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
Engine head gasket had to be replaced due to leakage which caused fuel to leak onto the exhaust system.
- Cast Lake, MN, USA
Head gaskets failed at cylinders 3 and 4. both gaskets failed in the same location and time frame. This point to a defect in the gaskets.
- Dillon, MT, USA
Cooling system and head gasket related failures in 1995 Ford Windstar are common from 35 to 70K and result in major repair expenses.
- Randolph, WI, USA
I received a service bulletin from Ford in 1998 which stated that: If there were problems where the engine head gaskets needed to be replaced before 60,000 miles, that Ford would cover the cost of this repair. They have declined to do so because the service bulletin "expired" on 12/31/1998. My point: I am still under the mileage limit and the repair cost should be reimbursed. The engine design is faulty, does the problem just disappear because it occured after 1998? the time limit on this service bulletin is a bogus cop-out.
- Fairport, NY, USA
Engine runs hot, when driving at any speed or when the vehicle is at a stop. The engine jumps and oil leaks inside the vehicle. Vehicle was taken to the repair shop three to four times.
- Brandon, MI, USA
Engine mounts failed.
- Spring, TX, USA
Head gasket failed.
- Spring, TX, USA
Our 1995 Ford Windstar blew a headgasket on 05/04/99 with only 53,000 miles. Apparently there is a major problems with these vehciles concerning headgaskets but Ford has not notified any of us with recalls. I'm currently contacting Ford and my dealer to see if there is a remedy to the problems or if they'll pay to have this fixed. I don't appreciate not being notified of the problem. My new baby boy was in the vehcile with my wife and daughter. They couldv'E been out of town and no one to call but fortunately it happened in town. Please request that Ford make a recall about this problem. There are hundreds of examples of this problem on the web. Just check it out. Thanks for your help and consideration.
- Richmond, KY, USA
Blown head gaskets around July, 1998 which Ford paid for. They charged me around $900 to fix a leak to the timing cover that I think was caused by the head gaskets. While it was in the shop, I complained about the transmission slipping while rounding corners and it "jerks" into gear after stopping at lights/signs. The "check engine" light comes on intermitently and remains on and diagnostics are not conclusive, the owners manual says "drive train problem". I've also complained about the brakes squeaking and been told it's "brake dust" but I'm not convinced.
- Auburn, WA, USA
After researching the internet, I learned that many customers have had to replace transmissions in the Windstar before reaching 50,000 miles and replace head gaskets around 70,000 miles. The cost of both repairs is expensive and Ford does not cover these expenses if you did not respond to a letter they say they sent everyone. I feel that Ford should pay to correct the problem which they know exists.
- Newport, PA, USA
Headgaskets on these engines are bound for failure, Ford upgraded the gaskets but will not stand cover the costs after Dec. 1998. Most people loose thier engines or warp thier heads.
- Rock Springs, WY, USA
Engine head gasket leaks. Repairs would be at consumer expense. Seeking help from NHTSA in this matter.
- Mahopac, NY, USA
Head gasket failed while my wife was driving on the frewway approx 100 miles from home. Contacted dealer, who contacted Ford as Ford had recognized that this part was defective and had exteneded the warranty until 12-31-98. Ford would not pay anything towards the repair. Inspection of the head gasket reveals there is obviously a flaw in the design, (at least obvious to me).. new head gasket design has been modified to correct problem.
- Newberry Springs, CA, USA
Valve cover gasket failed, recall on head gasket however denied recall repair from dealership due to part discrepancy. (98M01) mjs
- Sterling H, MI, USA
Engine - both head gaskets were replaced by dealer, then engine replaced, tranmission showed burnt fluid and was replaced 3 months following engine replacement, air conditioner failed to work 3 days after transmission replacement.
- Madison, WI, USA
Consumer has a bad engine head gasket that is causing oil leaks and overheating of the engine. Dealer has been contacted.
- Arlington, MA, USA
I contacted Ford cust. Service and they were aware of the head gasket failure in the 95 Windstar. They did not issue a recall, this problem with the engine design came from the factory, and was original to my car as it left the factory floor.only certain VIN numbers are affected by this defect, my car is one of them.Ford only issued a notice to dealer's that if a customer came in with this problem between may and Dec 98, then the dealer was to fix the van for free. Ford did not inform me by mail or otherwise that my car could fail to operate after acceleration had taken place. If my dealer knew of this defect, why was I not given the information.this repair cost approximately $2,600. This repair is only guaranteed for 12,000 miles and then because of the engine design, the failure could occur again. I spent 27,000 dollars on this car and now it is broke, Ford refuses to pay any money to repair my car because it broke after the Dec.98 cut off. My car was not broken then so the cutoff date only works for them. I should not have to pay for a failure that Ford knew would happen, regardless of how well I drove my car. This failure occured as I was driving my two young children to school. I am glad I got my car off the road before an accident could have occured. I called Ford today and was basically told, too bad for you. This is unacceptable.
- Cohutta, GA, USA
The Windstar is very unsafe. The transmission has failed three times, always while vehicle is in traffic, sometimes at high speeds. The head gasket failure causes serious other engine compnonets to fail, eventually causing complete engine failure, which can also occur suddenly while in traffic.
- Potomac, MD, USA
At 57,898 miles (Sept. '98), my Windstar started acting funny. I brought it to a local repair shop, who said it appeared to be a head gasket problem, and to bring it to the dealer to check it out. I brought it in, had it checked and they said it was fine. On 4/17/99, it started driving very poorly, and on 4/19 brought it to the same local mechanic, who said again, it was this time a blown head gasket, and to call the dealer. The dealer said there had be a recall that ended 1/99 (I am the original owner and never rec'd any notice), and I would have to pay the expenses myself. They also stated that it was agianst the law for them to cover any expenses, after the recall notice expired. I have now been waiting w/out my car for a week now, for them to complete the repairs. I have called Ford directly and they say essentially, tough luck.
- Hillside, NJ, USA
- San Diego, CA, USA