Blown head gasket - engine failure - 1996 Ford Windstar.

- Duluth, GA, USA

My 3.8L, 1996 Ford Windstar gl at almost 100K started leaking coolant through a blown head gasket. I was able to get home safely despite almost completely overheating. I am now without transportation for me and my four small children, walking a total of 2 miles a day to get my 7 yr old daughter to/ from school with a 5, 3 and 1yr old. My husband's job is our only source of income so this will be a *huge* financial burden getting this fixed (not to mention the new problem over the malfunctioning 'door open' indicator). I have found Windstar head gasket problems are very common after talking with several mechanics. The issue is acknowledged by Ford as they extended warranty on the 1995 Windstar. Why can't they own up to a defective engine and extend this to the 1996 Windstar as well?! this blatant disregard by Ford will get someone hurt or worse (god forbid) killed. Ford needs to take care of this!!

- Vancouver, WA, USA

My 1996 Windstar had head gaskets repaired less than two years ago. At the time, the garage doing the work indicated the engine had a design problem, and the gaskets would probably, over time, fail again. This has happened, as radiator fluid has begun leaking once again into the engine block. This is a problem Ford knows exists with the 1996 Windstar, as it did with the 89-95 models, and it needs to be addressed.

- Lilburn, GA, USA

The vehicle stalled without warning. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The mechanic informed the owner that the engine head gasket failed.

- Hilo, HI, USA

Head gasket failed, same problem as 95, which were repaired. I was teaching my teen age daughter to drive and the engine could have easily failed causing a very inexperienced driver to crash. In a letter to Ford and a several conservations, they state that the problem was solved. Persusal through numerous car web sites indicates that this is a common problem. Ford told me it was my problem.

- Clifton, VA, USA

At 60000 miles check engine light came on, indicating a misfire on cylinder 1. mechanic pulled plug and found coolant in cylinder due to a blown head gasket.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

1996 Ford Windstar engine failure - systemic head gasket problem with the V6 3.8L engine, which Ford has known about for many years. Symptoms: Hard to start, rough idle, white smoke from tail pipe, engine coolant dripping from exhaust, oil looks like brown mayonnaise.

- Easton, PA, USA

Consumer stated while traveling and without any indication vehicle started surging, and check engine light started flashing. Vehicle was serviced, technician noticed that head gasket needed to be replaced.

- Collingswood, NJ, USA

I have 1996 Windstar (85K) 3.8 V-6 with a coolant leak in the >combustion chamber. It developed last year. I know this is a >chronic problem that plagued 1994/1995 3.8 V-6 Windstar too. >Ford extended their warranties to 7 years & 100,000 miles. While >Ford made some changes to the '96 models, they didn't really >upgrade the head gasket until 1997. >please see link. >www.edmunds.com/ownership/driving/articles/42970/article.H >tml) >I have seearched the web and have found that there are many '96 >Windstar as well as other 3.8 V-6 Ford owners who are having >similar problems. >(www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_wnd_96_gas.htm) >how can I get Ford to bite the bullet an admit that there is an >on going problem and fix my car?

- Gainesville, FL, USA

The consumer requested assistance to get Ford to extend their head gasket recall to include the 1996 Ford Windstar. The gasket on the consumers vehicle needs to be replaced.

- Dunmore, PA, USA

Consumer stated that head gasket is cracked. Dealer and manufacturer has been notified.

- Houston, TX, USA

96 Windstar 3.8L engine.blown head gasket.90,000 miles on vehicle. Dealer quote $1500. -$1800. To repair head gasket. Service manager suggested replace engine $4000. Service manager admitted there is a definite problem with this engine Ford knows of the problem. The service manager gave me the telephone # for Ford customer complaints and wished me good luck. Three independent mechanics told me there is definitely a problem with the 3.8L engine and Windstar. One of the mechanics " 9 out of 10 Windstar blow head gaskets". his suggestion of vehicles to avoid when shopping for a vehicle -------------Ford Windstar-------- Ford dealer offered to take my Windstar in trade and they would re-wholesale the vehicle not repair it. No thanks Ford will be last on my list of vehicle's to own." Made in America and proud of it" "?? how about it Ford"

- Sullivan, OH, USA

1996 Ford Windstar 3.8 liter engine with 83,000 miles on it blew head gasket in December 2002. Paid over $1200 for repairs. Sent a complaint to Ford Motor Company requesting assistance. Response was that the 1996 model is not covered under recall. June 19, 2003 after paying repairs mentioned above, the engine blew. The vehicle is completely disabled and will cost over $3500 to repair.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

Problems with head gaskets / if compression check had been done bending of piston rods may not have occurred. The consumer experienced, rough idle along with the smell of anti freeze(indicated a head gasket problem), the engine light had come on as a result of a misfire code(the radiator was flushed), there were noises that had come from the engine(lost power/slowed to a crawl), and the consumer was told that something had come loose in the engine. (there was an intermittent miss in cylinder #1) the rough idle and the smell of antifreeze was repaired, the service dealer recommended the consumer replace the engine.

- Mitchell, SD, USA

The vehicle had a faulty engine (3.8). The vehicle was repaired eight times for engine related problems.

- Berlin, CT, USA

1996 3.8 Ford Windstar has a blown head gasket which ruined my engine. Ford refused to do anything to help with this problem even though it is a well know problem.

- North Branford, CT, USA

While driving and without warning the head gasket blew and caused fluid to leak.

- Saint Cloud, MN, USA

1996 Ford Windstar - failure of head gasket resulting in irreparable engine damage. Cost of head gasket repair, ~$1,500. Cost of engine replacement ~$4,000. Was informed by Ford service technician that this was a common problem with Windstar from the years '94 through '97 and that Ford had a "silent recall" for up to 100K miles where they would have replaced head gasket.

- Waynesville, OH, USA

44,000 miles and blown head gasket, $1500 repair quote. How many complaints before Ford provides remedy for 96 Windstar? I will never buy a Ford again and I am telling everyone I know not to buy a Ford.

- Saint Francis, WI, USA

The engine cover gasket failed, and oil mixed with the anti-freeze and ruined the engine.

- South Bend, IN, USA