High temperature indication during dileing and 0-15mph. Took to local Ford dealer and was told that I have a bad head gasket that will require me to replace the engine. The dealer told me coolant has leaked into the engine and crankcase and that replacing the engine is the best alternative. Replacing the head gasket would be a temporary fix as they have experienced a lot of failures with this engine before.

- Mosinee, WI, USA

Blown head gasket. This was a properly maintained engine and there was no warning of any problem. I am faced with buying a new long block at a cost of $4700. From Ford.

- Stow, OH, USA

No summary.

- East Brunswick, NJ, USA

The head gasket failed and therefore the engine was damaged. Ford stated there was a design flaw and they extended their warranty from 50,000 mi. To 60,000 mi. The only problem our van had 63902 mi. It was giong to cost us $4000 but after pressing the issue Ford agreed to pay $3500. Since then I have found 7 other similar cases of head gasket failure at aboout the same mileage in the greater dayton area.

- Lebanon, OH, USA

Timing cover gasket & seal failure and cylinder head gaskets failure at 48,834 miles. Symptoms were hesitation/jerking when accelerating & coolant loss. Both failure symptoms began at the same time, increasing in frequency for 1-2 weeks until "engine warning light" came on. Vehicle was in for routine maintenance, including cooling system flush/coolant replacement about 2 months prior to failure, & no problem was identified at that time. Dealer covered cost of cylinder head gasket replacement, but did not cover timing cover gasket & seal replacement($708.61). Appealed to corporate level, asking if the coolant leakage might be the root cause of the known cylinder head gasket problem, but they refused reimbursement, saying both failures were independent. I find it oddly coincidental & hard to believe that both problems initiated at the same time, but are unrelated.

- Laurel Springs, NJ, USA

Head gasket failures - 3 times @ 54,000, @65,000, @74,000 miles

- Edmond, OK, USA

Head gaskets bad - this is a known problem which Ford has already admitted is a design flaw. They repaired cars with under 60K miles (which owners self-diagnosed) free. The problem is that most owners can't tell they have the problem until after 60K miles. The symptoms are often subtle, and don't immediately point to head gaskets as their cause. Ford obviously should have recalled these vehicles for inspection and repair as needed. Instead they decided to only deal with the few owners who managed to figure out on their own that the head gaskets were the problem. My car didn't show symptoms until it had been driven over an hour (sometimes several) on long trips - an infrequent occurance. Therefore I couldn't have known about the problem until I drove it on enough long trips to see the symptoms. Make Ford pay for their mistakes!

- White Salmon, WA, USA

Head gasket failed, misfire one cylinder draining coolant, no smoke though. 98M01 expired. Now what?

- Athens, PA, USA

I have been extremely dissatisfied with the quality of my Ford Windstar. With the transmission repair I will have invested close to $4000 in the van. I have surprised and outraged by what I have found. I have searched the web and found hundreds of people that have had exactly the same problems. The ones that have called have gotten the same answer I have "sorry, we can't help that is not under warranty." I have found that I am not alone and I am hoping the government will step and make Ford stand behind their product. Quality is job 1 what a crock!

- Tampa, FL, USA

No summary

- Hicksville, NY, USA

This van has cost alot of money to keep up and I was told these things where problems they had by a mechanic.

- Casa Grande, AZ, USA

I would appreciate your looking into all of the defects concerning the 95 Windstar. Ford is taking no responsibility and this seems to be a huge problem considering all of the people that I am finding out are having the same problem. Even though there was no accident involved, breaking down in the middle of traffic, or having your engine die while on the interstate is a serious safety issue! I would really appreciate any help that you could give to me and all Ford Windstar owners! thank you!

- Oviedo, FL, USA

No summary

- Crestwood, KY, USA

Our 95 Ford Windstar has it's 3rd engine, because of head gasket problems, we purchased the extended warranty and 11 days after it expired the engine went out we are now in the process of trying to get Ford to cover the entire cost, which they are fighting, we feel this is a re-accuring problem which they should stand behind their faulty product. We expect a brand new vehicle to last much longer than this a four year old vehicle should not be on it's 3rd engine. We have been loyal Ford customers, but feel we have a lemon with this vehicle.

- Java, SD, USA

Electrical connection at brake fluid reservoir fluid. Replaced starter. Engine overheated--replaced right cylinderhead, spark plugs, coolant, filter, thermostat. Engine idles rough.

- Mays Landing, NJ, USA

Fan control module and radiator fan motor burned out. Rebuilt engine and hugo sensors. Frequent stalling. Rear wiper motor, water pump, starter and fuel pump replaced.

- Grand Forks, ND, USA

Have discovered at least 200 other people who have had these failures that have caused transmission and full engine failures without any help from Ford.Ford has attmitted thhat this is a problem but refuses to help or insstigate a recall. Thanks.

- Houston, TX, USA

No summary

- Swansea, IL, USA

This is a known defect in the Ford 3.8 engine which based on mtbf data occurs in this engine after 70,000 miles.. the Ford notice to customers deliberately set 60,000 as the milage limit to preclude the possibility of having to realistically address the problem. The letter was essentially offering smoke and mirrors and had no real value since it is common knowledge in the auto repair community that the problem does not typically occur until after 75,000. The letter was a scam.

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

Brakes would make loud noises. Also, engine had died out. Vehicle towed to dealer. Informed brakes needed replacing due to being worn out. Had put vehicle on diagnostic machine & no code came up.

- Seattle, WA, USA