NHTSA Complaint #708587 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

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