Head gasket failed.
1998 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 3 of 8: complaints 41 to 70 of 193, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Heater on car wasn't working, smelling something burning. Advised that windstars with 3.8 engines seem to experience head gasket failure wherein coolant is either being burned or mixing with oil and will cause engine failure. Advised to contact ford, nhsta and local dealer.
Failed head gasket in 3.8l engine.
Head gasket failure leading to complete engine failure.
Purchased a 1998 windstar on 11/20/01. We had to replace the transmission only four months later, at only 44,000 miles. This van currently has a busted head gasket and is inoperable at only $64,000.00 miles. These issues with this make and model are quite common and wide-spread. For motor company is quite aware. Both problems could have caused serious accidents and property damages. They are excessive and extraordinary.
When we purchased the van, we also bought a diamondkote warranty ,for 499.99$ and told at the time of purchase that is was a good warranty.we then found out that we should not have been sold the warranty and plaza ford lincoln will not honor it, we can't even get a refund, so we spoke to someone at diamondkote and this person told us that we should not have been sold the warranty and have been trying to get a refund ever since,either from plaza ford lincoln or diamondkote. I had intentions of suing ford motor company two years ago when my husband took my two daughters to halifax, because my 8 year old had cancer at the time, she had a appointment at the I.w.k hospital and it was by the grace of god that thay were not killed when the front suspention spring broke in which case my husband lost steering. I spoke to a lawyer who sadly told, because there was no death or injury there was nothing he could do,well my 8 year old who is now cancer free was so scared, she still gets very scared to get in a vehicle. I could go on but for now this is just the begining. I am going to pursue the matter of the diamondkote warranty further,and possibly more.we have had alot of vehicals before but never a ford with as much trouble as this has been.
On october 1, 2003 the transmission failed at 23,956 miles. It neutralizes at 10 MPH or higher. Contact with the dealership stated it was out of warranty and I could bring it in for repair. They would not cooperate with providing me the name and means of contacting the zone rep. Repair cost at $1800.00 with transmission shop.
A/c oct. 99 $168.98, dec. 99 $134.40 suspension july 01 $664.61, dec. 99 $515.85, jun 01 $61.78, body jun 01 $443.61 other cd player jun 01 $19.50 and $366.86 turn signal jan 02 $161.04 dome light jan 02 $84.02 jan 02 $89.72 door oct 99 $134.52, mar 03 $285.07 steering sept.02 $258.82, mar. 03 569.32 computer controls sept. 00 $106.02 engine jan 02 $784.75 coolant smell (found front cover gasket leaking) sept. 02 85.95 (told throttle body worn out, sold me update computer software, seams to run better) currently in shop for check engine light and A/C system intermittent. Mechanic found engine problem, says main bearings or crankshaft bad, possibly due to coolant in oil system from january 02 problem
Head gasket blew. Never ran hot. Always serviced on time. Talked to owner at the ford dealership, who in turn had me talk to the service mgr. He told me he would look into it and see if there was anything ford would do about it. He never called me back, so I called him after a week. He said he left a message on my answering machine. I don't have an answering machine...then he tells me the only problems with the 3.8 engines was in the t-birds, not the windstars. By this time I have already looked on the net and seen the problems are with the windstars as well. He then tells me to come in and talk with the owner. I had already taken off work to do this. I now have the van at my mechanic to be repaired. I will never again buy a ford product. I personally believe that if ford is producing a faulty product, they should take the blame when it tears up. I know from the net that they did a repair, or trade in allowance on some years for the same problem, but stopped this program in 1998. There was never a recall. I think they tried to just ignore it and see if it would go away!
This van has all the defects and complaints listed on thegovt. Recalls the federal safety agency site and others ihave too much info to put on this site if there is anyone I can send my complaint to please let me know iam putting it back into the shop again ive been thru a nightmare along with trying to assure my 4 kids that they were safe in this van thankyou angela wallace and by the wat the dealer that sold me this van will not cooperate at all
Head gasket failure. Faulty head gasket design in my opinion ABS/traction control unit. Current problem tsb states that fuel tank manufactured with incorrect depth - fuel pump wiring is rubbed until electrical short occurs - and fuel pump fuse blows - vehicle is then stuck in traffic, in the middle of an intersection etc. Fords recommended fix is to replace the fuel tank and pump assembly however, they will not contribute anything to the cost of the repairs caused due to their faulty design.
At 55,000 miles my 1998 windstar with the 232 cubic inch engine, you guessed it, blew a head gasket. After reading about the problems with previous models, it looks as though ford has more problems a"head" (sorry had to). What steps should I take to help the other consumers make complaints so we aren't out thousands of dollars for repair costs that is obviously a ford problem? What steps can I take to get ford to cover the costs of this repair? Sincerely,
Head gasket failure on 3.8 liter v-6 engine
At 112,000 miles, my ford windstar has developed a head gasket leak internally which has resulted in extensive internal engine damage that now requires complete engine replacement. I have 2 professional repair shops diagnosis and both agree that it needs an engine replacement for the reasons stated above.
Check engine soon light came on. I took it to the ford dealer where I purchased my 1998 ford windstar. I told the service advisor I had a coolant leak. When the mechanic did the diagnostic test he said the leak was at the valve covers and intake. The gaskets had to be replaced at a price of over $900. It appears to be a major problem of the 1998 ford windstar which is not covered under the defect warranty. My windstar had just over 50,000 miles on when this defect happened.
