NHTSA Complaint #10502719 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

ONGOING PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN TSB 04-17-4 & 03-16-1. THESE TSB'S TELL US THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW AND CONTINUED TO MANUFACTURE AND SELL DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM EXIST IN THEIR FAULTY 3.8L ENGINE AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE POOR DESIGN ALLOWS OIL TO SEEP INTO THE INTAKE PLENUM AND OVER TIME THE OIL ERODES AWAY THE RUBBER AROUND THE ISOLATOR BOLTS AND GASKETS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE READS LEAN FUEL CODES ON BANKS 1& 2 AND A VACUUM LEAK. TO COMPENSATE FOR THESE LEAN CODES , MORE GASOLINE IS PUMPED INTO THE PLENUM CAUSING A RICH EXHAUST MIXTURE WHICH IS THEN SENT OUT THE TAIL PIPE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DESIGNED AND BUILT THESE ENGINES AND THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. REMEMBER, THIS IS AN ONGOING WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE ENGINES FOULING UP THE AIR THAT WE BREATH EVERY DAY. *TR