NHTSA Complaint #707737 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

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.