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.
1995 Ford Windstar LX has had reported symptoms of head gaskets leaking since 90483 miles. Car repaired by several mechanics in as many times and never told about this problem. Head gaskets leaked causing water to leak into oil inside of engine and causing a rod to throw through the block of the engine. Engine is unusable now due to this defect by Ford when installing head gaskets.
Contacted manufacturer who stated that the extended warranty ended in 7 years. My vehicle's head gaskets failed 7 years, 9 months. Coolant leaked into the engine causing major damage. No warning such as check engine light went on until after failure. Nkm
Add another member to the Ford Windstar club with failed head gaskets. Because we purchased our vehicle in November of 1994, we missed being covered by the extended warranty by three months, even though our vehicle had only 62,439 miles at the time of the head gasket failure. Ford says there is nothing they can do. I'm preparing a small claims suit where I will ask for an exception to the extended warranty requirements, and reimbursement in full for the cost of repairs. Nlm
Head gasket failure was recall item, but not covered in our situation because we are low-mileage drivers. Recall warranty was under 100,000 miles or less than 7 years, which ever came first. Our car was 7 years and 6 weeks old. Failure at 62,000 miles was within average for head gasket failures, but not covered because we didn't reach this mileage until 6 weeks after warranty. Warranty shouldn't have time limitation if within mileage limits.
- Carlsbad, CA, USA
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Head gasket failure was recall item, but not covered in our situation because we are low-mileage drivers. Recall warranty was under 100,000 miles or less than 7 years, which ever came first. Our car was 7 years and 6 weeks old. Failure at 62,000 miles was within average for head gasket failures, but not covered because we didn't reach this mileage until 6 weeks after warranty. Warranty shouldn't have time limitation if within mileage limits.
Vehicle would intermittently smoke. It would overheat and empty fluid from radiator. Guages never showed that vehicle was overheating. Also, driver could smell anti-freeze whenever vehicle would start to overheat. This was all due to faulty head gaskets.
The cylinder head gasket failed. The dealer tells me the engine needs to be replaced. Ford sent out a letter to owners of these vehicles for this failure. Extending the warrany to 7 year or 70000 miles. My van went outside of the 7 years 12/04/02. From the research I have done every one of these engines are failing. I asked Ford for help since the vehicle has low mileage. They said no. I think since every one of these engines fail they should repair it at no cost to the consumer. 57000 miles is not very many miles on a vehicle. Please help. What is the criteria for a recall?? thank you in advance for any help. John mcdermott.
Head gasket is shot, dealer says warranty ran out 5 months ago, says there is no recall on the head gaskets and that they won't replace it. Contacted Ford and was told the same thing. We have been told there is a recall on the head gaskets in the Windstar and that the warranty was extended but we can't get anywhere with the dealorship or with Ford customer service.
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.
A leak around the head gaskets. Dealer serviced vehicle. Shortly after vehicle was serviced gaskets started to leak again. Dealer inspected vehicle, and determined that engine need to be replaced. Please provide additional information.
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.
I have had numerous problems with my 1995 Windstar. The transmission failed in 10/99 and I had to replace the entire transmission. I have had many problems with the computer/electrical system with sensors and fuses going out. My timing gasket cover cracked and coolant was leaking (10/01). I had to have that replaced along with the water pump, etc. Now, my engine has either a bearing or has thrown a rod and I have been told I need to have my engine replaced at a cost of $3500. There have been many more problems (struts, engine mounts, etc....). I have spent over $6000 (not including regular maintenance costs --oil changes, brakes, tires, tune ups, etc). I have had to spend much $$$ on car rentals while my car was being repaired. Now I'm faced with a huge new problem--the engine.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hamilton, OH, USA