NHTSA Complaint #718200 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

IN NOVEMBER OF 1998, THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AFTER VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO DEALER FOR ANTIFREEZE LEAK. DEALER INFORMED US THAT HEAD GASKETS WERE NOT YET "BAD" BUT ADVISED US TO REPLACE THEM BEFORE FURTHER DAMAGE WAS DONE TO ENGINE. WE COMPLIED AND HAD THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED TO AVOID FURTHER PROBLEMS. WHEN WE TOOK THE WINDSTAR IN ON JANUARY 17, 2000, WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE PREVENTATIVE HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT IN 1998 SHOULD HAVE AVOIDED THE ENGINE FAILURE, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. APPARENTLY, THERE IS MUCH MORE GOING ON WITH THIS ENGINE THAN WE ARE AWARE OF. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP PUTTING MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE, AND WE HOPE THAT FORD WILL ISSUE A RECALL ON THE PRODUCT. INCIDENTALLY, OUR SERVICE PERSON AT VENUS FORD (WILLIE WILLETT) HAS HEARD OF THOUSANDS OF 1995 FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. VISITS TO VARIOUS SITES ON THE INTERNET CONFIRM THIS. WHY IS NO ONE TAKING ANY POSITIVE ACTION ON THIS MAJOR PROBLEM? *AK