1995 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

HAVE HEARD OF NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH HEADS ON FORD 3.8LITRE. *AK

RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE SPRING BUNCHED UP ON THE STRUT AND PUNCTURED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. I SPOKE TO A MECHANIC WHERE I HAD THE SPRING CHANGED, HE SAID THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. I AM THANKFUL I WAS NOT TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT, AS I MAY HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. THIS IS A PRETTY POOR DESIGN IF THE SPRING IS NOT CONTAINED WHEN IT BREAKS. THERE ARE MANY WINDSTARS ON THE ROAD AND I HATE TO THINK THAT ANY OF THESE COULD DO THIS AT ANY TIME LIKE MINE DID. THANK YOU.*AK

WE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH OUR HEAD GASKET FAILING AND SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. WE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL FOR THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND THERE WOULD BE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE GASKET HOWEVER OUR PROBLEM IS THAT FORD KNNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 1995 WINDSTAR AND DID NOT COVER THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSED WE INCURRED BECAUSE OF A DIRECT CORRELATION WITH THE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET. WE HAD TO PAY $1100 OUT OF OUR OWN POCKET. IF FORD HAD SIMPLY PLACED A RECALL ON THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS WE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS EXPENSE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT FORD'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON WANTS TO HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. OUR SERVICE MMANAGER INFORMED US IT IS A PROBLEM AND FORM MOTOR CO. IS WELL AWARE OF IT AND CHOOSES TO DO NOTHING TO HELP THE CUSTOMER. BASICALLY I WAS TOLD BY SHERWIN IN CUSTOMER RELATIONS THAT UNFORTUNATELY I AM AN UNSATISFIED CUSTOMER AND THEY ONLY HAVE A HANDFUL OF UNSATISFIED CUSTOMERS. HE ALSO TOLD ME THEY DID AN INVESTIGATION AND FOUND THAT MY REPAIRS WERE NOT A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DENNISON FORD IN BLOOMINGTON AND HE CONFIRMED MY SUSPICIONS THAT HE NEVER TALKED TO ANYONE IN CUSTOMER RELATIONS CONCERNING MY VEHICLE. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING 25 MPH AND AM WONDERING WHAT COULD, HAVE HAPPENED IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY ENGINE FAILED. I TRIED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH SHERWIN TODAY AND I WAS TOLD, I DO NOT HAVE A COMPLAINT TO FILE. I WAS TOLD I HAVE NO PROOF WHATSOEVER TO BACK UP MY CLAIMS HOWEVER I WAS TOLD,,,,,,,,,,BY SOMEONE AT DENNISON THAT YES INDEED SOME OF THIS ENGINE FAIL,URE WAS A RESULT OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT FORD IS NOT GENUINELY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME? THANK YOU.*AK

HEATER NOT WORKING PROPERLY. TEMPERATURE GAUGE OVERHEATED. TOOK IT TO DEALER TO CHECK OUT. I WAS INFORMED NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE 3.8 LITER V6 HEAD GASKET WAS A PROBLEM THEY WERE KNOWINGLY AWARE OF. THERE IS A SPECIAL PROGRAM PROVIDING COVERAGE FOR 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. AT 105,000 MILES I DO NOT QUALIFY. MY 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT MY EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS RELIGIOUSLY MAINTAINED. THE DEALER, AND SUPPOSED ZONE MANAGER, WON'T BUDGE. WHY DIDN'T THEY RECALL MY CAR AND REPLACE THE FAULTY HEAD GASKET BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED. UNBELIEVABLE. AS A CONSUMER I FEEL I WAS MISLEAD AND INTENTIONALLY KEPT UNINFORMED. I FAIL TO BELIEVE FORD CAN GET AWAY WITH HAVING A PRODUCT ON THE ROAD THEY KNOW IS AN ENGINE FAILURE TIME BOMB. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS AT 15 MPH OR LESS FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE OFF, AND WENT THROUGH DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CUTTING, AND DAMAGING THE TIRE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

IN JANUARY 2001 I TOOK MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR IN FOR THE RECALL ON HEAD GASKETS. UNTIL THEN WE HAD HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE ENGINE & WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THAT WAS ALL FINE & GOOD. NOW IN AUGUST 2003 WITH LESS THEN 39,000 ON THE NEW ENGINE, THE HEAD GASKET HAS AGAIN GONE OUT. WE TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEARLERSHIP THAT INSTALLED THE ENGINE & THEY TOLD US THE PROBLEM, ADMITTED IT SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS AGAIN & GAVE US FORD'S CONSUMER NUMBER TO CALL FOR REPAIR. WELL WHEN WE CALLED, TO OUR DISBELIEF, WE WERE TOLD TOUGH IT IS NOW OUR PROBLEM. WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL OTHER OPTIONS. BECAUSE THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE SINCE THIS IS A MANUFACTOR PROBLEM. *AK

