The windstar has had a transmission rebuilt. The engine and head gaskets replaced. Now the head gasket has gone again. This vehicle has been maintained and should have lasted another 100, 000 miles. I know I am not the only one with these continuing problems. 1995 windstars are all lemons and the government and ford have done nothing to resolve this. Dt
1995 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 7 of 55: complaints 161 to 190 of 1,613, newest first, as owners wrote them.
9/12/02 head gasket failed on 1995 windstar 3.8l engine. Vehicle taken to north larsen ford in emporia, ks for repair. Left head gasket replaced and test drove on 9/16/02. Technician found oil leaking at left head gasket and subsequently removed head and replaced gasket a second time. Vehicle was ready and released to my spouse 4:00 pm, 9/19/02 with understanding that it was serviced and ready. Ford decliined to cover failure under extended warranty for head gasket failures due to vehicle original purchased in 1994 and warranty limited to 7 years or 100,000 miles. Repair costs were billed to me at $1491.73 and paid on release. Spouse left emporia, ks with vehicle at 6:00 pm 9/19/02 and drove to 550 miles to denver, co. Seven miles north of golden, co on I-70, vehicle overheated without warning and engine started to clatter. Hiway patrol stopped to assist and when engine oil was checked no oil level was registered on dip stick, metal fragments were present and crankcase was smoking. Hiway patrol took spouse to buy oil at which time 4 quarts were added to obtain proper fill level. Vehicle then driven to stevinson's ford in golden, co. Stevinson's ford service dept. Inspected vehicle and found rod bearing failure. Service dept. Estimated $2,500-3,500 for repair. My family (spouse and 5 children) were enroute to our new residence in richland, wa and stranded without transportation. Service manager determined failure was due to loss of oil and identified probable cause as improper fill or leakage following service/repair. Circumstances forced purchase of new vehicle with 1995 windstar as trade-in. Dealer allowed $4,000 for trade. Purchase price for 1995 windstar was $7,500 on 3/1/02 resulting in a loss of $3,500 as a result of engine failure. $3,500 plus $1491.73 for initial repairs left me with a net loss of $4,991.73 due to head gasket failure and improper service . Ford dealership has declined to warrant repair or compensate me for loss. Dt
Recall notice: received one may 2000 for 95 ford windstar. It says there is a defect in their 3.8l engine with the head gaskets. I am now having that problem but they will not repair it because they say it expired feb 2002. The cost is $1000-$2000. The car is not drivable at this time. Since ford is well aware of the defect and sent me the recall notice they should have fixed the defect right away instead of me having to go with out a van and rent a car and pay for the repairs myself. Thank you, [xxx] dt information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
This vehicle has a very questionable reliability. Premature engine and transmission failures. Ford should do something to compensate car owners for their lack of quality control. Dt
I have had a recall on the gas tank. The brake line, the sliding door ,the springs on this vehicle. Now ford is telling me they didn't recall this engine just extended the warranty to 100,000 miles/7 years which ever comes first and of course I missed this by 6 months. I've called and I was told it will be over 1500.00 to repair the vehicle but that there is an flaw within the engine that could occur again. My wife was stuck at a rest stop with our 7 month old until I could pcik her up. She was on the way down to mineapolis/st. Paul for a visit and of course didn't make. It. Dt
Consumer states that after the vehicle had been park and without warning the engine caught on fire under the hood and totaled the vehicle. Dealer notified. Ts
Consumer states that the vehicle was taken to a dealer about a year a go and had the gas tank fix because of a crack in it and is now leaking gas again and dealer is refusing to repair damages on the vehicle again . Ts
This vehicle was purchased at an auction in detriot. The previous owner purchased the vehicle from brighton ford motor company. Before we purchased their vehicle, a engine was installed by the previous owner and the flywheel was replaced twice also. After we purchased the vehicle in january of 2001, we had it in for repair for the flywheel. At that time it was under warranty. It was repaired by metro ford of lansing . Again on jan 23, it was service again for the flywheel still under warranty. On sept 11, 2001, the vehicle was again service not under warranty this time costing us $1362 in repairs. The last two times the flywheel was repaired was on aug. & oct. Of 2002. Even while driving this vehicle poses a danger to me and my children. It switches gears while I am driving and sounds like the engine itself is coming apart, all while driving. The engine light is on and the overdrive light is flashing constant. I do not know how long the vehicle is going to last, I can tell it is dying again. Please provide any help as soon as possible. Thank you, [xxx]. Dt information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Check engine light came on. Took to dealer next day. They said it was a failed head gasket. I went on internet and discovered there had been two general recall programs for this problem one in may 1998 and one in feb. 2000. I received no notification of these but ford said it would not have made any difference bacause they were not required to fix it unless it had failed. I bought the car new in 1995. The problem occurred at 60,000 miles and three months past seven years. Ford said ntsb had required the warranty period to be extended two times and if they received information that it was a continually recurring problem, the period might be extended again. I believe ford should be accountable to fix this problem free of charge since I am the original owner of the car and the problem happened at only 60,000 miles, regardless of the time period owned. They have obviously been aware of the problem since at least 1998 and should be liable for fixing it for all original owners, regardless of mileage and time owned. It is unfair to allow a limitation on this problem for original owners. I ask that ntsb require ford to extend the time period indefinitely on this problem for all original owners. Dt
My 1995 windstar has experienced the infamous head failure gasket at a young life of 7 years and 1 month and less that 80,000 miles. My local ford dealership ( bowen scarff-kent wa) recommended engine replacement based on their vast experience with this failure. Ford as extended the warrany twice for this failure, but in my case I was one month outside the 7 year window. I have call various ford agencies and written multiple letters and have gotten no satisfaction for my request that ford pays the bill. Appreciate any help you can make in behalf. Thank you- bill benshoof dt
Consumer states that while driving and no warning the head gasket blew causing the consumer to pull over and the vehicle to be non drivable. Dealer notified. Mr
In march of 2000 I brought this van from j&r used cars it just had a new engine block put in by latham ford, I got the van with 62566 miles on it with the new engine installed. Now after only 32957 miles on this engine the block goes again just after the warranty expires how funny I really think these engines should last longer then that. So now I am stuck with this broken down van just after 30,000 miles thats not fair these engines are not right please help me anyway you can thank you. Mr
Vehicle suffered sudden acceleration at the speed of 50 MPH. The engine raced at 4000 RPM. And there was gasoline coming from the tailpipe. Dealer notified. * mr dealer found that the throttle was stuck. However consumer declined repairs. He felt that an improperly installed mass air flow caused the engine to race at high rpms.
