Ford has agreed to pay part of the repair cost for the head gasket. They have recalled this same engine in the 1995 windstar's but have not extended it to the 1996's despite many occurances. I feel they should cover the entire repair as well as our rental car expenses.
1996 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 15 of 17: complaints 401 to 430 of 472, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My windstar has only 48000 miles on it and we had to replace the head gasket. My neighbor has a 1995 windstar with 20000 more miles on it and they were reimbursed for their failed head gasket. I find this unacceptable and I am trying to receive a fefund more the work done on my van.
July of 1999 while on vacation in pennsylvania the engine check light came on. A family friend recommended that we not worry about the problem unless the light stayed on. The light went off but then came back on a couple of times over the next few months. Finally in april of 2000 the light came on and stayed on. The ford dealership informed us that the head gaskets were blown. The dealership told us that they would pay most of the $1400.00 repair bill but we still ended up with $600.00 on our part. We have contacted ford twice about this failure at only 53,000 miles. We believe that we should be reimbursed our $600.00. We are shocked to see how many 1996 windstars are having the same problems. We have asked ford to tell us the number of gasket failures they have seen on the 1996's. They have refused to provide that information. Please help us. Thank you for your time and attention to this problem.
I have had nothing but problems with this ford windstar since I purchased it in 8/98. In july of 99 my vehicle would not start and then it became a stalling problem. For 3 mths the dealership could not find the problem. Then on april 21,00 the coil spring broke, and the spring was jammed into our tire while doing 70 on the west virginia turnpike. Luckily we were not killed or injured. Ford has received a letter concerning these issue's and has not responded.
While traveling about 60mph there was coolant leak inside engine compartment due to a minor hole. Consumer has to keep an eye on the coolant so that engine won't overheat.
Head/head gasket was repaired. Symptom causing repair was engine running hot.
I was informed by crissman lincoln/ mercury that my head gaskets are leaking on my windstar. This is a frequent enough problem that they informed me that if I payed the first $500 that ford would pay for the rest of the repair. Previous to getting this informatio I had to replace all four oxygen sensors and part of the catalytic converter. I have now been told that these became defective as a result of the engine coolant leaking into the engine. In addition to this at only 49000 the front coil spring broke while parked in the driveway. Ford has no springs in stock and there are no aftermarket parts being made yet. Are these springs defective?
Repeated expensive repairs to turn off " engine" check light only temporairly successful. Loss of coolant for unknown reason. Engine now noticably "smoking".
Power steering failed. Nlm
While traveling vehicle commenced to run rough and engine check light would come on. Vehecle taken to an independent repair shop. Consumer was informed of a blown head gasket. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not cover undered extended warranty.
Engine check light came on and we immediately took the vehicle for service. Found out it was head gasket problem. Contacted ford after a week of not being able to get the needed parts for repair and was told my vehicle was not on recall list. Also found out that they are unwilling to help since vehicle not under warranty. Took 2 weeks in shop to get fixed and replacement parts were ordered outside of ford dealership because they couldn't get the right part. It ended up costing $300 additional to original estimate.
Engine head gasket has blown out, causing coolant to leak onto the engine. Dealer has been notified.
Manufacturer has recalled '95 windstars for faulty head gasket and not '96 even though same design, materials and point of assembly.
Vehicle has a blown head gasket, causing engine damage. The same engine in the 1995 windstars have been recalled for total replacement of the head gaskets and all related damage. The 1996 windstars that carried the same engine are not being recalled. According to the dealer these must be repaired at the owners expense, and may cause a total engine failure if continue driving. These engines were only placed in the early models of the 1996, and then after the 3.8 l engines were recalled the newer 1996 windstars contain the 3.0l engine. We feel that ford should cover the cost of repair as it is the same engine as the 1995 windstar.
I took my windstar in for 90,000 mile service (a little early) and was told the head gasket was bad and I am losing anti-freeze as a result. I found it odd, since the vehicle has been serviced regularly and has never overheated. I did some investigation and found the 1995 windstar's with the same engine were given extended warranties to cover a "known" head gasket problem. I called ford and was told my VIN was not covered and has an "upgraded" head gasket. I argued that if in fact it is upgraded, it certainly is not upgraded enough. I have been quoted $800 to $1200 to make the repair. I can see from my reseach that many ford vehicles with this size engine have the same problem with head gasket failure. Ford should correct the problem for its customers.
