1995 FORD WINDSTAR Engine And Engine Coolingengine Problems

BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *YC

ON MAY 14, 1999 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MODERATE CITY TRAFFIC, MY 95 FORD WINDSTAR'S ENGINE STARTED TO SKIP AS IF A SPARK PLUG WAS NOT FIRING. I WAS ABOUT 2 MILES FROM HOME AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE SLOWLY WATCHING FOR FURTHER SIGNS OF TROUBLE. AT ABOUT 1/2 MILE TO 1 MILE LATER THE "CHECK ENGINE" CAME, ON AND I SLOWED MY SPEED TO ABOUT 20 WHEN I NOTICED THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGAN TO RISE. I STARTED TO PULL OVER WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE RUNNING ( A WHITE VAPOR CLOUD WAS EMERGING FROM THE TAILPIPE) I COASTED TO A STOP. THE MECHANIC AT DAVE DINGER FORD AT BRAINTREE MA SAID THE HEAD GASKET(S) FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE PARTS DUE TO THE ANTI-FREEZE MIXING WITH THE OIL, AND RECOMMENDED A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE AT A COST OF $ 4,200.00 . FORD HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERING...

ENGINE RACED WHEN FIRST STARTED IN THE AM--DEALER SAID THAT HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN,THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR WINSTARS, THAT FORD HAD A HIDDEN WARRANTY IF CAR WAS LESS THAN 5 YR/60,000 MILES--VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX ($1300)--IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? *AK

THE HEAD GASKET ON MY WINDSTAR IS DEFECTIVE. I CALLED FORD TO FIND OUT IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED. I WAS TOLD THAT A LETTER WAS SENT OUT TO DEALERS AND OWNERS FOR THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE MY CAR'S MILEAGE WAS OVER 65000 AND THAT THE RECALL ENDED IN DECEMBER OF 1998, THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HEAD GASKET. I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT WHEN THEY KNEW THAT THEY HAD USED FAULTY MATERIAL. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE '95 WINDSTARS. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THIS I WAS TOLD THAT NO PROBLEM EXISTS AND NO RECALL WAS IN PLACE FOR THE TRANSMISSION. FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR USING FAULTY EQUIPMENT. THE BAD PART IS THAT THE WINDSTAR HAS A 5 STAR RATING FOR SAFETY AND YET FORD USES FAULTY...

THE SYMPTOMS ORIGINALLY SHOWED UP IN NOVEMBER OF 1998. I CALLED THE DEALER THAT DID NOT TELL ME THAT THERE WERE ANY KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. I ALSO NEVER RECEIVED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY NO-CHARGE WARRANTY LETTER DATED JUNE, 1998, TELLING ME OF THE SYMPTOMS AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO DECEMBER 31, 1998. WHEN THE PROBLEM WORSENED, I TOOK THE VAN IN ON MAY 26. AGAIN, PRIOR TO TAKING IT IN, THE DEALER ADMITTED NO PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. I WAS CALLED WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF BLOWN HEAD GASKET, $1100. *AK

THE HEAD GASKET BLEW ON THE ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY OVERHEAT. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I FOUND IT WAS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT IN THE 1995 FORD 3.8 LITER ENGINE. I LEANED THIS FROM ALL 3 LOCAL DEALERS AND 2 LOCAL ENGINE SHOPS. APPARENTLY FORD WAS FIXING ANY ENGINE THIS OCCURRED ON UP TO 60000 MILES, SO THEY OBVIOUSLY KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM. UPON CONTACTING FORD, I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE AND WOULD HAVE TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE DEALER WHO CHARGED ME $50 AN HOUR INSTEAD OF $60, RESULTING IN A BILL OF $1350 INSTEAD OF $1600. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER. FORD OBVIOUSLY KNEW ABOUT IT OR THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD ANY REPAIR POLICY FOR THIS PROBLEM. NOT ONLY AM I OUT THE $1400 ( A SENSOR ALSO FAILED WHCICH HAD...

SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF ACTIVITY WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKETS ON THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR WITH A 3.8L V-6. CERTAINLY THERE MUST BE SOME RECOURSE WITH FORD IN HAVING THIS REPAIRED. WOULD LIKE TO FILE COMPLAINT AGAINST FORD CONCERNING SAME. *AK

ENGINE OVERHEATING DUE TO FAULTY GASKET ON TEWO OCCASIONS. MJS

PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKETS ALLOWED ENGINE COOLANT TO RUIN PISTON BEARINGS WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE OVERHEATING AND FAILURE. FORD HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WHICH EXPIRED 12/31/98. WE TOOK THE VAN IN BECAUSE WE DETECTED AN ENGINE NOISE ON 12/22/98. WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. ON 2/1/98, WE TOOK THE VAN IN BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANTLY. WE WERE GIVEN A TUNE-UP. ON 2/8/99, THE ENTIRE ENGINE BLEW AS IT WAS BEING STARTED PRIOR TO OUR DRIVE HOME. *AK

AT35,000 MILES, FIRST TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. AT 38,000 MILES I HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE . FORD SAID I HAD A MAIN BEARING KNOCK . THEY TOOK ENGINE APART AND SAID " RODS MARKED 1-6, BUT NOT IN ORDER?TOP OF ROD AT WRIST PINS ARE BLUE( HOT OVERHEAT CONDITION). HEAD GASKETS SHOW SIGNS, RUSTY AT BLOCK &HEAD AREAS. MAIN BRGS SCORED THUR BEDS & #5 IN COPPER BED. MAINBOLT BLACK SMELLS LIKE BURNED OIL.. NOW AT 56,200 FORD SAYS I NEED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION THE ONE REPLACED IS BAD NOW!!! ONE THING TO ADD I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 2,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEARLER HAD TOLD ME IT WAS AN "UNWIND" NO PROBLEMS WITH , SOMEONE DID'NT QUALIFY FOR THE CREDIT SO THEY HAD THEM RETURN IT. THEY CAN'T SELL IT AS NEW ANYMORE!!!!!! 56,200 MILES 3TRANSMISSIONS & 2 ENGINES!!!!!!! WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT HOW THE...

AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS ISSUED. THE PROBLEM WAS MISDIAGNOSED ON 3 OCCASIONS. NOW THE 60,000 MILE LIMIT HAS BEEN EXCEEDED AND FORD WILL NOT EVEN DISCUSS REPLACING THE GASKET FOR ME EVEN THOUGH TWO LOCAL DEALDERSHIPS HAVE AGREED THAT FORD IS RESPONSIBLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH TRIED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT THE CONSUMER 'S VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER AND STALLED.MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER VEHICLE HAD AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT LESS THAN 62000 MILES OR 5 YEARS. FORD HAD SAID THEY WOULD PAY, BUT NOT PAST 5 YEARS OR 60000 MILES. THAT OFFER EXPIRED 12/31/98.*AK

8/3/98 OUR '95 WINDSTAR HAD THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED UNDER FORD'S "EXTENDED WARRANTY" PROGAM. WE HAD HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MISSING IN THE PAST. ON 10/26/98 THE ENGINE MISSED SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE GOING 70MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, THEN I LOST ENGINE POWER AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ANTIFREEZE RAN OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. WE NURSED IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THAT A CRANK SHAFT BEARING HAD GONE BAD. THE ONLY REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE TO THE TUNE OF $3000. WE QUESTIONED THE DEALER'S MECHANIC AT THAT TIME ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS BEING RELATED TO THE RECALL AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RELATIONSHIP. WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THE REPAIR UNTIL APRIL. AFTER TALKING MORE WITH THE DEALERSHIP WE DISCOVERED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD...

THE 1995 WINDSTAR IS A THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF THEIR OWNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE TRANSMISSIONS MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME AND THE HEAD GASKET WILL LEAD TO BLOWN ENGINES . THIS CAR IS A KNOWN LEMON AND NTSA MUST ACT TO PROTECT THE FAMILIES OF AMERICA BEFORE ANY MORE PEOPLE GET HURT PHYICALLY OR FINANCIALLY. *AK

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL. WHAT THEY DID WAS TO EXTEND WARRANTY COVERAGE THROUGH DECEMBER OF 1998. THOSE OF US LEFT WITH THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET PROBLEM ARE LEFT WITH HUGE REPAIR BILLS AND NO HELP FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT AT LEAST 50% OF THE WINDSTARS HAD EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE 5 MONTHS TOO LATE FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK WHICH ALSO CAUSED ENGINE BEING TOO COLD OR TOO HOT. CONTACTED FORD, NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. *AK

IE98080, DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKS COOLANT WHICH MAY CAUSE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. KNOWN PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

