Bought Windstar LX 3.8 used 1996, two years later head gasket blew, . I had extended warranty insurance to cove all expenses, how ever the replacement head gasket blew this week destroying the engine, for tell me I am out of look, because I did my own oil changes in the past year, my van has never been recalled, nor was I notified in March 2000 about a defected head gasket, the replacement gasket in 1998 was the defected gasket, the cost to replace engine id\S $6000,00. Canadian please note there appears to be no organisation in Canada to complain to can you advise me terencealkin@aol.com I need help.

- Cambridge, CA, USA

Both head gaskets failed months after the consumer received a letter stating they (manufacturer) would replace them for free, the manufacturer refused reimbursement because the vehicle was slightly over the mileage requirement, in Jan 01 the oil valve stuck causing the oil not to flow thus blowing off the oil filer, the oil light never came on the vehicle began to overheat and the engine was damaged. Nlm

- San Diego, CA, USA

Second failure of head gasket. First failure at 60K. Ford refuses to warrant work second time. Apparantly this 3.8L engine requires expensive head gasket repairs every 50-60K miles.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

Serviced at dealership for leaking head gasket per extended warranty letter (00M09). Extensive cooling system damage caused as result of head gasket failure. Dealer quoted $1,500 worth of work that would be out of pocket expense. Vehicle driven immediately to independant certified mechanic for remainder of repairs (less than 3 miles door to door). Dealer quote more expensive and included work that was not necessary (replacement transmission pan gasket-gasket was less than 6 months old). Engine failed same day work was completed (driven less than 20 miles). Replacement engine on 5 week backorder from manufacturer. Engine replacement failed 3 days after work completed. Second engine replacement performed by another Ford dealership. Vehicle was returned leaking fluid and with clamps and hoses disconnected (had to be returned again). Ford has acknowlegded problem and existence of $4,000 coupon program to owners for repairs. However, best Ford still will not honor program. Have spent 15 weeks and more than $5,000 to have vehicle returned still running rough.

- Litchfield, NH, USA

Purchased new in late 1994, this Windstar 3.8L engine blew its first head gasket at 39 months of ownership and 50,000 miles. Several years after paying for repair Ford finally offered owners reimbursement for such repairs and extended engine warranty to 100,000 miles. Although I had local dealership check on low fluids at 97,000 miles they did nothing but top off fluids. At 103,000 miles they told me my head gasket was blown and that engine coolant was going into engine. Ford was contacted and refused to honor repair work under extended warranty. On.

- Bonaire, GA, USA

Head gasket stopped operating, resulting in replacement of engine. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Clarksdale, MO, USA

Consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway and vehicle was running hot she was able to pull over to shoulders. A tow truck had to tow the vehicle. Dealership was aware of problem. Defective head gaskets caused engine failure, consumer is requesting reimbursement due to not being notified of the defective head gaskets.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

I purchased a 95 Ford Windstar, in may of L998 with an extended warranty. After 90,000 I began notciing leakage from the head gasket. Warranty had ended I sought an independent dealer for service. I was not notified by Ford of the extended warranty issued on the gaskets for 95 Windstar. As a consumer I feel that Ford voilated mly lrights as a custmoer for not notifying me of the recall.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

Persistent failure of headgasket due to error in engine design.

- Oswego, IL, USA

Consumer never had a warning of a problem until she had 100 thousand mile check up. Then, heard a noise. Took automobile back to dealer, and when mechanic took it back to bay area head gaskets blew up.

- Wasilla, AK, USA

Transmission has failed. Vehicle completely shuts off with no warning while in motion, consumer states it feels as if the transmission locks up, mechanic checked vehicle and found that the problem was in the head gaskets.

- Edenburg, TX, USA

Engine head gaskets failed, replaced at owner's expense, owner would like Ford to help with repairs made, Ford extended warranty for 7 years or 100,000 miles.

- New Lisbon, WI, USA

Recall for head gasket was performed, but now engine is leaking all water out of it. Consumer states heater core rotted out, crank case oil keeps turning black, oil filter keeps plugging up oil, oil light illuminates when slowing down for full stop or just slowing down, consumer has been charged for additional repairs.

- Englishtown, NJ, USA

Vehicle was leaking antifreeze. Dealer found timecase cover gasket needs to be replaced.

- Pataskaoa, OH, USA

It is my understanding that Ford has an unusually high number of gasket failures, and that there is already a recall on the head gasket. However - the front cover gasket failures are not covered under this recall repair. I am interested in information on the number of front cover gasket failures in the early Windstar models, and whether or not this issue is under investigation. Thank you.

- Highland Heights, OH, USA

Ford replaced engine after head gaskt repairs contaminated.jerking again!!the original engine was replaced Aug 2000 after ron robert's Ford contaminated it when repairing the head gasket that went out. (which in order to have repaired I had to get my state attorney general consumer protection office involved because Ford and ron roberts refused to replace the gasket even after I had been in and had it checked 4 months before as per an owner notification I received.) I took my vehicle to be repaired by pruitt Ford in burkburnett, tx after the ron roberts fiasco. Pruitt did the engine replacement. My check engine light was still on...I took it back and had some hoses replaced. I was advised that no tune up was needed (note: My oxygen sensor was replaced 4 months before my engine blew). For the first time in 3 years my check engine was off. I just got on the road for long trip (the first since the hoses were replaced) after 1 hour the vehicle started jerking when I was travelling at 50-60 mph. Only lower speeds (40-50mph) or higher speeds (70-80 mph) stopped the jerks. I pulled over for about 15 mins, restarted the vehicle and, once again, the check engine light is on. The engine also stalls when making sudden and hard stops. This jerking is the exact same thing the firt engine was doing before the head gasket went out. I was told by pruitt that Ford would not hold up the "100,000 mi head gasket repair" on my new engine even though it only has 12,000 mi. On it. Can NHTSA do anything to stop this thing. I have been going round and round with Ford about my vehicle since 1998. I like the Windstar ride and roominess but I do not like how Ford is treating me. I have taken my vehicle in for all the owner notifications (3 so far) and keep up my maintenance. Who protects the consumer from half truths and just plain bad business ethics?

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

Blown head gasket replaced twice, the first time the replacement was reimbursed under manufacturer's recall, the 2nd failure the consumer had to pay for.

- Tallmadge, OH, USA

Water pump failed 2 times, front timing cover failed, and the oil pump had to be sealed.

- Tallmadge, OH, USA

When driving no more then over two miles vehicle was leaking coolant and overheated. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer corrected problem under recall at 65 thousand miles. Head gasket replaced with an aluminum part. Vehicle experienced same problem at one hundred nine thousand miles. Manufacturer refused to correct problem. The manufacturer was aware of both the transmission and head gasket problems even before the consumer purchased this vehicle. Still, there were no attempt by the manufacturer to correct these problems.

- Marysville, OH, USA

We have had Ford replace the head gasket once, and the entire engine head & gasket on another occassion. Now, the engine is leaking coolant from around the timing belt housing. I can not get any satisfaction from Ford Motor Co. My personal mechanic says that there should be no way that coolant should be leaking from that area of the engine with only 76,000 miles on the car! can you help me? thanks!

- Peterborough, NH, USA