5548 miles over the recall (head gasket recall) dealer locked at it and said it was ok, 500 miles later the engine went out due to the recall.

- Sedro Woolley, WA, USA

Blown head gaskets at 44K told they would be covered by recall. Additionally told that the timing cover gasket needs to be replace but not covered by recall. When I told them not to do the work I was warned by the Ford service manager that I would have serious damage that would not be covered within 1 month. Cost for timing gasket cover was to be $800 but settled and paid $400. It took 3 weeks (Nov 1-21, 1999) to get the work done right. March 2000 I receive a letter for Ford customer credit. Dealership could not explain the program so when I called and provided my info I was told that since my $400 payment was not for the recall (head gaskets only) that I was not eligible for the $4000 credit that they previously had lead me to believe that I was. I have a new Taurus picked out waiting to be picked up and now I am told that I don't qualify for the credit. If this ends up being the case, this Windstar will be the last Ford that I own! I promise!

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Head gasket repaired 1 month before recall was extended to my model year. Now Ford will not honor my receipt for refund.

- Fremont, CA, USA

Head gasket was replace on 5/10/00. Dealer says no correlation to blown engine. Traveling out of state, while on vacation at 60mph. Loss of power. Was traveling with my mother and two small children. Stranded for 3 days, no car. Car remians in pa, I in NY. Will take 8-12 weeks to repair. Ford is doing nothing for me. Not answering my questions, no loaner car, nothing.

- New Hyde Park, NY, USA

Within past 5 years consumer had to replace engine 3 times due to failure of head gasket and rod bearings.

- Independence, KY, USA

Engine failure several months after head gasket failure. Ford has serious quality problem that is not being addressed

- Bradenton, FL, USA

The head gasket blew at 45,000 miles the first time and the head gasket blew at 78,402 the second time. Both times cooler was detected in the oil.

- San Jose, CA, USA

The transmission failed at the same time that the engine overheated due to faulty head gasket. I took the van into koons for "check engine light" and they found nothing, but charged me $500, later, the engine seized and had to be replaced; upon getting my van back with a rebuilt engine, the transmission was not working properly and failed within the week. The aamco dealership told me that a forward clutch thing was not working, but worse yet: The transmission completely failed because it had become extremely hot; in fact, so hot that any internal components that were rubber or plastic actually melted, and the gear teeth became so hot that they changed color to purple-ish and cracked in places. Yet Ford refuses to associate the damage to the transmission with their faulty head gasket. Incidently, I have been fully reimbursed for the rebuilt engine, but not the $500 Ford 'service' response to the 'check engine' light, or the $2,500 transmission.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Blown head gasket on 95 Ford Windstar. I've never received a letter from the manufacturer about the problem with the 3.8 cylinder engines. The Ford dealer is telling me that its too late to fix the problem now. Do you have any information about this problem?

- Dayton, OH, USA

Piston went through engine block so engine had to be replaced. Dealer & Ford responded verbally denying fault, request for voucher of $4000 for new car, and/or repayment of repairs.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

This is the second time that we have had to bring our Windstar in for head gasket failure. Ford is aware of the chronic mechanical failures of their Windstar. I understand that the transmission will probably be the next thing to go. I would like you to do something about making Ford accountable for their failures and not making the public pick up the tab as usual. Thank you for your help.

- New Haven, CT, USA

While drving engine head gasket started to leak. Water was getting into the oil. This caused vehicle to lose power. Also, transmission would slip, and it took too long to shift into 2nd gear from 1st gear. Took vehicle to dealer & mechanic indicated that transmission needed complete overhaul. Also, would check head gasket.

- Fresno, CA, USA

Consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway and engine just stopped/ vehicle shut down, no electrical power. Coolant and water was running out from underneath the vehicle. Headgasket blew out. Dealership was notified.

- Dixon, CA, USA

Vehicle overheated, and smoke was coming from pipe. Then. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, where technician saw that problem was a blown engine head gasket. Transmission failed three times. Gas tank failed. Windshield is defective. And side door clamps failed.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

Engine seized after head gasket failure in Dec 1998. Stengers Ford (now out of business) took in excess of one month to repair. They admitted this was their first attempt to replace Windstar engine. Within a few weeks of receiving Windstar back. Also, transmission failed.

- Dayton, OH, USA

On June 27, 2000, I heard a ticking noise and took the van into mullinax to have it checked. They did a thorough check and informed me that the problem was the timing cover gasket and could be repaired for approximately $900. I wanted to have my own mechanic check it out. He looked at it and said that the timing cover gasket was not leaking; however the head gasket was. He was leaving for vacation, so he could not work on it for several weeks. I then took it to another respected mechanic and was told immediately that the ticking was coming from the transmission, but the head gasket was also bad. He recommended I take it to a transmission specialist immediately and bring it back to him for the head gasket problem. On the way to the transmission repair (July 5), the transmission went, completely needing to be replaced at a cost of $2,000. The head gasket repair will be approximately $650. The timing cover gasket does not even need replaced, which was the only thing mullinax told me was wrong with it. After researching, I have found hundreds of people who have experienced almost identical problems. Ford did extend the warrantly to 100,000 miles. Unfortunately, I am over that amount. By extending the warranty, they have admitted that this is a problem. I feel that making a limit on the mileage is unfair, considering the fact that almost everyone who owns a 1995 Windstar has experienced this problem (or will if it hasn't happened yet.) Ford will offer no assistance. They won't even give out phone numbers to anyone higher than a district manager. The people on top just sit in their quiet offices and deny these claims. Something should be done to protect innocent people. I do not have $2600 for these repairs. They should be held responsible for their error.

- North Canton, OH, USA

This problem has occurred since head gasket was replaced. Ford has tried numberous times to repair this problem. Engine failure occurs intermitently while making turns sometimes going down steep hills leaving the driver with no steering and very little brakes. This van is dangerous. Close calls from being rearended from cars behind you who do not know the van is going to lose all engine power.

- San Bruno, CA, USA

When vehicle is at operating temperature, automatic transmission fails to engage properly from a standing start. Several second delay when trying to accelerate from a standing start. Transmission is slipping. Upon investigating in various web-sites appears to be a widespread problem. Hope others are complaining too. Transmission fluid is at proper level. Suffered the head gasket failure. Engine was replaced in December 1999.

- Kent, WA, USA

There is a recall in process for this, however, I was told that it only covered vehicles with 100,000 miles or less on them. The van had 96,000 miles on it when we purchased it, and now neither Ford nor wynn's warranty are going to cover the cost of the repairs for a problem that was so common that a recall had to be issued.ak

- Gold Bar, WA, USA

Head gasket failed. Nlm

- West Allis, WI, USA