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
Contacted manufacturer who stated that the extended warranty ended in 7 years. My vehicle's head gaskets failed 7 years, 9 months. Coolant leaked into the engine causing major damage. No warning such as check engine light went on until after failure. Nkm
- Woodstock, IL, USA
Add another member to the Ford Windstar club with failed head gaskets. Because we purchased our vehicle in November of 1994, we missed being covered by the extended warranty by three months, even though our vehicle had only 62,439 miles at the time of the head gasket failure. Ford says there is nothing they can do. I'm preparing a small claims suit where I will ask for an exception to the extended warranty requirements, and reimbursement in full for the cost of repairs. Nlm
- Willard, UT, USA
Head gasket has blown twice. Had to replace engine 2 times. Problem still exists.
- Norton, MA, USA
Head gasket failure was recall item, but not covered in our situation because we are low-mileage drivers. Recall warranty was under 100,000 miles or less than 7 years, which ever came first. Our car was 7 years and 6 weeks old. Failure at 62,000 miles was within average for head gasket failures, but not covered because we didn't reach this mileage until 6 weeks after warranty. Warranty shouldn't have time limitation if within mileage limits.
- Carlsbad, CA, USA
Head gasket failure was recall item, but not covered in our situation because we are low-mileage drivers. Recall warranty was under 100,000 miles or less than 7 years, which ever came first. Our car was 7 years and 6 weeks old. Failure at 62,000 miles was within average for head gasket failures, but not covered because we didn't reach this mileage until 6 weeks after warranty. Warranty shouldn't have time limitation if within mileage limits.
- Carlsbad, CA, USA
Light indicators coming on, loss of coolant and sound Ford diagnosed leak of timing chain assembly and bill pierre Ford said no leak, no work done.
- Seattle, WA, USA
After first start it takes 15 minutes before dash lights and power windows work. Mechanic determined an electrical short under dash.
- Springfield, MO, USA
Timing belt gasket is causing a problem with vehicle. Coolant is leaking from this engine part.
- Vicktor, NY, USA
Vehicle would intermittently smoke. It would overheat and empty fluid from radiator. Guages never showed that vehicle was overheating. Also, driver could smell anti-freeze whenever vehicle would start to overheat. This was all due to faulty head gaskets.
- West Grove, PA, USA
Head gasket replacement, Ford reassembled and the other head cracked (at the same spot) in less than 350 miles.
- East Brady, PA, USA
The cylinder head gasket failed. The dealer tells me the engine needs to be replaced. Ford sent out a letter to owners of these vehicles for this failure. Extending the warrany to 7 year or 70000 miles. My van went outside of the 7 years 12/04/02. From the research I have done every one of these engines are failing. I asked Ford for help since the vehicle has low mileage. They said no. I think since every one of these engines fail they should repair it at no cost to the consumer. 57000 miles is not very many miles on a vehicle. Please help. What is the criteria for a recall?? thank you in advance for any help. John mcdermott.
- Kirkland, WA, USA
Head gasket is shot, dealer says warranty ran out 5 months ago, says there is no recall on the head gaskets and that they won't replace it. Contacted Ford and was told the same thing. We have been told there is a recall on the head gaskets in the Windstar and that the warranty was extended but we can't get anywhere with the dealorship or with Ford customer service.
- Donnellson, IA, USA
Consumer had driven less than a mile when he noticed the temperature gauge went all the way to high, vehicle was towed and consumer was informed that the head gasket had failed and a new rebuilt engine would be needed, consumer is aware of recall 98M01 and is requesting reimbursement.
- Spring Valley, NY, USA
A leak around the head gaskets. Dealer serviced vehicle. Shortly after vehicle was serviced gaskets started to leak again. Dealer inspected vehicle, and determined that engine need to be replaced. Please provide additional information.
- Graden City, MI, USA
Consumer stated that check engine light constantly illuminated, tech advisor determined it was the heated oxygen sensor which was replaced, however when pressing the accelrator, the engine hesitated, consumer received warranty extension on head gasket, the engine ultimately failed, and the head gasket was replaced under the extended warranty, however the hesitation problem improved but the engine did not respond as well before, the heistation became worse and it was determined that the engine had failed, but not due to the head gasket, consumer received a second opinon by an independent mechanic and was informed that water was detected in the #6 cylinder and determined that this caused the engine to fail, the mechanic attributed the root cause of problem to be a head gasket failure, however manufacturer is not honoring warranty stating that the gasket was replaced previously and that the dealership determined that the failed engine was not due to gasket failure, and also the independent mechanic was not an authorized Ford repair facility.
- Wilmington, NC, USA
I have had numerous problems with my 1995 Windstar. The transmission failed in 10/99 and I had to replace the entire transmission. I have had many problems with the computer/electrical system with sensors and fuses going out. My timing gasket cover cracked and coolant was leaking (10/01). I had to have that replaced along with the water pump, etc. Now, my engine has either a bearing or has thrown a rod and I have been told I need to have my engine replaced at a cost of $3500. There have been many more problems (struts, engine mounts, etc....). I have spent over $6000 (not including regular maintenance costs --oil changes, brakes, tires, tune ups, etc). I have had to spend much $$$ on car rentals while my car was being repaired. Now I'm faced with a huge new problem--the engine.
- Honolulu, HI, USA
Engine replaced by newman Ford 03-99, head gasket failure #2 Jan 10 2000 mil.60240 #3 head gasket failure Feb 6 2001 mil. 67500.
- Methuen, MA, USA
Steam would be visible when vehicle was idiling or parked, contacted dealer, dealer stated head gaskets were leaking,
- Bombay, NY, USA
Headgasket started leaking at 50683 miles and had to be replaced. At this time headgasket is leaking again, and needs to be replaced.
- Buskirk, NY, USA
- Hamilton, OH, USA