We knew we had a problem when we were coming home on the freeway and the indicator arrow showed it was over heating. We took it in to the shop and they replaced the radiator cap because it wasnt holding pressure. That didn't solve the problem a week later we took it back because it was losing power, blowing steam and over heating again. It turned ot to be a blown head gasket. Upon recent personal research I have found that this was a recall item/defect. I have also found that other major symptoms we are experiencing with our 95 windstar such as w/the brakes,transmission is just a matter of time before they go also. We would appreciate any feedback on this problem thank you, dan higuera
1995 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 40 of 55: complaints 1,151 to 1,180 of 1,613, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Since mileage did not fit within recall notice, no assistance given on engine failure, and no information about recall mentioned; ended up having engine remanufactured at local machine shop for less cost and with better warranty
Replaced head gasket less than one week ago. Replaced oxygen sensors same day of failure. On highway headed for vacation engine died and loss all power. Had to have it towed from the highway. I have two childern and a pregant wife - out on the highway while I wait for a ride. Mechanic syas I now need full rebuild of the engine to repair damaged bearings and rods form the blown head gasket. Uthis will cost me $2,500 in addition to the 1,300 I have already spent. I will lose the use of the vehicle for another 10 days. Ford has deneid any responsibility.
Muffler was making loud noises while in motion and while sitting at stop. Dealer is replacing the exhaust which was replaced onc ebefore.
There is not ample space to describe the problems we have had with this vehicle. This windstar has been well cared for by us, with all the routine maintenance timely done. We have also taken our van to only ford dealers for service. On all occasions befor major breakdowns or repair jobs, we have taken our car in for complaints of noises or performance problems that the service departments have been unable to locate. We believe that the head gasket problem did severe damage to our vehicle which resulted in the later problems, most significantly the timing chain cover and engine failure. We believe ford was aware of this and did nothing to compensate us except for the refund for repairs on the head gasket. Ford had a recall on the head gasket about 6 months after we incurred the expense, and their check did not cover all our expenses related to this. At this point in time, we have so much additional money invested in repairs, we cannot afford to sell the car because we would not recover our costs. We hope that you can give us some assistance. We have just recently appealed to the for customer service division, but were turned down. Our local ford dealer is also offering some help in pursuing this, but doesn't seem very enthusiastic about it. We are awaiting our second appeal.
Just one more of the many 3.8l 95 windstar head gasket failures.
Head gasket failed without warning or previous problem (I.e. No overheating, no poor heater operation, etc.). Caused van to start running very rough. Almost stalled in several mid-intersections after stopping, which could have LED to rear-end collision. Managed to make it safely home (less than 3 miles). Engine temperature had increased, but was still clearly within "normal" zone of indicator. Turned off engine and was unable to restart later in the evening. Towed to local service station. They diagnosed it as a blown head gasket, advised taking it to dealer. Dealer's "engine person" booked solid and unable to look at it until 8/10 (two weeks!). Had it towed to another dealer (c&c ford, horsham, pa) which confirmed blown head gasket, and said it had a seized engine which would have to be replaced. Esimated cost: $4600. Ford's "owner notification program" extended warranty coverage to 60,000 miles, but did not advise owners to bring in vans to be checked for defective head gaskets. Complaints on the internet show that this is clearly a major product defect about which ford is aware but refuses to compensate or warn owners (I.e. Owners are not advised to have the head gasket checked). This defect can cause sudden loss of engine power and stalling, which can lead to an accident and/or seriously jeopardize the safety of the occupants. See http://www.primecutsofbluegrass.com/windstar3.htm for other reports. I'll be adding mine as soon as I see whether ford will pay for the repair. (so far, they are refusing.)
Engine overheated due to major loss of coolant. Diagnosed by dealer as failed headgaskets. Ford refused to pay any part of repair even though they have admitted the original gasket design was defective. Cost of repair = $1600
Engine failed 50 miles after the head gaskets were replaced. I was told the transmission needed replaced while the vehicle was in for the engine to be replaced!
