This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
First over-heating problem was taken to thornton Ford on 4/23/99 @ 57,687 miles and radiator was diagnosed as half plugged by thornton on 5/28/99 (~59,600 miles). Radiator replaced on 6/8/99 and both oxygen sensors replaced on 7/1/99. Head gasket problem finally diagnosed on 7/13/99 at 62,144 miles. Did not receive a copy of the extended warranty letter for service program no/ 98M01. Dealer only paid one-half of head gasket repair because the car was now over 60,000 miles allowed on the extended coverage.
Car first ran hot on 2/4/99. Ford would not pay since it was out of warranty. Had an independent to replace the head gaskets. Picked up car - car ran bad. Returned car to garage was told that crankshaft and crankshaft bearings were bad. Elected to replace the engine in lieu of repairing. Car ok for 3 months. Ran hot again. Replaced thermostat. Continued to run hot. Took it to hillard Ford in arlington tx. Hillard checked it out for a week. Could not get it to overheat but replaced spark plugs and an ignition module. Have had car for 3 days. Car overheated, again. Haven't had a chance to identify the problem, but is a continual problem with the Windstar.
Vehicle overheated while driving 65mph and was making weird noises. Gauge indicated overheating. Pulled into gas station. After vehicle been restarted & downshifted, white smoke appeared in rear. Had vehicle towed to dealer next day
My Windstar recent engine failure was preceeded by the "check engine" warning indicator coming on as I was driving the vehicle. I pulled off the road to investigate. Upon opening the hood I was immediately exposed to a dousing of both boiling water & steam escaping from the radiator overflow reservoir which overflowed itself from the head gasket malfunction. I received painful burns on both my hands and face.
On 12/22/98 vehicle overheated. Took vehicle to the closest service station for fear of damaging the engine. The service station replaced the thermostat. Car overheated again, immediately took the vehicle to the shop that replaced the thermostat. Upon hearing "head gasket" remembered the warranty letter. Took car to dealer for repairs, but dealer said Ford would not cover. The condition described in the letter was indeed exhibited within the extended warranty period, but Ford refused three times to back extended warranty.
- Vancouver, WA, USA
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- Lake Jackson, TX, USA