NHTSA Complaint #706020 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

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.