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

Check engine light flashes and at times remains on. The engine hesitates while acceleration. Per the dealer the engine head gasket has developed a small crack which allows coolant to seep into the engine and cause an occational misfire. The dealer stated that this is not covered under the warranty and will cost $1,800 to repair. Per NHTSA recall report in 1995 the same engine and in Windstar were recalled for the same issue. Also simlar issue noted in 1996 Windstar complaintss.

- Gurnee, IL, USA

Engine light went on for a couple days, brought vehicle to dealer. They stated that antifreeze leaking into head gasket & that it's possible that I may need a new engiene. I did not leave vehicle at dealer at that time because I stated that I wanted to speak to my mechanic because it would be cheaper to have him do work on vehicle. I contacted my mechanic who told me that the 3.8 litre engiene is known for this problem with head gasket. On 3/19/ 01 dealer contacted me wanting to know if I would be getting head gasket fixed. I stated that after further research I was able to determine that certain 1995 3.8 litre engienes were recalled and that a class action suit was brought against Ford Motor Company on 12/9/99 because of faulty head gaskets. I contacted Ford Motor Company & logged complaint, but they stated that their were no recalls on 1996 Ford Windstar so they could not do anything. Once I complained to dealer that their was a problem with this engiene they offered me a 6 year warranty from original date of purchase or 100,000 miles which ever came firston transmission & engiene up to $2,000 with $500 deductible. I took this offer with dealer because we only have 1 vehicle. Although I am grateful for this offer, the only reason the dealer offered me this deal was because I informed them that this particular engiene has a faulty head gasket. Dealer originally quoted that work on head gasket would cost approximately $1,500 for head gasket repairs or approximately $3,000 for new engiene. Even though I will have pay $500 out of pocket, I believe that the dealer or Ford should reimburse me for the head gasket repairs because this has been a problem with this engiene since 1988. I have also been able to locate on the internet @ website www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_windstar_1996_gaskets.htm that other consumers have had the same problem with their 1996 Ford Windstar 3.8 litre engiene as I have. I appeciate any assistance.

- Loudonville, NY, USA

Engine check light keeps coming on. Also, a lot of anti-freeze was missing too fast, took vehicle to dealer, and they said that anti-reeze was getting into cylinder. Consumer returned vehicle 1 week later, replaced gaskets again they were leaking.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

While driving at any speed engine check light will come on unexpectedly, and will not go away. Dealer could not fix defect.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Please provide technical information regarding defect of vehicle. No safety defect listed, information request.

- Pasco, WA, USA

Door ajar warning light/audible alarm goes off and remains on for extended time despite all doors securely closed and locked.

- Lilburn, GA, USA

Engine experienced loss of coolant. Vehicle taken to dealer, and informed consumer of a head gasket failure which was not covered under extended warranty. Check the engine light came on while the vehicle was new but the dealer was unable to find the cause.

- Canton, MI, 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

Intermittently engine check light comes on while vehicle is in motion. Dealer has not been able to duplicate or correct the problem.

- Ocala, FL, USA

Head gasket failure, misfiring, 'check engine light on', loosing compression, no repairs are covered, Ford Windstar produced up until the end of 1995 are being recalled for this same defect, my Windstar (build 1/2/1996!!) is not covered. I am concerned about safety (I read about the danger of suddenly losing speed) and yes, I am angry about bearing the cost of repair.

- Marion, IL, 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

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

No summary

- Bothell, WA, USA

No summary

- Alexandria, VA, 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

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

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

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

This was done during manufacturing. No safety defect listed.

- Naperville, IL, USA