This vehicle has had more than it's share of problems. The head gasket was brought in for a recall and it still malfunctioned.
1995 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 4 of 55: complaints 71 to 100 of 1,613, newest first, as owners wrote them.
In june '99 took van in as per owner notification to have head gasket checked. Dealership found nothing. In nov '99 head gasket failed. Ford would not do anything. In dec '99 sent letter to tx state atty general consumer division with lists of complaints found on this web site. In feb '00, ford moved warranty up to 100,000 miles and got refund. In may '00 engine failed. In aug '00 ford replaced engine with another 3.8 l. In sept '00 transmission started failing (but noticed problem since day purchased. Dealership states problem in all windstars, tauruses, and sables. In feb '03, replaced transmission. In nov '03 head gasket fails again in new motor close to 60,000 miles on this motor. Ford will do nothing. Seek help through your state atty general consumers affairs office, send copy of letter to ford, your local bbb, detroit bbb, and consumer reports. Also, my engine cuts off when taking off after stopped with wheels turned sharply left or right.
Just like everyone else, my 1995 ford windstar blew the head gasket. The car only had 56,200 miles on it. Why isn't ford being forced to do something about this?
Consumer was complaining about an engine head gasket problem. Vehicle was running hot, and was no longer under warranty. However, head gaskets were replaced in october 2001, and 700 miles later head gaskets failed again.
Ford knew windstar 1995 model's had head gasket problems and have extended warranty twice, from 3 years or 36,000 miles to 5 years or 60,000 miles and finally to 7 years or 100,000 miles. Why stop at 7 years or 100,000 miles for a know defect? How did ford determine that they were only responsible for this problem up to 7 years or 100,000 miles of use? Ford gives the impression that their customers should not expect their vehicles to last longer although blown head gasket is a major defect and they have admitted this since june 1998 and possibly knew earlier.
While driving at a normal speed the head gasket blew without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they replaced the engine. Please provide any further information.
While driving 45 MPH head gasket failed at 65,000 miles.
Engine failed twice due to a faulty head gasket. Also, original automatic transmission failed and was rebuilt. About two years later, transmission failed and the dealer replaced it with a new transmission. Another two years later, the transmission failed again and was rebuilt. The cause of the failures was not determined. *ak the recalled engine blew and the manifold gasket blew. When the consumer contacted ford they stated they couldn't do anything right now but would notify them later and maybe they could help. Consumer had two windows that didn't go up or down - replaced $412.34. Both tie rods were replaced. *ph
Vehicle overheated. The cylinder head gasket was replaced. *mr while traveling, the vehicle overheated on three occasions. When the third occasion occurred, the mechanic found the main head gasket was cracked. *scc *jb
While driving vehicle overheated. *ak the temperature gauge kept rising. Consumer turned vehicle off and then on again. The temperature gauge raised again. There was a 7 yr. 70k mile warranty but ford would honor it. Consumer feels ford should cover the cost of tests, and repairs.
My 1995 ford windstar gasket has blown for the second time. The last time it blew in 2001, ford finally replaced my engine, after fighting for 2 months, as the faulty part blew the engine. Ford also at this time extended the "owner notification" gasket problem (#98m01) from 60,000 to 100,000. Now,only 2 years later, the gasket has blown again, and ford again refuse to claim responsibility as my odomoeter reads 103,000, only 3,000 miles over the cut-off, but my engine is only 2 yers old. This part is the problem and ford put it in and ford should fix it.
The vehicle was riding rough and idling high. The driver noticed white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. Dealer was aware of the problem, who stated it was a blown head gasket. Please provide any further information.
Vehicle transmission went out on 1995 windstar.*mr when starting up vehicle the van was engulfed in white smoke. The consumer was informed that engine needed to be replaced, water had leaked through the head gasket destroying the engine. *ts
While driving various speeds and without warning vehicle would overheat because head gasket blew, causing cold air to come out of the heater. Had taken vehicle to dealership, but the problem has not been resolved.
Ford windstar: head gasket failed.
Problems with vehicle's head gasket.*mr the engine head gasket blewout twice*ts
My 1995 windstar has been diagnosed with a failed head gasket. This vehicle has the 3.8 liter engine. The vehicle has 108,000 miles on it. Given the known history of this vehicle, engine and component, I find it unbelievable that ford has not issued a service campaign that would cover this repair for the expected life of the vehicle. Or does for expect that the vehicle will only last 100,000 miles?
While driving at 55mph engine started knocking . Vehicle was forced to pull out of the road. Independent shop diagnosed the problem as a engine head gasket failure.
Head gaskets blew out while driving due to a manufacturing defect.
While driving and with no warning, the left rear axle snapped. The dealer was notified. *ak *scc the consumer also stated the vehicle had engine problems in the past.
