The contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. The contact stated black smoke was coming from the tail pipe and there was a strong odor of gasoline inside the vehicle. The vehicle began burning an excessive amount of fuel since the black smoke started coming from the tail pipe. The O2 sensors, spark plugs/wires, intake gaskets and intake isolator bolts were all replaced by a certified technician. The manufacturer refused to work on the vehicle. The failure mileage and current mileages were 89000.

- Bristow , VA, USA

My 1995 Ford Windstar engine has stopped several times while driving at interstate speeds and also when coasting while driving down hills. It also stops while at traffic lights. Mechanic adjusted the idle speed and replaced the idle control. The problem is still there. The real danger here is that at low speeds, the power steering and power brakes also fail making the vehicle very hard to steer and stop. On a very tight turn I almost lost control of the vehicle.

- Richmond, VA, USA

The contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. The vehicle shut down without warning while she was driving 45 mph. The failure was diagnosed by a mechanic on several occasions. The mechanic replaced the starter and the alternator twice; however, the failure continued to occur. The VIN was not available. The dealer will make an attempt to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000 and the current mileage was 260,000.

- Ewingville Township , NJ, USA

My 1995 Ford Windstar developed a fire under the hood on the driver's side while parked in my driveway. The car had not been driven at all during the two weeks prior to the fire. The last time it was driven prior to the fire, the car repeatedly lost power (decelerated, nearly to a stop) while driving on an uphill incline. Depressing the accelerator was ineffective during such episodes. Power returned and the car would acclerate and maintain a steady speed once the car returned to level ground. I had not used the cruise control system at all during that last trip and used it rarely in the 12 years that I owned the car. The fire completely destroyed the engine and all other major systems under the hood. The fire damaged the surface of my driveway and a small area of my lawn.

- Eldersburg, MD, USA

The contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. Three days after the vehicle was purchased, the engine stalled while driving 5 mph. The failure occurred up to seven times per day. The contact was unable to start the engine and the vehicle was towed to her residence. She called a repair shop and they informed her that the alternator was defective. She removed the alternator from the vehicle and took it to the shop to have it tested. The mechanic informed her that the alternator was no good; therefore, the contact purchased a new one and placed it into the vehicle. She was able to start the engine and run the vehicle, but it stalled once again 4 blocks later. She restarted the vehicle, drove home, and called the dealer from where she purchased the vehicle. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the oxygen sensor failed. They replaced the sensor, but it still did not correct the failure. The vehicle remains at the dealer. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 126,000.

- Spokane, WA, USA

The contact owns a 1995 Ford Windstar. The check engine light illuminated on April 19, 2008, which was the purchase date of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the light would dim after fuel was placed into the vehicle; however, the light remained illuminated. The dealer placed sensors and new motor mounts on the engine and, afterwards, the contact was unable to drive more than 25 mph. Due to the loud noise from the engine, a mechanic at a muffler shop advised her that there were no new motor mounts on the vehicle. In fact, the motor mounts on the vehicle were old and defective. The dealer has had the vehicle since May 1, 2008 and stated that no additional repairs will be made. The dealer accused the contact of damaging the motor mounts and adding 750 miles since purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle has been at the dealer several times since it was purchased. The estimated failure mileage was 135,000.

- Memphis , TN, USA

Purchased the van used in 2004. A few weeks later the transmission had to be rebuilt. Shortly after that the brake lights came on. Mechanic could not find anything wrong with the brakes, although periodically they made a noise and would stiffen up, then the pedal would go slack and then return to normal. The muffler fell off and was put back on. The check engine light had been on, when hooked up to the computer it only showed codes for the exhaust system. Then it started overheating and a bit of white smoke came from the tailpipe. The intake manifold gasket was replaced. 2 days later the overdrive light started blinking and the van didn't have much power and would stall out while emitting a thick cloud of white smoke from the tailpipe. Mechanic says now the head gasket is blown.

- Columbia, SC, USA

My wife was leaving church in the parking lot, the head gasket blew. Hi. my name is [xxx]. I am the unlucky owner of a 1995 Ford Windstar. The Windstar has a factory defect in the head gasket mounting, that causes premature gasket failure(service bulletin #00M09). Well my Windstar blew the head gasket on January 15th, of 2006. The van only has 76,000 original miles on it. When I contacted Ford about this, they informed me that they would not repair it. I made 3 contact attempts to riser Ford, in hot springs, and 2 contact attempts to the customer relations dept' at Ford Motor Co. Each time they said they would not help me. I intent to take this all the way. I should not be responsible for defective part repairs to my vehicle. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

: the contact stated while driving at 15 mph in normal conditions, the engine blew a head gasket. The contact noticed white smoke and water coming from the exhaust system. The vehicle was driven back to the residence where it was inspected. The contact discovered the #1 plug was full of water and no repairs were made. Updated 03/22/06.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

Numerous problems with my 1995 Ford Windstar. It is the worst car I have ever purchased! as soon as one repair is completed (two transmissions, head gasket, electrical problems, brakes, suspension), then another one occurs. Now, as in every christmas, the "engine light" is on and the car is running so poorly that you can't even pull the car out of the driveway without it choking and spitting, lots of smoke, and the car is actually shaking!!! I know it is another head gasket and I just can't pay anymore money into this piece of garbage. I have been looking for a new car and it certainly will not be a Ford!

- St. Louis, MO, USA

Head gasket failure. Took to dealer and was told it had been recalled - I never got a notice and am now out of warranty. Estimate of $1800 to replace. Reading other posts, T appears this is not a definite permanent solution. My van only has 97,000 miles on it.

