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.
While driving at 35 mph the engine head gasket blew out. Steam was coming from vehicle. Temperture gauge went up to hot level, and all the water came out of the vehicle.
We have had the same defects/repairs that most of the other Windstar owners have had. Ford Motor Company will not assist in helping to pay for these repairs. We feel that Ford Motor Company knows that these problems are because of their design flaws, but they are not standing behind their product. Our most expensive repair has been the engine which needed to be rebuilt. Per the Ford dealers, and other sources, this is due to engine coolant leaking into the engines, and has been occurring approx. 10,000- 20,000 miles after the head gaskets have been replaced.
While driving temperature gauge went from cool to hot in seconds. There was smoke and a strange smell coming from under the hood vehicle had to be towed.
Consumer has experienced engine gasket failure a third time. The first time in April 97, repaired and reinbursted, second time, in August 98, and the third time in December 98. All three times the temperature gauge would fluctuate and consumer noticed all the coolant was gone from the engine. The problem this time involves the timing cover gasket going bad. Noticed that whenever driving on incline the temperature gauge fluctuates.
A local Ford dealer has informed me that this vehicle needs a head gasket replacement. I find it unacceptable that a head gasket failure should be expected at any time, especially in a vehicle that has not seen severe driving conditions. In the two years that I have owned this vehicle, various dealers have been unable to correct some issues that were merely annoying (speedometer wavering and jumping; whistling sound coming from engine compartment; rear wiper arm boot failure; buildup of snow/ice on front wipers during snow). With this recent failure (head gaskets), I am convinced that I have purchased a lemon.
- Westford, MA, USA
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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
Consumer was driving approximately 35mph when engine temperature light came on. Consumer pulled over and smelled anti-freeze. Then called tow truck, after towing vehicle, garage found nothing. Again, on 22-Apr-99, while driving at 40mph temperature light came on. Driver pulled over. Then had vehicle towed to a dealership. Dealer found a leak in engine head gasket. Dealer replaced head gasket/oxygen sensor, and checked engine cylinder head. Found engine cylinder head to be okay. An open investigation of coolant leakage in engine head gasket is pending, ie-98-080.
Check engine light came on when the temperature gauge went up because there was a leaky engine head gasket that blew. Dealer said it was a manufacturer's design flaw.
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. Ford has an extended warranty covering this part for unlimited mileage, but not later than 12-31-98. I have contacted the manufacturer Ford and they refuse to pay or negotiate the cost of engine repair even though this was a known defect for them in the 3.8 liter V-6 engine (Taurus & Sable 94-95) for some time prior to my buying the car used in 6/97. The car was previously registered as a Ford corporate vehicle in Massachusetts since new. I feel strongly that they should be responsible for the repair of a latent defect, known to them, at the time of sale.
While driving at any speed vehicle stalls/ overheats, and the temperature gauge will go up to high. Also, engine check light keeps coming on. Consumer just got the vehicle out of the repair shop, and the same problems have reoccurred.
Consumer noticed vehicle idling a bit rough and jerking on highway. The heater was not working correctly, then consumer noticed the temperature gauge was at the highest temperature possible. Consumer took vehicle to a mechanic who took the engine apart, and saw that the head gasket was faulty, then replaced it. There were other problems due to faulty head gasket which all were repaired.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Channahon, IL, USA