A major recall has occurred with ford covering the repair costs or issuing $4000 certificates toward the purchase of a new vehicle for 1995 and earlier models. It is obvious that the head gaskets on all ford 3.8-liter engines are defective and the new engine design did not help or eliminate the problem they have with the earlier version. I feel ford should include the 1996 windstar in the recall. 8ak
Engine coolant needs filling every 2-3 days, transmission skips, engine check light always illuminated and interior door ajar light never goes off.
Van is well taken care of. Only 1 driver, over 50 years old. Kept a merc grand marquis wagon for 14 years and 250,000 miles. Timing cover gasket failed - leaked coolant. This is very premature - seems like a design/fabrication problem, gasket problem. Over $600 to repair. Window track became separated from door - had to be rewelded. Over $150 to repair. Should not happen in 4 years of mostly highway driving. Definite assembly problem. Undectable until nearly fully separated, and out of warranty, and excessive vibrations in using window.
94-95 ford windstar engines are having head gasket problems. When I contacted them they said it was vans mfg. From dec 93 to aug 95 and that my 96 was not involved. Just because the sticker says my van was mfg. In 96 does not mean that the engine could not have been mfg at the same time as a the engine for 94 or 95 van. They are offering money for trade-in or engine replacement. It seems very coincidental that they just announced this problem on 94-95 vans and my 96 has this problem.
Failure of head gaskets on engine, resulting in required replacement of the entire engine. Same engine that ford is currrently replacing in 1994 and 1995 model year windstars, for the same reason - premature failure of head gaskets. Ford will not reimburse for the cost of repairs of this engine, although it is perfectly clear that it has failed for the same reasons as the 1994 and 1995 model year. Ford has admitted to this problem being present, yet is not taking any action to rectify the situation for owners of vehicles with the same engine installed in newer model years.
After three fairly reliable years and only 58,000 miles, I have had head gaskets blown and a transmission that is showing signs of failure. After researching on the internet, I see that I am not alone in having these problems with the windstar. I have never felt compelled to complain about a vehicle before. The thought of this car leaving my family stranded on a busy stretch of freeway (which it almost did) due to a premature engine failure and factory defect is inexcusable.
While driving down the street anti-freeze had leaked out, and engine check light came on. Took vehicle to the local mechanic. Mechanic said it was a head gasket problem. Contacted dealer and manufacturer who were not able to help.
Leaking oil onto engine resulting in all new seals, gaskets and head gasket, due to failure.
Ford is coming up with some type of re-embursement for the 1995 windstars but how about the 1996 windstars. We are having the same head gasket problems as the 1995s.
Engine repaired at customer cost of $1300.00 1995 windstar had engine recall and manufacturer stood behind product. Same basic configuration in the 1996 model. Ford should cover.
While vehicle was parked, owner noticed an oil leak. This was due to a blown engine head gasket. Dealer is offering an extended warranty.
Engine head gasket head replaced within six months of ownership with original owner. Now new engine is needed because a second gasket head has cracked and ruined engine. This does not seem reasonable within a four year period. Ford has denied claim for repairs.
Engine head gaskets were leaking coolant. Consumer was told by manufacturer that this problem has been recognized by the manufacture in canada, and that the warranty was extended to the us for 7 yrs/ 100000 miles.
Rods in the engine broke for no apparent reason. Ford said that it was not their problem.
The premature failure of the 3.8l engine head gasket was first noticed by myself during a routine inspection of my fluid levels and engine compartment. What I noticed was what appeared to be a coolant leak around the head gaskets. Under more constant supervision my wife and I observed other symptoms which include a more constant drop in the coolant level and a loss of heat when the heating system was operating. These symptoms seemed seriuos so we decided not to drive the vehicle until it has been serviced. Through friends and relatives we have discovered that this problem is occuring with many windstar owners so we have decided to further research this matter which is how we have come across your site. Please contact us with any updates you may have on this matter. Thank you.
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