1995 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

MY 95 WINDSTAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. MY TRANSMISSION WENT WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHAS., NOW THE HEAD GASKET ARE GONE, AND FORD KNEW THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH PREMATURE FAILURE ON THERE HEAD GASKETS ON 3.8L ENGINES. I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION LETTER FROM FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP MALOUF FORD IN NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ AND WAS TOLD IT'LL COST ME ABOUT $1400 TO REPAIR. I FEEL THIS IS TOTALLY UNFAIR TO SADDLE THE CONSUMER AGAIN WITH REPAIR BILLS FOR SOMETHING FORD NEW WAS A PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD HONOR THERE PRODUCT AND FIX AND NO COST TO ME. I WILL BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE SMALL CLAIMS COURT IF FORD DOESN'T WHAT I FEEL IS FAIR AND RIGHT. THANKS FRANCISCO MARTINEZ. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

HEAD GASKET BLOWN. COOLANT LEAKED INTO CRANK CASE RESULTED IN BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK

I DID CONTACT FORD MOTORS HEADQUARTERS AND RECEIVED NO HELP.NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

CONSUMER HAS PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER (POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE #6) WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL INJECTOR TO RUN FULL TIME, AFTER THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED, THE ENGINE BROKE DOWN AND REPLACED, VEHICLE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN WITH THE ENGINE. *ET

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

PREMATURE HEADGASKET FAILURE ON FORD 3.8L ENGINE LEFT ME STRANDED AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES. VAN TEMPERATURE GUAGE ROSE RAPIDLY, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF ALL HEAT, REDUCED POWER, AND ILLUMINATION OF THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A POPULATED AREA, AND I WAS ABLE TO ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION FROM THERE. THIS PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRING IN A REMOTE AREA UNDER SIMILAR TEMPERATURE & WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTEROUS. DEALER TROUBLESHOOTING YIELDED HEADGASKET FAILURE AND MAJOR DAMAGE TO #4 CYLINDER. VAN NOW NEEDS NEW ENGINE. PERSONAL RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN ENGINE DESIGN & MANUFACTURING PROBLEM PLAGUING FORD 3.8L ENGINES, YET FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE $3500 COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, OR TO ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE OCCURS. FORD'S OWN INSTRUCTION MANUALS LIST HEADGASKETS AS A 120,000 MILE MAINTENANCE ITEM. HEADGASKETS SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM IN THESE ENGINES, BUT COULD NOT OR WOULD NOT HELP RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED OF A FORD "PROGRAM" THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PROBLEM TO 5-YRS, 60,000 MILES. THIS ALONE SEEMS LIKE FORD'S ACCNOWLEDGEMENT OF A PROBLEM, BUT IS CLEARLY NOT ADEQUATE FOR A 120,000 MILE PART. THE DEALER ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT NOT ALL OWNERS RECEIVED THE NOTICE ON THE "PROGRAM" (I HAVEN'T FOUND ANYONE WHO DID), AND THAT THEY "ARE DEALING WITH A TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF VERY-UPSET CUSTOMERS" BECAUSE OF IT. IN DAILY USE, THIS VAN IS ROUTINELY USED TO TRANSPORT SMALL CHILDREN, INCLUDING MY 10-YEAR OLD SON WHO HAS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, IS NON-AMBULATORY AND IS CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR. FORD HAS PRODUCED A WELL-KNOWN AND WELL-DOCUMENTED DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THESE ENGINES, AND IN DOING SO, HAS PLACED THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY (AND COUNTLESS OTHERS) IN JEOPARDY, YET REFUSES TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM, AND WORSE YET, TO ACT.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE FAILED FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 80000 MILES. DEALER REPAIRED 1ST UNDER WARRANTY, 2ND UNDER FORD M.C. SPECIAL EXTENSION OF WARRANTY, AND NOW DEALER AND FORD M.C. WON'T REPAIR AT NO COST. THIS OBVIOUSLY HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 1995 WINDSTAR AND ONE THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED...ONLY BAND-AIDED. I WANT FORD TO BUY OUT THE BALANCE OF MY LOAN !!! *AK

ENGINE FAILED DUE TO BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. HAVE OWNED VEHICLE FOR 5 YEARS AND NEVER RECIEVED ANY TYPE OF RECALL ON THIS. COST 1300.00 TO REPAIR. JUST LEARNED THAT THESE ENGINES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THE POOR DESIGN. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL OR PART OF THE REPAIRS.

HEAD GASKET FAILURE OF 3.8L FORD 1995 ENGINE. DID NOT (THANKFULLY) CAUSE INJURY FOR ME OR MY FAMILY, BUT THIS IS AN ENGINE DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT ANY TIME, SINCE THE FAILURE IS NOT PREDICTABLE.