- Columbia, MO, USA

Engine overheated once. Mechanic said coolant was leaking from timing chain cover. While saving for repair, have kept coolant added and engine has not overheated again, but now engine surges while idling, misses sometimes, and has low compression in three cylinders. Mechanic said all due to coolant leak, and engine unsafe, may blow at any time. Dealer said there was a Ford information campaign on problem. I was not notified. Only have 69000 miles on vehicle, but Ford told dealer they would not assist in repair. Please give any information about problem to help me when I call Ford myself. Thank you!

- Arcata, CA, USA

My 1995 Ford Windstar started cutting off on me when I was driving it. I usually am transporting my children and their friends around and it is dangerous when in traffic the van just shuts off. It starts right back up, but I do not feel comfortable driving it anymore. After several visits to the dealer and other car repair places, the dealer sent us home without fixing the problem. We have replaced the iac valve, fuel filter, air filter, mass air flow sensor, and the camshaft position sensor. One place we took it checked for vacuum leaks and checked the fuel flow, which according to them was all fine. We did not keep any of the old parts listed above. There has got to be a reason for a car to just shut off, but everyone seems to be baffled. Event leading up to the failure the first time: Got in the van to take my son to an orthodontic appointment. And as I pulled into the parking place in front of the building it just turned off. After the appointment. Driving home, it cut off on me 3 more times. I was very scared someone was going to hit me from behind or as I made a turn it cut off and a car just missed my front end. Another thing that is scary is when the engine cuts off, the steering locks up and I can barely get it pulled over to put it in park to start it again. If you can help I would really appreciate it.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

I asked the seller at Ford to completely service the van before I would buy it. He said his mechanic would. I checked the van out two weeks later, low on oil, no brake fluid, trans fluid very low, no water hardly at all in receiver, then the starter went out, replaced it no good, replaced switch, no good, brakes gone out, can't keep fluid in systems, engine light came on, emission problems, mechanic stalls for the hour amount, and still can't fix/test II code. Inside lights dim when extra. Lights come on. It's a [xxx] piece of junk and they sold us a lemon. I paid over $4,000 cash for it, and all they wanted to so was sell it for money. What can I do" it has 72,000 etc mile and now has 82,000. We are both disabled with two kids. We have been screwed. I can get the Ford info on the Ford Windstar 95 3.8 it rattles, water runs out of the exhaust pipe and the converter. I want to sue them, I called them and they said the hell with you, you bought it as it was. Ford products are the worst auto's on the market. We want revenge and all our money back now. [xxx]. what is next a head gasket" I heard that cost over $1,600 to fix. And there are alot of them going out. Ford needs to stand behind it's products or get out of the business. I have had my kids tossed to the dash when I step on the brakes before we even get out of our drive way. We wear seatbelts, I wouldn't dare ride in it. It is a death trap to me. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Whittier, NC, USA

On February 2001 dealership replaced the head gasket. Two years later the same problem recurred, engine overheated. Mechanic replaced the head gasket at consumer's expense of $2500.

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

I have owned my van since January 2000. Shortly after purchasing, my van had a blown head gasket, which was fixed under the Ford recall. Still within the recall, a head gasket blew again. Ford told me the recall only allows for a one time repair. Since then, my van is on its third engine and third transmission. Most recently we have had to replace the main computer as well. We have spent more money fixing the van than what we paid for it.

- Summerville , SC, USA

Head gasket gone, dealer says the engine is going, due to leak from head gasket damaging bearings on crankshaft. Ford is aware of this, and continues to allow this, while their dealers continue to profit from this engineering flaw. It is a slap in the face, to lose $4000 dollars to a known flaw, and worse to have to have the dealer, tell you entirely about it, to sell you another vehicle! purchased for $8200 in May 02, warranty expired Aug 02, vehicle is dead Jan 03 (offered $2000 so the dealer can sell it to someone else?)it has been a costly year.

- Wasaga Beach, UN, USA

Ac coolant was low and switching mechanism had to be replaced. At 54000 miles was told timing cover was leaking and head gasket was leaking. Head gasket was finally covered at no charge but timing cover got little relief. Now at 80000 miles, the coil assembly fails and I am told that my head gasket is leaking again and the dealer says they only guarantee their work for one year. We had the head gasket fixed on the recall. It appears the headgasket may be leaking again (one Ford dealer says it leaks another says it doesn't). We are in for regular servicing next week --we will see what they find). Our vehicle being repaired once and beyond 7yrs old seems to be beyond what will be covered. The van has only 139,000 kilometers on it (so we are not past the 100,000 mile barrier). We have had another gasket on the time cover replaced which I think was also a recall item. I appreciate keeping up the pressure in the campaign against Ford.

- Victoria, Bc, UN, USA

2003 - door ajar light 2002 - blew head gasket; 2002 - heater core replaced 2001 - ignition coil pack & ignition leads replaced 2001 - front tie rod ends replaced 2000 - refrigerant coolant loss 1998 - egr valve replaced 1998 - transmission fluid cooler hoses replaced 1997 - blew head gasket, repaired under warranty

- Delta, UN, USA

Heater core failure that led to immediate cylinder head cracking that led to coolant entering engine oil system and total engine failure. Transmission failure of original and replacement transmission. Told by auto parts store employee about the cylinder head recall as his sister owned same 1995 Windstar 3.8L, Ford had a vendor answering calls. Representative stated that Ford had mailed recall information to the wrong address, that is why I never recieved it. Rep unable to explain how Ford mailed hood recall info to correct address, but not the cylinder head recall info. Rep refused to address issue further. I would love to taker part in any cylinder head or transmission class action proceeding.

- Seattle, WA, USA