ENGINE BLEW OUT, AND HEADGASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO THAT. *AK

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE, CAUSING FRONT END TO DROP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE COIL SPRING BREAKING DAMAGED THE STRUT AND VELOCITY AXLES. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT DUE TO WATER PUMP FAILURE. *YH

WHILE DRIVING WOULD HEAR A RATTLING NOISE. CHECKED VEHICLE AFTER PARKING IT. SLIDING DOOR WAS FALLING OFF THE HINGES WHICH WERE CRACKED. PROBLEM WAS GETTING WORSE. BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED RECALL HAD EXPIRED IN 8/31/96.*AK

REPORTING A BROKEN WELD FROM TOP BRACKET OF SLIDING DOOR . MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER OF NO RECALL, AND VEHICLE BEING OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK THE TOP WELD ON THE DOOR ITSELF BROKE. NLM

MORE THAT 90% OF WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE HAD SAME COMPLAINT OF VAN PROBLEMS...SEEMS THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM HAPPEN CLOSE TOGETHER IN TIME. I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TONS OF TIMES...DONT YOU THINK THAT ITS TIME TO PULL THESE OFF THE ROAD AND FIX THEM ONCE AND FOR ALL BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS? IT WAS A CLOSE CALL FOR ME AND MY THREE KIDS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON THE FORD THAT I HAVE.*AK

ENGINE GASKET BLEW, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE KEPT RUNNING HOT. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, THERE WAS A RECALL, CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN SHE PUT VEHICLE IN GEAR. ALSO, WHEN SHE APPLIED BRAKES PEDALS WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. *AK

FAILED HEAD GASKET REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY/ TIMING GASKET TO THE PRICE OF $808.00. *AK

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE COMING TO A STOP. COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MANY,MANY, WINDSTARS. TIME FOR FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM AS THEY DID WITH THE HEAD GASKETS. *AK

FOUR STUDS BROKE WHILE REMAINING ON NUTS. *AK

WHY WON'T THE NHTSA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE CONSTANT HEAD GASKET FAILURES IN FORD WINDSTARS? WHY ARE CONSUMERS LEFT TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES ? WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE NHTSA TO BEGIN ACTION? HELP US OR STOP PRETENDING THAT FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE SOME IMAGINARY RECOURSE IN THESE MATTERS? I HAVE EXPERIENCED A BLOWN TRANSMISSION AT 33,100 MILES AND NOW A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 70,800 MILES. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

TWO CRACKED ALUMINUM PISTONS IN TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE CONTAMINATION OF TRANSMISSION, WHICH HAS LEAD TO THE REBUILDING OF THE TRANSMISSION WITH STEEL PISTONS.*AK

ALUMINUM PISTONS IN TRANSMISSION CRACKED AND CONTAMINATIED THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING LACK OF ACCELERATION FROM A STOPPED POSITION.*AK

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM IS NON-OPERABLE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES . BRAKES FEEL LIKE AIR INSIDE OF BRAKE LINNING, AND THERE IS NO SUPPORT FROM DEALERSHIP. *AK

A PRIVATE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE GONE OUT, AND WERE LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT. MANUFACTURER EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THIS DEFECT TO 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER,CONSUMER WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS DEFECT, AND WAS RECEIVING NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

ABS LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

BRAKES AND TRANSMISSIONS ARE A SAFETY FACTOR. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO MAKE FORD PAY FOR REPAIRS.*AK

IN JANUARY 2001 BOTH FRONT TIRES WOULD GO FLAT OVERNIGHT. AFTER 2 OR 3 VISITS TO TIRE SHOPS FOUND OUT THERE WAS A FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT WHEELS DUE TO BROKEN WELDS AND NOT A TIRE PROBLEM. IN JULY OF 2001 THE THIRD WHEEL FAILURE OCCURRED AND NOW IN SEPT. 2001 THE FOURTH WHEEL HAS FAILED. DEALER DENIES KNOWLEDGE OF ANY DEFECT OR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS; HOWEVER A NON-DEALER COMPANY MANAGER WHO SOLD REPLACEMENT WHEELS TO ME SAYS BOTH HE AND WHOLESALER KNOW THIS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTARS.*AK

FORD HAS REPLACED MOTOR 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR AND THEY SEEM NOT TO BE ABLE TO FIX IT TO WHERE IT WILL RUN IT KEEPS DYING THE VAN IS STILL IN THE SHOP AFTER 3 WEEKS I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE LEMON LAW STATES IN CA ON USED VEHICLES PLEASE BE PROMPT IN ANSWERING THANKS MY NAME IS JAMES THANKS AGAIN. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING NOISE, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED, HOWEVER THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED AGAIN, CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED BY HER PERSONAL MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO FIX THE GASKET WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENGINE BECAUSE THERE WAS TOO MUCH DAMAGE, THE DEALER DID NOT THINK IT WAS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST TO RPLACE THE CONSUMERS ENGINE SO THEY OFFERED HER 2500 OFF ANY BRAND NEW VEHICLE ON THE LOT, CONSUMER DID NOT ACCEPT THE OFFER, AND HAS SINCE PURCHASED AN ENGINE FROM HER PERSONAL MECHANIC.*JB

CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER CORRODED THE STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. EVENTUALLY, THE LINE FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND LOSS OF BRAKES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

THE ROD IS LOOSE. DEALER SAYS THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACE. THIS IS OUR 3RD MAJOR CMPLT. FINANCIALLY, WE'RE OVERSPENT MAINTAINING THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP!*AK

FORD HAS EXTENDED THE MANUFACTUERS' WARRANTY ON THIS HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND ASSOCIATED DAMAGE UP TO 100,000 MILES... BECAUSE OUR CAR HAD 104,200 MILES FORD WAS UNWILLING TO PROVIDE ANY REPAIRS. THESE HEAD GASKETS FAIL AT A RATE OVER 200 TIMES THE RATE OF OTHER CARS. WE WERE WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER OUR CAR WAS ASYMPTOMATIC UNTIL IT SUDDENLY FAILED. *AK

WE WERE STRANDED ON THE ROAD TWICE IN THIS 1995 WINDSTAR AND BOTH TIMES THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT HAD WE NOT BEEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HEAD GASKET ISSUE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND CONSIDERED FOR RECALL SINCE FORD IS USING THEIR SECRET WARRANTY PROGRAM TO ESCAPE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUTTING UNSAFE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. FORD HAS NOT BEEN FORTHCOMING TO THE NHTSA WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF AFFECTED VEHICLES THAT ARE STILL ON THE ROAD WITH 3.8 LITER TIMEBOMBS JUST WAITING FOR THE HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. IN THEIR OWN INTERCOMPANY MEMO REGARDING HEAD GASKET REPAIRS FORD ADMITS THEIR MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS BUT LIMITS THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENTS REPAIRS TO JUST THE HEAD GASKET. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NHTSA SURVEY OWNERS AND FORMER OWNERS OF FORD VEHICLES WITH 3.8 LITER ENGINES, PARTICULARLY THE 1995 WINDSTAR. I THINK YOU WILL FIND MANY PEOPLE WHO HAD RELATED ACCIDENTS AS WELL AS MANY WHO HAD TO BEAR THE COST OF THE ENGINE FAILURE IN THE REPAIR OR TRADEIN OF THAT VEHICLE.*AK

I WAS TOLD BY 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT 1995 FORD 6 CL ARE NOTORIOUS ALUMINUM HEADS BLOWING THUS KILLING THE MOTOR.*AK

COMPLAINED TO DEALER A MONTH BEFORE THE FAILURE OF A LACK OF HEAT IN THE CAR, WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS AN AIR BUBBLE. WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON I DROVE IT A FEW MILES TO A FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER WHICH WAS CLOSER THAN THE DEALER, THEY HOOKED THE CAR UP TO THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO PROBLEM, THEY RESET THE ENGINE LIGHT AND IT DID NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL THE FOLLOWING DAY AS I WAS TRYING TO GET IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR HAD BEGUN TO RUN HOT. I STOPPPED AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE NOW TOLD ME THAT ALTHOUGH THE HEADGASKETS WILL BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY I ALSO NOW NEED TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN, PLUGS, WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR, WATER PUMP, AND FUEL LINES AT A COST TO ME OF ABOUT $2,000 BECAUSE FORD IS NOT CONSIDERING THOSE REPAIRS RELATED TO THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT ONLY HAVING THE COVERED REPAIRS DONE THEY STATED THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT BE DRIVABLE BEACUSE THERE IS COOLANT AND OIL IN THE FUEL LINE. HOW COULD THERE BE NO PROBLEMS THE DAY BEFORE AND THEN COINCIDENTALLY ALL OF THESE THINGS GO WRONG AT ONCE?*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH A RUSTED/CORRODED TIMING CHAIN COVER DUE TO COOLANT LEAKAGES. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THERE WAS ODD NOISE. CONSUMER STOPPED, GOT OUT AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END WAS DOWN TO GROUND. MOVING VEHICLE SO TOW TRUCK COULD GET TO VEHICLE. COIL SPRING PUNCTURED TIRE. WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. DEALER DIDN'T GIVE EXPLANATION FOR CAUSE. *AK THE CAUSE FOR FRONT END FAILURE WAS COIL SPRING BREAKING. *YH

