Engine rod is knocking, causing motor to lock up. A safety improvement campaign has been issued on the vehicle; vehicle has exceeded the mileage. The manufacturer has been notified.
1995 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 42 of 55: complaints 1,211 to 1,240 of 1,613, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Head gasket failed, coolant leaked into engine, destoying the engine
Vehicle overheated while driving 65mph and was making weird noises. Gauge indicated overheating. Pulled into gas station. After vehicle been restarted & downshifted, white smoke appeared in rear. Had vehicle towed to dealer next day
While driving engine started smoking and overheated. Engine has to be replaced.
On 3/26/99 the head gasket went out on my 1995 ford windstar. Although no accident occurred, this created an unsafe situation since I was traveling in rush hour traffic on interstate 494 in inver grove heights, mn and had to suddenly pull of the road. The second occurrence happended on 6/14/99. Again I was in rush hour traffic on interstate 494, this time in oakdale, mn, when the engine suddenly sounded like it was about to blow apart. Again, no accident occured, but I was placed in an unsafe situation because I had to travel at a significantly reduced speed on to the dealership. Once I arrived there and they had a chance to check the engine, they informed me that the engine was shot an would require a "long block" replacement.
Premature failure of the head gasket caused the car to start lurching severely while driving up an extended grade on highway 101. The sudden lurching caused the driver to temporarily lose control on this already hazardous section of freeway. Upon investigation I have found that this problem is widespread with this particular engine. Ford is aware that this is a design/manufacturing defect, and because of this ford has issued an extended warranty to cover this specific problem. However, this warranty is only valid after a problem occurs. By then it is too late. Ford should be recalling these vehicles proactively and correcting the problem before the failure occurs. The service people at my dealer agreed with me, but wasn't willing to take a stand with the manufacturer on my behalf. I was amazed when this small town dealer told me that they had 5 other '95 windstars in the shop at this same time with the same failure. There are hundreds of websites with people having this same problem and unable to get any satisfaction from ford.
Engine head gaskets have blown. A safety improvement compaign was issued on the vehicle . The vehicle has exceeded the mileage for the campaign. The dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
Engine head gasketmalfunctioned. There was an extended manufactrurer's warranty, but it has expired. Dealer has been contacted.
No summary listed for this vehicle.
This vehicle has had two major component failures (engine timing gasket and transmission) with less than 35000 miles. Additionally it has also had one major recall to replace head gasket. All of three of these problems required extensive work to repair. The transimission problem was the most serious from a safety standpoint, because its failure could have caused a serious accident because it intermitently prevented the vehicle from accelerating, until it finally failed completely and the vehicle could not shift at all.
Consumer was driving approximately 35mph when engine temperature light came on. Consumer pulled over and smelled anti-freeze. Then called tow truck, after towing vehicle, garage found nothing. Again, on 22-apr-99, while driving at 40mph temperature light came on. Driver pulled over. Then had vehicle towed to a dealership. Dealer found a leak in engine head gasket. Dealer replaced head gasket/oxygen sensor, and checked engine cylinder head. Found engine cylinder head to be okay. An open investigation of coolant leakage in engine head gasket is pending, ie-98-080.
Engine head gasket leaks coolant, which may cause engine to overheat and seize. The dealer is aware of problem. The van is being serviced for this problem.
Problem occurs on tarus and mustangs with simuluar engines.
Head gasket blew while in heavy traffic, causing vehicle to overheat rapidly.
Check engine light came on when the temperature gauge went up because there was a leaky engine head gasket that blew. Dealer said it was a manufacturer's design flaw.
Electrical system: chimes for door ajar, rings when doors are closed. Had been to 10 different shops for either fuse replacement or sliding door panel replacement. Also, wiring to windows goes up or down without being switched either way and dome light comes on by itself. In addition, transmissio: worn out due to leakage (oil) from theengine head gaskets. Needed to be replaced.
The head gasket on my windstar is defective. I called ford to find out if a recall was issued. I was told that a letter was sent out to dealers and owners for the head gasket problem. They told me that because my car's mileage was over 65000 and that the recall ended in december of 1998, that they would not pay for the replacement of the head gasket. I think ford should pay for the replacement when they knew that they had used faulty material. I also understand that ford has a problem with the transmission in the '95 windstars. When I asked about this I was told that no problem exists and no recall was in place for the transmission. Ford should be held accountable for using faulty equipment. The bad part is that the windstar has a 5 star rating for safety and yet ford uses faulty materials for its production and does not take responsibility for its product.
