10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 3,042 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
While driving about 65 mph the engine blew a head gasket. This happened without any type of warning. Driver was able to pull to shoulder safely. The dealer was called about the problem. Owner had problem corrected at a local gargage.
- Neshanic Station, NJ, USA
Just one more of the many 3.8L 95 Windstar head gasket failures.
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
Head gasket failed without warning or previous problem (I.e. no overheating, no poor heater operation, etc.). caused van to start running very rough. Almost stalled in several mid-intersections after stopping, which could have led to rear-end collision. Managed to make it safely home (less than 3 miles). Engine temperature had increased, but was still clearly within "normal" zone of indicator. Turned off engine and was unable to restart later in the evening. Towed to local service station. They diagnosed it as a blown head gasket, advised taking it to dealer. Dealer's "engine person" booked solid and unable to look at it until 8/10 (two weeks!). had it towed to another dealer (C&C Ford, horsham, pa) which confirmed blown head gasket, and said it had a seized engine which would have to be replaced. Esimated cost: $4600. Ford's "owner notification program" extended warranty coverage to 60,000 miles, but did not advise owners to bring in vans to be checked for defective head gaskets. Complaints on the internet show that this is clearly a major product defect about which Ford is aware but refuses to compensate or warn owners (I.e. owners are not advised to have the head gasket checked). This defect can cause sudden loss of engine power and stalling, which can lead to an accident and/or seriously jeopardize the safety of the occupants. See www.primecutsofbluegrass.com/windstar3.htm for other reports. I'll be adding mine as soon as I see whether Ford will pay for the repair. (so far, they are refusing.)
- Dresher, PA, USA
Engine overheated due to major loss of coolant. Diagnosed by dealer as failed headgaskets. Ford refused to pay any part of repair even though they have admitted the original gasket design was defective. Cost of repair = $1600
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Engine failed 50 miles after the head gaskets were replaced. I was told the transmission needed replaced while the vehicle was in for the engine to be replaced!
- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA
I noticed the temperature guage acting abnormaly at 59, 925 miles. My van was driveable, so I did continue to drive it. The dealership was closed during the weekend. I called immediately on Monday morning, and the earliest I could get my vehicle in was Tuesday evening. On Tuesday evening, my mileage was 60,057. Ford had extended the warranty on the head gasket to 60,000. Even though the trouble occurred before 60,000 miles, I could not get my vehicle into a Ford service center until after the 60,000. As a result, Ford does not want to do anything about the repair. The gasket failure also damaged other engine parts. As a result, I needed to replace the engine in my van.
- St. Paul, MN, USA
Head gasket overheated, causing engine to blow.
- Groveport, OH, USA
While driving at 30 mph smoke came out of the tail pipe. Engine check liight came on, and the engine got real hot due to engine gasket blowing out.
- Antioch, CA, USA
Vehicle keeps running hot. Dealer contacted, and stated blown head gasket caused overheating. No repairwork done. Problem still exists. Provide further information.
- Pinson, AL, USA
Engine check light came on and won't go off, indicating there is a leakage coming from engine head gasket. Also, spark plugs came off.
- Meontpelier, IL, USA
First over-heating problem was taken to thornton Ford on 4/23/99 @ 57,687 miles and radiator was diagnosed as half plugged by thornton on 5/28/99 (~59,600 miles). Radiator replaced on 6/8/99 and both oxygen sensors replaced on 7/1/99. Head gasket problem finally diagnosed on 7/13/99 at 62,144 miles. Did not receive a copy of the extended warranty letter for service program no/ 98M01. Dealer only paid one-half of head gasket repair because the car was now over 60,000 miles allowed on the extended coverage.
- Lake Jackson, TX, USA
Van blew a head gasket without warning.
- Durant, OK, USA
Blown head gasket, 9,000 miles after the recall limit
- Holland, MI, USA
Engine head gasket blew out, causing gas to spill all over engine and drip out of tail pipe.consumer contacted dealer and manufacturer.
- Pasadena, CA, USA
Who's Windstar engine head gaskets haven't blown? door ajar light is also a pain. Waiting for transmission to go next.
- San Leandro, CA, USA
Rear engine bearing failed.
- Aberdeen, WA, USA
This head gasket failure appears to be common on this model of 1995 Windstar. Although Ford extended the warranty to 60,000 many defects occur just miles beyond this. They have acknowledged this is a weakness in this model, but do not reimburse the owner for the expensive repairs. This problem first surfaced at 26.400 miles and was taken into the dealership for repair. Obviously, it was not permanently repaired for the same situation is now occuring. My research reveals an extremely high number of similar complaints with this model.
- Murphysboro, IL, USA
Loss of engine coolant, engine overheating. Replaced defective head gaskets. This is a known defect, owner notification 98M01. Ford will not compensate for repairs.
- Kent, WA, USA
Engine head gasket allowing oil and anti-freeze to go into engine, causing a potential engine failure. Consumer wants Ford to cover the cost of head gasket repairs since they are aware of the problem.
- Pepperell, MA, USA
- Livermore, CA, USA