Purchased van used from Ford dealership. 2 months or approx 2,500 miles later head gasket failed leaking coolant into oil and destoying engine. Ford dealer will not stand behind the sale and also said that it new of no known problems this type of failure. I have since found out that they were replacing gaskets if vehicles had 60,000 miles or less. I beleive I was deceived by people who knew there was a potential catastrophic failure and chose to say nothing.

- Shellsburg, IA, USA

Transmission slips starting from a start position.slips on upshift.consumer has contacted dealer and manufacturer. This is the third transmission.

- Sussex, WI, USA

First had problem with cooling system. Car got hot abruptly on more than 4 occasions. Water bottle was normal on last 3 times.. associated with leaking head gasket so stop leak added and problem stopped. About 1 week later the rod bearings locked up. Cost $1700 to fix. Out of warranty by 2000 miles. Ford said it was not their problem as the warranty was expired. I have found many other people complaining of same problem and believe it may be a problem with the model year design. Can you help please?

- Van Buren, AR, USA

On November 19 '98 I took my '95 Ford Windstar van to to the dealership where I bought it. I took the van in because I had received a recall notice from Ford regarding a head gasket problem. At that time the van had 59,000 miles on it. I picked up my van that evening and was told everything was O.K. on September 12 '99 the van overheated and a mecahanic told me the head gasket was blown. The mechanic said he hoped the head was not cracked and/or the motor damaged beyond repair ($2500 to $3500 if motor damaged beyond repair). I called the dealership, harper's Ford, and the assistant sales manager said he thought Ford would repair the damage or I would "have a good legal case". the van now has 68, ooo miles on it. Well a week later the delaership tells me that they can not get Ford to return their calls. I called Ford and a man named al said the recall expired Dec 31st '99 and my van was beyond the 60,000 miles warranty. Al said his decision was final and Ford would not assist in the repair. Al said that Ford had no other avenue for me to pursue even though I was not satisfied. I re-contacted harper's and they said that I should just wait to hear from them. Harper's said they would give me a price break regarding the work that would need to be done. I'm lost, I guess I could try to solve the problem in civil court (probably take several months). The real kicker is my family, two sons of 4 year old and 1 year have been looking forward to the family vacation that was suppose to start on Friday, 09-24-99. The van is the only vehicle I have large enough to haul the family. Cancelled vacation and a bill of least $1200. I will never buy another vehicle form harper's nor will I ever buy another Ford. Please help if you can. Thanks

- Arcata, CA, USA

Head gasket failure-leaked coolent into engine, engine failure, now we need new engine, had extended warrenty, Ford will not honor any warranty on this defect. I cannot give you the vehicle number because Ford has had the car so long, I can barely remember the color.

- Syracuse, UT, USA

A leak withing engine head gasket caused vehicle to overheat and flood with antifreeze. Consumer had engine rebuilt. * mjs

- Belle Meadow, NJ, USA

Defective engine head gasket leaked fuel onto engine manifold which may cause a fire.

- Lamar, SC, USA

Vehicle broke down in highway, towed to dealer diagnosed as head gaskets/related Ford wouild fix under recall/work done/went to pick up vehicle/work completed/related forn payes forall work/ ten minutes later they relate work not covered/billme for $2,000 work

- Morganton, NC, USA

Head gaskets blew without warning and caused the entire engine to seize requiring a new engine replacement at a cost of $3864.73. I was told if I had tried to drive the car the engine could've started on fire. This is a definite safety hazard and Ford is well aware of the problem with the 3.8 liter engines in the '95 Windstar. In additional to the safety hazard of the head gasket problem... the condition goes undetected until the head gaskets "blow" without warning. I am very upset with Ford's response to this matter. I called several times to express my deep dissatisfaction with their handling of this matter. I believe the headgasket problem should have been a recall. If it had I would not have been left with a nearly $4,000 repair bill for a relatively newer car. I believe the possible harm to my family is also an issue. I would appreciate any help from the NHTSA in this matter.

- Belle Mead, NJ, USA

Consumer contacted the dealer. Oil was changed when dealer noticed oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold. Dealer also noticed oil leaking from the catalytic convverter, causing a possible fire hazard.

- Wooster, OH, USA

Due the defective engine head gasket, the vehicle started to smoke, and may have caused a fire. Please provide further information and VIN#.

- Jamesville, VA, USA

Headgasket on engine failed; this failure prompted engine damage that was irreparable. Had to replace engine. Now transmission is failing and it will not easily engage after a stop. Needs to be replaced, according to mechanic

- Elverson, PA, USA

Head gasket failure on #4 cylinder.

- Monticello, MS, USA

Since 1997 we have replaced 4 heater cores, 2 radiators, head gaskets twice, we are facing repairs again only a few weeks after replacing the 3rd heater core. Damage unknown at this time. We wish to sell this minivan, but feel it would be unfair to burden an unsuspecting consumer with this poorly designed vehicle.

- Columbia City, OR, USA

The Windstar began to blow off vacuum lines when we were entering the highway. The car then started to overheat and lost power.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

IE98-080; while traveling at 65 mph with the air condtioning on, the air conditioner cut off. Also, engine operated erratically and white smoke come from the exhaust pipe. Consumer contacted the dealer. Dealer stated that engine head gasket blew out. Dealer has replaced engine head gasket and other parts. Engine overheated very quickly.

- Germantown, MD, USA

Due to the faulty head gasket, 2 days later noticed a knock (confirmed by dealer to be a bad rod bearing caused by the above )causing the engine to seize 2weeks later

- Ft. Wayne, IN, USA

3.8 L engine failed 1 yr after head gasket replaced. I believe that an engine should last more than 86,000 miles.

- Prestonsburg, KY, USA

Head gasket failed causing smoke to come out from exhaust. Mjs

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Head gasket failed. Nlm

- Washington, DC, USA