FORD HAD ACKNOWLEDGED A FAULTY HEAD GASKET PROBLEM WITH THE 95 WINDSTARS BY EXTENDING THEIR WARRANTY SERVICE TO COVER UP TO 60,000 MILES. THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR COSTS FOR MY 95 WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET FAILURE CLAIMING I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AT 64000 MILES. I FEEL THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGED A FAULTY PART BY EXTENDING THEIR WARRANTY AND SHOULD COVER ALL HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON THIS MODEL, NOT JUST TO 60,000 MILES. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ABSOLUTELY REFUSED TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS CLAIM IN ANY WAY. THEY SIMPLY STATE THAT IT IS NOT A COVERED WARRANTY ITEM AND THEREFORE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENSE. *AK

HEAD GASKET SHOULDN'T FAIL ON A MINIVAN LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. HOPE NO OTHER FAILURES ARE IMMINENT. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSED FIRE. YH

ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *AK *YC

HEAD GASKETS FAILED AT CYLINDERS 3 AND 4. BOTH GASKETS FAILED IN THE SAME LOCATION AND TIME FRAME. THIS POINT TO A DEFECT IN THE GASKETS. AK

I RECEIVED A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FORD IN 1998 WHICH STATED THAT: IF THERE WERE PROBLEMS WHERE THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE 60,000 MILES, THAT FORD WOULD COVER THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. THEY HAVE DECLINED TO DO SO BECAUSE THE SERVICE BULLETIN "EXPIRED" ON 12/31/1998. MY POINT: I AM STILL UNDER THE MILEAGE LIMIT AND THE REPAIR COST SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. THE ENGINE DESIGN IS FAULTY, DOES THE PROBLEM JUST DISAPPEAR BECAUSE IT OCCURED AFTER 1998? THE TIME LIMIT ON THIS SERVICE BULLETIN IS A BOGUS COP-OUT. *AK

COOLING SYSTEM AND HEAD GASKET RELATED FAILURES IN 1995 FORD WINDSTARS ARE COMMON FROM 35 TO 70K AND RESULT IN MAJOR REPAIR EXPENSES. *AK

ENGINE RUNS HOT, WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A STOP. THE ENGINE JUMPS AND OIL LEAKS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP THREE TO FOUR TIMES. *AK

OUR 1995 FORD WINDSTAR BLEW A HEADGASKET ON 05/04/99 WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES. APPARENTLY THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THESE VEHCILES CONCERNING HEADGASKETS BUT FORD HAS NOT NOTIFIED ANY OF US WITH RECALLS. I'M CURRENTLY CONTACTING FORD AND MY DEALER TO SEE IF THERE IS A REMEDY TO THE PROBLEMS OR IF THEY'LL PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I DON'T APPRECIATE NOT BEING NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. MY NEW BABY BOY WAS IN THE VEHCILE WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER. THEY COULDV'E BEEN OUT OF TOWN AND NO ONE TO CALL BUT FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED IN TOWN. PLEASE REQUEST THAT FORD MAKE A RECALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF EXAMPLES OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB. JUST CHECK IT OUT. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP AND CONSIDERATION.

HEAD GASKET FAILED.

ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED.

ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKS. REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER EXPENSE. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK

HEADGASKETS ON THESE ENGINES ARE BOUND FOR FAILURE, FORD UPGRADED THE GASKETS BUT WILL NOT STAND COVER THE COSTS AFTER DEC. 1998. MOST PEOPLE LOOSE THIER ENGINES OR WARP THIER HEADS.

AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I LEARNED THAT MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS IN THE WINDSTAR BEFORE REACHING 50,000 MILES AND REPLACE HEAD GASKETS AROUND 70,000 MILES. THE COST OF BOTH REPAIRS IS EXPENSIVE AND FORD DOES NOT COVER THESE EXPENSES IF YOU DID NOT RESPOND TO A LETTER THEY SAY THEY SENT EVERYONE. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD PAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WHICH THEY KNOW EXISTS.

BLOWN HEAD GASKETS AROUND JULY, 1998 WHICH FORD PAID FOR. THEY CHARGED ME AROUND $900 TO FIX A LEAK TO THE TIMING COVER THAT I THINK WAS CAUSED BY THE HEAD GASKETS. WHILE IT WAS IN THE SHOP, I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHILE ROUNDING CORNERS AND IT "JERKS" INTO GEAR AFTER STOPPING AT LIGHTS/SIGNS. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITENTLY AND REMAINS ON AND DIAGNOSTICS ARE NOT CONCLUSIVE, THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS "DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEM". I'VE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES SQUEAKING AND BEEN TOLD IT'S "BRAKE DUST" BUT I'M NOT CONVINCED.

