Ford had initiated an "owners notification program" because of faulty head gaskets in the 1995 windstar. Basically, if your head gasket blew prior to december 31, 1998, ford would cover the cost. This was not a recall, therefore, they were able to place a "deadline" date on it. Unfortunately, the head gasket blew in my van on january 7, 1999 - seven days after the deadline. At the time of failure, I was on my way to work with my two little daughters in the car (one and three years old). My commute is 40 minutes in primarily farm country. I was halfway into my commute when the heater no longer blew hot air (the outside wind chill was about minus 20), and I noticed the heat gauge at the h. Thank goodness for cellular phones. I got on the phone immediately with the dealer and he knew over the phone it was the head gasket. I was able to make it to a small town just when the "check engine" light went on and it died on me. My service person at the dealership told me later that my engine was at 225 degrees when the check engine light went on. The dealer and I have tried to get ford to cover the $900 repair, however, ford will not move on its deadline date. They know there is a problem, yet will not issue the recall. They basically got around it with this owner notification program. I can only be thankful that I made it with my two girls to a small town in that subzero weather, and that my engine didn't blow up. The 1995 windstars also have major transmission problems. Mine had to be replaced at about 50,000 miles. Ford did cover some of the cost. Please look on the internet regarding the 1995 windstar. There are many, many more stories like mine (a good website is www.fordwindstar.com). There are defects with this vehicle and ford needs to step up to the plate and deal with them appropriately. Thank you.
1995 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 49 of 55: complaints 1,421 to 1,450 of 1,613, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Check engine light came on--diagnostic codes showed egr/coolant temp. (non ford)mechanic replaced egr valve, sensor. Ran fine, then light came on again (1 week). Checked & replaced thermostat (light again after 1 week) then computer, light came on again (2 days). Vehicle overheated & no heat in vehicle. Mechanic determined head gasket failed. Replaced 1/14/99.
After starting vehicle from cold start, piston full of antifreeze, due to defective head gasket. Dealer informed me of recall number 98m01, but stated I would have to pay costs, since my warranty was expired. He showed me the diagnostic which said "check head gasket only if customer reports a problem".
Engine head gasket blew out, making a loud noise and smoke. Dealer says head gaskets need to be replaced.
Ford offered program until 12/31/98 if head gasket blew. (ford did not make me aware of this program, had I know, I would have brought my car in for repair). Our head gasket blew while my wife was driving with our 19 month old baby in the car. Fortunately no one was injured at the relatively low speed. Ford is aware of this design flaw but is unwilling to acknowledge the need for a full recall. Any help in bringing this matter to the attention of ford so that a recall will occurr would be appreciated.
Ford have a recall on there 95 windstar headgasket.I never got a recall notice annobody call me.well on 12/31/98 my headgasket blew,happen around 8.00pm.we call but thet was close an next day was new year.so we call first thing monday morn.we ask them did they have a recall out for blow headgasket an they said yes,,they ask for our van number an we gave it to them an they said our van number was in the list.well they came an pickup van an about 3 days later I talk to them an they say they want pay for it,they say I call to late,I sure have got the van in before 12/31/
Every gasket on this vehicle is leaking, including engine head gasket/transmission gasket/the intake manifold gasket, and the value cover gasket. Dealer has been contacted.
The engine head gaskets were leaking, causing the vehicle to lose coolant. Dealer said engine head gaskets needed to be replaced.
The engine starts to overheat and the inside of the vehicle becomes cold. Dealer says its a bad engine head gasket.
Engine head gasket was busted and oil leaked, causing the engine to sieze up. Dealer has not seen.
Known head gasket failure on the 3.8l 6 cylinder engine used in the windstar and the taurus. Contacted ford. Gave them every opportunity to take care of this known problem. Other info on the internet at a site called www.fordwindstar.com. Anything you could do to prompt a recall would be much appreciated.
Transmission has been rebuilt twice and head gasket replaced twice. When transmission goes bad slips stalling time to pull out. This is dangerous as delay could cause axident
Ford had sent letter on this but extened warrenty instead of a recall
Head gasket failure, covered under recall, repaired 7/98. Engine developed a knock, started running rough, coolant level low with no external leakage. Dealer diagnosed #3 cylinder fuel injector inoperative and a timing cover gasket failure. Repaired and engine failed irrepairably 6 weeks later, low coolant levels again. Told we must replace engine.
These problems are common with these vehicles. Is ford motors helping with any costs on repairs?
Engine head gaskets are leaking, causing the vehicle to overheat. Dealer says needs new head gaskets.
Ford has been delayed in sending engine replacement and will not provide a loaner car. Van has been in for repair for 12 days. No customer service has been provided.
No heat. Apparently a blown headgasket. I've heard of numerous other complaints of this nature (so it's not an isolated incident). Taking it to dealer for confirmation of problem next week.
Head gasket failed resulting in leakage.
Recall not in the system. Consumer contacted the dealer in reference to recall regarding the head gasket. Dealer refused to take care of the recall. Stated all parts are not included iin recall . Please provide any further details.
When driving at 40 MPH and without prior warning the vehicle overheated, lost power, and shut down,causing the consumer to pull over to the side of the road and wait to start the vehicle back up. When starting the vehicle I back up, the vehicle overheated again and cut back off. Consumer is also having problems with the windshield wipers, the transmission was replaced at 40,000 miles,the new transmission began to slip because of a blown head gasket and the dealer can not determined the problem's. *ak
Ford is aware of defective trasmissions in '95 windstar. Car lurches forward after not accelerating from a stop position, could cause accident if another car were in front, slipping transmission at 50,000 is unconscionable. Dealer checked and said I would have to have a new transmission installed at $2,400. Check online under "ford windstar automatic transmission problems" there are thousands of cusotmers with transmissions and head gaskets blowing at very low milage. Is there a class action suit regarding this defect? Apparently, ford is aware of the problem but won't do a recall because it's too expensive. I am single mom with 3 children whom I must drive to and from school every day and I am very concerned about our safety. Please help me! According to other owners, after their transmissions began to slip, it was only weeks before the whole thing blew. I do not have the money to buy a new transmission. Ford should do something. *ak strater faile at 55,955 miles. The vehicle would not start numerous times. Abs light stays on due to master cylinder failure. Loud noise in front suspension due to struts failure. Brakes make grinding noise. Serpentine belt failed. Temprature guage running hot because of temprature sensor failure. The consumer states that the vehicle is a lemon and should be recalled.
I have seen hundreds of transmission failures on this vehicle as well as head gaskets blowing and ford should have to reimburse for the repairs. The van is having the head gaskets replaced at this time but there may be internal engine damage already done. The vehicle has been nothing but problems.
Same problem exists on my 1994 ford taurus, VIN# [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
After head gasket repl. It raced, jerked, cut-out, and shook. Dealer "retorqued" mounts. Next day, put in reverse to back out of parking space, engine raced, clunked, and accellerated, in reverse, to 45 MPH plowing car through brick wall in residence totalling car, major structural damage to house, one injury to driver.
Timing cover gasket failed. Yh
Ie98080, while driving the vehicle experienced smoke coming inside the vehicle and overheating due to the oil coming out of the exhaust system, due to blown head gasket. Also known problems with aluminum forward clutch piston causing transmission to slip into high gear at high rpms, which may cause an accident.
The part failure rate is becoming alarming
Engine overheated due to blown head gasket.
Enigine motor blower fan has been replaced four times for a ticking sound that it stills makes. Dealer has been contacted.
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