Vehicle started operating above the normal temperature. Dealership examined vehicle and discovered that there was an internal leak. There was a cylinder that was warped and head gasket was blown. Please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak consumer states because of the low mileage and condition of the vehicle, consumer believes there is a efect in the design of the vehicle.
1996 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 11 of 17: complaints 281 to 310 of 472, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Our engine failed as a result of a defective gasket of which ford motor co. Is fully aware but refuses to do anything about.
Loss of coolant and engine check light on. Took to local mechanic, who is ford certified. Told of recall on windstars for this problem. O'meara ford diagnosed as head gasket crack. Recall would not include vans after 1995. Ours was manufactured in march of 1996. Called ford. They would not honor or regard this as their problem. Returned to our personal mechanic. He made repairs and found all of the "old" parts as used in vans under recall. He replaced the parts with the newer design ford now uses to eliminate this problem. Cost to us was extreme-$1600, which was almost $1000 less than what o'meara ford was estimating. We are very disappointed with ford dealership and ford motor co. Not planning to ever purchase another ford vehicle in the future.
This van has been an albatross! I had to take it in 3 or 4 times and get nasty before the dealership would admit that there was a transmission problem- and then agree to fix it. I know they were waiting for my bumper to bumper warranty to expire. The head gasket/engine problem absolutely fries me. No vehicle with 62,000 miles on it should require a new engine and head gaskets. That repair cost me $5000.00 and no one will help me. We all know about the 94 and 95 recalls. What about the 96's??? The problem has not been fixed. I have called ford customer service several times, and have tried the dealer for help. No one will help me. The concensus is this: ford motor company does not care enough about the products they produce (or the customers who purchase them) to make an intolerable situation right. I have heard of so many cases like mine- ford has definately lost a customer. If they won't stand behind their produsts, I certainly won't buy another one!
Head gasket has blownout, causing damage to engine which occurred over night. Please provide further information.
While driving vehicle just all of a suuden stopped running, consumer had vehicle towed to dealership and it was determined that a new engine was needed, according to mechanic there was no oil pressure.
The head gasket was replaced by the dealer on 3-16-01, due to a crack and leaking coolant. The car had never overheated or shown obvious signs of this, although the engine check light came on after long trips and the dealer said this was o2 sensors. 3 weeks after the headgasket replacement, the whole engine blew while on I-81 at 65mph. We lost all power and had to coast to a narrow shoulder. This sounds exactly like the 1995 windstar head gasket problem, but they have not acknowledged the 96 as a manufacturing defect and did not recall the 95 either.
Dealer said head gasket needed replacing. In reading the federal safety agency files for the windstar, I noticed a preponderance of head gasket failures and problems, right around the 100,000 mile mark (I.e. Out of any warranty). Also, the check engine light kept coming on indicating various problems with the emission system. I had various repairs related to this.
Head gasket failure lead to destruction of engine, this is same as 95 windstars, why are 96's not included in re-call! Cost of this repair $3500 (canadian) we are a family of five struggling to make it everyday, how can we swallow this????
At around 62,000 miles our vehicle's "check engine " light came on. We brought it in to a local ford dealership where they performed diagnostic tests. Basically they told us it was a blown head gasket, among other misc. Problems. We were not satisfied with their customer service methods and brought the van to another ford dealership. The mechanic at this place not only agreed with previous diagnosis but also felt the whole engine system was contaminated and recommended a total engine replacement at a cost of 3,800 dollars. We have meticulously maintained this vehicle and have had it serviced regularly. (we have th documents to prove this.)
Consumer noticed oil beading up in coolant tank. Took vehicle to dealership and head gasket and engine manifold gaskets were "redesigned" and replaced. On april 5th, consumer noticed oil in coolant recovery tank, causing engine" check light to come on. Vehicle was also misfiring. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Took vehicle to dealer 6 times since october 2000 for engine knocking/ shaking/ engine light on, and engine missing. Dealer could not remedy. Then on 31 mar ch, 2001 vehicle was started. Driven about 10 yards when consumer heard a big bang, engine stalled. Towed to dealer who found coolant was coming out of exhaust. Engine needed to be replaced.
Engine check light was on/ off. Consuemr sent vehicle to a radiator shop, and they referred her to dealer. Dealer has to replace gaskets because they have destroyed engine. Antifreeze was apparently leaking, it has to be filled frequently.
