Engine head gasket blew, causing white smoke to eminate from tailpipe and engine to overheat, resulting in destruction of engine. I had to replace both head gaskets, and had a remanufactured engine installed. My transmission and power steering rack also failed before this. What next?

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

This is a blown head gasket in the Windstar - what I've learned to be a well-known problem. I think Ford should be paying for this since it is a known defect.

- St. Paul, MN, USA

Ford issued a pseudo "recall" but has not paid for repairs

- Portland, OR, USA

Engine head gaskets blew out, causing coolant to be absorbed into the engine. Dealer has been notified.

- Batlett, TN, USA

The #4 engine head gasket failed, without any warning. Apparently, Ford has known of this problem and has done nothing to recall the 95 Windstar's to replace the defective parts. They knew of the problem because they sent some people a 98mo1 letter stating so. However, they refused to reimburse anyone who's vehicle has over 60,000 miles or is 5 years old. Please investigate this problem.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

The check engine light was coming on anytime I drove on an trip over 60 miles. After having it checked out and checked out, I could never get an answer about the problem. Found out later that it was due to the head gasket being bad and dumping engine coolant throug the exhaust which in turn destroyed the catatlytic converter and sensor. However the computer would never give the codes that this was the problem. While checking this problem out, I had it in a transmission shop that knew of Ford's transmission problems, and stated that this Windstar had all the signs of a leaking aluminum pump in the transmi. Cost was just under $1000. Still the problem was not fixed. A guy said to check the exhaust, so I had the exhaust checked and found the catalytic convertor had melted down. Had them replaced, still the problem was not fixed. My mechanic happened to be talking to the parts dept at a Ford dealer and they mentioned the secret recall on the motor. So I checked on it and they said the mileage was too high (keep in mind that the van was doing this when I purchased it at 82,000). My mechanic pulled the head off and replaced the front head gasket where the #4 cylinder had blown the gasket. He replaced all fluids. Several hundred miles later the motors main bearings went out due to having had engine coolant mixed with it for so long (told to me by the springfield, il Ford dealer where I was when the motor blew and by the springfield, mo Ford dealer where I live). Ford refuses to fix the problem and I can give you addresses of hundreds of other people who are having this problem, and this is just a group of people on the web, how many thousands of people don't know anything about this problem? Ford claims to have sent out recalls, but I have never received one nor have any others that I have talked with except for one guy I work with. He bought his van used and received this recall. I have gotten a recall on my van hood so they know where I live. Thanks, db.

- Springfield, MO, USA

We replaced the headgaskets at 38,000 and have just been told at (72,000) that the headgaskets were replaced with another set of faulty head gaskets, and that Ford will not do anything to rectify the problem eventhough they had the limited "recall" program on headgaskets. It is too risky to drive the vehicle other than short trips. Due to vast number of problems with this vehicle resale is horrific and we are stuck with a car we can't afford to keep and can't afford to sell.

- Clive, IA, USA

Rough engine, engine check light on. Head gasket leaking onto #4 plug and cylinder.

- Rochester, MN, USA

The check engine light came on and the engine started running rough. I was told it needed a tune-up which I did. It didn't fix the problem and I started having to put more and more water in it. It was diagnosed as the engine head gasket which has now been replaced. I wanted to contact you bacause I now know how bad these vehicles have been for this problem and I think Ford should be held liable considering how much it costs, I think it should hold up much better than this.

- Stanleytown, VA, USA

The head gasket blew and we received a recall notice that Ford would cover up to 5 yrs. Or 60,000 miles, if they know they have a defective product, how can they put a cap on this. This has happened to many vans from 95 we were lucky we were not on the

- Clarks Summit, PA, USA

Vehicle started steaming out of the exhaust pipes, and blowing water out of the radiator. Dealer replaced engine head gaskets.

- Washington, NC, USA

Widespread failure of 1995 Windstar 3.8L engine head gasket... me this time.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

While driving vehicle 65mph engine had overheated and blewout. Had control of vehicle. Had it towed to a garage. Informed by mechanic it was not a cracked engine B lock. Had no prior warning.

- Hixson, TN, USA

Premature head gasket failure due to factory defective gaskets (Ford service program # 98M01)

- Roanoke, VA, USA

Head gasket failed, causing loss of power, rough running, white smoke out exhaust, and strong coolant smell inside of vehicle. This seems to be a common problem with this year, make, and engine.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

Headgasket blew and caused motor to be run with antifreeze in the #1 cylinder. Motor gone...

- Macedon, NY, USA

Our mini-van blew a head gasket and head was cracked. These defects were known to Ford who reapired them thru December 1998 how can Ford limit repair of a manufacturer's defect?

- Geneva, NY, USA

Engine overheated. At 82,904 miles, dealer replaced thermostat and head gasket on 8/7/99. On 10/29/99 with 86,411 miles in rush hour traffic, the engine just stalled on US75 N. dealer now states that engine is blown and needs to be replaced.

- Marietta, GA, USA

The vehicle was overheating due to a faulty engine head gasket. Dealer has not seen.

- Havertown, PA, USA

As the owner of a 95 Ford Windstar with the 3.8L motor, I received a recall notice from Ford extending warranty coverage due to premature head gasket failure. At 59,482 miles I had the 95 Windstar serviced at battlefield Ford, specifically asking them about the head gasket problem to make sure my vehicle was not showing any signs of problems. The dealer performed the 60,000 mile service and gave my vehicle a clean bill of health. On 28 Oct 99, at 1030 pm on a dark road, the head gasket blew on my vehicle with no warning. Ford has refused to fix my vehicle. Every dealer I have spoken with will not repair the head gasket on Windstar's, they will only replace the motor at a cost of $6,000 dollars. Upon inspection of the cylinder heads it was found that the casting numbers were for a Ford Taurus, not a Windstar. I have also found over 40 people who have experianced the same exact problem over the past 3 months with their 95 Windstar. I would like to know how many of these 3.8L motors have failed. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, scott a. heffner

- Stafford, VA, USA