I noticed the temperature guage acting abnormaly at 59, 925 miles. My van was driveable, so I did continue to drive it. The dealership was closed during the weekend. I called immediately on monday morning, and the earliest I could get my vehicle in was tuesday evening. On tuesday evening, my mileage was 60,057. Ford had extended the warranty on the head gasket to 60,000. Even though the trouble occurred before 60,000 miles, I could not get my vehicle into a ford service center until after the 60,000. As a result, ford does not want to do anything about the repair. The gasket failure also damaged other engine parts. As a result, I needed to replace the engine in my van.
While driving at 30 MPH smoke came out of the tail pipe. Engine check liight came on, and the engine got real hot due to engine gasket blowing out.
Vehicle keeps running hot. Dealer contacted, and stated blown head gasket caused overheating. No repairwork done. Problem still exists. Provide further information.
Engine check light came on and won't go off, indicating there is a leakage coming from engine head gasket. Also, spark plugs came off.
First over-heating problem was taken to thornton ford on 4/23/99 @ 57,687 miles and radiator was diagnosed as half plugged by thornton on 5/28/99 (~59,600 miles). Radiator replaced on 6/8/99 and both oxygen sensors replaced on 7/1/99. Head gasket problem finally diagnosed on 7/13/99 at 62,144 miles. Did not receive a copy of the extended warranty letter for service program no/ 98m01. Dealer only paid one-half of head gasket repair because the car was now over 60,000 miles allowed on the extended coverage.
Head gasket failed, recall on component however no notice was given to consumer and the date has run out, consumer denied recall service. Mjs
Van blew a head gasket without warning.
No summary
Received letter notifying of problem last year but problem did not show until 7/99, after expiration of extended warranty.
Engine head gasket blew out, causing gas to spill all over engine and drip out of tail pipe.consumer contacted dealer and manufacturer.
Cracked cylinder head at 60000 miles w/ regular oil changes
Blown head gasket, 9,000 miles after the recall limit
Head gasket blew, cooling fluid (anti-freeze) leaked down into the oil galley and contaminated the engine oil and resulted in destroying the bearings (rod,main & camshaft), causing the engine to be rebuilt.
No summary
Who's windstar engine head gaskets haven't blown? Door ajar light is also a pain. Waiting for transmission to go next.
Rear engine bearing failed.
This head gasket failure appears to be common on this model of 1995 windstar. Although ford extended the warranty to 60,000 many defects occur just miles beyond this. They have acknowledged this is a weakness in this model, but do not reimburse the owner for the expensive repairs. This problem first surfaced at 26.400 miles and was taken into the dealership for repair. Obviously, it was not permanently repaired for the same situation is now occuring. My research reveals an extremely high number of similar complaints with this model.
Loss of engine coolant, engine overheating. Replaced defective head gaskets. This is a known defect, owner notification 98m01. Ford will not compensate for repairs.
No summary listed for this vehicle.
Engine head gasket allowing oil and anti-freeze to go into engine, causing a potential engine failure. Consumer wants ford to cover the cost of head gasket repairs since they are aware of the problem. *ak
The 1995 ford windstar van was purchased in october 1997 with about 45,000 miles. On july 9, 1999 a stranger approached in the pizza hut parking lot to say that black smoke was coming from the van. I took the van to johnson ford in marble falls where the mechanic said the problem was a blown engine head gasket. Estimated repair cost $ 1136.00. Another repair shop said there had been a recall on the head gaskets for that vehicle. Ford motor company was contacted. The ford representative said there had been a recall but it had expired. I told them I hadn't received any notices regarding a recall. They then said there was no record of myself as the vehicle owner and a notice had been sent. When asked where the notice was sent they said to me. When asked to what address the representative said she only had a name another department had the address. A second phone call with ford motor company informed me I didn't receive a notice since I was the second owner, and because I didn't respond within the proper time frame of the recall there was no recourse. It was up to the customer to notify ford when they purchased a ford vehicle. They refuse to honor the recall.
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