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 gasket failure on 95' Ford Windstar. I have received several reports of the same problem from thousands of Windstar owners. However, Ford will not issue a recall. Instead, an extended warranty has been issued. The verbage states 5 years or 60,000 miles. It does not say "and" or "whichever comes first" in a recent poll on an internet site, 67 percent of all gasket failures on the 95' occured between 60 and 70 thousand miles.my vehicle hadhead gasket failure, followed by an overheating problem, happened while my wife was on a busy highway with our two small children. They were stranded for several minutes under terrible weather conditions. Ford refuses to pay for repairs, as has been the problem with thousands of owners. Ford acknowledges the problem in their issued warranty letter (98mo1). I purchased the vehicle in May 98' and never recieved notice of the letter, although the "extended warranty" is transferable. I purchased the vehicle with 42,000 miles and started experiencing the symptoms of gasket failure at 52,000 miles. I have spent considerable time and money on diagnosing the problem, including two thermostat replacements, water pump, etc., to no avail. Had I been made aware of the gasket problem by Ford, I would have saved several hundred dollars and would not have to pay the $1,200 I will now need to have the faulty original gaskets replaced. Help!
Vehicle check engine light came on. Appointment made for dealer to look at problem. Appointment was scheduled for 11/10/99. On 11/9/99 vehicle overheated. Vehicle towed to dealer and dealer reports that head gasket is the problem, but that engine has seized, possibly requiring new engine. Ford says if problem had happened prior to 60,000 miles repairs would have been free because this is a known problem. Since problem occured after 60,000 miles, Ford will pay nothing.
When driving up the hill vehicle would hesitate. Contacted dealer and he replaced engine head gasket. While driving about 65mph vehicle hesitated and jerked again. Stopped, and used fuel injection fluid. Contacted dealer again, and replaced gasket.
- Adair, OH, USA
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1995 Ford Windstar 3.8 engine failure with head gasket. This failure destroyed engine, Ford has a major problem with the head gasket material, and they know this and have even posted a service bulletin 98M01. But if you over the 60,000 mile Ford won't do anything for you and lots of consumers are paying for this repair $4,000-5000. I investigated this with 12 shops and 6 tow truck drivers and and are being towed in for repairs. The dealer won't tell consumers about this problem or support them if they are over the 60,000 mile mark" my van had been in for general repair and not one person said anything to me ? please this problem is costing consumers so much money when Ford should be paying for these repairs. The material used for these head gaskets was bad. Ford knew this and we have to pay the repair bill. I talked to two owner of Ford dealers and they told me that Ford has known about this since 1995, and they want the to support their customers, but wont do anything for van over 60-70,00 miles. My van had 90,000 miles, and has been taken care of but right now I'm trying to find the money for this repair"
Several minor engine components (O2 sensors, coolant lines, computer, rough running engine, check engine light coming on & off) failed over a one year period followed by the head gasket failure. After it was repaired, about 100 miles later the engine failed. The oil pressure light came on, the van lost power and the speed started fluctuating. This was on a high speed, but no shoulder bridge, so slowing down could have caused an accident. Fortunately it didn't this time. The dealer recommended towing the van to the garage, and after review the engine was recommended to be replaced.
The valve gasket failed, leaking coolant out per the dealer, I had been getting check engine llight warnings for some time 1 year when on long trips, several mechanics had looked at the car and did not find any problem. Ford has recall 98-MO1 covering the valve gaskets, extending the warranty up to 50,000 or 5 years. I was not advised of any problem, and found out after being billed by the dealer for repairs totalling $2138.06 (among other problems). I feel that being left in ingnorance of any valve gasket problems certainly limited my ability to properly deal with a problem that may have been developing for some time. It never occurred to me that my car might have a valve gasket failure so early in it's life. Ford service advises me that after 50,000 I am on my own, even though they admit there has been a problem with these gaskets.
Coolant system problems since vehicle was purchased - sensors, radiator, head gasket. I thought I received a recall concerning head gasket in 1998 from Ford - when I went to the dealer I was told to come back when the head gasket failed. The dealer kept the letter that I received from Ford despite two attempts of having it returned. A year or so later the head gasket failed, and I was told by Ford that the head gasket was not covered by a recall, but was under a warranty extension. (I was not told this by the dealer in 1998) now the vehicle is past the alleged warranty extension, and Ford will not address my problem further. Apparently the radiator is poorly designed. It's cheaper for me to have it replaced under a third party warrenty than have it flushed only to clog again. I purchased the vehicle in October 1996 and have replaced the front tires in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Ford will not recognize there is an engine problem with the first year model of this vehicle. The Ford dealer said it would cost $1500 to have spark plug wires, oxygen sensor, thermostat, and head gaskets replaced.
