The head gasket failed. A technical service bulletin was issued for the earlier models.
1998 Ford Windstar engine complaints
Page 4 of 8: complaints 71 to 100 of 193, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving 35 MPH engine locked up without warning , leaving the consumer without power. The dealer was notified. *nlm.
Driving at about 35 MPH in moderate traffic, engine slowed, oil and check engine light came on. Engine began making a sputtering sound and white smoke billowed from the tail pipe. Vehicle decreased speed rapidly, endangering three children. Engine diagnositc proved blown head gasket.
I have maintained my 1998 ford windstar very well - having all recommended maintenace performed. It has only 80,000 miles on it and the head gasket now has a leak. Coolant has leaked into the #4 cylinder. The dealer wants $3500-4500 to put a new engine in it. The head gasket leaking is a known problem with windstars. Ford has has a program for earlier models to replace the engine. But ford has yet to apply the program to the 1998 models. I expect a ford vehicle to get at least 180,000 miles when the owner has all recommended maintenance completed. I want ford to pay for a new engine! I was to put another 100,000 miles on that van.
Consumer statedthere are problems with the vehicle. Dealer was contacted and they stated there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Ph
When shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, the van would vibrate. The dealership stated they replaced the motor mounts, however the condition still persists. The motor mounts were replaced again due to the same problem of unknown vibration. Nlm *jb the passenger side front tire wore out. The tie rod ends were replaced.
Vehicle died completely with power steering and electrical all off, lights and all when driving at night.
Vehicle was parked and head gasket blewout. Vehicle had to be towed. Dealership is aware of problem.*ak
The head gaskets failed and were replaced. Also, the coolant flowing through the cylinders caused a major engine problem.
Consumer stateed both front tie rods failed and were replaced, also the steering rack was replaced.
Head gasket failure, coolant leaked into cylindar, bent connecting rod.
White smoke coming from the exhaust and the engine was missing due to blown head gaskets. Dealer contacted. *ak also found blown intake manifold gasket. Transmission replaced at 45,000 miles.
Vehicle was losing anti freeze , and engine would keep getting close to overheating. Contacted dealer, and dealer replaced head gasket.
Head gasket failure/replacement - ford has had ongoing problems with the head gaskets on the 3.8 engines. Ford informed me that they do have "programs" for this problem on earlier models but have not extended them to cover the 98 models. While my windstar is a 98 model it was built in january of 1997.
While driving there is excessive smoke coming out of the tail pipe, mechanic does not have solution for consumer concern. *ak dealer replaced defective bank #2 hego sensor. But consumer states problem still exist. Door light on dash board illuminated. A special part was ordered.
The power steering failed.
Brake hose leak caused a sudden total loss of breaking power. Amazingly, there was no accident. The gasket failure was attended to at the first hint of a problem, since I had the same problem on my ford taurus one month prior.
Contacted bill ford, chairman, fmc, in writting, 2x,, no written response.no safety defect mentioned.
Consumer states when coming to a stop, the vehicle stalls and loses all power. Vehicle will keep rolling, and it is hard to maneuver. Dealer contacted.*ak
During operation at any speed engine will stall unexpectedly. Problem occurred a few times beginning in july of 2000, and is progressively increasing in frequency. Dealership has not examined vehicle for this problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
Courtesy lights will intermittenly work. They will come on when driving at night, or sometimes they will not come on at all. *ak experiencing other electrical problems with the reverse lights, interior lights, automatic door locks, door check light, and signal lights operating intermittently, consumer states that the engine is noisy and the engine check light is always on, the seat belt is loose, passenger side arm rest is loose, and the back window wiper is inoperative.
Vehicle caught fire under the hood, claim 04-1243-985.
While in motion, the egine caught on fire, claim 53-c579-741.
Vehicle one was driving and started to smell something like plastic. Insured pulled into sevice station, lifted the hood and found a fire burning inside the compartment, claim 36-a159-793.
Vehicle loss, fire under hood, claim 59-v719-855.
While in motion insured smelled gas and pulled over. Looking under the hood, he saw flames shooting from the engine, claim 42-1328-321.
While in motion, insured rear ended another vehicle, causing the vehicle to rear end someone else, vehicle caught on fire possibly mechanically related, there were two injuries in the accident, claim 43-r763-433.
While driving, insured heard a large popping noise, smoke emmited, then an fire erupted, claim 42-1402-914.
Insured was traveling when he smelled something funny. Flames had start to come up from the hood. Insured tried to put fire out but couldn't, possible transmission leak onto manifold, claim 40-2554-562.
While parked for a day inside of insured's garage, a fire started in the engine compartment, claim 23-c025-105.
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