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.
Vehicle was going 60mph and engine lost oil pressure and constantly overheated. Engine check light didn't come on as a warning. Problem has been ongoing since 1998. Problem was previously caused by coolant deteriorating the bearings. Engine needed to be replaced, but dealer will not get involved financially. Consumer will be fully responsibile for the repairs.
The head gasket was replaced under the Ford program. I drove the car 2 times, each time approximately 4 miles. The second time I drove it it overheated and had to be towed back to the dealership. They replaced the timing chain cover gasket. I was told by a Ford dealer that the timing chain cover gasket was as likely to be bad as the head cover gasket but Ford didn't cover that. Both gasket problems allowed coolant to get into the engine oil. I was also told that because the head gasket was fixed it allowed more pressure to build and that is why the other gasket blew so quickly. I believe the gasket problems are related and that both should have been covered under the factory program.
Am I responsible for sharing in the cost w/Ford for an engine replacement? I believe that this is due to the blown headgasket that was replaced in 12/98. One dealership said it was covered under warranty and the other said no, I must share in the expense of a new engine. In the meantime, I am still driving it (Ford won't pay in full for a rental car) with children and spouse. Please provide any info you can. Thanks.
Head gasket failure on van. Warranty ended 2 weeks ago. This should not happen on a vehicle with so little mileage. I understand thousands of people across the country are facing this problem daily with their Windstar. Why is Ford not being more aggressive in compensating for an obvious and admittably falty construction design with the engine?
Vehicle taken to Ford for engine light on and running rough. Ford dealer said head gasket was bad and replaced. Also found front timing cover leaking, and charged $901 to repair on May 17, 2001. While on vacation in Alaska, vehicle had 3000 miles on it since repair was done and oil was changed. After traveling a short distance a noise was heard in the motor. When pulled into the garage the motor had a serious noise, the oil pan was dropped and the bearings were wiped out. Motor needed to be replaced in order to make it back home. Cost $4000. Would like refund from Ford for money paid out for the new motor.
The consumer believes the vehicle has an electrical computer system defect which causes coolant back up and effects the transmission burning it out, it also causes repeated damage to the head gasket and transmission, the consumer is requesting reimbursement for all repairs made. Nlm
Only 65,200 miles and I am original owner, and took great care of my Windstar but the head gaskets still blew. When my Windstar was at the dealership for other factory recalls, I was already aware of the head gasket warning notice and my "check engine light" was coming on constantly so I asked the dealership to replace my head gaskets. The dealership refused, saying there weren't enough "symptoms" and that it had to break down before they would install the "improved" head gaskets!
Premature wear of the head gaskets. Head gaskets blew out, causing engine to lock up, resulting in driver losing control of vehicle, dealer was replacing motor. The consumer stated that the vehicle had an engine knock. The dealer examined the vehicle and found that the head gasket was leaking and the bearing had failed. After an oil pressure test, it was found that the oil pressure was low and the coolant was in the oil. The dealer replaced the engine. The consumer later received an extended warranty coverage notice from the manufacture for possible head gasket failure which could cause the engine to overheat.
I have had two head gasket place on my van within about 18 months from each other. But this time I took my van in to have the head gasket repair and was charges 150 % more than the other repair. I took it in and told them that white smoke was coming out of the tail pipe. They told me it was the head gasket. They suposely fixed it for $2,479 then two day later I had to take it back in because of the oil pressure. They told me that I needed another engine which would cost me another $1,000. My question is that they did not do a diagonotic check, just placed parts on my van without approval, charged me for it. Now I have to pay a total of $3,479. The frighten part is that with the head gasket going out twice, I am afraid the it might go out again. The other thing is that Ford new about this problem and should have evaluated the problem just like they said with the recall, place the correct gasket (which they did not) and fix the problem instead of costing me another $1,000 for an engine. I need your assistance.
Within 97,000 miles transmission has malfunctioned, reverse position is inoperable, cause unknown. Consumer also states that low one gear is inoperable, consumer also experienced head gasket failure, as well as overheating in the fuel tank.
Leaked quite a bit of antifreeze...had to replace timing cover gasket. Also more recently, a front tire blew due to rusted front springs and struts which had to be replaced.
The head gasket failed causing damage to the vehicles engine, antifreeze leaked through the gasket into the block and destroyed the lubricating effect of the oil causing the engine to overheat. Nlm
The timing cover began leaking externally and coolant was observed in at least #4 cylinder, this defect caused the vehicle to overheat, causing the engine needing to be remade, consumer is furious that the head gaskets can not be replaced under manufacturer's recall. Nlm
We have replaced the engine, transmission, head gaskets, and many additional parts. I have spent close to $6,000 in repairs since buying this vehicle. I just want Ford to admit that the 95 Windstar has problems.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hampton Bays, NY, USA