Consumer had to have whole head gasket set replaced, also brakes failed completly.
Head gasket failure--same part and problem as on '94 and '95 ford windstar
Blown head gaskets.
Engine check light keeps coming on. Also, a lot of anti-freeze was missing too fast, took vehicle to dealer, and they said that anti-reeze was getting into cylinder.*ak consumer returned vehicle 1 week later, replaced gaskets again they were leaking.
Had noticed smoke and steam coming from tailpipe out of rear view mirror. Engine head gaskets blewout while driving. Vehicle kept going after that.*ak the 1995 , 3.8 engine vehicles made by the manufacturer were known for blowing head gasket.
Consumer stated that on december 11, 2000 haed gasket was replaced due to crack and coolant leakage that got into piston and other parts of engine. Currently, engine is not working, and manufacturer will not be responsible for repairs. Consumer believed that deterioration of engine was due to defective head gasket.
Engine head gasket was leaking anti-freeze. Had taken vehicle to dealer for repairs where they said that head gasket blewout, and could not be repaired.
3.8 liter engine. Head gaskets failed prematurely. Dealer was inspecting and will repair vehicle. Manufacturer has been notified.
Check engine light flashes and at times remains on. The engine hesitates while acceleration. Per the dealer the engine head gasket has developed a small crack which allows coolant to seep into the engine and cause an occational misfire. The dealer stated that this is not covered under the warranty and will cost $1,800 to repair. Per the federal safety agency recall report in 1995 the same engine and in windstars were recalled for the same issue. Also simlar issue noted in 1996 windstar complaintss.
Engine coolant leaks, manufacturer has a tsb on vehicle, but this vehicle is not part of tsb. Contacted dealer.
Engine light went on for a couple days, brought vehicle to dealer. They stated that antifreeze leaking into head gasket & that it's possible that I may need a new engiene. I did not leave vehicle at dealer at that time because I stated that I wanted to speak to my mechanic because it would be cheaper to have him do work on vehicle. I contacted my mechanic who told me that the 3.8 litre engiene is known for this problem with head gasket. On 3/19/ 01 dealer contacted me wanting to know if I would be getting head gasket fixed. I stated that after further research I was able to determine that certain 1995 3.8 litre engienes were recalled and that a class action suit was brought against ford motor company on 12/9/99 because of faulty head gaskets. I contacted ford motor company & logged complaint, but they stated that their were no recalls on 1996 ford windstars so they could not do anything. Once I complained to dealer that their was a problem with this engiene they offered me a 6 year warranty from original date of purchase or 100,000 miles which ever came firston transmission & engiene up to $2,000.00 with $500.00 deductible. I took this offer with dealer because we only have 1 vehicle. Although I am grateful for this offer, the only reason the dealer offered me this deal was because I informed them that this particular engiene has a faulty head gasket. Dealer originally quoted that work on head gasket would cost approximately $1,500 for head gasket repairs or approximately $3,000.00 for new engiene. Even though I will have pay $500.00 out of pocket, I believe that the dealer or ford should reimburse me for the head gasket repairs because this has been a problem with this engiene since 1988. I have also been able to locate on the internet @ website www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_windstar_1996_gaskets.htm that other consumers have had the same problem with their 1996 ford windstars 3.8 litre engiene as I have. I appeciate any assistance.
Heater not working...low coolant...had to replace head gasket.
Head gasket had to be replaced.
Head gaskets found to be leaking during service for rough idling. Wait for remanufactured engine greater than 4 weeks and no guarantee from ford as to when the car will be repaired.
Consumer was losing antifreeze. Took vehicle to deaelr, and they said consumer needs a new head gasket. Consumer was scared that engine gasket may blow on highway with children present.*ak the manufacturer had extended the warranty on the 94-95 models admitting the engine was faulty. So, the manufacturer should not fix only some vehicle but not others.
White smoke coming from tailpipe/loss of antifreeze. Took van to dealer. Going to cost over 2000 dollars to fix. With the same problem happening to so many people who own 1996 windstar, you would think something could be done about this. No safety defect listed.
Head gasket started to leak fluid onto engine compartment which caused loss of heat. Also, engine check light illuminated on dashboard. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer noted that head gasket needed replacement. Please provide any further details.
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