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
Head gasket blown, as per notice 98M01. Nlm
- Washington, DC, USA
The engine's head gaskets leaking oil. Had it repaired once before & now problem has returned.
- Norton, MA, USA
Consumer has experienced engine gasket failure a third time. The first time in April 97, repaired and reinbursted, second time, in August 98, and the third time in December 98. All three times the temperature gauge would fluctuate and consumer noticed all the coolant was gone from the engine. The problem this time involves the timing cover gasket going bad. Noticed that whenever driving on incline the temperature gauge fluctuates.
- Palm Coast, FL, USA
Ford van recalled for head gaskets 8/98 (mileage 58000). Brought to dealer and was told to bring it back when the engine light came on, as it was a nine to ten hour job unless the consumer was experiencing difficulty. Engine light came on Sunday March 7th and the car was parked and later towed to metro Ford, state St. Schenectady NY. After several days, the consumer was told that the head gaskets had leaked into the engine and ruined it. Replacement would be $3500+ depending on whether or not the block was cracked. Additionally consumer was charged a $30 fee for the dealership to look at it, and if the van was not out of there quickly, they were charging storage fees. Consumer appealed to Ford Motor Company and was told that the "loophole" in the law was that the recall expired and the consumer was entitled to no further reimbursement. The consumer has been unable to drive the van and this is in litigation with the nys attorney general's office. So far, there has been no satisfaction on this case.
- Schenectady, NY, USA
A local Ford dealer has informed me that this vehicle needs a head gasket replacement. I find it unacceptable that a head gasket failure should be expected at any time, especially in a vehicle that has not seen severe driving conditions. In the two years that I have owned this vehicle, various dealers have been unable to correct some issues that were merely annoying (speedometer wavering and jumping; whistling sound coming from engine compartment; rear wiper arm boot failure; buildup of snow/ice on front wipers during snow). With this recent failure (head gaskets), I am convinced that I have purchased a lemon.
- Westford, MA, USA
Head gasket failed, coolant leaked into engine, destoying the engine
- Columbia, MD, USA
Engine rod is knocking, causing motor to lock up. A safety improvement campaign has been issued on the vehicle; vehicle has exceeded the mileage. The manufacturer has been notified.
- Salvisa, KY, USA
On 3/26/99 the head gasket went out on my 1995 Ford Windstar. Although no accident occurred, this created an unsafe situation since I was traveling in rush hour traffic on interstate 494 in inver grove heights, mn and had to suddenly pull of the road. The second occurrence happended on 6/14/99. Again I was in rush hour traffic on interstate 494, this time in oakdale, mn, when the engine suddenly sounded like it was about to blow apart. Again, no accident occured, but I was placed in an unsafe situation because I had to travel at a significantly reduced speed on to the dealership. Once I arrived there and they had a chance to check the engine, they informed me that the engine was shot an would require a "long block" replacement.
- Stillwater, MN, USA
Premature failure of the head gasket caused the car to start lurching severely while driving up an extended grade on highway 101. The sudden lurching caused the driver to temporarily lose control on this already hazardous section of freeway. Upon investigation I have found that this problem is widespread with this particular engine. Ford is aware that this is a design/manufacturing defect, and because of this Ford has issued an extended warranty to cover this specific problem. However, this warranty is only valid after a problem occurs. By then it is too late. Ford should be recalling these vehicles proactively and correcting the problem before the failure occurs. The service people at my dealer agreed with me, but wasn't willing to take a stand with the manufacturer on my behalf. I was amazed when this small town dealer told me that they had 5 other '95 Windstar in the shop at this same time with the same failure. There are hundreds of websites with people having this same problem and unable to get any satisfaction from Ford.
- Atascaeroo, CA, USA
Engine head gaskets have blown. A safety improvement compaign was issued on the vehicle. The vehicle has exceeded the mileage for the campaign. The dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Engine head gasketmalfunctioned. There was an extended manufactrurer's warranty, but it has expired. Dealer has been contacted.
- Plain City, OH, USA
This vehicle has had two major component failures (engine timing gasket and transmission) with less than 35000 miles. Additionally it has also had one major recall to replace head gasket. All of three of these problems required extensive work to repair. The transimission problem was the most serious from a safety standpoint, because its failure could have caused a serious accident because it intermitently prevented the vehicle from accelerating, until it finally failed completely and the vehicle could not shift at all.
- La Crosse, WI, USA
Problem occurs on tarus and mustangs with simuluar engines.
- Shannon, MS, USA
Head gasket blew while in heavy traffic, causing vehicle to overheat rapidly.
- Layton, UT, USA
Consumer was driving approximately 35mph when engine temperature light came on. Consumer pulled over and smelled anti-freeze. Then called tow truck, after towing vehicle, garage found nothing. Again, on 22-Apr-99, while driving at 40mph temperature light came on. Driver pulled over. Then had vehicle towed to a dealership. Dealer found a leak in engine head gasket. Dealer replaced head gasket/oxygen sensor, and checked engine cylinder head. Found engine cylinder head to be okay. An open investigation of coolant leakage in engine head gasket is pending, ie-98-080.
- Reading, PA, USA
Engine head gasket leaks coolant, which may cause engine to overheat and seize. The dealer is aware of problem. The van is being serviced for this problem.
- Eagan, MN, USA
Vehicle experienced engine overheating due to defective head gasket prior to recall notice, however repairs made at time of overheating were only to the thermostat(12-98), continued to overheat with failure of the head gasket however denied due to mileage and date. Mjs (98M01)
- Shelbyvill, KY, USA
Check engine light came on when the temperature gauge went up because there was a leaky engine head gasket that blew. Dealer said it was a manufacturer's design flaw.
- Rocheport, MO, USA
Electrical system: Chimes for door ajar, rings when doors are closed. Had been to 10 different shops for either fuse replacement or sliding door panel replacement. Also, wiring to windows goes up or down without being switched either way and dome light comes on by itself. In addition, transmissio: Worn out due to leakage (oil) from theengine head gaskets. Needed to be replaced.
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
- Ellicott City, MD, USA