HEAD GASKET FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREWWAY APPROX 100 MILES FROM HOME. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO CONTACTED FORD AS FORD HAD RECOGNIZED THAT THIS PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD EXTENEDED THE WARRANTY UNTIL 12-31-98. FORD WOULD NOT PAY ANYTHING TOWARDS THE REPAIR. INSPECTION OF THE HEAD GASKET REVEALS THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A FLAW IN THE DESIGN, (AT LEAST OBVIOUS TO ME).. NEW HEAD GASKET DESIGN HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO CORRECT PROBLEM.

CONSUMER HAS A BAD ENGINE HEAD GASKET THAT IS CAUSING OIL LEAKS AND OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

ENGINE - BOTH HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER, THEN ENGINE REPLACED, TRANMISSION SHOWED BURNT FLUID AND WAS REPLACED 3 MONTHS FOLLOWING ENGINE REPLACEMENT, AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO WORK 3 DAYS AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT.

VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED, RECALL ON HEAD GASKET HOWEVER DENIED RECALL REPAIR FROM DEALERSHIP DUE TO PART DISCREPANCY. (98M01) MJS

I CONTACTED FORD CUST. SERVICE AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN THE 95 WINDSTAR. THEY DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL, THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE DESIGN CAME FROM THE FACTORY, AND WAS ORIGINAL TO MY CAR AS IT LEFT THE FACTORY FLOOR.ONLY CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT, MY CAR IS ONE OF THEM.FORD ONLY ISSUED A NOTICE TO DEALER'S THAT IF A CUSTOMER CAME IN WITH THIS PROBLEM BETWEEN MAY AND DEC 98, THEN THE DEALER WAS TO FIX THE VAN FOR FREE. FORD DID NOT INFORM ME BY MAIL OR OTHERWISE THAT MY CAR COULD FAIL TO OPERATE AFTER ACCELERATION HAD TAKEN PLACE. IF MY DEALER KNEW OF THIS DEFECT, WHY WAS I NOT GIVEN THE INFORMATION.THIS REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY $2,600.00. THIS REPAIR IS ONLY GUARANTEED FOR 12,000 MILES AND THEN BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE DESIGN, THE FAILURE COULD OCCUR AGAIN. I...

STARTED VEHICLE & NOTICED IT WAS BLOWING SMOKE. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. RECEIVED A TSB ON HEAD GASKETS. HAD NO PROBLEM BEFORE RECEIVING TSB. DEALRE REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO VEHICLE BEING OVER THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT. *AK

AT 57,898 MILES (SEPT. '98), MY WINDSTAR STARTED ACTING FUNNY. I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP , WHO SAID IT APPEARED TO BE A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM, AND TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT. I BROUGHT IT IN, HAD IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. ON 4/17/99, IT STARTED DRIVING VERY POORLY, AND ON 4/19 BROUGHT IT TO THE SAME LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO SAID AGAIN, IT WAS THIS TIME A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, AND TO CALL THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THERE HAD BE A RECALL THAT ENDED 1/99 (I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NEVER REC'D ANY NOTICE), AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE EXPENSES MYSELF. THEY ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS AGIANST THE LAW FOR THEM TO COVER ANY EXPENSES, AFTER THE RECALL NOTICE EXPIRED. I HAVE NOW BEEN WAITING W/OUT MY CAR FOR A WEEK NOW, FOR THEM...

THE WINDSTAR IS VERY UNSAFE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED THREE TIMES, ALWAYS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSES SERIOUS OTHER ENGINE COMPNONETS TO FAIL, EVENTUALLY CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH CAN ALSO OCCUR SUDDENLY WHILE IN TRAFFIC.

