NHTSA Complaint #721085 — 1993 FORD TAURUS

FORD MOTOR CO WILL NOT COVER THIS REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE MASSIVE DOCUMENTATION THAT THE 3.8L ENGINES HAVE A DEFECT IN THE HEAD GASKET. THEY ARE ONLY AGREEING TO REPAIR 1994-95 MODELS AT THIS TIME. I CONTACTED THEM IN SEPTEMBER OF 99 WHEN THE CAR BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS OVERHEATING. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THERE WERE NO KNOWN INCIDENTS OF ANY SUCH PROBLEMS. WHEN WE FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS, AND THE RADIATOR, IN JANUARY IT WAS OVER $1,600.00. I CONTACTED FORD AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THEY HADN'T HEARD A THING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THESE ENGINES, EVEN THOUGH MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS VERY WELL KNOWN AND HE HAD A STACK OF THEM THAT HE HAD REPAIRED. FINALLY IN MARCH, FORD ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE 1994 AND NEWER MODELS TO COVER THE HEAD GASKET UP TO 100K MILES. I CALLED AND ASKED TO BE INCLUDED, SINCE MY CAR CURRENTLY HAD LESS THAN 100K. THEY REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP. I HAVE NOW JUST HAD TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL $275.00 TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, WHICH IS ALSO PROBABLY A RESULT OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK