Engine front cover gasket failed in line with recall 99b29. Ford does not include my windstar model, built in 03/96 in recall campaign 99b29, indicating that the original recall has been inadequate."
1996 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 4 of 17: complaints 71 to 100 of 472, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have several service issues that fall under the technical service bulletins for my 1996 windstar. Most recently I took the van to mike shad ford in jacksonville, fl because they had replaced the plugs and wires earlier this year. The engine continues to sputter and after diagnosis, I am told that it needs the following: 02 sensors - pcv tube- egr ports intake gaskets. Since the reason I took it to ford in the first place was because of the sputtering and my service advisor tom summers when I told him I wanted a tune-up asked me what I wanted done as if I was the mechanic and knew what was wrong never bothered to have the van checked out. As the advisor, I would expect him to inform me as to the problem. He said that they just do what the customer asks of them. I asked that the plugs and wires be changed as that is all I knew to tell him. There is the incidence of my locks going haywire and rear windows being stuck also the speedometer had to be replaced as it stuck. All of these are on their various tsb. Should they not have repaired them at no charge to me? What is the function of a tsb as opposed to a recall? This vehicle was still under warranty when I purchased it. All of the incidences listed here did not occur at the same time. I have listed them never-the-less. The incident date is for intake gasket. It has not been repaired. Thanking you in advance, I appreciate your earliest response.
At 60000 miles check engine light came on, indicating a misfire on cylinder 1. Mechanic pulled plug and found coolant in cylinder due to a blown head gasket.
1996 ford windstar engine failure - systemic head gasket problem with the v6 3.8l engine, which ford has known about for many years. Symptoms: hard to start, rough idle, white smoke from tail pipe, engine coolant dripping from exhaust, oil looks like brown mayonnaise.
Consumer noticed vehicle was surging . Also, there was an anti freeze smell. Checked engine, and engine check light started flashing. Vehicle was serviced, and technician noticed a head gasket problem.
Consumer stated while traveling and without any indication vehicle started surging, and check engine light started flashing. Vehicle was serviced, technician noticed that head gasket needed to be replaced.
Problems with minivan stalling, loss of coolant in vehicle.*mr the consumer had also experienced problems with the intake gasket leaking a lot of oil, the engine pump needed replacing, which resulted in a whole new engine being installed.
I have 1996 windstar (85k) 3.8 v-6 with a coolant leak in the >combustion chamber. It developed last year. I know this is a >chronic problem that plagued 1994/1995 3.8 v-6 windstars too. >ford extended their warranties to 7 years & 100,000 miles. While >ford made some changes to the '96 models, they didn't really >upgrade the head gasket until 1997. >please see link. >http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/driving/articles/42970/article.h >tml) >I have seearched the web and have found that there are many '96 >windstar as well as other 3.8 v-6 ford owners who are having >similar problems. >(http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_wnd_96_gas.htm) >how can I get ford to bite the bullet an admit that there is an >on going problem and fix my car?
Problems with gas fumes coming from the exhaust system.*mr( doris stewart on behalf of her parents robert stewart and jacqueline stewart).*ts. The vehicle overheated at idle, the dealer replaced the head gaskets, the air condition stopped working and there was a problem with the power train control module.
Consumer called complaining about the engine head gasket. The consumer also stated this was a common problem. The dealer was contacted who stated there was no warranty for the defect. *ts *ph
The consumer requested assistance to get ford to extend their head gasket recall to include the 1996 ford windstar. The gasket on the consumers vehicle needs to be replaced. *nlm
I have been having problems with my check engine light coming on and staying on since sept. 2000 when vehicle had under 100,000 miles on it. Took it to dealer while under warranty. Now have a private certified auto tech who does my repairs and code read outs. I have had a tune up at 95,000 miles, and had to have another one at 121,000 miles. Had problems with engine stalling while driving down the interstate and up a hlll. In summer of 2001, I had the iac valve changed which corrected the stalling problem. Have replaced o-2 sensors at least twice. In past 6 months, the enging has been running very rough and I have a strong smell of gasoline . 2nd tune-up and coil replaced about 2 weeks ago. Engine now running very rough and gasoline odor is so strong that you could not light a match in the vehicle. Check engine light on again as well as brake and ABS light. Radiator completely empty for the 2nd time in 2 weeks.
Consumer stated that head gasket is cracked. Dealer and manufacturer has been notified.
Replaced head gasket on 1996 ford windstar with 66, 712 miles on engine.
96 windstar 3.8l engine .blown head gasket .90,000 miles on vehicle. Dealer quote $1500. -$1800. To repair head gasket. Service manager suggested replace engine $4000. Service manager admitted there is a definite problem with this engine ford knows of the problem . The service manager gave me the telephone # for ford customer complaints and wished me good luck. Three independent mechanics told me there is definitely a problem with the 3.8l engine and windstars. One of the mechanics " 9 out of 10 windstars blow head gaskets". His suggestion of vehicles to avoid when shopping for a vehicle -------------ford windstar-------- ford dealer offered to take my windstar in trade and they would re-wholesale the vehicle not repair it. No thanks ford will be last on my list of vehicle's to own." made in america and proud of it" ??? How about it ford?
