Ford should be forced to recall the '96's as well as the '95's. same engine same problem. I was told the check engine light was just emissions. Not to worry about it. Head gasket failure is something to worry about. Repairs are $1000.

- Martins Ferry, OH, USA

Engine check light came on, took to repair shop they confirmed blown headgasket, I understand this year and model of van and the engine are defective, how do I get Ford to pay for repairs?

- New Lexington, OH, USA

I am also one that had to spend $1933.07 beause of head gasket problem. I have also replaced my brake pad 5 times. I have also bought new front tires 3 times in 3 years. The tire wear is unreal. I also have the problem of the odometer not working. The problem with the brakes and engine running sluggish have been since I purchased the van. The odd thing is you don't get warning signs. The check engine light would come on - go off. In order for the dealer to know what is wrong the check engine light must be on. Never had any sign of the engine overheating. Great driving van but many, many, many, many, many problems.

- Crestline, OH, USA

Was driving vehicle when head gaskets blewout.started to lose antifreeze; this caused engine to overheat. Took vehicle to independent mechanic, and informed consumer problem of head gaskets can be repaired. Consumer also had a check engine problem due to cylinder, Ford could not duplicate the problem, so consumer has his personal mechanic to reset the engine when the light comes on.

- Hope Well Junction, NY, USA

Engine (3.8L) was leaking coolant onto engine cylinder. Also, oxygen sensor needs to be replaced.

- San Bernadino, CA, USA

I have a 1996 Windstar with just over 40,000 miles - V-8 engine. The engine warning light came on, and I stopped driving and dropped the car off at the dealer. He said it has blown head gaskets and after research online, I find that this is an engine problem that Ford has with Windstar. I would like to see a recall ordered on all Ford 3.8 engines having this problem.

- Saint Albans, WV, USA

Ford has extended warranty coverage for 1995 Windstar head gasket failures, but refuses to do the same for 1996 Windstar despite the thousands of 1996 Windstar owners experiencing the same head gasket failures with their 3.8 engines. The repair bill is $1300! Ford is trying to cover up its head gasket defect. Please force Ford to issue a recall. Thanks.

- Mill Creek, WA, USA

Our engine failed as a result of a defective gasket of which Ford Motor Co. Is fully aware but refuses to do anything about.

- Ft. Worth, TX, USA

Loss of coolant and engine check light on. Took to local mechanic, who is Ford certified. Told of recall on Windstar for this problem. O'meara Ford diagnosed as head gasket crack. Recall would not include vans after 1995. Ours was manufactured in March of 1996. Called Ford. They would not honor or regard this as their problem. Returned to our personal mechanic. He made repairs and found all of the "old" parts as used in vans under recall. He replaced the parts with the newer design Ford now uses to eliminate this problem. Cost to us was extreme-$1600, which was almost $1000 less than what O'meara Ford was estimating. We are very disappointed with Ford dealership and Ford Motor Co. Not planning to ever purchase another Ford vehicle in the future.

- Longmont, CO, USA

This van has been an albatross! I had to take it in 3 or 4 times and get nasty before the dealership would admit that there was a transmission problem- and then agree to fix it. I know they were waiting for my bumper to bumper warranty to expire. The head gasket/engine problem absolutely fries me. No vehicle with 62,000 miles on it should require a new engine and head gaskets. That repair cost me $5000 and no one will help me. We all know about the 94 and 95 recalls. What about the 96's"?" the problem has not been fixed. I have called Ford customer service several times, and have tried the dealer for help. No one will help me. The concensus is this: Ford Motor Company does not care enough about the products they produce (or the customers who purchase them) to make an intolerable situation right. I have heard of so many cases like mine- Ford has definately lost a customer. If they won't stand behind their produsts, I certainly won't buy another one!

- Puyallup, WA, USA

Vehicle started operating above the normal temperature. Dealership examined vehicle and discovered that there was an internal leak. There was a cylinder that was warped and head gasket was blown. Please provide any additional information/attachments. Consumer states because of the low mileage and condition of the vehicle, consumer believes there is a efect in the design of the vehicle.

- Reston, VA, USA

Head gasket has blownout, causing damage to engine which occurred over night.

- Waltham, MA, USA

The head gasket was replaced by the dealer on 3-16-01, due to a crack and leaking coolant. The car had never overheated or shown obvious signs of this, although the engine check light came on after long trips and the dealer said this was O2 sensors. 3 weeks after the headgasket replacement, the whole engine blew while on I-81 at 65mph. We lost all power and had to coast to a narrow shoulder. This sounds exactly like the 1995 Windstar head gasket problem, but they have not acknowledged the 96 as a manufacturing defect and did not recall the 95 either.

- Binghamton, NY, USA

Dealer said head gasket needed replacing. In reading the NHTSA files for the Windstar, I noticed a preponderance of head gasket failures and problems, right around the 100,000 mile mark (I.e. out of any warranty). Also, the check engine light kept coming on indicating various problems with the emission system. I had various repairs related to this.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Head gasket failure lead to destruction of engine, this is same as 95 Windstar, why are 96's not included in re-call! cost of this repair $3500 (Canadian) we are a family of five struggling to make it everyday, how can we swallow this"??"

- Thorndale On Canadan0m2po, AK, USA

At around 62,000 miles our vehicle's "check engine " light came on. We brought it in to a local Ford dealership where they performed diagnostic tests. Basically they told us it was a blown head gasket, among other misc. Problems. We were not satisfied with their customer service methods and brought the van to another Ford dealership. The mechanic at this place not only agreed with previous diagnosis but also felt the whole engine system was contaminated and recommended a total engine replacement at a cost of 3,800 dollars. We have meticulously maintained this vehicle and have had it serviced regularly. (we have th documents to prove this.)

- Joliet, IL, USA

Head gasket failure--same part and problem as on '94 and '95 Ford Windstar

- Lilburn, GA, USA

Blown head gaskets.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

Consumer noticed oil beading up in coolant tank. Took vehicle to dealership and head gasket and engine manifold gaskets were "redesigned" and replaced. On April 5th, consumer noticed oil in coolant recovery tank, causing engine" check light to come on. Vehicle was also misfiring. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Kankakee, IL, USA

Engine check light was on/ off. Consuemr sent vehicle to a radiator shop, and they referred her to dealer. Dealer has to replace gaskets because they have destroyed engine. Antifreeze was apparently leaking, it has to be filled frequently.

- Saline, MI, USA