10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 3,042 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
Vehicle overheated in seconds and engine seized.
- Plaistow, NH, USA
Engine head gasket failure of 3.8 liter V6 engine. Although this failure occurred in a MINImall parking lot, it could have occurred at highway speed and would have put my wife and son in harm's way. At the very least, they were stranded some 15 miles from home. Ford had an extended warranty for the premature failure of the head gasket, but my mileage was beyond the warranty. The incident cost me $703.84.
- Cedar Knolls, NJ, USA
The engine problem is two-fold. In December of 1999 the head gaskets were replaced and shortly thereafter we began hearing a knocking noise and were told the rod bearings were going out and we would need a new engine. When the local Ford dealer was contacted regarding an estimate their response was " don't feel bad we are seeing a lot of these problems on this engine". some consolation for someone who has to replace an engine that only has 70,000 miles on it. The dealer contacted was not the dealer where the van was purchased. The speedometer has now failed twice and because the reading is not an accurate mileage trade in on it is drastically reduced. When contacted about the second failure Ford offered no help or explanation for the problem. The original speedometer was replaced while under warranty at eastside motors in greencastle, in. There has got to be a problem that two speedometers would fail on the same vehicle. The dates on my report are approximate. These are things that I didn't record but I guess from now on I will. The odometer reading that I recorded on the questionaire is the combined mileage of the 2 odometers. The whole unit was replaced not just the speedometer.
- Adrian, MI, USA
Temperature guage shot up to high and there was no heat. I was on my home from work and driving on the X-pressway. When I reached home I called dealer immediately. I was told not to drive the car. The car remained in our garage for a day and then was driven to the dealer. I was told that the head gaskets needed replacing for a total cost of $1400. This car has only 66,000 miles on it and from what I have seen and heard this is a problem Ford has with this van. Warranty was up at 60,000 miles. I need to know if they timed this failure to occur until the warranty ran out. I even had the extended warranty, which of course is good for nothing. This car does not have that many miles on it to have this type of costly repair.
- Saukville, WI, USA
Dealer replaced engine head gasket cost $4077, said no warranty, gave me 800 number.
- Mansfield, OH, USA
Head gasket blew up.
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
Head gasket malfunctioned.
- Sandusky, OH, USA
Red engine light started glowing @ approx. 70-80K miles. Reported problem...nothing found. Car fails at 107000, head gasket. Was repaired for $1600, Jan 2000.
- Hampton, NJ, USA
There was a recall on head gaskets - Ford failed to notify us by mail nor did they notify us when we took it in for routine services. Now they won't fix it because it's past 60,000 miles. I took it to another mechanic, who fixed the problem at a cost of over $800. The other mechanic is how I found out about the recall - Ford shared that information with him - however, they failed to let us in on the secret.
- Dickson, TN, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
Transmission failed 3 times, head gaskets failed 2 times, Ford doesn't care!
- Wesley Hills, NY, USA
In November of 1998, the head gasket was replaced after vehicle was taken in to dealer for antifreeze leak. Dealer informed us that head gaskets were not yet "bad" but advised us to replace them before further damage was done to engine. We complied and had the head gasket replaced to avoid further problems. When we took the Windstar in on January 17, 2000, we were informed that we needed a new engine. The preventative head gasket replacement in 1998 should have avoided the engine failure, according to the dealer. Apparently, there is much more going on with this engine than we are aware of. We cannot afford to keep putting money into this vehicle, and we hope that Ford will issue a recall on the product. Incidentally, our service person at venus Ford (willie willett) has heard of thousands of 1995 Ford Windstar owners with identical problems. Visits to various sites on the internet confirm this. Why is no one taking any positive action on this major problem?
- Milwaukee, WI, USA
Vehicle experienced overheating due to blown head gasket which led to engine failure. Engine needs to be replaced. Dealer contacted.
- Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Head gasket failed causing smoke to come out from exhaust. Mjs
- Huntsville, AL, USA
Head gasket blew at about 55,000 miles.
- Edison, NJ, USA
Head gasket failed and was replaced. Less than 1000 miles after this repair the engine started making loud noise at start when cold. I was told that the short block was bad and was most likely damaged when the head gasket failed. Currently in process
- Golden Valley, MN, USA
Head gasket failed. Nlm
- Medina, OH, USA
Head gasket and timing cover failed.
- Gaithersbu, MD, USA
While driving home vehicle started to overheat. Temperature gauge needle indicated overheating. Took vehicle to dealership next day. Mechanic indicated head gaskets had blown. Owner would need to pay part of cost of repairs. Owner feels manufacturer should fill the bill.
- Pinole, CA, USA
- Collegedale, TN, USA