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.
I have maintained my 1998 Ford Windstar very well - having all recommended maintenace performed. It has only 80,000 miles on it and the head gasket now has a leak. Coolant has leaked into the #4 cylinder. The dealer wants $3500-4500 to put a new engine in it. The head gasket leaking is a known problem with Windstar. Ford has has a program for earlier models to replace the engine. But Ford has yet to apply the program to the 1998 models. I expect a Ford vehicle to get at least 180,000 miles when the owner has all recommended maintenance completed. I want Ford to pay for a new engine! I was to put another 100,000 miles on that van.
When shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, the van would vibrate. The dealership stated they replaced the motor mounts, however the condition still persists. The motor mounts were replaced again due to the same problem of unknown vibration. Nlm the passenger side front tire wore out. The tie rod ends were replaced.
White smoke coming from the exhaust and the engine was missing due to blown head gaskets. Dealer contacted. Also found blown intake manifold gasket. Transmission replaced at 45,000 miles.
Head gasket failure/replacement - Ford has had ongoing problems with the head gaskets on the 3.8 engines. Ford informed me that they do have "programs" for this problem on earlier models but have not extended them to cover the 98 models. While my Windstar is a 98 model it was built in January of 1997.
Brake hose leak caused a sudden total loss of breaking power. Amazingly, there was no accident. The gasket failure was attended to at the first hint of a problem, since I had the same problem on my Ford Taurus one month prior.
While driving, the engine fell out to the ground. Dealer said someone removed the engine bolts. There were no existing bolts. (engine support held in place by friction on the threads until final failure)
# 4 cylinder was checked by Ford dealer as defect, but it was headgasket paid $300 for computer check wrong information, car kept stalling before and after installation due to head gasket failure while making turns or sudden stops.
The 1998 Ford Windstar 3.8L V-6 engine's head gasket leaked on our Windstar and the coolant contaminated the engine oil, which created engine failure due to excess bearing wear. In the last 2,000 miles we lost approximately 2 quarts of coolant. Ford says it does not have a recall for the 3.8L head gasket problem and will not compensate us for the costs of installing a new fqr 3.8L engine. The new fqr engine only has a 24 month/24,000 mile warranty, which may fail again after the 2year/24,000 mile and the customer is taken advantage of again! Ford is aware of the 3.8L engine head gasket problem and has had the problem since 1988 model year. Ford has issued two onps (owner notification program) 98M01 which extended the warranty for 5years/60,000 through 1995 model years, and the 00M09 which extended the 98M01 warranty to 7years/100,000. I have checked the NHTSA complaint database and found they are still having problems with the 3.8L head gaskets through the 1999 Windstar, mustangs, Sable, Taurus, Lincoln continentals, and Cougar. Many of these vehicles are having the problem as early 18,000 to 36,000 miles but the bulk are having the problems in excess of 3years/36,000 and the customer is stuck with a huge repair bill, of $4,000 to $6,000 dollars. Ford claims they corrected the problem after the 1995 model year with new head gaskets even though it is obvious the problem has not been corrected. Ford has sold and still may be selling a product that is defective that could lead to creating accidents with multiple fatalities. Ford has admitted to the fact that the 3.8L head gaskets should not fail before 7 years/100,000 miles for vehicles manufactured through 1995 with the 00M09 owner notification program. Ford is still having a problem with the 3.8L head gaskets failing through the 1999 model year! why aren't they taking care of these problems. Why hasn't the government (NHTSA) investigated this and permit Ford to take advantage of the consumer?
The 1998 Ford Windstar 3.8L V-6 engine's head gasket leaked on our Windstar and the coolant contaminated the engine oil, which created engine failure due to excess bearing wear. In the last 2,000 miles we lost approximately 2 quarts of coolant. Ford says it does not have a recall for the 3.8L head gasket problem and will not compensate us for the costs of installing a new fqr 3.8L engine. The new fqr engine only has a 24 month/24,000 mile warranty, which may fail again after the 2year/24,000 mile and the customer is taken advantage of again! Ford is aware of the 3.8L engine head gasket problem and has had the problem since 1988 model year. Ford has issued two onps (owner notification program) 98M01 which extended the warranty for 5years/60,000 through 1995 model years, and the 00M09 which extended the 98M01 warranty to 7years/100,000. I have checked the NHTSA complaint database and found they are still having problems with the 3.8L head gaskets through the 1999 Windstar, mustangs, Sable, Taurus, Lincoln continentals, and Cougar. Many of these vehicles are having the problem as early 18,000 to 36,000 miles but the bulk are having the problems in excess of 3years/36,000 and the customer is stuck with a huge repair bill, of $4,000 to $6,000 dollars. Ford claims they corrected the problem after the 1995 model year with new head gaskets even though it is obvious the problem has not been corrected. Ford has sold and still may be selling a product that is defective that could lead to creating accidents with multiple fatalities. Ford has admitted to the fact that the 3.8L head gaskets should not fail before 7 years/100,000 miles for vehicles manufactured through 1995 with the 00M09 owner notification program. Ford is still having a problem with the 3.8L head gaskets failing through the 1999 model year! why aren't they taking care of these problems. Why hasn't the government (NHTSA) investigated this and permit Ford to take advantage of the consumer?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Capitol Heights, MD, USA