Head gaskets failing again after ford replaced origionals
1995 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 33 of 55: complaints 941 to 970 of 1,613, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmission failed first making van dangerous to drive on the freeway. Engine failed shortly after having transmission rebuilt by ford dealer. Engine warning light reported to dealer several times before warranty mileage expired, but ford never warned us
Know windstar problem. My research seems to find this is common on 95 windstar at 57k to 75k but ford only paying up to 60k. I am 500 miles over and no help from ford!
No summary
In the time from july 1999 to december 1, 1999 the following components have completely failed: automatic transmission, head gasket, timing chain cover gasket, valve cover gasket. The cost has now run over $5,000 and ford will not admit one ounce of responsibility despite having previous secret warranties on exactly these components on exactly this engine and transmission.
Though beyond ford's 60k mile extension, teh service attendant told me that the cracked head casuing the rough ride and coolant leak could have happened many weeks if not months before it got so bad that my wife noticed a problem. The vehicle may have been much closer to the 60,000 mile mark when the damage occurred, though we didn't get it to the shop unitl 70,000. Though no one was injured, the potential for injury was great, I think. If my wife hadn't noticed the coolant level indicator, a much more terrible problem could have happened, not to mention the danger of this problem causing my wife and two young daughters to be stranded along a highway many miles from home at the time.
Within three days of my purchase of my 1995 windstar in feb. Of 1998 timing case blew at 35,500. At 51,440 head gasket blew. Dealer told us under warranty 5yr and or 60,000 miles .dealer called to tell us warranty expired. 8-99 1995windstar was put in
Engine head gasket failed. Yh
Head gasket failure not covered by manufacturer due to mileage over 60000. Problem existed prior to the notice of the failure due to same symptoms in excess of 30000 miles. Ford expects $2400 to fix the problem. Over 156 complaints on same component listed in complaints section of the federal safety agency.
Blown head gasket missed owner notification warranty by 68 days. Engine damaged, total cost $3,975.06. Ford would not help with repair cost.
The head gasket failed causing damage to the engine, ford issued an extended warranty to cover the defective head gaskets, however the consumer was denied repair due to the mileage being over 60000.
1995 windstar has defective head gaskets in the 3.8l engine, premature failure admitted by ford, this should have been recalled by ford and repaired, but ford is putting the repair cost on the consumer.
The automatic transmission began to fail in oct 1998. Shifting to overdrive would not occur or would shift back and forth causing a bucking motion. After first trip to the dealership the filter and fluid were changed. The the condition worsened until the transmission would not shift into 3rd gear at all. This was then repaired but still does not shift properly all the time. The head gasket needs to be replaced now at 84,000 miles. I have seen these common problems on websites and thought I should report as they are the same type that seem to re-occur on this model.
Ford extended the warranty for head gaskets to 60000 miles or 12/98, whichever came first. My windstar's head gasket failed today (11/30/99) with 58500 miles on it. Please consider forcing a recall on this defect.
This motor has a history of defective head gaskets with no coverage from mfger after 60,000 miles. This is definitely a design problem.
Premature head gasket failure due to defective head gasket. Also caused internal engine damage which required engine rebuild at a total cost of $2,441.00
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
Ford refused to pay for repair since van 2 months over warranty period. No safety defect mentioned in summary.
Ford needs to do a complete recall of all 1995 ford windstar head gaskets. This head gasket failure put me and my family including 2 small children in grave danger. The evidence is overwhelming. Ford needs to stand behind their product and be responsive to customer complaints. There are literally thousands of frustrated 1995 windstar owners nationwide. Can't something be done to make ford accountable?
Head gasket failure on 95' ford windstar. I have received several reports of the same problem from thousands of windstar owners. However, ford will not issue a recall. Instead, an extended warranty has been issued. The verbage states 5 years or 60,000 miles. It does not say "and" or "whichever comes first" in a recent poll on an internet site, 67 percent of all gasket failures on the 95' occured between 60 and 70 thousand miles.my vehicle hadhead gasket failure, followed by an overheating problem, happened while my wife was on a busy highway with our two small children. They were stranded for several minutes under terrible weather conditions. Ford refuses to pay for repairs, as has been the problem with thousands of owners. Ford acknowledges the problem in their issued warranty letter (98mo1). I purchased the vehicle in may 98' and never recieved notice of the letter, although the "extended warranty" is transferable. I purchased the vehicle with 42,000 miles and started experiencing the symptoms of gasket failure at 52,000 miles. I have spent considerable time and money on diagnosing the problem, including two thermostat replacements, water pump, etc., to no avail. Had I been made aware of the gasket problem by ford, I would have saved several hundred dollars and would not have to pay the $1,200 I will now need to have the faulty original gaskets replaced. Help!
