Have had the minivan in several times for symptoms of the head gasket failure only to find problem after warranty expired. Transmission has always "clunked" when shifting into drive or reverse, this is a daily problem the dealership cannot "find". windshield cracked overnight in November. We don't think the windshield should have been so fragile.

- Boise, ID, USA

White smoke was coming out of tailpipe & engine check light came on. Dealer hasn't been able to do anything about the problem. Manufacturer told consumer that it was not a safety problem.

- Dallas, TX, USA

Head gasket leaking, master cylinder froze up and caused smoke and damage to brake system on 3 wheels, ABS light kept coming on, in for repairs on several occasions and light was disconnected by dealer, engine light on: O2 sensor replaced, speedometer failed to register speeds, driverside window goes down while driving, replaced by dealer, door open light turns on randomly, sliding door fails to lock with electric locks. What is going to be next?

- Eyota, MN, USA

While traveling on a busy interstate, engine light went on. Van lost speed and started overheating. I was able to make it off highway. Van died had to be towed. Told it was cracked head due to coolant leakage. Warranty company refuses to pay claim.. speedometer flips around, estimate repair cost is $475. Warranty company refusee to pay.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Speedometer fluctuated all over dial when car went over 30 mph; transmission just failed while car was being operated, it failed to shift and did not move while in traffic; brakes fade when coming to a stop all the time (I have requested repairs repeatedly, told no problem detected); car continues to roll 6-8 inches when parked on an incline; rear suspension creaks when getting in and out of car; several leaks in engine had to be repaired (gasket??).

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

The head gasket failed in my 1996 Ford Windstar due to a recall that I was not notified of because Ford is only concerned with the 1995 model. I was told by the Ford dealer that my engine failed due to the same defect. Ford is replacing the engine, they have had my car for 6 weeks already and no end in sight. They are saying that they will give me a 2 year warranty on the engine but it appears from the 1995 recall that it should be a 7 year/100,000 mile warranty.

- Holbrook, NY, USA

Engine light comes on, stays on engine runs rough. This continued form January to July with vehical going in to shop as much as 5 times in one day. Sayville Ford on last arrival said head gasket falure as in all Windstar from 1995 and 96. They said this in January and every vist after that until the last one when white smoke came out of exhaust. Then they said replace head gaskets. At this time they found the number 1 cylinder rod bent and I would need a new engine. They still have the vehical and want me to pay for damages I will not seeing they should have fixed it in the begining. I called Ford Motor Company and they would not step in saying the dealership and the car is my problem. I even asked for the factory rep to look into this problem and was told the delership would have to request him. They will not call him where do people turn for a fair shake" please call me "!!

- Patchogue, NY, USA

Vehicle shut off while going through the intersection, no prior warning. Consumer took vehicle to dealership. Mechanic told him that warranty has expired.

- Sumner, WA, USA

Vehicle was taken in for regular service. Consumer asked mechanic why car was starting so roughly, and mechanic said it needed a head gasket. Consumer was having the same problem as mentioned in recall on head gaskets on the Ford Windstar 1994/ 1995.

- Polk City, IA, USA

Engine check light kept coming on. Vehicle taken to the dealer, and informed consumer that engine needs replacement due to a blown head gasket. Please feel free to provide further details.

- New Bedford, MA, USA

Head gasket failed.

- Suttons Ba, MI, USA

Timing chain cover cracked, causing coolant leakage. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under manufacturer's recall. Feel free to provide further details.

- Cottontown, TN, USA

Engine checks light kept coming on. Vehicle taken to dealer on three occasions, and informed consumer of a possible blown head gasket. However, vehicle was not covered under manufacturer's recall due to VIN.

- Sylvania, OH, USA

Engine light on & running hot. Head gasket & manifold gasket replaced. Mechanic later said recall would reimburse for cost to repair. Ford said our VIN was not covered due to place & date of manufacture. This is an admitted manufacturer design problem which needs to be rectified. The Ford mechanics even state that this is the same engine as those in the recall. People who find out that I have a 1996 Ford Windstar ask if I've had my head gasket replaced yet. How would they know about this problem if it is not widespread, not to mention a severe deficiency in design. How can Ford get away with this nonsense" why should we buy american" please help.

- Bowie, MD, USA

Ford has agreed to pay part of the repair cost for the head gasket. They have recalled this same engine in the 1995 Windstar's but have not extended it to the 1996's despite many occurances. I feel they should cover the entire repair as well as our rental car expenses.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

My Windstar has only 48000 miles on it and we had to replace the head gasket. My neighbor has a 1995 Windstar with 20000 more miles on it and they were reimbursed for their failed head gasket. I find this unacceptable and I am trying to receive a fefund more the work done on my van.

- Queens, NY, USA

July of 1999 while on vacation in Pennsylvania the engine check light came on. A family friend recommended that we not worry about the problem unless the light stayed on. The light went off but then came back on a couple of times over the next few months. Finally in April of 2000 the light came on and stayed on. The Ford dealership informed us that the head gaskets were blown. The dealership told us that they would pay most of the $1400 repair bill but we still ended up with $600 on our part. We have contacted Ford twice about this failure at only 53,000 miles. We believe that we should be reimbursed our $600. We are shocked to see how many 1996 Windstar are having the same problems. We have asked Ford to tell us the number of gasket failures they have seen on the 1996's. they have refused to provide that information. Please help us. Thank you for your time and attention to this problem.

- Effingham, IL, USA

Head/head gasket was repaired. Symptom causing repair was engine running hot.

- Powell, TN, USA

Repeated expensive repairs to turn off " engine" check light only temporairly successful. Loss of coolant for unknown reason. Engine now noticably "smoking".

- Edgewater, MD, USA

Engine check light came on and we immediately took the vehicle for service. Found out it was head gasket problem. Contacted Ford after a week of not being able to get the needed parts for repair and was told my vehicle was not on recall list. Also found out that they are unwilling to help since vehicle not under warranty. Took 2 weeks in shop to get fixed and replacement parts were ordered outside of Ford dealership because they couldn't get the right part. It ended up costing $300 additional to original estimate.

- Excelsior Springs, MO, USA