THE HEADGASKET BLEW ON THE WAY TO WORK WITH LITTLE WARNING! I STEAMED INTO THE NEAREST GAS STATION WHERE HE IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AS HE HAS HAD SEVERAL 1995 FORD PRODUCTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY, THE HEADS WEREN'T CRACKED OR APPARENTLY THAT WOULD HAVE COST ANOTHER $1,000.00. I DID NOT RECEIVE A WARRANTY EXTENTION, BUT EVEN IF I HAD, IT HAD EXPIRED. ALTHOUGH I GOT NOWHERE WITH THE DEALER, I INTEND TO SEND A COMPAINT TO FORD AS THIS JUST ISN'T RIGHT. *AK

BLOWN GASKETS; COMPANY EXTENTED WARRANTY TO 5YR OR 60,000 MILE DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE. DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE COVERED AT ANY MILEAGE AS ONLY HAD 4 1/2 YEARS. WHOLE ENGINE MIGHT NEED REPLACEMENT DUE TO DEFECT. THEY ADMITTED IN EXTNENDED WARRANTY, NUMBER 98M01 LETTER. *AK

I WANTED TO REPORT A '95 WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE THAT HAS JUST OCCURRED TO MY VEHICLE. I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT HEAD GASKETS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. MINE FAILED AT 52300. FORD IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM DESPITE A LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO ME IN JUNE '98 STATING THEY WILL FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE IF THE CAR IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OR UNDER 60000 MILES. THERE ARE REPORTED ALLEGATIONS STATING THIS TO BE A 100% FAILURE RATE. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND BACK IT UP WITH A RECALL EFFORT WITH FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. *AK

PREMATURE FAILURE OF ENGINE HEAD GASKET ON 1995 FORD WINDSTAR GL. FAILURE AT 76,800 MILES. *AK

THIS CAR HAS HAD CONSTANT ELECTRICAL AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM THE DAY WE GOT IT. WARNING LIGHTS WOULD GO ON AT STRANGE TIMES, INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY, WARNING BELLS WOULD NOT QUIT. WE TRIED TO DEAL WITH FORD DEALERS IN SRINGFIELD, MISSOURI (FRIENDLY FORD). THEY GAVE US THE RUN AROUND FOR FOUR HOURS. WE COULDN'T EVEN GET THEM TO GIVE US THE REGIONAL SERVICE REP'S NAME OR PHONE NUMBER. WE COULD NEVER GET TO A PERSON ON THE FORD "800" CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, EVEN THOUGH WE STAYED ON HOLD FOR ONE HOUR. PLEASE HELP . *AK

HAD SEVERAL TIMES OF NO STOPPING OR VERY HARD BRAKING AT STOPS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING HOME VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDLE INDICATED OVERHEATING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP NEXT DAY. MECHANIC INDICATED HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. OWNER WOULD NEED TO PAY PART OF COST OF REPAIRS. OWNER FEELS MANUFACTURER SHOULD FILL THE BILL. *AK

VEHICLE MADE GRINDING NOISE. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND BRAKES TO BE OKAY. ON 14-APR-2000, SAME DEALER SAID THAT VEHICLE NEEDED NEW ROTORS. *AK *TT

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE ENGINE HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE ON THE ROAD AND IN TRAFFIC, MYSELF AND MY FAMILY WERE LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN HURT DURING THESE INCIDENCES. FORD SENT OUT A RECALL ON THE ENGINE GASKETS AND IT WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH OTHER PARTS ONLY TO BE RETURNED TO THE SHOP A MONTH LATER WITH COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE SECOND SET OF FAILURES RAN US OFF A MAJOR HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC, THIS TIME THE VAN WAS GOING 55 MPH NOT 5MPH. WHEN THE ENGINE PROBLEMS STARTED THE CAR LITERALLY FELL APART, THE A/C, ELECTRICAL, LOCKS, AND THE BRAKE CALIPURS ALL FAILED. THIS VEHICLE HAS MADE OUR LIVES UNCOMFORTABLE AND PUT US IN DANAGER TOO MANY TIMES. WE ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH FORD TO GET REPAIRS DONE, THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BUT IT WILL TAKE A TOTAL OF 4 MOS. TO COMPLETE DUE TO THE BACK ORDERS FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR. THIS MODEL HAS HAD MANY RECALLS AND ENGINE FAILURES. FORD IS TRYING TO GET US TO BUY A NEW CAR AT A DISCOUNT RATHER THAN FIXING THE ONE WE HAVE. WE ARE VERY HESITENT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. YH

WHILE DRIVING ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED. OWNER REQUESTS THAT THIS COMPLAINT BE REMOVED, FORD HAS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *AK.ET.

