NHTSA Complaint #710131 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

WIFE NOTICED CAR JERKING ON INTERSTATE FROM BURKE TO NORFOLK, VA. TOOK CAR TO FREEDOM FORD, WHERE PURCHASED NEW. LINDA CREASON (BLUE TEAM) TOLD WIFE AND ME THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING. NEED TO REMOVE HEADS AND SEND TO MACHINE SHOP FOR HEAT CHECK OF CRACKS. ESTIMATE = $68 (DIAGNOSIS) + $780 (REPLACE 2 HEAD GASKETS) + $200 (MACHINE SHOP CHECK) + $300 (PLUGS, SENSORS, FLUIDS, ETC) = $1350. MS. CREASON TOLD ME FORD SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01 DOES NOT APPLY BECAUSE CAR PAST 60000 MILES. WHEN I ASKED FOR REGIONAL SERVICE MGR SHE CALLED BACK AND OFFERED: (1) FORD WOULD PAY FIRST $1000 OF REPAIR OR (2) IF I BOUGHT 75000 MILE/6 YEAR POWER TRAIN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $495 THEN FREEDOM FORD WOULD COVER ALL THE REPAIRS. I CHOSE (2). VISIT TO WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/HVE/YOURLEMON/10.HTML THEN SCROLL TO POSTING BY "CK1712" AND YOU'LL SEE THE SAME PLOY. MY CALLS TO FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER GOT ME NOTHING. 98M01 DIRECTED OWNERS TO DO NOTHING UNTIL THE HEAD GASKET FAIL. APPARENTLY AFTER 60000 OWNERS ARE OUT OF LUCK!