10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 3,042 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Engine head gaskets have failed for the 3rd time in 80000 miles. Dealer repaired 1st under warranty, 2nd under Ford M.C. special extension of warranty, and now dealer and Ford M.C. won't repair at no cost. This obviously has been an ongoing problem with the 1995 Windstar and one that the cause of the failure has not been addressed...only band-aided. I want Ford to buy out the balance of my loan !!!
- Dayton, NJ, USA
Engine head gasket broke, causing the engine to throw a rod and destoy the engine. It is now less than a year later and the head gasket on the engine which we had installed, ( which we had to get a loan for) has failed again. On top of last years costs on a new engine, this will be at least another $700. And new engine again should it throw a rod again. The vehicle can not be driven now.
- Gabriels, NY, USA
I wanted to report a '95 Windstar 3.8L engine head gasket failure that has just occurred to my vehicle. I've been informed that head gaskets are supposed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. Mine failed at 52300. Ford is refusing to fix the problem despite a letter that was sent to me in June '98 stating they will fix at their expense if the car is less than 5 years or under 60000 miles. There are reported allegations stating this to be a 100% failure rate. I would like Ford to acknowledge this problem and back it up with a recall effort with full reimbursement of expenses.
- Howell, MI, USA
Ford has acknowledged that the engine head gaskets on the 3.8 liter engine are defictive. Yet, they will not assist in repair costs. This problem is prevalent in 1995 winstars. Someone needs to make Ford do the right thing.
- Douglasville, GA, USA
Ford has admitted that they put the wrong head gasket into this engine. I was told by the mechanic that they gave a silent warranty of an additional 30K or 5 yrs. They never contacted the owners to give them the option to replace this. This was a $ $700 dollar repair. I've taken very good care of my van and am satisfied with it except for this one issue. Ford should of given us a choice to replace this gasket before it blew.
- Edgewood, IA, USA
The head gasket was contaminated causing complete damage to the engine.
- Mill Valley, CA, USA
Engine began to heat up, temperature gauge went up, and anti-freeze blew out of the exhaust. Consumer pulled car over, and had it towed to a manufacturer.
- Monte Vista, CO, USA
Well maintained Windstar needs new transmission at 52K miles, and blew rod bearings at 64K miles requiring a new engine. Have read hundreds of same problems on the internet. Ford has a problem and needs to address it.
- Winter Park, FL, USA
I was told this had been under a limited recall, probably in 96, which I did not know about. I have received 2 recalls and wish I knew about the recall on the motor (head gaskets).
- Duncanvill, AL, USA
My 95 Windstar has been nothing but problems since day one. My transmission went within 6 months after purchas., now the head gasket are gone, and Ford knew there was a known problem with premature failure on there head gaskets on 3.8L engines. I never received the notification letter from Ford about this problem. I had vehicle towed to nearest dealership malouf Ford in North brunswick, NJ and was told it'll cost me about $1400 to repair. I feel this is totally unfair to saddle the consumer again with repair bills for something Ford new was a problem. They should honor there product and fix and no cost to me. I will be filing a complaint with the better business bureau and the small claims court if Ford doesn't what I feel is fair and right. Thanks francisco martinez.
- Somerset, NJ, USA
We did not ever receive (nor did the previous owner) a letter about the head gasket recall on our Windstar. We contacted Ford today and were turned down reimbursement because it had too many miles. But we would have had it done by then, had we been notified of the recall.
- Bella Vista, AR, USA
Engine head gasket failed after warranty had expired, replaced transmission after warranty had expired, steering locked up (repaired under warranty), wears out tires because has pulled to right since day one, have replaced braking system twice
- Alfred Station, NY, USA
Head gasket failed on Nov. 16, 1999. I picked up the vehicle from the dealer on Nov. 19 and drove it home (~15 miles). I immediately called the dealer and told them the engine was running hot. I was told to go ahead and drive the car. On Dec. 6 (after more phone conversations), I took the car back and was told the no.2 fuel injector had failed. On Dec. 97 I picked the car up and before I could get it home again, the "engine" check light came on, and the car ran very roughly. I immediately called the dealer and they told me to drive it for a feew days to see what happened. On Dec 22, I returned the car to the dealer, and again the N0. 2 cylinder has "a problem" that the dealer can't diagnose. Ford is offering no assistance.
- Pickerington, OH, USA
Ford had a "secret warranty" of 5 years or 60,000 miles for head gaskets because of the huge number of problems. My problems with low coolant levels, and no heat started before 60,000 miles, and before the December of 1999. They refuse to help me. If this was an isolated event, or if the vehicle had 90,000 miles on it, I wouldn't seek compensation. But this is a widespread problem, and head gaskets on newer vehicles should last at least 100,000 miles. I have complete documentation of this, please contact me if I can be of any assistance. Thank you.
- Brussels, WI, USA
Failure to replace new engin ehead gasket by either dealer or manufacturer w/O charge under "M campains" warranty. This is very significant safety issue for everyone to knows.
- Union City, CA, USA
Vehicle has a cracked valve cover that causes an oil leak in the engine. Dealer has been contacted. Thre was a (tsb) on this problem.
- Casselberry, FL, USA
Transmission went at 70K no help from Ford. Head gasket leaking 120K no assistance or help from Ford. Window motor do not work no help from Ford. Steering problems no one can find a problem, but I keep replacing tire prematurly. I paid for the tramsmission $1500. Now the van is in the shop at sam galloway Ford for a head gasket. The only reason I had it towed into sam galloway is because they said there was a recall on the head gasket and they will take care of it. Covered by the recall. They called after looking at it and said $1700 to repair the gasket and others problems caused by the leaking head gasket. Recall states 60K 0R Dec 31 2000 wich ever comes first. If they are putting faulty products in their vehicles they are causeing safety concerns and they should be responsible for repairs.
- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA
#4 engine head gasket failure exactly has been reported on numerous other vehicles. Also, repeated oxygen sensor failure exactly as reported on other vehicles.
- Suwanee, GA, USA
Blown gaskets; company extented warranty to 5yr or 60,000 mile due to premature failure. Defective part should be covered at any mileage as only had 4 1/2 years. Whole engine might need replacement due to defect. They admitted in extnended warranty, number 98M01 letter.
- Hagerstown, MD, USA
- Dayton, NJ, USA