Engine light came on today after we had the engine replaced on 09/21/01. We also smelled fumes around the car and inside the car. We have had problems after problems with this windstar and would appreciate something being done about it. We are very disappointed in ford. We have been with them for over 12 years. Please start an investigation into this matter. *ph *jb **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**768031
Consumer states dealership refused to do recall on two occasions on the head gasket, and now the head gasket is giving problem, they don't want to fix it,due to it being out of recall warranty. Nlm scc
Consumer received two letters concerning the head gasket problem. The letter pertained to an extended warranty of 7 years or 100,000 miles. Consumer feels this should have been a recall because the problem presented itself 48 days and 6,431 miles beyond the warranty. The engine head gasket over heated and failed. Now, the ford motor company refuses to correct the problem. Consumer expects a full refund of monies paid for repair.
Consumer was aware of the head gasket defect with these particular vehicles. Consumer proactively requested a head gasket service check on march 24, 2000. At the time there were no leaks detected and they were not eligible for the trade in. On sep 7th 2002, consumer started the vehicle and it turned over without starting. Consumer waited and tried again. This time, coolant poured out of the bottom. The head gasket had blown. Ford informed consumer that because it was past the 7 year extended warranty they were ineligible for the trade in.
Consumer states that recall # 98 m 01 describes the same problem consumer is experiencing with vehilce, which is head gasket failure. Consumer was informed that the head gasket must fail before anything could be done, once it failed the manufacturer stated the head gasket was out of warranty.*mr
Ford issued a customer satisfaction notification in 2000 for potential head gasket failure. They extended the warranty on that component to 7 yrs/100,000 miles. Our windstar is now inoperable due to a failed head gasket and we are told by ford that we are no longer covered. Mr
The consumer stated that the engine head gasket failed. At the time the vehicle oveheated and failed.
Had head gasket and value gasket leaks in 2000 at ~63000 miles - replaced. Cam sensory also replaced at that time. In for service last month - multiple services performed including oxygen sensor, fuel injector, plugs/wires. Now engine is dead. Nlm
While driving vehcile started shaking. Engine check light came on.had vehicle serviced. Head gasket had blown. This was a common problem. Contacted dealer, not very helpful.
It is apparent that the ford 3.8 l is experience head gasket failures. Although I have spoken with ford they refuse to acknowledge a problem, they further advised me that I was out of luck because my extended warranty that they issued as a customer satsifaction program had expired. In ford's letter of 1998 they did advise me of possible head gasket failure, I to bring to a dealer if something was noted to happen, what should have been done is have the dealers check these engines at that time, because it is apparent that the only way we as the consumer will know about the problem is when the engine seizes. What is going to take for this manufaxture to own to a defective product, highway deaths?
While driving and with no warning head gasket blewout, causing vehicle to stall. Consumer was forced to pull over. Dealer notified.
#4 head gasket failed. Ford is aware of the defect that causes the failure but refuses to pay for the engine replacment necessary due to the failure. The warranty period expired 9 months ago but the van only has 65k miles.
Per ford - this known defect is campaign 00m09-the warranty had to be extended twice, however since my defect did not occur prior to 2/28/2002-end of 2nd extension of warranty, they will not replace defected part. I now have to pay $1267 to have done. I have owned car less than one year.
While driving at normal speed vehicle started to run a little rough. Engine light illuminated, temperature gauge went to hot. Consumer pulled over, and saw smoke coming out of tailpipe. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced head gasket. Please provide any further information.
Dealer reports that "m" service bulletin issued by ford in july 2002 for head gaskets but won't honor claim due to time expired 7 years/ 100,000 miles. I dispute expiration date to be until 12/31/2002. No safety defect listed.
The extended warranty for head gasket failure on our 1995 ford windstar was 7 years from date of purchase. The head gasket is failing now, 20 days after the warranty expired. Elk grove ford and the ford motor company say that it's not their problem. The warranty should be extended! In good faith ford should repair this obviously defective part that wasn't detected on a oil change not too long ago!
Consumer is concerned that manufacturer sent him a recall in march of 2000 for head gasket. August of 2000 vehicle started smoking which came from exhaust system, and vehicle was running hot. Engine check light appeared on dashboard.
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