NHTSA Complaint #716124 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

95 FORD WINDSTAR NEEDS NEW ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF HEADGASKET PROBLEM EXPERIENCED IN OTHER 95 WINDSTARS. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM FORD ABOUT THIS RAMPANT PROBLEM WITH THIS COMPONENT. REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT STILL NOT SURE IF EVERYTHING WILL BE COVERED. BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO VARIOUS FORD DEALERSHIPS, HAVE HAD SEVERAL TUNE UPS AND OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACEMENTS. LAST PRIOR SERVICE WAS IN JUNE 1999 AT RUSTY ECK FORD LEAVENWORTH, KS, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TUNED UP YET AGAIN. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM NOONE HAS EVER MENTIONED THIS TO ME AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR POOR PERFORMANCE AND GAS MILEAGE UNTIL NOW, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE SYMPTOMS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. CORROSION PROBLEM IS LIMITED TO RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR. THE PAINT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR BUBBLES, THEN FLAKES OFF REVEALING ALREADY CORRODED METAL BENEATH. NO DEALERSHIP WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM, CITING THAT PAINT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NOONE CAN EXPLAIN HOW A FIVE YEAR OLD VEHICLE IS RUSTING OUT SO QUICKLY. I'VE HEARD EVERY EXCUSE FROM ACID RAIN TO IMPROPER WASHING TO DRIVING THROUGH A CAUSTIC SUBSTANCE SPILL. *AK