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.
July of 1999 while on vacation in Pennsylvania the engine check light came on. A family friend recommended that we not worry about the problem unless the light stayed on. The light went off but then came back on a couple of times over the next few months. Finally in April of 2000 the light came on and stayed on. The Ford dealership informed us that the head gaskets were blown. The dealership told us that they would pay most of the $1400 repair bill but we still ended up with $600 on our part. We have contacted Ford twice about this failure at only 53,000 miles. We believe that we should be reimbursed our $600. We are shocked to see how many 1996 Windstar are having the same problems. We have asked Ford to tell us the number of gasket failures they have seen on the 1996's. they have refused to provide that information. Please help us. Thank you for your time and attention to this problem.
Repeated expensive repairs to turn off " engine" check light only temporairly successful. Loss of coolant for unknown reason. Engine now noticably "smoking".
Engine check light came on and we immediately took the vehicle for service. Found out it was head gasket problem. Contacted Ford after a week of not being able to get the needed parts for repair and was told my vehicle was not on recall list. Also found out that they are unwilling to help since vehicle not under warranty. Took 2 weeks in shop to get fixed and replacement parts were ordered outside of Ford dealership because they couldn't get the right part. It ended up costing $300 additional to original estimate.
Speedometer jumps erratically after 40 mph; engine check light comes on often, with various diagnoses that seem to only fix the problem for awhile; we have paid almost $1000 in repairs so far, none of it under warranty, per the dealer.
While traveling vehicle commenced to run rough and engine check light would come on. Vehecle taken to an independent repair shop. Consumer was informed of a blown head gasket. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not cover undered extended warranty.
While driving down the street anti-freeze had leaked out, and engine check light came on. Took vehicle to the local mechanic. Mechanic said it was a head gasket problem. Contacted dealer and manufacturer who were not able to help.
When filling vehicle with gasoline engine check light would come on. This happened twice last year. Owner's manual indicated that after three starts engine check light did not go off. Then brought vehicle to the dealer to be checked. Engine was running very rough. Contacted the dealer, advised consumer on 9-Mar-2000 that there was a problem with the head gasket.
The problem first occurred at 10-15-97. I took it in and the Ford dealor told me that everything checked out. The check engine light has come on 4 to 5 times since. Now that the dealor has identefied the problem they tell me it will be a $1200 fix. Of course now it is out of warranty.
While driving engine check light came on. Took to dealer & had wiring repaired. The dashboard lights went out. Problem had reoccurred. Was electrical short in wires.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Effingham, IL, USA