Head gasket failed on Nov. 16, 1999. I picked up the vehicle from the dealer on Nov. 19 and drove it home (~15 miles). I immediately called the dealer and told them the engine was running hot. I was told to go ahead and drive the car. On Dec. 6 (after more phone conversations), I took the car back and was told the no.2 fuel injector had failed. On Dec. 97 I picked the car up and before I could get it home again, the "engine" check light came on, and the car ran very roughly. I immediately called the dealer and they told me to drive it for a feew days to see what happened. On Dec 22, I returned the car to the dealer, and again the N0. 2 cylinder has "a problem" that the dealer can't diagnose. Ford is offering no assistance.

- Pickerington, OH, USA

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- New Windsor, NY, USA

I have a wife and 3 kids relining on this defect-ridden van hear in Wisconsin, no safety defect mentioned in summary.

- Portage, WI, USA

No summmary listed for above vehicle.

- Timonium, MD, USA

At 30,170 miles, transmission was replaced. At 45,472 miles the air conditioner would work when the van would first start and then the A/C would cut off. While awaiting for the parts to fix the A/C to arrive at the dealership, the van began missing during idle. I was driving out of my driveway on July 11, 1999 when the check engine light came on. I immediately pulled back into the driveway where the van sat until Monday, July 12, 1999 at 7:00 P.M. per the service dept at the Ford dealership, we were advised to drive the van there, if we could get it that far. Upon leaving our home with my husband driving the van and me following in a reliable vehicle, we started out for the dealership only to stop midway because the van was overheating. We waited for it to cool and started for the dealership once again. My husband turned the van off as he pulled into the dealership and had to let it coast the rest of the way because again, it was overheating. They diagnosed the blown head gasket and intake gasket the next day. On Dec 7, 1999, I was using the van to go home on my lunch hour. It started to die as I pulled out of my parking space but continued to run. I headed for home and within 2 blocks, while sitting at a stop light, the van died. I managed to start it back up only to have it die again. The van had to be towed this time. They diagnosed that the air flow tube had fallen off of the filter housing. On 12-16-1999, I was pulling from my parking space to go home from work for the day, only to have the van die. It started up again only to make it to the street out of the parking lot. It started again and I made it 1/2 a block before it died again. I started again and made it one full block this time before it died again. I had to start the van approx. 5-6 more times only to have it die each time in order to get into a local hotel parking lot. I called the service manager at the Ford dealership and he came to check things out. He could.

- Newton, IA, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

While driving on the highway engine check light kept coming on. Vehicle began to overheat and water came out of tailpipe. Also leaking radiator fluid on the engine block and heater, creating toxic gases inside the vehicle. Contacted the dealer not under extended warranty.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

No summary

- Mentor, OH, USA

Dash cup holder replaced. Mjs

- Madison, WI, USA

Several minor engine components (O2 sensors, coolant lines, computer, rough running engine, check engine light coming on & off) failed over a one year period followed by the head gasket failure. After it was repaired, about 100 miles later the engine failed. The oil pressure light came on, the van lost power and the speed started fluctuating. This was on a high speed, but no shoulder bridge, so slowing down could have caused an accident. Fortunately it didn't this time. The dealer recommended towing the van to the garage, and after review the engine was recommended to be replaced.

- Covington, LA, USA

The check engine light was coming on anytime I drove on an trip over 60 miles. After having it checked out and checked out, I could never get an answer about the problem. Found out later that it was due to the head gasket being bad and dumping engine coolant throug the exhaust which in turn destroyed the catatlytic converter and sensor. However the computer would never give the codes that this was the problem. While checking this problem out, I had it in a transmission shop that knew of Ford's transmission problems, and stated that this Windstar had all the signs of a leaking aluminum pump in the transmi. Cost was just under $1000. Still the problem was not fixed. A guy said to check the exhaust, so I had the exhaust checked and found the catalytic convertor had melted down. Had them replaced, still the problem was not fixed. My mechanic happened to be talking to the parts dept at a Ford dealer and they mentioned the secret recall on the motor. So I checked on it and they said the mileage was too high (keep in mind that the van was doing this when I purchased it at 82,000). My mechanic pulled the head off and replaced the front head gasket where the #4 cylinder had blown the gasket. He replaced all fluids. Several hundred miles later the motors main bearings went out due to having had engine coolant mixed with it for so long (told to me by the springfield, il Ford dealer where I was when the motor blew and by the springfield, mo Ford dealer where I live). Ford refuses to fix the problem and I can give you addresses of hundreds of other people who are having this problem, and this is just a group of people on the web, how many thousands of people don't know anything about this problem? Ford claims to have sent out recalls, but I have never received one nor have any others that I have talked with except for one guy I work with. He bought his van used and received this recall. I have gotten a recall on my van hood so they know where I live. Thanks, db.

- Springfield, MO, USA

Rough engine, engine check light on. Head gasket leaking onto #4 plug and cylinder.

- Rochester, MN, USA

No summary listed fpr above vehicle.

- Cypress, TX, USA

While driving around town. Heard a funny sound, restarted vehicle and the temperature gauge went high. Towed to dealer, and dealer determined that head gasket blew out and needed to have the engine flushed. Contacted dealer, and replaced head gasket. Oil light was coming on. Dealer said that vehicle will continue to have problems. Stepped on gas pedal and vehicle would hesitate when stopping, then shut off.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

While traveling noticed fumes from the tail pipe. Also there was a smell. Engine check light came on. Also, vehicle was pulsating. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further informaton.

- Dale City, VA, USA

No summary.

- Mt. Horeb, WI, USA

Car running fine/stop at store/get back in car. Engine check light starts blinking, and car is shaking/ drove home/called mechanic/ drove to mechanic/confirmed blown engine head gasket/ returned home/ parked car since August. Ford wont help/ called cust service and been to several dealers/all said that it has been a problem but won;T fixed it/1st Ford owned/last Ford owned/trying to find out how to have the gasket fixed by the manufacturer/ head gaskets shouldn't go at 60,000 miles. Consumer reports mag (10-99) issue says there are hidden warranties on this problem /Ford still won;T help/any help or info would be appreciated thank you.

- Ware, MA, USA

While driving there is a leak in the engine and it has failed, *akpremature failure.the engine check light intermittently comes on. Please provide any futher information.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

Ford Motor Compay's response to this situation is terrible. I have been buying exclusively Ford products for 15 years and I will never I repeat never buy another Ford product again!!!

- St. Charles, MO, USA

Engine check light came on. Consumer heard a rattle sound. Took car to dealer. Dealer said that it was the catalytic converter.

- Metesto, CA, USA