We took our 96 windstar into the ford dealer to investigate an oil leak. The service department informed my wife that the oil pan gasket and lip seal, timing cover gasket, upper/lower intake gaskets and u/c gaskets needed replacement at a cost of $1,800.00. I found this unusual and researched these symptoms on the internet and was astonished what I found. The content in the articles on many web sites researched, are identical to what I am experiencing. Following the pattern of these stories I am concerned that if the dealer begins the work stated, I will receive a call from him saying that coolant leaked passed the gaskets and I will need a new engine. I also discovered that ford extended the warranty on 95 windstars. There is no indication that ford is planning on extending the warranty for the 96 year however, the information that is public domain clearly indicates a chronic problem. It is my opinion that I should not bear these costs, given the historic problems, and hope that ford will take responsibility to resolve this issue.
1996 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 5 of 17: complaints 101 to 130 of 472, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The consumer requested an investigation of ford motor company and their lack of recalls on some serious defects. *mr. The vehicle experienced a clunking sound, however the dealer stated the clunking sound was normal and then the transmission failed, the transmission was replaced with another ford transmission, which failed on a test drive and one other occasion. Coolant leaked into the engine through the intake gasket, which was recalled for the 95 models. The timing chain leaked. There was a recall on the coils in the suspension, which ford would only replace when they failed. The brake rotors failed at 30000 miles. Scc
The head gasket failed.
Blown head gasket and intake manifold gasket at 70,700 miles took in to mechanic repair bill is approximately. $1200.00. I only had this vehicle since june 2002. It is now march 2003. Found out that there was a new engine put in my van february of 2001.
My check engine light stays on and if I hit the brakes suddenly the brake light will come on.
The engine head gasket blew out, and the motor block cracked. *ak
This incident started when I had noticed a small amount of radiator fluid on the garage floor, and a slight smell of radiator fluid when I ran the heater. In addition, the check engine light had come on again in november 2002. I took the van to the apple valley ford dealer and after diagnosing it, I was told the number 4 spark plug is stuck and the gasket needs to be replaced on the timing cover on the engine (this was the source of the radiator fluid leak). The dealers professional opinion was the head gasket is also bad, the head for the #4 plug would need replacing, and combined with the need to replace the timing cover gasket, they recommended a complete engine replacement at $4,400. I declined and took the van to another local mechanic, who unfortunately confirmed the diagnosis and indicated there were known problems and technical service bulletins for engine gasket replacements with ford windstar 3.8 liter v6 engines in 1995. They also indicated they had started seeing this same problem turning up in 1996 models. They also quoted a similar number & recommended using a jasper engine instead of the ford engine as the warranty is 75,000 miles. I also declined and the van is now sitting parked in my driveway while I continue to make car payments on a vehicle I can not drive for fear of engine failure.
This incident started when I had noticed a small amount of radiator fluid on the garage floor, and a slight smell of radiator fluid when I ran the heater. In addition, the check engine light had come on again in november 2002. I took the van to the apple valley ford dealer and after diagnosing it, I was told the number 4 spark plug is stuck and the gasket needs to be replaced on the timing cover on the engine (this was the source of the radiator fluid leak). The dealers professional opinion was the head gasket is also bad, the head for the #4 plug would need replacing, and combined with the need to replace the timing cover gasket, they recommended a complete engine replacement at $4,400. I declined and took the van to another local mechanic, who unfortunately confirmed the diagnosis and indicated there were known problems and technical service bulletins for engine gasket replacements with ford windstar 3.8 liter v6 engines in 1995. They also indicated they had started seeing this same problem turning up in 1996 models. They also quoted a similar number & recommended using a jasper engine instead of the ford engine as the warranty is 75,000 miles. I also declined and the van is now sitting parked in my driveway while I continue to make car payments on a vehicle I can??t drive for fear of engine failure. 8nlm
Head gasket failure . A common defect in ford windstars, they were covered in the previous model years, but not the '96 model. Ford, so far, will not cover this. Also speedometer "jumps" around above 45 MPH. This too, is common in this and prior model windstars. Repairs are usually $500 and is a safety concern as driver does not know how fast they are traveling.
Check engine light comes on< goes off< comes on< goes off< comes on< stays on< goes off! And the dealership (greene ford, gainesville, ga.) always has a different reason for the problem at a cost of approximately. $600 or more to fix each time, to no end. The first time the check engine light came on the imrcs were suppose to be the problem according to the dealerships disagnostics test (cost $80.00) they replaced and supposedly fixed the problem, (cost $560.00). Light came on next day while taking a family vacation out of state. Had an independent machanic perform a tune up on vehicle, replaced plugs, wires, oil change, throttle body cleaned (cost $223.00) the check engine light came back on within two days. Upon the next return to the dealership the diagnostics test (cost another $80.00) reported a code egr insufficient flow and a #4 cylinder misfire (est. Repair costs $600.00). Had a dpfe sensor replaced ($76.00) the check engine light came back on! It is amazing to me that these so called dealerships (experts) with their so called (diagnostics tests) have not the foggiest clue about how to fix this problem. It is also disturbing that after reveiwing the number of complaints on this website, that the federal safety agency has not ordered ford to stop playing games and force a recall for these problems. It is apparent that others had the same symptoms and problems in the past that never get resolved until the head gaskets fail and the repair bills go from $600.00 to $2000.00. I am accusing ford of knowingly and without regard to the best intrests of their customers allowing major problems to exist and persist in an effort to increase their profits at the customers expense. Ford corparation should be assamed, but they have shown no acceptance of responability. And the dealerships are no better, everytime we discuss this problem with them, we get different answers and costs from day to day and it appears if you complain to much you get to pay even more. Thanks ford, for nothing!
Local garage diagnosed that our 1996 ford windstar van's 3.8l engine had a blown head gasket, which was causing the check engine light to continually come on. Combustion gases were in the cooling system, as was oil residue. Oil also found in the top part of the engine in the intake manifold. It is suspected that coolant and maybe water have found their way into the cylinders. Don't know yet what damage is done internally to the engine. Local ford dealership indicated that it was a $2000 charge to repair. Engine not under the warranty program issued by ford for the 1995 windstars even though it's the same 3.8l engine. Ford customer assistance logged my call but said that they were not treating this issue as a warranty item and that I was on my own to fix it.
The head gasket leaked coolant. *dt
Nar 03/05/2003 the consumers experienced head gasket failure. The cost of repair were approx $2100.22. Dealer notified.
96 windstar had failed nj state inspection but was running fine. Vehicle has 109,000 miles and dealer informed me it has leaking head gaskets. Dealer will not accept any responsibility for problem. Vehicle has been serviced at this dealer for about 3 years and no mention was ever made about the potential for this problem even though it is quite apparent that this is a latent defect at least until the 1997 year. Factory campaigns were in place through 95 and problem was reduced on 96 vehicles but still existed.
The ABS light had flashed periodically, the transmission had burnt out, and the engine had become contaminated with coolant. The consumer had requested reimbursement for the charge of the rebuilt engine. Scc
Abs and check engine light constant, replaced o2 sensor, replaced ABS brakes, transmission problems causing vehicle to jerk and not change gears when running or parked, coolant leaking and door sensors are bad. All document known issues on.*jb http://www.carsurvey.org/modelyear_ford_windstar_1996.html - something needs to be done about this. This has gone on far to long and is putting peoples life at stake. I have children in my van and all of these are big issues that need to be address immediately.
The engine light illuminated on the dashboard, a noise emitted from under the hood, and then the engine stalled.
Intake gasket over passenger front wheel well leaking coolant ABS brake light comes on during warm weather and on bumpy roads
Head gasket failed leading to coolant entering cylinders. Van had just 70,000 miles and this should not have been a problem. Repair at ford dealership was $1,300. They acknowledged this is a problem with the 1996 windstars.
I have a 1996 ford windstar (3.8-liter engine) with almost 78,000 miles. I've owned is since it was new. It experienced a blown head gasket 3 weeks ago. The service manager at bert weinman ford here in chicago recommended that I replace the engine. I did so at a price of almost $4500. From what I know, ford has a serious problem with head gaskets in this engine. They have offered extended warranty for some model years, but none which covers my vehicle.
This is in reference to what appears to be an excessive number of 1996 ford windstar's with the 3.8 engine having multiple head gasket problems. My vehicle is now having to be replaced after a third head gasket has to be replaced.
The apparently common blown head gasket on the 3.8l engine has occurred on my '96 ford windstar. I've been told by the local ford service center that ford is not compensating owners for this obvious design flaw.
The head gasket on my 1996 for windstar has failed at around 93,000 miles. I have gone to many websites with hundreds of people complaining about the same problem. This same engine, in the 1995 windstar(even though ford said that they corrected the problem) was recalled for the same problem. I can see that if this were a rare case of gasket failure, it would not matter very much, but seeing that hundreds of people are having the same problem bothers me. Ford should be responsible and fix this problem. I do not know how a recall gets started, but would like to get this one done. Thank you
The head gasket failed, which caused the anti-freeze and oil not to circulate through the engine.
The vehicle overheated, consumer was informed by the dealer that the head cover gasket needed to be replaced. Customer would like to be reimbursed for expenses.
Have in ford dealer shop a 1996 ford windstar with 92,100 miles on it. It has the infamous 3.8l engine head gasket and front cover gasket problem, as previously defined by ford motor company. Ford customer assistance center refuses to cover the cost of this.
96 windstar, 3.8l engine, 65,000 miles. Failure of head gasket and intake manifold gasket. $1700 to replace gaskets and related problems caused by the faiure.
I would like to file a complaint regarding my 1996 ford windstar. I have just learned the head gasket on my vehicle has blown out with just 70k miles on it. I know ford recalled 1995 models and after some research of my own, have learned that there are just as many 96's with the same problem and ford refuses to do anything with that model year.
Problem with 1996 ford windstar 3.8l engine 45,000 mi. W/ defective head gasket. Ford extended the warranty on 94-95 models but won't cover 96 models. This is a known problem w/ all the 3.8l engines and ford should be held responsible for manufacturing and selling a defective product. A recall should be done on this product. Ts
While driving and without warning head gasket/timing chain snapped, causing fluid to leak. Dealer notified. Ts.
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