When driving up the hill vehicle would hesitate. Contacted dealer and he replaced engine head gasket. While driving about 65mph vehicle hesitated and jerked again. Stopped, and used fuel injection fluid. Contacted dealer again, and replaced gasket.
Vehicle check engine light came on. Appointment made for dealer to look at problem. Appointment was scheduled for 11/10/99. On 11/9/99 vehicle overheated. Vehicle towed to dealer and dealer reports that head gasket is the problem, but that engine has seized, possibly requiring new engine. Ford says if problem had happened prior to 60,000 miles repairs would have been free because this is a known problem. Since problem occured after 60,000 miles, ford will pay nothing.
April 1999, vehicle was taken to bob tomes ford in mckinney since the engine was smoking. The head gasket was replaced at a cost of $1001. A letter from ford indicating possible failure of the head gasket had been received 1 year earlier, but the dealer indicated that the gasket did not need replaced. When it did fail, we were past the 60,000 miles indicated by ford as covered under warranty. Since there was still smoke coming from the vehicle, it was taken back to the dealer (bob tomes). They indicated that the transmission needed replaced. Since they had initially said that the smoking was due to the head gasket, we sought a second opinion at a local transmission shop (economy transmissions of mckinney). They replaced the transmission at a cost of $1353 (05/07/99). Approximately 1.5 months later, the torque converter in the transmission failed. Then approximately 1 month later, the torque converter failed again and had to be replaced. Since then, I've noticed these same two problems listed on several web bulletin boards associated with the 1995 ford windstar minivan. In fact, 2 class action lawsuits are being prepared to bring against ford at this time. I will probably submit my name to those lawyers. (see www.cartrackers.com/forums under lemons or minivans). Obviously, this site has over 2,000 complaints listed for this particular vehicle. In comparison, my 1992 toyota celica has just over 50 complaints listed. It would seem like ford has known about these 2 problems for a long time and has continued to ignore the complaints. Many people who have contacted their customer service personnel have been very disappointed at the lack of cooperation received. I will register a complaint with them, although I sincerely doubt that it will be of much value. This is a case where our government could be of extreme value to the consumer. Please do what's right and necessary. Thank-you.
1995 ford windstar 3.8 engine failure with head gasket. This failure destroyed engine, ford has a major problem with the head gasket material, and they know this and have even posted a service bulletin 98m01. But if you over the 60,000 mile ford won't do anything for you and lots of consumers are paying for this repair $4,000-5000. I investigated this with 12 shops and 6 tow truck drivers and and are being towed in for repairs. The dealer won't tell consumers about this problem or support them if they are over the 60,000 mile mark? My van had been in for general repair and not one person said anything to me ? Please this problem is costing consumers so much money when ford should be paying for these repairs. The material used for these head gaskets was bad. Ford knew this and we have to pay the repair bill. I talked to two owner of ford dealers and they told me that ford has known about this since 1995, and they want the to support their customers, but wont do anything for van over 60-70,00 miles. My van had 90,000 miles, and has been taken care of but right now I'm trying to find the money for this repair?
Transmission: needs to be replaced at 64527 miles, headgaskets were replaced at 48000 miles and need to be replaced again at 64527 miles.
Recall repair denied for (98m01), head gasket failure, vehicle out of scope due to mileage. Mjs
Engine head gaskets are leaking oil onto the engine block. Dealer has inspected the vehicle, and manufacturer has been notified.
While van was being driven to the dealership because of an overheating problem, van just shut off. Van was towed to the dealership. Dealer stated that engine head gasket was blown. Van has not been repaired. Please provide any further information.
The head gasket is leaking oil & anti-freeze onto the engine causing failure.
Several minor engine components (o2 sensors, coolant lines, computer, rough running engine, check engine light coming on & off) failed over a one year period followed by the head gasket failure. After it was repaired, about 100 miles later the engine failed. The oil pressure light came on, the van lost power and the speed started fluctuating. This was on a high speed, but no shoulder bridge, so slowing down could have caused an accident. Fortunately it didn't this time. The dealer recommended towing the van to the garage, and after review the engine was recommended to be replaced.
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