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.
Main engine bearing failed at 96,000 miles and took the transmission along with it. Total cost was $12,000. Since it was under warranty; customer paid only the deductible expense. Only the engine block was replaced. Other parts; head gasket, spark plugs etc were not. Which eventually lead to the following failure: The engine again blew a head gasket at 40,000 miles. Leaking anti-freeze, no heat, window defroster failed to work properly, could have caused a fatal crash etc. Customer finally had to junk 1995 Ford Windstar. No satisfaction from dealer's service department.
1995 Ford Windstar-engine overheated due to defective head gasket failure. Cylinder heads resurfaced, new head gaskets, replaced damaged connecting rod bearings and O2 sensors. Total cost $2454.
In January 2001 I took my 1995 Ford Windstar in for the recall on head gaskets. Until then we had had no problems with the van. They informed me that they could not fix the engine & would have to replace the engine. That was all fine & good. Now in August 2003 with less then 39,000 on the new engine, the head gasket has again gone out. We took the van to the dearlership that installed the engine & they told us the problem, admitted it should not have done this again & gave us Ford's consumer number to call for repair. Well when we called, to our disbelief, we were told tough it is now our problem. We are looking at all other options. Because this is not acceptable since this is a manufactor problem.
Head gasket failure. Head gasket was originally replaced in April 2000. 16 days later the engine failed. Engine was replaced by Ford. Current engine has 55,000 miles -- and head gasket failed again.
The Windstar has had a transmission rebuilt. The engine and head gaskets replaced. Now the head gasket has gone again. This vehicle has been maintained and should have lasted another 100, 000 miles. I know I am not the only one with these continuing problems. 1995 Windstar are all lemons and the government and Ford have done nothing to resolve this.
9/12/02 head gasket failed on 1995 Windstar 3.8L engine. Vehicle taken to North larsen Ford in emporia, ks for repair. Left head gasket replaced and test drove on 9/16/02. Technician found oil leaking at left head gasket and subsequently removed head and replaced gasket a second time. Vehicle was ready and released to my spouse 4:00 pm, 9/19/02 with understanding that it was serviced and ready. Ford decliined to cover failure under extended warranty for head gasket failures due to vehicle original purchased in 1994 and warranty limited to 7 years or 100,000 miles. Repair costs were billed to me at $1491.73 and paid on release. Spouse left emporia, ks with vehicle at 6:00 pm 9/19/02 and drove to 550 miles to denver, co. Seven miles North of golden, co on I-70, vehicle overheated without warning and engine started to clatter. Hiway patrol stopped to assist and when engine oil was checked no oil level was registered on dip stick, metal fragments were present and crankcase was smoking. Hiway patrol took spouse to buy oil at which time 4 quarts were added to obtain proper fill level. Vehicle then driven to stevinson's Ford in golden, co. Stevinson's Ford service dept. Inspected vehicle and found rod bearing failure. Service dept. Estimated $2,500-3,500 for repair. My family (spouse and 5 children) were enroute to our new residence in richland, wa and stranded without transportation. Service manager determined failure was due to loss of oil and identified probable cause as improper fill or leakage following service/repair. Circumstances forced purchase of new vehicle with 1995 Windstar as trade-in. Dealer allowed $4,000 for trade. Purchase price for 1995 Windstar was $7,500 on 3/1/02 resulting in a loss of $3,500 as a result of engine failure. $3,500 plus $1491.73 for initial repairs left me with a net loss of $4,991.73 due to head gasket failure and improper service. Ford dealership has declined to warrant repair or compensate me for loss.
Recall notice: Received one May 2000 for 95 Ford Windstar. It says there is a defect in their 3.8L engine with the head gaskets. I am now having that problem but they will not repair it because they say it expired Feb 2002. The cost is $1000-$2000. The car is not drivable at this time. Since Ford is well aware of the defect and sent me the recall notice they should have fixed the defect right away instead of me having to go with out a van and rent a car and pay for the repairs myself. Thank you, [xxx] dt information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
This vehicle has a very questionable reliability. Premature engine and transmission failures. Ford should do something to compensate car owners for their lack of quality control.
I have had a recall on the gas tank. The brake line, the sliding door, the springs on this vehicle. Now Ford is telling me they didn't recall this engine just extended the warranty to 100,000 miles/7 years which ever comes first and of course I missed this by 6 months. I've called and I was told it will be over $1500 to repair the vehicle but that there is an flaw within the engine that could occur again. My wife was stuck at a rest stop with our 7 month old until I could pcik her up. She was on the way down to mineapolis/St. Paul for a visit and of course didn't make. It.
This vehicle was purchased at an auction in detriot. The previous owner purchased the vehicle from brighton Ford Motor Company. Before we purchased their vehicle, a engine was installed by the previous owner and the flywheel was replaced twice also. After we purchased the vehicle in January of 2001, we had it in for repair for the flywheel. At that time it was under warranty. It was repaired by metro Ford of lansing. Again on Jan 23, it was service again for the flywheel still under warranty. On Sept 11, 2001, the vehicle was again service not under warranty this time costing us $1362 in repairs. The last two times the flywheel was repaired was on Aug. & Oct. Of 2002. Even while driving this vehicle poses a danger to me and my children. It switches gears while I am driving and sounds like the engine itself is coming apart, all while driving. The engine light is on and the overdrive light is flashing constant. I do not know how long the vehicle is going to last, I can tell it is dying again. Please provide any help as soon as possible. Thank you, [xxx]. dt information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Check engine light came on. Took to dealer next day. They said it was a failed head gasket. I went on internet and discovered there had been two general recall programs for this problem one in May 1998 and one in Feb. 2000. I received no notification of these but Ford said it would not have made any difference bacause they were not required to fix it unless it had failed. I bought the car new in 1995. The problem occurred at 60,000 miles and three months past seven years. Ford said ntsb had required the warranty period to be extended two times and if they received information that it was a continually recurring problem, the period might be extended again. I believe Ford should be accountable to fix this problem free of charge since I am the original owner of the car and the problem happened at only 60,000 miles, regardless of the time period owned. They have obviously been aware of the problem since at least 1998 and should be liable for fixing it for all original owners, regardless of mileage and time owned. It is unfair to allow a limitation on this problem for original owners. I ask that ntsb require Ford to extend the time period indefinitely on this problem for all original owners.
My 1995 Windstar has experienced the infamous head failure gasket at a young life of 7 years and 1 month and less that 80,000 miles. My local Ford dealership ( bowen scarff-kent wa) recommended engine replacement based on their vast experience with this failure. Ford as extended the warrany twice for this failure, but in my case I was one month outside the 7 year window. I have call various Ford agencies and written multiple letters and have gotten no satisfaction for my request that Ford pays the bill. Appreciate any help you can make in behalf. Thank you- bill benshoof
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Se, PA, USA