I feel that Ford should pay the entire repair bill due to the known 3.8L head gasket problem. I also had to rent a car while the reapir was done, for a week in the amount of $277 thank you patricia patterson email address: Ppatter102@aol.com.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

Overheating and white smoke came from tail pipe. Independent mechanic informed consumer of a blown head gasket. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that any front wheel vehicle was not covered under manufacturer's recall.

- Warrington, PA, USA

Noticed loss of anti-freeze for several months. Temperature gauge didn't get hot. Engine check light came on to let consumer know that anti-freeze was low. Drove vehicle for about one mile and smoked started coming out of the exhaust pipe, smelled like it was on fire. Even after turning vehicle off smoke was coming out of exhaust. Had car towed to mechanic. He said that engine head gasket needed to be replaced.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The hedgasket is completely gone. Ford refused to acknowledge that they have a design problem in the T-bird for headgaskets even though the Y have this problem in several other models.

- N. Chelmsford, MA, USA

Vehicle has blown engine heads. This is causes vehicle to miss, and sputter while driving. Dealer has been contacted.

- Peotone, IL, USA

Head gasket failed. Nlm

- Dayton, OH, USA

At the time of failure, my vehicle was traveling @40mph. A thick white smoke, with an odor, was emitted from exhaust. The car had not overheated prior to the incident. Upon bring the car to a licenced Ford dealer (island Ford, in staten island NY), I learned that the head gasket was blown requirin $1500 in repair charges. I have since learned that there have been numerous problems of the same circustance with other Ford of the same year that also have 3.8L engines. Recall 98-M01 was issued to cover the other vehicles, however, the Thunderbird model was not included.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

Upon research of the 3.8 Ford engines, I have found that there is a recurring problem with blown head gaskets, most specifically in the Taurus. However, the Thunderbird is also experiencing the problem. Ford has recalled the Taurus, but not the Thunderbird. There were no prior evidences of gasket troubles. I had the car checked out by 2 knowledgeable mechanics prior to purchase, and by my regular mechanic prior to the used warranty. All agreed it to be a clean car and good deal. The head gaskets just blew with absolutely no warning. After lengthy discussions with Ford, they refused to stand behind the deffect.

- Shortsville, NY, USA