The tie rod's broke while driving 15 MPH. *jb the consumer turned the corner and the handling had become impossible. The consumer found that both front wheels were pointing inward as though the right front were turning left and the left front turning right. *scc. Also the rack and pinion was replaced as well as the serpentine belt.
It's us again!!! On our vacation to ga, about 250 miles or less, our engine check light came on. We went to the nearest ford dealer in lumbngton, nc and had an engine diagnostic done. The ford dealer was said they fixed the problem. Codes p1150, p1151, and another code. However the engine check light came on again while in ga and then went off. I called the ford dealership back in nc and he stated that we should be okay and should make it back home safely. On our way back home the check engine came on again aroound nc-va and s no warning lights came on, nor did the engine overheat and it was driving okay. We decided to pull over at a rest stop and thats when the car hesitated to move and then smoke came out from the tailpipe and underneath the hood and leaked out all the transmission fluid including all over the back door and windows was greasy from the leak. . This is the second time something like this has happened to us while driving long distance. Thee vans are very unsafe to drive and ford needs to do a recall on these vans. We have put more money into this van then I can imagine in a lifetime. These incidents has also cause us unneccesary strain. In addition, our door ajar lights comes on, cruise control don't work, our gears do not shift correctly and gets stuck between gears, overdrive light starts blinking when we try to use it, the air conditioner makes strange noises when using it and driving,etc. It just does not work. I am very unsatisfied with this van and would appreciate a remedy and prompt solution. This is our only means of transportation and we still owe more than what the vehicle is worht. Please help us and contact me when you have receive this. Thanks and I look forward to something being done to take care of us ford windstars owners. We would also like reimbursement for our emergency expenses,tow charges to freedom ford from emporia, virginia. We also had our oil changed by freedom ford before we left and a 15 point multi inspection done.
On june 18, 2001 while on a road trip to visit relatives the car overheated and mr. John campbell from bob bennett ford service department in columbia, sc performed the warranty work to repair the problem. He replaced the cylinder head gaskets. *ak on december 4, 2002 the car again overheated while we were driving on the local toll way and we had the car towed to greenway ford in orlando, fl. Mr. Josh knowles received the work order to identify why the car overheated. According to invoice c50990 mr. Knowles pressure tested the system and no external leaks were found. He test-drove the vehicle and let the vehicle run. No reason could be found for the vehicle to overheat and the coolant to leave the system. The car continued to show temperatures above normal but within the normal range on the temperature gauge. We modified our driving habits to shorter trips around town and this abated much of the raised temperature problem. On august 23, 2003 while we were driving on the highway the car again overheated and we again had the car towed to greenway ford. Mr. Brad johnson received the work order to identify why the car overheated. According to invoice c85933 the main head gasket was cracked and repair would require a new or rebuilt engine. When I inquired with mr. Ron kremer, service manager, about the warranty from the previous time this happened he informed me since the car was driven over 24,000 miles and over 24 months had passed there was nothing he could do. Upon further investigation the cooling system overheating and/or loss of coolant in 3.8l engines is a well-known and documented problem. The mitchell repair information company published the issue of coolant may leak from the head gaskets and/or the vehicle may overheat in a technical service bulletin dated march 2, 1998 pertaining to 3.8l engines in 1995 ford windstars.
In january 2001 I took my 1995 ford windstar in for the recall on head gaskets. Until then we had had no problems with the van. They informed me that they could not fix the engine & would have to replace the engine. That was all fine & good. Now in august 2003 with less then 39,000 on the new engine, the head gasket has again gone out. We took the van to the dearlership that installed the engine & they told us the problem, admitted it should not have done this again & gave us ford's consumer number to call for repair. Well when we called, to our disbelief, we were told tough it is now our problem. We are looking at all other options. Because this is not acceptable since this is a manufactor problem.
This is in referance to odi number 10030637 I have drained the oil out of the engine and have found aluimum shavings in the oil, this is a rebuilt engine with just 45,797 miles on it and I had this problem fo a whilethis is a lemon of a vecheil and I hope that the ford motor company will fix this engine as I have taken very good care to change the oil when needed at about 3,000 miles every time and it only had 50 miles on the rebuilt engine on it so I think that 45,797 mile is not enough milage to need a engine to do this.ws.
Smoke started coming heavily out of the exhaust and vehicle stalled out.*mr serviced dealer determined the head gasket had blown out, dealer was notified.
Consumer called complaining about having problems the head gasket recall. Manufacture was contacted and stated that the recall was done and that is the only thing they can do. The head gasket has been replaced more than four times.
The engine was replaced after having the vehicle for two years. The replacement engine is burning one quart of oil for every 451 miles. Please provide details.
Consumer states that engine head gasket is failing. Dealer notified.
While driving the consumer heard a "bang". The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated the engine had failed. *nlm *scc
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