A blown engine head gasket. Dealer notified, and repairs made at consumer's expense. Less then a year later, mechanic informed consumer that the engine main bearing had gone bad. Estimated cost would be approimately. $2,900. Seeking help from NHTSA in this matter, please provide information on this asap.

- Manchester, WA, USA

Defective head gasket. Fortunately Ford replaced under secret warranty. However, I have asked for credit of $4,000 toward purchase of 2000 Windstar because of significant market devaluation caused by defective head gasket problem as well as reported widespread transmission problems in this vehicle. Ford customer assistance denied request. Both the head gasket and transmission should have been recalled. See forums at edmunds.com and cartrackers.com for further information.

- Grapevine, TX, USA

Last month my van started overheating and running out of water, which I kept refilling. Then the engine started running rough and the check engine light appeared. I immediately took the van to a garage and it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket. Upon tearing off the head gasket they found a hairline crack in the cylinder. As a result I am having to replace the engine after only 4 years of use to the tune of $4000. I have called Ford and they basically said my warranty is up and I am out of luck. After being on the internet, I am finding that this is a wide spread problem with the 95 Windstar and I plan on doing whatever is neccessary to get some satisfaction from Ford. I should also mention that there are several problems which the dealer was unable to remedy when my van was under warranty, one of which was having to do with transmission and lugging.

- Vashon Island, WA, USA

Head gaskets blown on Ford 3.8L engine.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

Exceeded Ford's 60K warranty on head gaskets and Ford refused to cover replaced

- Reno, NV, USA

While driving at 30 mph consumer notice smoke coming from the front of vehicle due to engine head gasket blowing out.

- Warren, MI, USA

Rocker arm is cherping and knocking. A tsb has been issued on the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

- Ocean Gate, NJ, USA

Head gasket has blown, leaking coolant into the oil pan. A service recall has been issued on the vehicle, however the owner was not notified. The manufacturer has been notified.

- Germantown, TN, USA

The aluminum (weak material) hydralic piston ring cracked causing engine failure.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

Engine head gasket malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly which may resultin a crash. Common problem. There was a tsb bulletin but it has expired.

- Depew, NY, USA

While driving vehicle started to overheat. Noticed white smoke coming from tailpipe. Vehicle at dealer & informed consumer that enginehead gaskets had blown & needed to be replaced.

- Odessa, MS, USA

While driving at 35 mph engine head gasket blew out, and the consumer saw a lot of smoke coming out of the rear view mirror.

- Earlville, IL, USA

Engine head gaskets blew out, resulting in overheating, causing a hole in the engine dealer will repair the gaskets.

- Miami, FL, USA

Engine head gasket has blown out at 80,000 miles, causing potential saftey hazard.

- Lehi, UT, USA

The vehicle is losing water and overheating due to a blown engine head gasket. Dealer says gasket needs to be replaced between the block and the head.

- Leechburg, PA, USA

In June of 1998, while we were living in fayetteville, ar, we received a letter from Ford Motor Company stating that they had problems with their head gaskets in the '95 Windstar. Shortly after that, we had the car serviced for an oil leak (at springdale Ford in springdale, ar). They said they saw no problem with the head gasket when we asked about it. We faithfully had this van serviced at springdale Ford while we lived in ar. We moved to Iowa in Jan. Of this year. We then begin servicing the van at bob zimmerman Ford in cedar rapids. This summer we spent about $700 on repairs again, but nothing was mentioned about the head gasket. Then in Aug, the check engine light came on and when we took it to the dealer, they said the head gasket had failed and leaked antifreeze into the engine, ruining it. We needed the van, and were forced to put a new engine in at a cost of $4000. After trying to pursue help from bob zimmerman and springdale Ford and also from Ford directtly, with no luck, I began researching on the internet. We found case upon case of the engine/ head gasket problem. I also found out that there were numerous transmission failures. We just traded the van in 2 weeks ago, rather than wait for the transmission to fail. I am interested in getting reimbursed for all or part of the $4000 damage. I feel very strongly that Ford knows of the defect and also knows that it will fail, not if it will fail.

- Swisher, IA, USA

The engine head gaskets failed. The piston had burnt out. Underhood interior wall was scorched. Vehicle had overheated. Had notice puff of smoke from tail pipe.

- Brighton, CO, USA

We have heard rumor of a "secret warrantee" on the head gasket that failed. Is is true and if so where do we start? we paid $1100. For repairs and feel badly ripped off.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

Transmission - cracked aluminum piston, no 1st or reverse, had to shift to second, brake, and increase rpms to engage in 2nd. Flywheel cracked resulting in immediate loss of power on residential street. Head gasket blew on residential street while stopped. Anti freeze leaking out of muffler, engine overheat.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

Ford has a historical problem with the premature failure of the 3.8L head gaskets. Also, in 1994-95, alumunum forward clutch pistons was used in the axod trans. Was replaced with steel per Ford. Ford must step up and take responsibility!

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA