Consumer noticed water leaking from under vehicle, vehicle was serviced. Technician noticed head gasket needed to be replaced.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

Engine check light came on. Rough idle. Tune-up performed. Oxygen sensor replaced. Engine check light is now off. Two days later, engine check light is back on and rough idle returns. Replaced oxygen sensor and plug wires. Next day, driving car and temperature gauge falls almost all the way to cold side. Heater blowing out just a little warm. Pressure tested engine. Leakage in a cylinder. Upon teardiown, head gasket has failed leaking coolant into engine.

- Calumet City, IL, USA

Head gasket blewout.

- North Redding, MO, USA

While driving at 50 to 55 mph vehicle was vibrating. Took to dealer, and they replaced fuel filter. Currently, a yellow warning light came on instrument panel. Consumer took vehicle to mechanic, and he replaced head gasket.

- Woodbridge, IL, USA

Consumer is experiencing same problem as previous year models concerning engine head gaskets. A recall was issued for that year. Consumer feels that later model years should be included.

- Riverside, IL, USA

Speedometer: Shakes back & forth on highway. Impossible to know speed travelling( unless equipped with good stopwatch & excellent math skills). Head gasket- failed.must be replaced. Does not meet any extended warranty criteria.

- Sydney Ns Canada B1n 1l2, AK, USA

We bought this van 07/25/00, since then it has had head gasket replacement, and two engines, 0-2 sensors, heater plug, now the PCM, we have only driven our van for @ 6 months, all repairs have been done at dealership, today is 11/24/01. And our van is at the dealership as I submit this. I have copy of all records. Thank you, [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Basin, WY, USA

Head gasket failed, and then soon after engine stalled. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

1996 Ford Windstar 3.8L head gasket failure at #4 piston

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

I have a 1996 Ford Windstar with one of those 3.8L engines. My problems began with an antifreeze leak resulting from head gasket problems. I have just had the engine replaced in my van and the cost was $5000. I contacted the Ford Motor Company consumer number at the suggestion of a friend who said that there had been a recall on her Windstar. I was told by the Ford rep. That my Windstar had the wrong VIN number to be recalled. I'm having a hard time understanding why some bad 3.8L engines are recalled and replaced if necessary and others are not. Can you help? also, the needle on my speedometer fluctuates wildly at speeds over 30. I know that this, too, is a common problem with Windstar.

- Jackson, TN, USA

Vehicle has leaked 2 1/2 gallons of coolant. Engine check light stays on, andvehicle is having trouble starting. Heat is warm because coolant keeps leaking out. Mechanic suggested to replace engine head because leakage was ruining the engine.

- Liverpoole, NY, USA

There was premature failure of headgaskets, causing coolant to leak onto engine and inside passenger's compartment. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

- Deland, FL, USA

Head gasket failed. Ford provided new head gaskets and sometimes complete engines for same problem in 1995 Windstar with 3.8L engine, but denies there is a problem with the 1996 same model engine. Since there are hundreds of other identical complaints about the 1996 Windstar 3.8L on this website, I find Ford's denials pretty hard to believe! this has created a serious financial hardship, and Ford has refused to compensate in any way for the obviously defective part. I am requested that you proceed with an investigation, and will be contacting my senators and representative.

- Downingtown, PA, USA

Vehicle was starting to miss, and gasket was leaking water into oil pan.

- Desplains, IL, USA

While driving motor blew a head gasket which resulted in loss of power. Contacted dealer, and vehicle was being repaired.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

Head gasket blew on 3.8L engine while sitting in a parking lot. Caused additional damage to the starter and flywheel wheel broke.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

Engine started overheating, engine check' light came. Noticed oil mixed with coolant in reservoir. Dealer confirmed head gasket failure.

- Pleasant Prairie, WI, USA

Van had a failed head gasket (a common problem among Windstar). The failed head gasket, lead to a thrown rod and totalled engine to the tune of $3600. We had at 89K miles taken the van in for to the dealer because a check engine light came on and a strange smell was noticed. They said nothing was wrong. 3 months later the engine blew.

- Spring Hope, NC, USA

3.8 V6 engine check light stays on while driving, vehicle is leaking oil and running rough; vehicle taken to dealer and informed of a blown head gasket. Feel free to provide any further information.

- North Ridgesville, OH, USA

Engine was running rough and white smoke was coming from tail pipe. Vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop. Repair shop informed consumer that engine head gasket had blown out.

- Bergenfield, NJ, USA