NHTSA Complaint #714342 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

AS THE OWNER OF A 95 FORD WINDSTAR WITH THE 3.8L MOTOR, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD EXTENDING WARRANTY COVERAGE DUE TO PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. AT 59,482 MILES I HAD THE 95 WINDSTAR SERVICED AT BATTLEFIELD FORD, SPECIFICALLY ASKING THEM ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM TO MAKE SURE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF PROBLEMS. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE 60,000 MILE SERVICE AND GAVE MY VEHICLE A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. ON 28 OCT 99, AT 1030 PM ON A DARK ROAD, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW ON MY VEHICLE WITH NO WARNING. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX MY VEHICLE. EVERY DEALER I HAVE SPOKEN WITH WILL NOT REPAIR THE HEAD GASKET ON WINDSTAR'S, THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE MOTOR AT A COST OF $6,000.00 DOLLARS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CYLINDER HEADS IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CASTING NUMBERS WERE FOR A FORD TAURUS, NOT A WINDSTAR. I HAVE ALSO FOUND OVER 40 PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIANCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS WITH THEIR 95 WINDSTAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OF THESE 3.8L MOTORS HAVE FAILED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. SINCERELY, SCOTT A. HEFFNER