Our family has three 1996 Mustangs, one with a manual and two with automatic transmissions. We have had all three of them blow the head gasket on them, one at a year, one at three years, and one at four years. Now, I have found out recently that Ford offered a free replacement on the gaskets, for an extended 7 years, and would like to warn others that they are very likely to go out, and to let them know to "remind" the Ford dealer about this issue. I paid to replace three of them, and feel that the Ford dealer should have alerted me to the fact that they were under warranty, and therefore not charged me.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

I have a 1996 Ford Mustang LX. I was driving my car at night and I had it on cruise control and it blew up.I took care of my car and checked the engine and the antifreeze before I leave my house.I gave my car a 15 minute warm up period before I leave my house.the engine overheated and blew up due to faulty engine gasket. I have had to change the starter, the water pump(2X), radiator, and pistons because of that. I am very mad at Ford and I told them so in dearborn mi. I will not buy a Ford in the future and I tell everyone that asks me about my bad experience w/ this car and I tell them to not buy Ford cars or trucks. Thank you for reading this.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Consumer was unable to start vehicle. Dealerships mechanic determined that the problem pertained to an intake manifold leak. The problem was not resolved. Vehicle originally lost power at 55 mph, vehicle didn't restart. Vehicle was towed and found that one valve was leaking and head gasket was blown. Vehicle has 100,000 miles on it.

- Jasonville, IN, USA

My wife bought a used 1996 Ford Mustang V-6 two years ago still under factory warranty. Recently, the car began leaking a significant amount of oil. The Ford dealership in crestview, Florida (hub city Ford) told us that the leak was from the timing chain cover and the manifold cover. They also said that the problem had been fixed under a recall at 30,000 miles. The problem, however, wasn't really fixed and we were informed that we would have to have this $600 service done every 30,000 miles and that Ford had no plans to address this issue further. Obviously, the recall was completely bogus, as the "fix" was merely temporary. Any auto manufacturer that intentionally is aware that it's recall efforts failed is completely misguided. It is ludicrous that a major $600 service every 30,000 miles or less be acceptable. Thank you for your time.

- Shalimar, FL, USA

My 1996 Ford Mustang head gastkets have gone out. My car has 87000 miles on it. I have heard that many 95 Mustangs have had the same problem. I bought my car a year ago and I beleive that the problem was not completly fixed in the newer models. I was told that because my car is a 96 it was not covered by Ford, they informed me that the new models have been fixed and that the head gastket failure was due to my "excesive wear" on my car.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

My car's cooling system was draining fluids, and when I took it in to the dealership to get checked out, they told me the head gaskets as well as the front timing cover gasket needed to be replaced. It cost me $2500 for the repairs necessary. There are about 12 or 13 complaints of a similar nature for the same model and year (1996 Ford Mustang), but since this engine was installed on other models and years, who knows how many others have suffered from the same problem.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

The engine cracked without warning. The dealer was notified.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

Blown head gasket destroyed engine due to defective parts installed at the manufacturer.

- Akron, OH, USA

Engine overheated, lost power, no heat from heater, oil and coolant mix in radiator. Towed to Ford service center. Diagnosed as head gasket failure. Estimated cost to replace engine $4200 including labor. Contacted Ford customer service in Michigan but they are so far unwilling to help.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

Head gasket failure. Which may have caused other engine problems. I can't get another mechanic in town to touch it. So I have to take it to the Ford dealer to get it repaired, at a cost of $1,400 or even a new engine.

- Wichita, KS, USA

Engine head broke, causing a leak.

- St. Cloud, FL, USA

Contacted dealership prior to failure about overheating problem and Ford head gasket history, but they did nothing then and will not cover in warranty.

- Burbank, CA, USA

Vehicle began losing coolant at 58000 miles, blown head gasket, this is a recurring problem with several Ford models and company refuses to acknowledge.

- Plano, TX, USA

Vehicle began losing coolant at 58000 miles, blown head gasket, this is a recurring problem with several Ford models and company refuses to acknowledge.

- Plano, TX, USA

Recall notice was not sent to our address and B class recall is expired. However this just became a problem with our car. Related problems are as follows. Heater giving cold air, timing chain cover rusting, 1 or more gallons of water daily is leaked out thru gasket after driving. Constant overheating and feared overheating damages to motor may occur or engine fire as a result of such severe motor overheating.

- Middleton, ID, USA

My Ford Mustang broke down on my way to frederick, md. In December of 2000. I had already taken it in to crystal Ford for a recall on June 8, 2000. The recall program no. Was 99B29. They said they fixed the problem, which was a leakage of engine coolant at the head gasket. On my drive to frederick in December, the Mustang began to overheat and proceed to break down promptly thereafter. The result of the overheating was a cracked engine due to a thrown rod. My vehicle was towed from frederick to laurel to my mechanic who informed me that the cracked engine was due to a engine coolant leakage. I then had my vehicle towed to crystal Ford so there mechanics could look at it. The service person, [xxx], called me to let me know the engine threw a rod which was due to an engine coolant leakage problem. I wrote letters to Ford customer service and the service rep for the area and both denied any assistance to fix my vehicle. The damage done to my vehicle is definitely related to the recall and the engine coolant problem at the head gasket yet Ford refuses to fix the vehicle. Please help me in anyway you can with this problem. Thank you very much for your time and effort with this problem. Sincerely, [xxx]. parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Laurel, MD, USA

Blown head gasket, front seal, and cracked timing cover. Ford did not cover head gasket repairs though this is a known problem.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

The first head gaskets blew at 40,000 miles and were replaced at my cost, and now, again, at 80,000 miles head gaskets are going bad. I have had multiple other problems with this vehicle since it's purchase, although this has been the most frustrating and costly. There is definately a problem here that needs to be addressed by Ford. They have, thus far, turned a deaf ear to the problem. Thank you.

- Huber Heights, OH, USA

Dealer fixed "hidden recall" gasket after head gasket repair - front cover gasket - no charge for "hidden recall" gasket replacement. I wonder if the head gasket was really the problem or if they made a mistake, fixed the wrong thing and then fixed the right thing for free. )ak

- Tecumseh, MI, USA

Engine overheats with ac on headgasket blow and head warped and heads need shaving headgaskets replaced and head bolts replaced out of pocket cost $1500 or better.

- Lawton, OK, USA