NHTSA Complaint #709608 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

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.