Vehicle check engine light is illuminated. Engine developes a rough idle at stop while driving and has on ocassions stalled completely. Not in warranty at present time. Taken to independant repair shop and diagnosed with ford tsb 01205. Replace manifold gasket and bolts, etc. Ford motor needs to issuse recall on the problem asap.
The consumer had to refill the vehicle with coolant fluid often due to engine overheating.
Ford windstar tension pulleys on their serpentine belts are defective.
While driving, the engine fell out to the ground. Dealer said someone removed the engine bolts. *ak there were no existing bolts. (engine support held in place by friction on the threads until final failure) *scc
1998 windstar head gasket failure. *mr the consumer noticed the coolant was low and had it to topped off. The coolant level continued to fall. The mechanic refused to change either fluid due to the head gasket failure. There was a recall on the 95' models but it appeared that ford did not fix the problem. Refer to odi# 10028678 *scc
The first sign of trouble occurred when the vehicle was brought into the repair shop. Informed by the mechanic that there was a problem with the head gasket, in which the radiator fluid was leaking into the engine and that the repair cost would be approximately $1,500 (canadian). Ford was notified but refuses to acknowledge and to compensate the problem because it?s not covered in its extended warranty even though its warranty is for seven years or 160,000 km.
Blown head gasket on 1998 ford windstar. Head gasket is not a service item and should last for the life of the vehicle. There are many reports of similar problems with the ford 3.8l engine.
Problems with transmission, torque, power steering, and front end stable rods & arms. *mr the transmission and torque had been replaced twice, the power steering once, the font end stable rods and arms twice and remained bad. The battery light had come on and the idler pulley was replaced, there was a creaking/cracking noise when turning the wheel and the outer tie rods were replaced along with the toe being reset, there was a clunk when going over the bumps, there was a vibration underneath due to the transmission, the engine light would come on and off and seemed like the shifts were erratic, the transmission leaked badly, and on some occasions the starter did not engage. *scc
I am seeking action to alleviate the cost of maintenance problems I have experienced with my 1998 3.8l v6 ford windstar gl. Over the past few years, my windstar has displayed reoccurring and extensive mechanical problems in the front end, brakes, and engine that have resulted increasing amounts of time and money spent on repairs. From research, I have found that our difficulties are not an isolated event, and are in fact a common problem in the 1998 windstar, and are the same problems found in the 1995 windstar. The most recent event was the requirement to have the head gasket replaced. The local ford dealer provided this service which cost $1500.00 in parts and labor. Upon completion of the repairs the van was not roadworthy, a new short block was needed due to damage caused by the faulty head gasket. I have been quoted over $6000.00 for this job. In addition to the mounting repair costs, I am forced to rent a car so that we have transportation while we consider options with our windstar. My windstar has less than 100,000 miles. It is not uncommon these days to have vehicles operate this long before requiring the first tune-up. In order to maintain this van, I have spent the time I have ownwd this vehicle and a lot of money taking my windstar into service centers to have inferior parts, such as the plastic tie-rod ends and brakes, replaced many times. I have also spent a fortune on rental cars while our windstar sat unserviceable. We have born this cost with the expectation that investing money in repair would result in safe, reliable transportation for our family. With this major repair, the months of exhaustive diagnosis and trial repair jobs to fix the problems that arrise, the multiple tie rod end replacements, and brake system repairs, I feel that I am entitled to compensation from the ford motor company.
While driving engine started idling high and running rough. Dealer has been notified.
Current mileage approx. 55,800. . On a recent trip to cape may, nj (approx. 150 miles from our home in bayside, ny ),the engine seized and the car died on the garden state parkway. The car was brought to the nearest ford dealer/ service station, chapman ford (june 31,2003), where it is being serviced currently. The technician could not evaluate the damage until july 2,2003, where he stated that a rod broke causing a puncture in the oil pan therefore causing a loss of fluid and a seize of the engine. At lease inception, we took an extended warranty through ford hempstead with interstate warranty services. This warranty company ordered a complete tear down of the engine to find out why the rod broke, we agreed knowing that it was due to no neglect on our part, the tear down did not occur until july 10th and was examined on july 11th by an inspector hired by interstate. The claim is now being denied, even though we supplied them with all the documentation they requested on the upkeep and maintenance of the car. Their claim is that the last maintenance (oil change, filter and lubricants) were not done. We have the documentation to prove that monahan ford, flushing, ny did this maintenance along with other work in january. Also, hempstead ford, hempstead, ny, did service on the car april 2003 for the exact hesitation in acceleration that we experienced immediately before the engine seized. Unfortunately monahan ford went out of business and we are being told that our car was not kept in good condition when documentation proves it was in two separate dealerships within a sixth month period. I now am faced with a $5000.00+ bill to repair a car that was kept well and has an extended warranty. I am being forced to file suit with monahan ford for fraudulent service and file suit with hempstead ford for failure to correctly analyze the car's problem.
Consumer states that the engine head gasket failed. Dealer notified.
Blown head gasket on 1998 ford windstar at 85,000 miles.
Consumer states that vacuum motor switch fails. He also states that the rubber diaphram fails all the time. This part of the auto is suppose to be working in relations with the intake manifold.
While driving, the vehicle stopped in the middle of traffic without warning. The dealer stated the transmission and head gasket needed to be replaced.*ak
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