Engine raced when first started in the am--dealer said that head gasket had blown,that this was a common problem for winstars, that ford had a hidden warranty if car was less than 5 yr/60,000 miles--very expensive to fix ($1300)--if this is a common problem, why isn't there a recall?
On may 14, 1999 while driving home from work in moderate city traffic, my 95 ford windstar's engine started to skip as if a spark plug was not firing. I was about 2 miles from home and continued to drive slowly watching for further signs of trouble. At about 1/2 mile to 1 mile later the "check engine" came, on and I slowed my speed to about 20 when I noticed the engine temperature gauge began to rise. I started to pull over when the vehicle stalled while running ( a white vapor cloud was emerging from the tailpipe) I coasted to a stop. The mechanic at dave dinger ford at braintree ma said the head gasket(s) failed causing damage to other engine parts due to the anti-freeze mixing with the oil, and recommended a remanufactured engine at a cost of $ 4,200.00 . Ford has an extended warranty covering this part for unlimited mileage, but not later than 12-31-98. I have contacted the manufacturer ford and they refuse to pay or negotiate the cost of engine repair even though this was a known defect for them in the 3.8 liter v-6 engine (taurus & sable 94-95) for some time prior to my buying the car used in 6/97. The car was previously registered as a ford corporate vehicle in massachusetts since new. I feel strongly that they should be responsible for the repair of a latent defect, known to them, at the time of sale.
Head gasket failed and was covered by service program 98m01, this failure also caused damage to engine (noise) but ford will not cover this damage.
The symptoms originally showed up in november of 1998. I called the dealer that did not tell me that there were any known problems with the engine. I also never received the ford motor company no-charge warranty letter dated june, 1998, telling me of the symptoms and extended warranty to december 31, 1998. When the problem worsened, I took the van in on may 26. Again, prior to taking it in, the dealer admitted no problem with this type of engine. I was called with the diagnosis of blown head gasket, $1100.
Is there a possibility that the issue of payment for these items can be settled in a small claims court? No safety defect mentione din summary.
The head gasket blew on the engine, causing it to suddenly and rapidly overheat. When I inquired about this problem I found it was a well known defect in the 1995 ford 3.8 liter engine. I leaned this from all 3 local dealers and 2 local engine shops. Apparently ford was fixing any engine this occurred on up to 60000 miles, so they obviously knew this was a problem. Upon contacting ford, I was informed they would offer no assistance and would have to work it out with the dealer who charged me $50 an hour instead of $60, resulting in a bill of $1350 instead of $1600. I do not think this is an issue with the dealer. Ford obviously knew about it or they would have never had any repair policy for this problem. Not only am I out the $1400 ( a sensor also failed whcich had to be replaced), but I could have been out much more since the engine overheats so quickly they often suffer severe damage and the entire engine has to be replaced(I was told this again by several dealers and engine shops).although no one was hurt I feel this problem could have safety implications because it can occur so suddenly and without warning.
Seems to be a lot of activity with blown head gaskets on the 1995 ford windstar with a 3.8l v-6. Certainly there must be some recourse with ford in having this repaired. Would like to file complaint against ford concerning same.
Head gasket blown, as per notice 98m01. Nlm
No summary listed for this vehicle.
Premature failure of the head gaskets allowed engine coolant to ruin piston bearings which resulted in engine overheating and failure. Ford had an extended warranty program which expired 12/31/98. We took the van in because we detected an engine noise on 12/22/98. We were told there was no problem. On 2/1/98, we took the van in because the temperature light was on constantly. We were given a tune-up. On 2/8/99, the entire engine blew as it was being started prior to our drive home.
Ford will not cover repair costs of both failed systems. No safety defects mentioned in summary.
At35,000 miles, first transmission went out. At 38,000 miles I heard a knocking noise coming from underneath the vehicle . Ford said I had a main bearing knock . They took engine apart and said " rods marked 1-6, but not in order?top of rod at wrist pins are blue( hot overheat condition). Head gaskets show signs, rusty at block &head areas. Main brgs scored thur beds & #5 in copper bed. Mainbolt black smells like burned oil.. Now at 56,200 ford says I need another transmission the one replaced is bad now!!! One thing to add I purchased the vehicle with 2,000 miles on it. The dearler had told me it was an "unwind" no problems with , someone did'nt qualify for the credit so they had them return it. They can't sell it as new anymore!!!!!! 56,200 miles 3transmissions & 2 engines!!!!!!! When I inquired about how the engine was totally defective , I basically got the run around.
No summary listed for this vehicle.
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