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.
Whle driving, engine overheated and vehicle started smoking. Had to be towed. It was all caused by a busted head gasket. Dealer states engine needs to be replaced.
Head gasket was leaking, and engine failed making vehicle inoperable. Consumer took vehicle to dealer later then the time was allowed for vehicle to be looked at as a recall put out by manufacturer.
The head gasket failed at 125,000 destroying the engine and the transmission, consumer states it took six weeks to get a replacement engine rebuilt, consumer is requesting compensation since Ford has a known head gasket problem.
- Hartland, WI, USA
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Head gasket and timing cover gasket leaking is causing damage to main bearings leading to premature engine failure. Several Ford dealers have confirmed this as the cause and Ford is not accepting responsibility.
Consumer had driven less than a mile when he noticed the temperature gauge went all the way to high, vehicle was towed and consumer was informed that the head gasket had failed and a new rebuilt engine would be needed, consumer is aware of recall 98M01 and is requesting reimbursement.
Consumer stated that check engine light constantly illuminated, tech advisor determined it was the heated oxygen sensor which was replaced, however when pressing the accelrator, the engine hesitated, consumer received warranty extension on head gasket, the engine ultimately failed, and the head gasket was replaced under the extended warranty, however the hesitation problem improved but the engine did not respond as well before, the heistation became worse and it was determined that the engine had failed, but not due to the head gasket, consumer received a second opinon by an independent mechanic and was informed that water was detected in the #6 cylinder and determined that this caused the engine to fail, the mechanic attributed the root cause of problem to be a head gasket failure, however manufacturer is not honoring warranty stating that the gasket was replaced previously and that the dealership determined that the failed engine was not due to gasket failure, and also the independent mechanic was not an authorized Ford repair facility.
Head gaskets keep prematurely blowing out. Engine was replaced at least 4 times. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer stated this was a design flaw in engine. Please add VIN.
The head gaskets on my car failed. I knew there was an extended warranty on them, but you could not bring the car in until they failed which I thought was absurd in the first place. Well they failed two weekends ago and I brought my Windstar in and now they tell me the warranty expired a few months ago. I do not understand why this is under extended warranty instead of an outright recall. After perusing the web, I saw what a widespread, dangerous problem this is. Thank god, my husband was an experienced, level headed, driver. I've read some stories where the outcome was not positive. 1995 Ford Windstar should have a recall on their head gaskets. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I know you guys must be very busy indeed.
After experiencing engine overheating/loss of coolant, the engine head gasket was replaced under the terms of a Ford program in 1998. In March 2002, problems recurred with anti-freeze vapors filling the passenger compartment via the vent system. Ford dealer diagnosis indicated head gasket failure (again) and gasket was replaced. Within days of this repair, vapors returned and car was taken back to dealer. Current diagnosis is a ruptured heating coil, requiring replacement. Total charges for the two problems comes to about $1500.
First the head gasket leaked-dealer replaced on an open end recall, second the transmission went. Had that rebuilt with all updates included. Cost $1450 out of pocket. Third the seal arount the timing chain leaked. Had all the gaskets replaced to the out of pocket expense of $450. Fourth, on a family vacation we were driving down I79 South from erie pa and all of a sudden there was this clinking noise coming from the motor. We were fortunate enough to get off the interstate before the engine died completely. There were no engine warning lights on prior to the complete shut down. Had vehicle towed to nearest garage and found that we had thrown a rod. They are replacing the engine with a large block to the out of pocket cost of $3,000. When we called the manufacturer we were told that because we did not tow the vehicle to a Ford dealership they could not help us. The nearest dealership to us was 88 miles away from where we broke down. The van only had just under 57,000 miles on it. I cant believe that Ford won't help us.
After putting fuel in vehicle and start driving engine started to smoke. Parked vehicle. Contacted mechanic and vehicle was towed in. Mechanic indicated fuel was entering oil for motor, which was a problem. A new engine would be required.
While driving white smoke came from tail pipe. Vehicle taken to dealer, and was informed of a blown head gasket. Feel free to provide any further information.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ontario, WI, USA