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.
Problems with minivan stalling, loss of coolant in vehicle. The consumer had also experienced problems with the intake gasket leaking a lot of oil, the engine pump needed replacing, which resulted in a whole new engine being installed.
This incident started when I had noticed a small amount of radiator fluid on the garage floor, and a slight smell of radiator fluid when I ran the heater. In addition, the check engine light had come on again in November 2002. I took the van to the apple valley Ford dealer and after diagnosing it, I was told the number 4 spark plug is stuck and the gasket needs to be replaced on the timing cover on the engine (this was the source of the radiator fluid leak). The dealers professional opinion was the head gasket is also bad, the head for the #4 plug would need replacing, and combined with the need to replace the timing cover gasket, they recommended a complete engine replacement at $4,400. I declined and took the van to another local mechanic, who unfortunately confirmed the diagnosis and indicated there were known problems and technical service bulletins for engine gasket replacements with Ford Windstar 3.8 liter V6 engines in 1995. They also indicated they had started seeing this same problem turning up in 1996 models. They also quoted a similar number & recommended using a jasper engine instead of the Ford engine as the warranty is 75,000 miles. I also declined and the van is now sitting parked in my driveway while I continue to make car payments on a vehicle I can??T drive for fear of engine failure. 8nlm
Head gasket failure. A common defect in Ford Windstar, they were covered in the previous model years, but not the '96 model. Ford, so far, will not cover this. Also speedometer "jumps" around above 45 mph. This too, is common in this and prior model Windstar. Repairs are usually $500 and is a safety concern as driver does not know how fast they are traveling.
- Wernersville, PA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
ABS and check engine light constant, replaced O2 sensor, replaced ABS brakes, transmission problems causing vehicle to jerk and not change gears when running or parked, coolant leaking and door sensors are bad. All document known issues on. www.carsurvey.org/modelyear_ford_windstar_1996.html - something needs to be done about this. This has gone on far to long and is putting peoples life at stake. I have children in my van and all of these are big issues that need to be address immediately.
The head gasket on my 1996 for Windstar has failed at around 93,000 miles. I have gone to many websites with hundreds of people complaining about the same problem. This same engine, in the 1995 Windstar(even though Ford said that they corrected the problem) was recalled for the same problem. I can see that if this were a rare case of gasket failure, it would not matter very much, but seeing that hundreds of people are having the same problem bothers me. Ford should be responsible and fix this problem. I do not know how a recall gets started, but would like to get this one done. Thank you
I would like to file a complaint regarding my 1996 Ford Windstar. I have just learned the head gasket on my vehicle has blown out with just 70K miles on it. I know Ford recalled 1995 models and after some research of my own, have learned that there are just as many 96's with the same problem and Ford refuses to do anything with that model year.
Problem with 1996 Ford Windstar 3.8L engine 45,000 mi. W/ defective head gasket. Ford extended the warranty on 94-95 models but won't cover 96 models. This is a known problem w/ all the 3.8L engines and Ford should be held responsible for manufacturing and selling a defective product. A recall should be done on this product.
Had oil changed at grayling Ford on September 25. As soon as I pulled in, technician remarked he smelled anti-freeze burning. He checked coolant overflow tank and found it empty. One gallon of coolant was added at that time. He stated I should have my head gaskets checked because that would be the only cause of loss of coolant if I hadn't noticed any leakage, which I haven't. the van has been running good. There has been no indication of any problem, I.e. no check engine light has come on, no overheating. I am concerned that once repair is done on September 26, mechanics will find engine damage leading to a more costly repair. I still make payments and the estimated cost for just the head gasket repair is over $1,000. Engine replacement or other repairs are not included in this estimate. Because my 96 Windstar has the same engine components as those recalled for model years 94-95, I believe Ford should take the same action and recall/reimburse owners of the 96 model who have had the same experience. I have owned nothing but Ford vehicles for the past 25 years and feel my satisfaction should be important to Ford Motor Company. I look forward to reimbursement of this repair when a recall is issued and that can't be soon enough. This is the second defect I have experienced with my van. The first was a broken front coil spring. Ford should take the same action with the 96 Windstar head gasket problem as it did with the coil spring problem: Rectify it with its loyal customers. This may be the last Ford I buy. I am afraid to take it out on the highway again. One footnote: I am a newspaper reporter and may write about this experience as I did with the coil spring. Thank you for this opportunity. Please make Ford do the right thing. Nlm
Was having a slow loss of coolant with no visible leakage. Now have a damaged timing cover/gasket ($1,200 repair estimate from a Ford dealer) probably due to engine overheating. Nlm
Vehicle is losing coolant and running rough when first started. A quart is added every 800 miles to vehicle. No lights illuminate on dashboard. Coolant smell is coming through exhaust. Dealer was not notified.
The checke engine light keeps coming on. Noticed a small puddle on garage floor beneath vehicle. Took vehicle to dealer. Mechanic dropped oil pan. The bearings had turned to copper, this caused the engine to leak antifreeze. Nlm
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Uniontown, PA, USA