SECONDLY I WAS NOT INFORMED WHEN THE 7/98 NOTICE CAME OUT SO I COULD NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT. I MOVED HERE IN JULY OF 1998. ENDING THE PLAN 5 MONTHS LATER BEFORE I COULD EVEN GET TO A GARAGE TO FIND OUT WAS NOT THE BEST OPTION EITHER. A FAULTY PART IS A FAULTY PART. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR FORD'S ATTEMPT TO SAVE A BUCK OR TWO. |
| 849947 | 1999 TAURUS | September 20, 1999 | 0085000 | WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, AND THREI WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *AK |
| 549143 | 1994 TAURUS | | 0000000 | HEAD GASKET FAILED WHILE DRIVING, HOWEVER WHEN CONSUMER CALLED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED PER RECALL DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR HAD OVER 50,000 MILES. NLM |
| 713300 | 1999 TAURUS | April 14, 1999 | 0093000 | THE HEAD GASKETS WERE DEFECTIVE. REPAIRED AND DEFECTIVE A SECOND TIME. THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. FORD MOTOR FINALLY ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY IN THE FORM OF FIXING IT AT NO COST. HOWEVER, 2.5 MONTHS LATER THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR AND MOTOR MOUNTS ALL FAILED. FORD REFUSED TO ASSIST IN PAYING FOR THE PUMP AND RADIATOR. THEN REFUSED TO FIX THE MOTOR MOUNTS. I WENT TO THREE GARAGES WHO INDICATED TO ME THAT WHEN MAJOR ENGINE WORK IS DONE ($4,300 WORTH - ENGINE BLOCKS REPLACED) THEY SHOULD HAVE FIXED THE OTHER ITEMS ALSO AS THEY WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER. WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR APPROX. $800 AND MOTOR MOUNTS APPROX $300. |
| 713661 | 1998 TAURUS | February 22, 1998 | 0065000 | MY WIFE HAD BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE FORD DEALER (STAR FORD) THE PREVIOUS OCTOBER BECAUSE THE CAR HAD STALLED AND DIED IN AN INTERSECTION. NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. SHE HAD IT IN AGAIN FOR STANDARD SERVICING AND COMPLAINED ABOUT IT RUNNING ROUGH BUT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND WRONG. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND RUN ROUGH. SHE MANAGED TO DRIVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WE CONTACTED FORD SINCE MY WIFE HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THEM STATING THAT DUE TO REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKETS THEY WERE EXTENDING THE WARANTY UNTIL THE END OF 1997 OR 60,000 MILES. WE MISSED IT BY A MONTH AND A HALF, OR 5,000 MILES, AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING TO HELP US OUT. WE HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BUT THIS PAST WEEK, ON OCT. 14 THE NEW HEAD GASKET BLEW. BASED ON THIS EXPERIENCE AND HUNDREDS OF OTHER LETTERS THAT I HAVE READ ON VARIOUS INTERNET WEB SITES, IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING IS DEFECTIVE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MOTOR. ALTHOUGH IN MY CASE, WE HAD NO DANGER INVOLVED WITH THE BREAKDOWN, WE WERE LUCKY TO BE DRIVING IN TOWN WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF HELP. FORD HAS APPARENTLY NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM FOR THE OLDER MODELS LIKE MINE OR EVEN NEWER MODELS. I CALLED THEIR SERVICE TECHNICIAN NUMBER STATING MY CONCERN THAT SHOULD I REPAIR THE CAR AGAIN AT CONSIDERABLE COST, IT WOULD PROBABLY NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I INDICATED THAT MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO TRADE THE CAR IN AND LET THE PENDING PROBLEM END UP BEING SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSONS BURDEN. I AM RELUCTANT TO DO THIS BUT ALL FORD COULD SAY WAS THAT IT WAS UP TO ME, THEY COULDN"T DO ANYTHING. |
| 853290 | 1994 TAURUS | | 0066000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET AND GASKET COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALMOST CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AT 66,000 MILES. *AK |
| 714003 | 1999 TAURUS | October 14, 1999 | 0084000 | PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. NO INCURRING CONDITIONS |
| 549289 | 1999 TAURUS | September 16, 1999 | 0078864 | HEAD GASKET,TIMING CHAIN COVER AND WATER PUMP FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE OF COOLANT. YH |
| 714988 | 1999 TAURUS | November 04, 1999 | 0077000 | APPROACHING HIGHWAY ON RAMP, ENGINE TEMP WENT FROM "N" TOO RED BOX AT RIGHT OF GAUGE. DROVE TO DEALER, INFORMED MOST LIKELY A "HEAD GASKET" PROBLEM AND MAY HAVE DAMAGED ENGINE, NO WAY TO KNOW IF ENGINE IS DAMAGED UNITLL REPAIR IS ATTEMPTED. |
| 854290 | 1999 TAURUS | December 21, 1999 | 0083000 | WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING BECAUSE THE ENGINE BLEW A HEAD GASKET. THE ORIGINAL ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED IN DEC OF 1997 WITH 55,000 MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
| 823052 | 1996 TAURUS | | 0000000 | THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN OUT. VEHICLE HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE ENGINE OVERHEATED. *AK |
| 702347 | 1998 TAURUS | December 27, 1998 | 0050000 | CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR RECALL ON COOLING SYSTEM ON NOVEMBER 11, 1998. FAILURE IN COOLING SYSTEM ON DECEMBER 27, 1998. HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN VIN NUMBER IS 1FALP52U9TA315101. |
| 841259 | 1999 TAURUS | June 27, 1999 | 0066000 | ENGINE HEAD GASKET CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT ALSO, VEHICLE LEAKED/STALLED AND CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK |
| 851036 | 1996 TAURUS | | 0000000 | EGNINE DIED DUE TO A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. DEALER HAS NOT SEENVEHICLE. *AK |
| 715292 | 1999 THUNDERBIRD | October 25, 1999 | 0074000 | 3.8 LITER 6 CYLINDER ENGINE HEADGASKETS FAILED |