Engine failure at 88,000 miles, rough idle at times, computer replaced at 75,000 miles, head gasket blew, causing engine to fail.

- Great Lakes, IL, USA

Engine failure at 88,000 miles, rough idle at times, computer replaced at 75,000 miles, head gasket blew, causing engine to fail.

- Great Lakes, IL, USA

The ABS light and check engine lights were on. The dealer mechanic replaced speed sensors and then told me the computer was also bad. He also told me that the main seal was leaking and said that Ford had lots of problems with the 3.8L V6 engine. He told me I should get rid of the car.

- Madison, AL, USA

Engine check came on took to an independent service shop to have diagnostics run. Was told it needed a tune up, new spark plugs and cables, fuel filter, air filter, fuel injectors cleaned and I also had oil changed since it was time for it. Picked up vehicle paid $444 for the service next morning drove to work, oil light came on. I have never had the oil light flickered on. Checked oil, in my parking space was dark so all I could see is there was fluid at the correct level. Started it up that evening to go home drove aproximately 40 miles, stopped at a red light and the oil light came on the the engine began making a knocking noise. I pulled off the road had to towed back to the shop that did the work. Was told they could find nothing wrong with it, oil light did not come on. I refused to accept the answer knowing thenoise the engine was making to cause me to have it towed in. They test drove for and let run for approximately 30 min. Before the oil light did come on. They then told me it was an engine problem and did not do engine work. Had it towed immediately to a Ford dealer and was told the oild pan was full of coolant and bearings were "washed" in engine and would have to have a new engine. No one wants to claim responsibility for this problem. I have just been made aware that there has been an on going problem with this particular model motor (and not by the dealership). What can be done next?

- Sugar Hill, GA, USA

Ford Windstar (1996): A local mechanic said that our rough idle, engine light, and smell of antifreeze indicated a head-gasket problem. Hill and sanders Ford service station checked for pressure leaks, but could only suggest that it was bad plugs causing the "misfire code" in the computer. After $318, we got new spark plugs and a reset warning light. Within a week, the check engine light came on, and the rough idle and smell of antifreeze reappeared. We returned it to H&S and mentioned that it was a continuation of the previous, with a new symptom of discolored antifreeze in the overflow container (oil color). H&S said the engine light was a result of a "misfire code" but didn't know why. The only thing H&S did was flush the radiator for $100, and admitted they don't know what else it could be. A few days later the engine light came on. On Nov. 20, 2000 the van started making mechanical noises from the engine, lost power, and slowed to a crawl. My wife got it to a safe location where she and the kids could wait to have it towed to H&S. a note referenced the previous 2 H&S visits for related problems. H&S's told me that "something inside the engine came loose" and that he recommends we replace the engine for $5050! he didn't know what was wrong. We called H&S ([xxx] ) the next day and told him that we felt that H&S should be responsible for the damages due to their inability to detect and fix the problem, and sending us away with a feeling that the problem was fixed or inconsequential. H&S felt that they were not responsible. Our original mechanic was amazed that H&S didn't suspect something was wrong when oil was found in the antifreeze, and that they only flushed the system! we feel helpless and taken advantage of. Anything we can do to recover our loss? [xxx] VIN [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

Engine check light came on and the vehicle was taken back to Ford. They did a diagnostic test that they claim the failure was due to one of the spark plug wires "arching". they could not or would not tell me which one was arching, but were willing to charge me $320 to change the six wires and plus. I paid for the diagnostic test and changed the plugs and wires myself. A week later, the check engine light came on again. This time I took it to my mechanic. He did a diagnostic test on the vehicle and advised that the problem was with cylinder number four. It was cracked. They made the repair and a week later I was out over a $1000. My mechanic also advised me that Ford should have been able to tell me this right away. Ford was willing to replace the spark plugs and wires and I would still have the same problem.

- Farmingdale, NY, USA

Consumer was traveling about 55mph and engine check light blinked on and off on the dashboard. Also, transmission slipped out of gear. Computer chip was replaced, but problem still continued. Anti-freeze was leaking from the transmission. In addition, spark plugs were replaced, and head gasket needed to be replaced. Computor diagnosis indicated that cylinder #4 malfunction. The dealer said that doing tune up will solve this problem but did not.

- Halifax, MA, USA

Qualified mechanic tried to repaid with electronic control module but this did not work. Locks are grinding constantly so we were forced to disconnect to avoid burning it up. This should be a recall situation.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

Due to a defective transmission, while applying the gas pedal, the vehicle hesistated and lunged forward which may have caused a crash. Dealer had replaced transmission with a rebuilt transmission. Engine check light comes on. Also, dealer replaced coil and a spark plugs, but problem is still occurring. Dealer could nt determine the cause of the problem.

- Norwalk, CT, USA

We took our Windstar in at the first initial failure(12-2-97). The engine check light had come on, so we took it to the Ford garage closest to our residence. We were told at that time that there was nothing wrong, and that should the engine check light come back on that it should reset itself in a few days.... not to worry. This happened 6-7 times afterward with the light always going off after 3 cold starts. But when we would take a long trip. It would start all over. In Oct. Of this year (1999) the light came and and did not go off. When we took it to the dealer where we bought it, they said it needed a tune-up. ($217) we took it home and the next day we took it back because the light came back on. The dealer said it needed a new 02 sensor (approx. $100) the next day the light came on again. We took it back. The dealer said it was the computer, which they replaced at no cost. Light came back on. Took it back. Said the alternator was magnatized. New alternator didn't help. Finally the told us that it possibly could be the engine head gasket. Their estimate is $1200 which we cant afford. There was a recall for the 1995 Windstar for the same exact problem. But because my Windstar is a 1996 Ford is un-willing to help. My Windstar was manufactured in Jan of 1996. So I am sure that that engine has the same defect of the 1995 engine. I want to stress how fustrated I am with Ford Motor Company in their stance on this matter. They really don't care how safe the vehicle is.

- Spokane, WA, USA

PCM failed.

- Du Bois, PA, USA