This head gasket problem is something Ford Motor Co. Is aware of. It is even listed in the Oct. Issue of consumer reports. We should not be required to pay 1,000--2,000 for repairs for thier mistake.
While van was being driven to the dealership because of an overheating problem, van just shut off. Van was towed to the dealership. Dealer stated that engine head gasket was blown. Van has not been repaired.
Transmission going to fail soon; dealership failed to diagnose in 1997 under oem warranty. Head gasket blew, dealership repaired at no cost. Gasoline smells during and after driving.
My concern is primarily aimed at engine head gasket problem identified by Ford Motor Company for the 1995 Ford winstar. In March of 1999, my wife and two children were driving in the car when the head gasget blew! the ensuing repairs ran over $2,486. Believing that my warranty had expired I had a private mechanic fix the car. Upon realizing that Ford had manufactured a faulty part I requested a refund for my repair bills. Ford has refused to recognize my claim, indicating that my warranty had expired. I belive this unsafe situation was directly a result of Ford Motor Company and the faulty head gasket placed into my car by Ford. The other components had to be replaced as a direct result of the failing head gasket. I wish to be included in the growing number of consumers lodging complaints and concerns about this dangerous situation. Your assistance with dealing with Ford Motor Company would be appreciated, however I have little trust that they will fully acknowledge their responsibility in this matter. I would be happy to forward copies of my correspondance with Ford to your office if this might be of assistance. With sincere thanks for your interest and support in this matter, robert a. martinez.
In 7/99 a 'check engine light' came on after a long trip [boca raton, fl to charlotte, nc] an oxygen sensor was replaced by a Ford dealer[young Ford, 704-598-2599] in 10/99 the 'check engine light' came on again. Wallace Ford [delray beach, 561-278-0303]was informed of the previous sensor replacement, and replaced another sensor. No other indicating lights had come one at any time. On Nov. 14 the car was rough on startup, then ran okay. On Nov. 16 the car would not start. Wallace Ford has found a headgasket failure. Research on the internet has indicated over 200 of the same failures for this make & model year. I was informed that Ford had a 'program' for this if the mileage was under 60K. My understanding is a relatively easy check could have prevented this catastrophic failure that is estimated at $2100 to repair at this time. Neither dealer, when making the earlier repairs, that were likely caused by the leaking of the headgasket, mentioned the possibility of a headgasket failure for this make & model, although Ford is clearly aware of the problem. A graph attributed to NHTSA indicates the very high number of complaints for this problem. I expect to be contacting Ford at a number of levels to voice this complaint. Is there any investigation underway for this? I understand kron tv in san franscisco ran an investigative story on this problem this week.
Failure of forward clutch piston. Orginal was made of aluminum and was replaced with a steel piston. Work done by an independent transmission shop due to the dealer refusing to cover the costs. Also have had problems with head gaskets, electric harness, ignition wiring
This is the 2nd time I have had this problem. The 1st. Time was 1 year ago. My van was making a ticking or knocking sound. This was right after they replaced the head gasket which was recalled. I asked the Ford dealer who did the work if the sound could have anything to do with the recall. I was told no it had nothing to do with my problem. I was told I needed a new short block. I had bought a warranty from the person I bought the van from for $430 which was for $2500, I only had about $1900 left on it. I got an estimate of about $3500 to do the work from Ford. Icould not afford to pay that much money. I asked if they could fix the parts that were broken wiht the amount that was left on my warranty. That is what they did. Now it has happened again. This time it is the longb lock that I must replace I have been told. Why because I should have replaced the shortblock the first time. I could not see how the motor could have gone with such low milage on it. The first time it only had 37668 miles on it. It had 36914 miles on it when they replaced the headgasket recall on 09/08/98. I am just finding out now that this could have very well been a problem that was caused by the faulty headgasket. I believe that Ford dealer here in seaside, ca. Knew this at the time. I believe they did not tell me so they would not have to replace the engine without me paying for it. Since I could not afford to pay for it then, and cannot afford to pay for it now after this happened again only worse. My van broke down out of town I must try and get it towed over a 100 miles back to my city. I still do not have the van with me to this date. I have never had so many problems with a car in my life. I have never owned a car this new either. I got the van so I could drive my father around who is handycapped and is 86 years old. I have not been able to get him to doctors appointments nor my son to his activites for school. I would be most greatfull for any advice or help. Thank you.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hudson, WI, USA