THE HEAD GASKET ON OUR 95 FORD WINDSTAR BLEW UP TODAY, AND WE HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS 95 FORD VAN'S HEAD GASKET ON THE INTERNET. WE ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED AND HOPE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. *AK

TRANSMISSION CAN SHIFT INTO REVERSE, BUT WILL NOT BACK UP. THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD GO ON/OFF ON THEIR OWN, DAY OR NIGHT. THE KEY SHIFT INTERLOCK WILL NOT RELEASE OUT OF PARK POSITION. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES HAD CRUMBLED INSIDE. HEARD GRINDING/RAMBLING NOISES WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. BEEN TO DEALER 3 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR BRAKES. *AK

APRIL, 1998 AT 34,000 MILES CAR TAKEN TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS A SLIGHT OIL LEAK. KEPT CAR OVERNIGHT AND THEN FOR A FEW MORE DAYS. REPLACED NUMEROUS SEALS AND GASKETS. VALVE COVER GASKET, ETC. ONE YEAR LATER, APRIL, 1999 AT 47,000 MILES CAR BROUGHT IN AGAIN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND UNEXPLAINED ENGINE COOLANT LOSS. DEALER ADVISED THAT HEAD GASKET MUST BE REPLACED. *AK

CAR WAS IDLING ROUGH, WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF REAR OF VEHICLE, TEMP GAUGE READING NORMAL, SMOKE GOT WORSE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE DIED, ALL IN 3 BLOCK DISTANCE. GARAGE SAYS BLOWN HEAD GASKET, NEW ENGINE NEEDED, FORD WILL DO NOTHING.*AK

THE HEAD GASKETS BEGAN TO FAIL ON APRIL 12,1999, RESULTING IN THE OVERHEATING OF OUR ENGINE. ALTHOUGH FORD ISSUED A LETTER TO US LAST JUNE REGARDING THE PROBLEM THEY WERE HAVING WITH HEAD GASKETS RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE, THEY CLAIM WE CANNOT BE COMPENSATED FOR OUR EXPENSES BECAUSE WE MISSED THE CUTOFF TO THEIR NO CHARGE COVERAGE BY 3 MONTHS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD REALIZED THAT THIS PRODUCT WAS FAULTY, AND WE WANT FORD TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE COST TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE WILL BE $3200.00. WE FEEL THAT FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS, AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING AND COMPENSATING FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY KNEW WOULD OCCUR. *AK

THE HEAD GASKET(S) FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT AND POSSIBLY SUSTAIN INTERNAL DAMAGE. MY WIFE WAS STRANDED IN TRAFFIC, POSING A DANGER TO HERSELF, OUR CHILDREN WHO WERE PASSENGERS, AND VEHICLES HAVING TO DRIVE AROUND HER. I'VE HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS FAILURE MAY BE EPIDEMIC AMONG 1995 WINDSTARS WITH 3.8L ENGINES. FORD TEMPORARILY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY IN RECOGNITION OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT TERMINATED IT AS OF 12/98. SINCE MY VEHICLE DID NOT SHOW ANY SYMPTOMS UNTIL THIS PAST WEEKEND, I DID NOT TAKE IT IN TO FORD FOR A REPAIR UNDER WARRRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR MY ENGINE AT THEIR COST, AS THE UNEXPECTED, SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET DUE NOT TO WEAR AND TEAR, BUT TO A FLAW IN THE VEHICLES DESIGN, CAN CAUSE PASSENGERS TO BE PLACED IN CONDITIONS OF EXTREME DANGER. WEAR AND TEAR IS SOMETHING THAT A VEHICLE OWNER...

THE VEHICLE HAD JUST RETURNED FROM FLORIDA TO MICHIGAN. DRIVING AROUND TOWN AFTERWARDS THE ENGINE HEAD BLEW AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS REPORTED TO THE COST OF APPROXIMATELY $3600. ALSO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

MY VEHICLE OVERHEATED IN JUNE, 1998 AND I ADDED ADDITIONAL COOLANT. IN APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS, I RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE FROM FORD WHERE HEAD GASKETS ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE TYPE AND MAKE WERE FAILING PREMATURELY. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT (DELTA FORD, VICKSBURG, MS) ON 7/28/98 (INVOICE NUMBER 017128) AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME THE HEAD GASKET WAS STILL GOOD. MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REQUIRE COOLANT EVERY 2 - 3 MONTHS. THE PROBLEM RECENTLY HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. I ADDED COOLANT TO IT ON 4/5/99 AND THEN AGAIN ON 4/17/99 - 368 MILES LATER. TODAY (4/17/99) MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IT DOES APPEAR THAT I HAVE A HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF DELTA FORD WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE FAULTY GASKET ON 7/28/98 WHILE THE REPAIR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO...

HEAD GASKET IS DEFECTIVE ON 1000'S OF 3.8L ENGINES, SHOULD BE RECALLED