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.
Head gaskets failed at 60,849 miles. Ford would not honor the extended warranty due to excess of miles. Dealer wanted $1,000 to repair the vehicle. When we contacted Ford they said there was nothing they could do for us. We purchased the van just 2.5 years ago. The dealer commented that if we had bought the van brand new he might consider trying to help us. Ford should honor the 120,000 miles original lifetime standard and stand by "quality is job 1"!! we are looking to change to a different company such as Dodge.
Temperature gauge went to red many times, and engine check light appeared on the dashboard unexpectedly. Consumer received recall notice 98M01 on that problem. But, dealer did not work on the vehicle because the recall expired. Consumer received two more recalls, 97S88 and 99S33.
A part or bolt broke off and fell in to the oil pan which caused engine problems. Also, while driving it caused vehicle to stall which could have resulted in a crash.
- Mentor, OH, USA
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Engine head gasket leaks anti-freeze into the engine. Ford is aware of the problem. Problem has not been corrected. Report given by mike prevost(father-in-law) please provide any further nformation.
1989 Ford Taurus, same engine size, same problem at 75,000 miles. Presently own a 1999 Ford mustang with the same size engine. Is there a problem with the design/manufacture of this engine" no trailer has ever been towed. Vehicle is driven very casually never fast acceleration, mostly highway type driving. I've never in 40+ years of driving ever blown a head gasket before in anything! two times with the same size engine - is this coincidence, or a problem with the engine. What can I do so as to not have the same problem with the mustang" all three vehicles have been automatic overdrive transmissions with regular scheduled maintenance. Thank you.
The vehicle overheated and the coolant bubbled, allowing cold air into vehicle when heat was on. This is due to a blown out engine head gasket. Dealer said it needed a new head gasket.
My 1995 Windstar overheated and anti-freeze blew out to the tail pipe like a big cumulus cloud. My wife and kid got so frighten. I found out later that the 1995 Windstar have a history of failure in head gasket. I am writing this because I want to help other Windstar owner in the future when they are in the same problem. NHTSA should demand a recall on the 1995 Windstar and Ford should covered this part to 100,000 miles on this vehicle.
We have a recall letter from Ford on the head gasket problem which covers the first 5 years from date of purchase or 60,000 miles. The car overheated on 12/20/99 and it could not be determined at that time by our mechanic at another shop if it was the headgasket. On 12/22/99, the problem occurred again and our mechanic said it was definitely the headgasket but he didn't think the motor was affected. He suggested returning to the dealer, tousley Ford, for repair even though, tousley said they would not honor the recall as it was 25 days out of warranty. We were approximately 6400 miles under the 60,000. Tousley had us contact customer service at Ford who declined to also honor the warranty. Our mechanic felt that having the work done at the dealer would be the only way we might get any money back on the repair if Ford was required to honor this recall. Tousley told us the whole motor needed replacing, not just the headgasket and the repair cost $3,538.15 not including the $35.75 we paid our mechanic to diagnose the problem. We don't feel this has been fair as our mileage was considerably under the 60,000 and feel we are being penalized for not driving enough as we were only 25 days out of the 5 year warranty. Ford knows this is a problem but this eliminates a number of owners who don't use their vehicle enough and saves them a lot of money. This expense, for us, was one and one half month's take home pay and hurt considerably. I don't know if this communication with you will help us get a full refund or even a partial refund, but we would be grateful for any help you can provide. I am also going to file a complaint with our state attorney general's office. I do see the dealer's point in that they cannot honor work not approved by Ford, but I don't think either the dealer or Ford were fair. Thank you.
Mechanic states that the head gasket needs to be replaced.he just worked on a 1995 mustang with the same size engine with the same problem. Coincidence! I don't think so. Dealership said if the warranty was still in effect, they would cover the cost to repair. 7,000 miles over the warranty. The vehicle had 39,000 miles when we purchased. We have put 28,000 miles on it in 4 years. Somehow I do not think this low mileage would cause the head gasket to blow. I also know that there was a bulletin issued for this same problem on the 95 mustangs. If it was put on the mustangs why not the Windstar since they have the same engine?
A loss of heat plus an overheating engine were the first symptoms of an engine problem. A new thermostat was installed, but (8) days later the same symptoms were observed. A service center testing confirmed that the head gasket(s) were blown and required replacement. Ford had extended its warranty to 60,000 miles, but failure occurred at 70,000 miles. Ford refuses to be responsible for this repair. This is the second 3.8 L engine that has had this problem in our family. A 1993 thunderbird with the same engine type had to be repaired at a cost of $1100.
This vehicle 1995 Ford Windstar is a lemon, do a search on the internet and it becomes obvious.all people that replaced transmissions and head gaskets in the 1995 Windstar should be compensated.espeacially those that had less than 70000 miles such as mine.this vehicle is a nightmare and consumers should be compensated.
The headgasket blew on the way to work with little warning! I steamed into the nearest gas station where he immediately knew what the problem was as he has had several 1995 Ford products with the same problem. Fortunately, the heads weren't cracked or apparently that would have cost another $1,000. I did not receive a warranty extention, but even if I had, it had expired. Although I got nowhere with the dealer, I intend to send a compaint to Ford as this just isn't right.
June 1998, Ford motor sent us a letter saying the head gasket could fail. They didn't recall these cars, instead extended the warranty. Well, sure enough, ours failed after the mileage extension. We travel to nm & ca causing us to have a higher than normal mileage. Extension was 5 yrs, or 60,000. We had 76,375. Luckily we were not on an interstate when this happened. I can only imagine the hazard on a super highway. We sincerely feel this should be a total recall. If this is not the place to complain, please notify us to the correct contacts. This was not a cheap repair, as you can imagine. Ford motor should know how to build head gaskets by now!!! thank you....janet reynolds.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Taylor, MI, USA