1996 ford windstar 3.8 liter engine with 83,000 miles on it blew head gasket in december 2002. Paid over $1200 for repairs. Sent a complaint to ford motor company requesting assistance. Response was that the 1996 model is not covered under recall. June 19, 2003 after paying repairs mentioned above, the engine blew. The vehicle is completely disabled and will cost over $3500 to repair.
Problems with head gaskets / if compression check had been done bending of piston rods may not have occurred. *mr the consumer experienced, rough idle along with the smell of anti freeze(indicated a head gasket problem), the engine light had come on as a result of a misfire code(the radiator was flushed), there were noises that had come from the engine(lost power/slowed to a crawl), and the consumer was told that something had come loose in the engine. (there was an intermittent miss in cylinder #1) the rough idle and the smell of antifreeze was repaired, the service dealer recommended the consumer replace the engine. *scc
Engine spewing water. Diagnosed as freeze plugs blowing 72,000 miles. At 42,000 miles transmission had to be worked on. Jumped out of drive to neutral. Vehicle has had regular maintenance since purchased new.
The head gasket had to be replaced. Ford recalled the 95 models and will not honor the 96 models. There was an inadequate performance and abnormal engine coolant temperature indications, coolant leaked from the head gasket and caused the engine to overheat. The dealer misdiagnosed the problem and caused the consumer spend more money. The consumer requested a refund for the repair cost.
For the 3rd time the head gasket blew. The first was at 56,000; the second at 90,000, and now at 125,000. On searching for used engine to replace mine, I find that most out of windstars have blown head gasket.
The vehicle had a faulty engine (3.8). The vehicle was repaired eight times for engine related problems.
1996 3.8 ford windstar has a blown head gasket which ruined my engine. Ford refused to do anything to help with this problem even though it is a well know problem.
While driving and without warning the head gasket blew and caused fluid to leak.
The check engine light illuminated and the vehicle began to overheat. The consumer pulled over allowed the engine to cool and put in some anti-freeze.
96 ford windstar with 3.8 lt v6 ,has blown head gasket,ford says there has been no recall for part with my VIN# after looking up problem with vehicle on the web I found numerous complaints about the head gasket for the 94 and 95 models and it seems they have followed over to the 96 models especially with the 3.8 engines. Upon calling ford and talking to a representative they said the repair cost were basically im my hands ,I told them from what I read there had been numerous problems with the gaskets in the 96 and for them to go at 73,ooo miles seems a little premature,she basically told me that we were talking in circles and that the 96"s had a excellent customer rating and to make a long story short the expense of the repair would be mine.
1996 ford windstar - failure of head gasket resulting in irreparable engine damage. Cost of head gasket repair, ~$1,500. Cost of engine replacement ~$4,000. Was informed by ford service technician that this was a common problem with windstars from the years '94 through '97 and that ford had a "silent recall" for up to 100k miles where they would have replaced head gasket.
44,000 miles and blown head gasket, $1500 repair quote. How many complaints before ford provides remedy for 96 windstars? I will never buy a ford again and I am telling everyone I know not to buy a ford.
The engine cover gasket failed, and oil mixed with the anti-freeze and ruined the engine.
My 1996 3.8l ford windstar slowly developed a head gasket leak after approximately 80,000 miles. My van is well maintained with all the appropriate supporting documents. I have searched the net and I have found the head gasket leak problem with this model is shared by other numerous owners as well. It is apparent that ford needs to recall the 1996 windstar gasket leak as they did on their 1995 model. Ford has implied the gasket has been repaired on the 1996 model. My van is a testament the defect on the head gasket has not been resolved. I would like to add my complaint to your list and hopefully force ford to extend the recall to the 1996 model as well.
I purchased a 1996 ford windstar in september of 1998. It had 15,000 miles on it. It has the 3.8l v6 engine. The van currently has 84,452 miles on the odometer. On march 28, 2003 the check engine light appeared. I took the vehicle to my local ford dealer to be fixed. They advised that the engine had a miss-fire on cylinder number 1. They checked the spark plug, spark plug wire and coil. They did not determine why the engine misfired and concluded that it must have been a fluke. I paid for the work completed. I drove approximately one half mile and the check engine light again appeared. On march 28th, I was informed by the shop forman that the fuel injector on number 1 cylinder was not working. A fuel injector was ordered and installed. On monday, march 31, 2003 I paid a bill for $136.31 for the repair of the fuel injector. As I drove the windstar to my home the check engine light appeared. The shop forman advised me that the fuel injector was not the problem and that an alternate engine computer was tried. On wednesday, april 2, 2003 I was advised that an engine knock had developed. It was caused by antifreeze leaking through a head gasket into cylinder number 1. The water in the cylinder caused the piston rod to bend ruining the engine. A replacement engine will cost $3400. I asked the shop forman if an engine compression check had been done during the engine diagnosis. He advise that no compression check was done since a pressure check of the engine had been done by this shop a few months previous because the coolant level was low. I have found many testimonials and complaints regarding the 1996 3.8l v6 engine. I believe that ford should pay for the new engine.
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