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.
This complaint consist of four failures that are engine related: (1) head gasket failed while being driven, and leaked fluid onto hot engine. (2) timing gasket failed along with gasket failing. (3) intake manifold runners failed, and the check engine light came on. The van is undrivable. (4) faulty main engine bearings.
Head gasket failed, leaking coolant into cylinder, fouling spark plugs and oxygen sensors. Problem has been ongoing since vehicle had 95,000 miles. Dealer was notified.
Engine check light came on. Rough idle. Tune-up performed. Oxygen sensor replaced. Engine check light is now off. Two days later, engine check light is back on and rough idle returns. Replaced oxygen sensor and plug wires. Next day, driving car and temperature gauge falls almost all the way to cold side. Heater blowing out just a little warm. Pressure tested engine. Leakage in a cylinder. Upon teardiown, head gasket has failed leaking coolant into engine.
We bought this van 07/25/00, since then it has had head gasket replacement, and two engines, 0-2 sensors, heater plug, now the PCM, we have only driven our van for @ 6 months, all repairs have been done at dealership, today is 11/24/01. And our van is at the dealership as I submit this. I have copy of all records. Thank you, [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Basin, WY, USA
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Head gaskets had to be replace, engine light came on and started to blink. Taken into mechanic who said that the head gaskets had to be replace along with a few oxygen sensors. Is going to cost approx. $1,800. Ford told us that the 96's were not covered under the extended warranty, even though these probably still have the same bad parts.
Please, we are parents whit 3 kids, is very hard for us to pay this extra money for this defect vehicle, to this moment we changed:transmission -twice 02sensor (transmission)-catylitic converter left/raight-coil ignition system, we get this car whit 48.000mi. On 1998.for my all family and the good name of the Ford deller tanks for yuo help.
I was informed by crissman Lincoln/ Mercury that my head gaskets are leaking on my Windstar. This is a frequent enough problem that they informed me that if I payed the first $500 that Ford would pay for the rest of the repair. Previous to getting this informatio I had to replace all four oxygen sensors and part of the catalytic converter. I have now been told that these became defective as a result of the engine coolant leaking into the engine. In addition to this at only 49000 the front coil spring broke while parked in the driveway. Ford has no springs in stock and there are no aftermarket parts being made yet. Are these springs defective?
We took our Windstar in at the first initial failure(12-2-97). The engine check light had come on, so we took it to the Ford garage closest to our residence. We were told at that time that there was nothing wrong, and that should the engine check light come back on that it should reset itself in a few days.... not to worry. This happened 6-7 times afterward with the light always going off after 3 cold starts. But when we would take a long trip. It would start all over. In Oct. Of this year (1999) the light came and and did not go off. When we took it to the dealer where we bought it, they said it needed a tune-up. ($217) we took it home and the next day we took it back because the light came back on. The dealer said it needed a new 02 sensor (approx. $100) the next day the light came on again. We took it back. The dealer said it was the computer, which they replaced at no cost. Light came back on. Took it back. Said the alternator was magnatized. New alternator didn't help. Finally the told us that it possibly could be the engine head gasket. Their estimate is $1200 which we cant afford. There was a recall for the 1995 Windstar for the same exact problem. But because my Windstar is a 1996 Ford is un-willing to help. My Windstar was manufactured in Jan of 1996. So I am sure that that engine has the same defect of the 1995 engine. I want to stress how fustrated I am with Ford Motor Company in their stance on this matter. They really don't care how safe the vehicle is.
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- Marietta, GA, USA