HEAD GASKET FAILURE--JUST PAST WARRANTY MILEAGE CUTOFF--FORD REFUSING PAYMENT. *AK

FORD SEEMS TO SET LIMITS JUST INSIDE EXPECTED FAIRLURE TIMES... LIMIT IS 100000 MILES FOR KNOWN HEAD GASKET ISSUE. HAD SOME TYPE ISSUE WITH GRAY PAINT PEEL OFF ON 1990 BRONCO... STARTED 2 MONTHS AFTER 5 YR WARRANTY ENDED. *AK

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND MADE REPAIRS AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURE RESULTED IN 3 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS RECOMMENDING A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 100 MILES AFTER THE FIRST SYMPTOM. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL/PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND CLAIMS THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN ENGINE DEFECT. *AK

SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP FOR LEAKING HEAD GASKET PER EXTENDED WARRANTY LETTER (00M09). EXTENSIVE COOLING SYSTEM DAMAGE CAUSED AS RESULT OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE. DEALER QUOTED $1,500 WORTH OF WORK THAT WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. VEHICLE DRIVEN IMMEDIATELY TO INDEPENDANT CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR REMAINDER OF REPAIRS (LESS THAN 3 MILES DOOR TO DOOR). DEALER QUOTE MORE EXPENSIVE AND INCLUDED WORK THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY (REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET-GASKET WAS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD). ENGINE FAILED SAME DAY WORK WAS COMPLETED (DRIVEN LESS THAN 20 MILES). REPLACEMENT ENGINE ON 5 WEEK BACKORDER FROM MANUFACTURER. ENGINE REPLACEMENT FAILED 3 DAYS AFTER WORK COMPLETED. SECOND ENGINE REPLACEMENT PERFORMED BY ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED LEAKING FLUID AND WITH CLAMPS AND HOSES DISCONNECTED (HAD TO BE RETURNED AGAIN). FORD HAS ACKNOWLEGDED PROBLEM AND EXISTENCE OF $4,000 COUPON PROGRAM TO OWNERS FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, BEST FORD STILL WILL NOT HONOR PROGRAM. HAVE SPENT 15 WEEKS AND MORE THAN $5,000 TO HAVE VEHICLE RETURNED STILL RUNNING ROUGH.*AK

REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF COMPONENT ENDANGERED LIVES OF OCCUPANTS AND OTHER VEHICLE ON ROAD. MANUFACTURER HAD COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE THAT COMPONENT WOULD FAIL AND DID NOT INFORM CONSUMER AND HONOR THE WARRANTY. FAILURE OF COMPONENT ALSO CAUSED ADDITIONAL DAMAGE "NOT COVERED" BY WARRANTY. KNOWLEGE OF DEFECT AND CORRECTION BEFORE FAILURE WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ADDITIONAL DAMAGE AND A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURE,TRANSMISSION FAILURE BETWEEN 47,500-49.500 MILES. UNSAFE LEMON.FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

I RECENTLY HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY HEATING SYSTEM AND MY CAR OVERHEATING. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S A HEAD GASKET FAILURE, AND FORD MOTORS WILL NOT FIX IT NOR REIMBURSE ME. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT I AM 18000 MILES OVER THE ALLOWED LIMIT. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFAULT AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR A UNLIMITED EXTENDED WARANTEE.

PAID OVER $2400 @ DEALER TO REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE HAS BECOME TOO EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN. NO DEFECTIVE PART MENTIONED. *AK

SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN MAJOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE. TOTAL FAILURE COULD LOCK UP DRIVE TRAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING CRASH. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HAVE EXISTED FOR A YEAR, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER TO HAVE A REPUTABLE MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *MJS

FORD HAS AGREED TO REPAIR A BLOWN HEAD GASKET VIA THEIR OWNERSHIP NOTIFICATION PROGRAM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS HANDLED AS A RECALL INSTEAD OF AN ONP, SINCE (1) I HAVE HEARD OF MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND (2) THERE WOULD BE NO 7-YEAR EXPIRATION DATE OF THE NOTIFICATION. *AK

AT 90,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING I CAME TO A STOP ON A HILL. WHEN I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO GIVE THE VAN GAS IT BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS!! ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. I REVVED THE ENGINE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND EVENTUALLY THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED WITH A THUD. IT WAS IF THE ENGINE HAD GONE INTO NEUTRAL. WENT TO AAMCO TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION CHECK AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE ALUMINUM FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON THAT WAS CRACKED AND THAT FORD WAS REPLACING THEM WITH NEW STEEL FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON. APPARENTLY THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS. I ASKED FORD IF THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS ONLY A SERVICE BULLETIN. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM IF YOU ARE ON A HILL WITH OTHER VEHICLE BEHIND YOU.*AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS FAILED, REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE, OWNER WOULD LIKE FORD TO HELP WITH REPAIRS MADE, FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. CJ