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.
We have just experienced the same problems that many owners of 95 Windstar complain about - blown head gaskets and transmission problems. We currently have our van in the shop and will be paying about $5,000 in repairs for both problems. Ford brushed us off since our car is over the 60,000 mile point.
Car will not crank due to blown head gasket. Ford has recognized problems with head gaskets on 1995 3.8L engines but state they will not cover this failure since the car has over 60,000 miles. $1000 repair bill is totally unacceptable for a known defect in Ford's product. Both dealer service department and Ford customer assistance state my vehicle is not covered by the campaign Ford had concerning their head gasket problem.
While driving vehicle engine overheated and vapors from the coolant came into the passenger compartment. Also, vehicle's engine started stuttering. This was due to blown engine head gasket. Dealer has vehicle now.
On Friday evening, October 29, 1999 my 1995 Ford Windstar blew it's 3.8 liter V-6 engine head gasket. As I drove the car it began to emit clouds of steam from the exhaust system that had a very heavy chemical vapor smell. This was accompanied by my engine vibrating and running very roughly. Upon checking under the hood I noticed that the coolant overflow container was dry. I checked my oil and found that it had antifreeze in it. These are the classic symptoms of a blown engine head gasket.
- Mitchellville, MD, USA
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I understand that a very high % of these engines have a head gasket failure. The Ford company has made a replacement gasket to correct the problem. This repair was not covered on my vehicle (I paid for the repair) but a friend of mine had the same repair done this past April with 52000 miles on and Ford covered his repair under a recall letter. With the magnitude of this problem, Ford should cover all cost.
Our engine began overheating during the last week on Dec. '98. Due to the holidays, we were unable to get it into our personal mechanic until 1/9/99, at which time he diagnosed the cause as head gasket failure. We contacted our local dealer, who said
While driving around town. Heard a funny sound, restarted vehicle and the temperature gauge went high. Towed to dealer, and dealer determined that head gasket blew out and needed to have the engine flushed. Contacted dealer, and replaced head gasket. Oil light was coming on. Dealer said that vehicle will continue to have problems. Stepped on gas pedal and vehicle would hesitate when stopping, then shut off.
Driving car to make a left turn when check engine lite comes on. Vehicle starts rough idle and wife notices white smoke fuming out of exhaust pipe. Knowing that 95 Windstar 3.8L has a reputation for blown head gaskets suspected that was what occured. Compleated turn and got car safetly off the roadway, called for tow to nearest Ford dealer. Diagnosis, blown head gasket, causing hydro-lock during diagnostic test. Solution. Replace engine with longblock due to coolant damage to crankshaft and cylinders and block. No warning and this car has been professionally maintained. Oil and coolant were checked the day before and were at proper levels. Coolant changed 07/99. Solution engine replaced at owners expense. No properly maintained car should have this kind of failure, especially during first 100,000 miles. Am pursuing this with Ford customer service hot-line with little sucess. Any suggestions?
Head gasket failed. Had tried to get problem looked at during warranty period, was informed by dealer that repair would not be made until part failed. Warranty would not cover repair, when failure occured.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Burien, WA, USA