Consumer was sent a recall notice regarding head gaskets. Contacted the dealer in reference to recall, dealer stated that he has already performed recall repairs, and the recall has expired. There will be a charge for further recall. Repairs. Please note recall not listed in NHTSA data base.

- Belleview, FL, USA

On 12/21/98 (50,795 miles), our Windstar had been bucking and began overheating. We had the transmission serviced, the thermostat replaced, and the coolant flushed. On 12/27/98 we began to emit white smoke from the exhaust. The following day it was towed to Ford which replaced a blown head gasket under recall. However, we had to replace with a re-built transmission at a cost of $1,993 since we were over 50,000 miles. A transmission leak repaired on 5/17-18/99 (56,866 miles) under warranty. On 8/7/99 we had our gas tank replaced at a cost of $445 due to what the technician called a stress fracture - an inherent defect.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

The head gasket blew which caused the "check engine light" to come on and the engine started to miss. The dealer had advised to watch coolant levels because this engine known for blowing the head gasket. Dealer said that they could not actually replace the head gasket until it blew. When it blew, they said that Ford would only cover vehiciles with less than 60000 miles or under 60 months. This was a manufacturer's defect and should be replaced by Ford Motor Co!

- Frankfort, KY, USA

One month before "throwing rod" in engine, engine began to miss badly. Middleton Ford said it was the head gasket, and would be covered by recall warranty, but that it also needed a front timing cover gasket. They said that although the headgaskets and the timing cover gasket usually fail together, Ford would not cover the timing cover gasket. Our bill was $810.81. One month later, we started on a trip to Montana, and got as far as souix falls, S.D., when at 2:00am, the engine lost most power, and began making a loud clanking sound. We managed to get to a gas station, where we asked for directions to the nearest Ford garage (sioux falls Ford, po box 89120, sioux falls, sd). We barely made it there, where we slept in the parking lot until the next day. The garage was able to get it in the next morning, and said that the engine would have to be replaced at a cost of $3000, and would take 3-4 days. We were on a tight schedule going to Montana to visit our daughter in the air force. We had no choice but to trade the Windstar in on a leased 99 Explorer. They said that because of the engine repairs needed, our trade in would be $3000 less than it would be if the engine was ok. I am very angry with Ford, and feel that the government needs to get them to reimburse those of us unfortunate enough to have gotten stuck with this lemon.

- Waunakee, WI, USA

My mechanic tells me this is his 28th head gasket repair to a Ford car this year so far. I contacted my dealer's serv. Dept. And they tell me there was a recall in 1998 for this problem for my type of car. I did not get a notice. I called Ford's 800# and they tell me there is nothing they can do.

- Holmdel, NJ, USA

Vehicle was not involved in any type of crash when the head gasket blew.

- Fountain Hills, AZ, USA

Was driving 45-50mph when antifreeze was coming out of tail pipe, then vehicle died. Vehicle towed to mechanic, who refused to repair due to tsb on head gaskets. Vehicle towed to dealer & informed the 02 sensors needed replacing.

- Eustis, NE, USA

This Ford vehicle has had an extreme number of failures. Starting with the head gasket that the dealer wanted us to pay for after they made the mistake of saying it was under warranty. At a previous repair the dealer had replced the dash because of the speedometer cable and the dealer service person had forgot to add in the previous mileage. Later Ford recalled the head gaskets. The transmission has not been replaced yet but continues to shift poorly. I do not want to put any more money into this vehicle. I believe Ford should have some responsibility for the amounts spent on poor quality parts separate than normal maintenance. So far all that Ford has offered is $1000 cash. This is not a responsible offer. We have spent almost $8000. It is fortunate no one was hurt when these parts failed. These six defects were not the only problems but are probably the most expensive defects.

- Alcoa, TN, USA

Head gasket failed causing a loud clunk and white smoke to be emmitted from the vehicle. Nlm

- Cottonwood, AZ, USA

Head gasket blew, cooling fluid (anti-freeze) leaked down into the oil galley and contaminated the engine oil and resulted in destroying the bearings (rod, main & camshaft), causing the engine to be rebuilt.

- Groveport, OH, USA

Head gasket failed, recall on component however no notice was given to consumer and the date has run out, consumer denied recall service. Mjs

- Marble Falls, TX, USA

Wife noticed car jerking on interstate from burke to Norfolk, va. Took car to freedom Ford, where purchased new. Linda creason (blue team) told wife and me that engine head gaskets are leaking. Need to remove heads and send to machine shop for heat check of cracks. Estimate = $68 (diagnosis) + $780 (replace 2 head gaskets) + $200 (machine shop check) + $300 (plugs, sensors, fluids, etc) = $1350. Ms. Creason told me Ford service program 98M01 does not apply because car past 60000 miles. When I asked for regional service mgr she called back and offered: (1) Ford would pay first $1000 of repair or (2) if I bought 75000 mile/6 year power train extended warranty for $495 then freedom Ford would cover all the repairs. I chose (2). Visit to www.cartrackers.com/forums/hve/yourlemon/10.html then scroll to posting by "CK1712" and you'll see the same ploy. My calls to Ford customer assistance center got me nothing. 98M01 directed owners to do nothing until the head gasket fail. Apparently after 60000 owners are out of luck!

- Burke, VA, USA

This is the 2nd trans. (new trans. Had to be installed approx. 2months after original sale) and 3rd major repair (engine peplaced last year due to defective head gaskets). There are tons of similar complaints on the internet at www.cartrackers.com/forums/messages/460.mechgoblins.html so it seems to be a real problem/ defect. Please help us !

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

I bought the vehicle used with 40,000 miles on it. One month after purchase it started skipping and hesitating, brought it back to dealership with 46,000 miles on March 25 1997 had blown head gasket. Received an "owners notification" on head gasket took it in to dealership they signed off stating nothing wrong. Ten months later on August 12th 1999 brought into dealership with 96,000 miles on it for a tune up and again had blown head gaskets. They will repair at a cost of $1200. I do not feel that I should have to pay for this to be fixed as their parts have failed within such little time of "owners notification". was told that this is my problem

- So Harpswell, ME, USA

I have replaced blown heads 3 times in 2 yrs. Put a rebuilt engine in 1 yr. Ago

- Deercreek, OK, USA

Head gasket failed without warning due to acknowledged Ford quality problem, causing $2,200 in damage to critical engine parts. Ford was repairing or replacing engines free of charge for other owners regardless of mileage through the end of the month in which the failure occurred. Refused to reimburse outside repair bills from qualified shop after numerous written and verbal appeals to dealer, regional rep, and national customer service channels at fmc in detroit.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

Engine head gasket cracked causing failure. However, manufacturer had an extended warranty on these vehicles for the hard gaskets. Dealer and manufacturer has been notified.

- Malverne, NY, USA

Vehicle in for brake service, dealer requested permission to replace head gaskets under Ford ext. Warr. 98M01, engine failed within 600 mi. Of repair service, no indications of problems prior to dealer visit

- West Des Moines, IA, USA

Head gasket had to be replaced, and at 42,300 miles engine had to be replaced. Ford did not admit failure of engine due to head gasket, and owner had to pay $3700 for rebuilt engine.

- Sugar Land, TN, USA

Engine blew the head gaskets after overheating & was replaced 11 Jun 97. After a few thousand miles, same problem existed & the head gaskets blew again after overheating on 19 Aug 97. Took to dealer & was repaired again. The last time on 22 Jun 99, the engine blew the head gaskets after over heating. Had lost of power & heating. Was replaced.

- Norfolk, VA, USA