I own a 1997 ford windstar minivan (VIN# [xxx]) that contains a 3.8 v6. At 82,000 miles, the head gasket has blown. The dealer tells me that it will cost between $2000 and $4000 to repair. After doing extensive research on the web, it appears that the 1995 and 1996 models also had head gasket problems due to an admitted design flaw. Ford claims to have corrected the problem-but there are increasing numbers of owners of 1997 models that are experiencing the same problem. Repeated visits to the dealership-as well as numerous calls to ford-have resulted in dead ends. I get responses such as: "the warranty has expired", "there are no recalls on your vehicle at this time", etc. But since this is clearly due to a design flaw in the engine, then shouldn't this still be covered and corrected? Ford offered a brief program to repair the earlier models-so why hasn't this been offered on the later years? Ford claims that they have fixed the problem-which they clearly have not-yet they expect people to simply pay for the repairs. I believe that ford needs to be held accountable for this, and that they should offer to perform the work at either a discounted rate, or for free since this is due to their engine design. Even the manual claims the head gasket "is expected to last for at least 120,000 miles", and I was told that this was the case with this vehicle. Had I known of the problems other owners were having, I would have reconsidered my decision to purchase this van. To that end, I feel that I was misled somewhat. It is my hope to have ford admit to the problem and offer to repair my vehicle at no charge. Given the circumstances-and the amount of evidence supporting the claim of negligence on the behalf of ford-this should not be an unreasonable request. *la information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
1997 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 38 of 38, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Gaskets have completely failed.
Head gasket leaked, timing cover cracked. $3,000.00 + repair bill.
Engine timing belt and cylinder head leaked.
The engine over heated.
The head gasket leaked.
I bought my 1997 windstar used 6 months ago with 87,000 on it, I have driven only 3,000 miles and my engine blew with no warning. This was the most expensive used car I had ever owned and we did everything we could before we bought it..we checked the VIN report on carfax...we had the vehicle checked out by our own mechanic. I thought I had found a great (dream for me)vehicle. Ben satcher ford in sc said there was no recall on this car only the 95 model and that problem had been since fixed. So I'm stuck with paying $3000 for a new engine while I still owe $6000 on my vehicle. This vehicle is the only way I can transport my 3 children around together, our other vehicle is a pick-up with only front seats...so were stranded.
Have a 97 ford windstar all of a sudden I had a tire blow completely here to find out that the coil spring on drivers front broke and went into tire, then to find out there was a recall 2 years ago on it but was never notified of it and also a few weeks ago, van all of a sudden kept getting real hot with rolling white smoke just to find out that there was problems with the head gaskets on these windstars but yet still was never notified, this is not right, I feel we were cheated, now have a van that sits and still owe $10,000 on because I'm a family man of six and cannot afford the cost of these major repairs, I'm afraid of what might of happened if this would of blew with all my family in it on a highway, is this how the ford company treats their consumers by lying and decieving them.
Coolant low engine ran warm, no leaks found. February 2003, engine was filled with coolant because of leak. Starter blew and engine locked up. Ph
97 windstar has head gasket failure im still paying on it purchades at avis ford of southfield 12 mile telegrap mi cannot afford fixin it I believe is a manufacure failure and need to be fix do not have any safer transportation available at this time please hel us
Blown head gasket on 3.8 engine on 1997 ford windstar, with only 77,000 miles. Ford with not offer any help. After owning a ford for past 28 years, this is the last ford product that my family will ever own. Ever! Ts
Consumer states engine light illuminated. Took to dealer and they stated that it was a blown head gasket. Please provide any further information.
Abs braking light system appears on dashboard. Also there is coolant mixed in with oil inside of engine. Dealership is aware of the problems.
While driving, the consumer turned the ignition off. Upon starting the vehicle again, the starter made a funny noise. Also, the thermostat was extremely high. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer, and the problem was not resolved. *ak the consumer stated that the radiator was opened and the anti-freeze was low-refilled. The mechanic thought it was the water pump. The head gasket was leaking.
Vehicle was leaking coolant while driving, vehicle taken to a repair shop and they informed that vehicle was going into the frist stage of a blown head gasket. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.
While driving temperature gauge will point to hot, causing tvehicle to overheat. Consumer will have to pull over. Dealer notified.
Head gasket blew out at 68000 miles.
Consumer states head gasket blew, consistent with historical problem on this engine, dealer initially paid one half of repair due to history. *ak
We have a blown head gasket at 115,000 miles even though we had the van to the dealership several times when it was under warranty with concerns that the head gaskets were blown. They blew us off like we were idiots!! We had to have the door windows repaired because they were installed incorrectly, the latch assembly on the hatch broke we took it in and had repaired then approximately 1year later it broke again! Of course that time it was not covered because we were under the extended warranty and they refused to replace the latch, instead they wanted me to pay $250 to replace a piece of plastic that could not be purchased seperately! The rear windshield wiper quit working. We also have to periodically scrape and clean the sensor for the sliding door otherwise it will not stop dinging. The driver side mirror cracked the first winter, it was replaced and the replacement cracked the next winter. Right now this van is not running and we had to have the head pressure checked and resurfaced, will have to replace the head gaskets, etc... If we are lucky we will have a van that runs if not we will have to replace the engine which will be around $4500 or more. We have already spent several hundred. I feel ford should be paying for these services especially since we took this van to the dealer several times and were told there was nothing wrong except we needed to replace our o2 sensors!! Ford is junk!!!
We believe the sheer number of defect on this car is unbelievable. We purchased it used from my parents. Total cost of non "wear and tear" repairs is around $5000. This is over 25% of the vehicles original value, and over 50% of the value at time of purchase. While no accidents have occurred, we believe ford should take responsibility for a bad product.
Purchased vehicle used from dealer who stated vehicle purchased new there. Due to lg number of same type of engine defects in this vehicle would like to know if this vehicle was included in recall in 1998 and never repaired.or if dealer previously repaired vehicle and resold it. I have read several other listings on this website and the problems we are experiencing with this vehicle are identical to those listed. If this is a poorly made component amends should be made. Estimated repair costs to my vehicle at this time stand at $2300.00. This is an extrordinary amount of money to pay for a manufacturer defect. We were told the head gaskets needed to be replace and possible the head was cracked. We are getting a check engine light and white smoke from the tailpipe as well as antifreeze odor and evaporation the engine is running hot and we have had no prior problem with overheating I am at my wits end about what to do with so many people seemingly affected by this 3.8l engine problem why is ford not stepping up???z
This car had a blown head gasket after only 80000 miles. It is a 3.8 l engine that has a history of failures. How long can ford continue selling this junk? It seems to be going on forever.
Mechanic states that vehicle has a history of head gasket failures in prevoius years.
Had a blown head gasket at 27,888 miles, and also after that they had to replace the entire engine. I also found a beer can smashed between my spare tire and the frame of my van. This is that way it came from the factory. What kind of quality is this. Are people drinking alchohol while working on assembling my van. Now I stuck with this sorry ford product. They need to buy my van back and replace with a new one.
Transmission failed. Yh
Van lost power and stalled. Took to service center and was found to have main bearing spun and cracked block. Since warranty was over on mileage, neither the dealer nor ford motor company will warranty or even look at it. Was told it was "lack of maintenance" that caused problem.
The check engine light illuminates intermittently, possible engine failure. Nlm
At 67,000 miles the head gasket has blown, causing the vehicle to become inoperable. Cause unknown. Please give any further details.
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