PISTON WENT THROUGH ENGINE BLOCK SO ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER & FORD RESPONDED VERBALLY DENYING FAULT, REQUEST FOR VOUCHER OF $4000 FOR NEW CAR, AND/OR REPAYMENT OF REPAIRS. *AK

RECALL ON SLIDING DOOR - PROBLEM EVER SINCE REPAIRED. REAR WIPER MOTOR DIED THREE TIMES AND WAS REPLACED. RECALL ON HEAD GASKETS. SINCE FORD DEALER REPLACED THEM, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS BLEW, REPLACED THOSE AT OUR EXPENSE (APPROX. $1000), THEN THE FRONT WATER PUMP GASKET BLEW AND REPLACED THOSE AT OUR EXPENSE (APPROX. ANOTHER $500), THEN THE ENGINE BLEW AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE WAS WATER AND ANTIFREEZE GOT INTO THE ENGINE AND SPUN THE BEARINGS.... TOLD BY THE PARTS MANAGER THAT IT ALL STARTED BACK WITH THE HEAD GASKETS. FORD IS NOT BACKING THEIR ENGINE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, WAS NOT TOLD THE FIRST TIME WE CAME IN THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HEAD GASKET WOULD CAUSE MORE GASKETS TO BREAK UNTIL AFTER OUR SECOND RETURN TO THE SERVICE CENTER. SINCE THEN, WE AUTHORIZED THEM TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. FORD DOES NOT HAVE ANY ON THE SHELF BECAUSE THEY HAVE GONE THRU SO MANY OF THEM AND IT WOULD BE ANOTHER FOUR WEEKS WAITING PERIOD! MEANWHILE, WE WILL BE WIHTOUT A VEHICLE FOR TWO MONTHS AND IT WILL COST US ANOTHER $1,000.! AS FAR AS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WOULD MAKE A LOUD THUMPING SOUND WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED....HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. THEREFORE, WE HAD TO PUT UP WITH THE LOUD SOUND, WHICH FRIGHTENED MY PASSENGERS AND MYSELF.

INSURED STATED THAT THE WHEEL FELL OFF. CLAIM# 38-J472-820 *YH

THIS VEHICLE HAS A VERY QUESTIONABLE RELIABILITY. PREMATURE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES. FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO COMPENSATE CAR OWNERS FOR THEIR LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL. DT

WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR AJAR DOME LIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT DOOR BEING OPENED. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND DOME LIGHTS ILLUMINATES IT'S SO BRIGHT THAT THE REFLECTION OBSTRUCTS CONSUMER'S VISION. *PH THE INDICATOR LIGHT STAY ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REAR OR SIDE DOOR IS OPENED. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. *PH

WORN HEAD GASKET

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED. YH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

#4 ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE EXACTLY HAS BEEN REPORTED ON NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES. ALSO, REPEATED OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE EXACTLY AS REPORTED ON OTHER VEHICLES. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED, RECALL ON OTHER MODEL YEARS FOR COMPONENT, HOWEVER VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED. *MJS

THE REPORTED FAILURES ARE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD THINK FORD WOULD COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR THESE FAILURES. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE RECALLED BUT NOT APPLICABLE IF OVER 60K AND/OR 5YRS OLD....SECOND OWNERS NEVER NOTIFIED OF DEFECT...FORD WILL NOT REPAIR IF OVER WARRANTY LIMITS. NO AFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED. YH

THERE WAS AN IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN FOR THE GASKETS ON THE ENGINE THAT APPLIED UP TO 60,000 MILES. CONSUMER WAS OVER 60,000 MILES, AND HAD THIS WORK DONE BEFORE FINDING OUT ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURE DIAGNOSED AFTER COOLANT LOSS, TWO THERMOSTATS REPLACED IN 9 MONTHS, ENGINE MISS AT IDLE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, AND INABILITY TO REMOVE NUMBER 4 SPARK PLUG. ESTIMATE COST TO REPAIR $2126.60. NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED FORD WARRANTY TO 60,000 MILES.

WE REALIZE YOU FOLKS DON'T THINK OF ENGINE HEAD GASKET RELATED DEFECTS AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES AS HIGHWAY AND SAFETY ISSUES, BUT WE WISH TO GO ON THE RECORD AS SWINDLED BY FORD FOR FAILING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURING AUTOMOBILE WITH DEFECTIVE MACHINE PARTS THAT IF THEY FAILED WHILE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES COULD EASILY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEATH AND INJURY OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS OR OTHER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. *AK

JUNE 1998, FORD MOTOR SENT US A LETTER SAYING THE HEAD GASKET COULD FAIL. THEY DIDN'T RECALL THESE CARS, INSTEAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. WELL, SURE ENOUGH, OURS FAILED AFTER THE MILEAGE EXTENSION. WE TRAVEL TO NM & CA CAUSING US TO HAVE A HIGHER THAN NORMAL MILEAGE. EXTENSION WAS 5 YRS, OR 60,000. WE HAD 76,375. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE HAZARD ON A SUPER HIGHWAY. WE SINCERELY FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL. IF THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO COMPLAIN, PLEASE NOTIFY US TO THE CORRECT CONTACTS. THIS WAS NOT A CHEAP REPAIR, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE. FORD MOTOR SHOULD KNOW HOW TO BUILD HEAD GASKETS BY NOW!!! THANK YOU....JANET REYNOLDS. *AK

I HAVE A WIFE AND 3 KIDS RELINING ON THIS DEFECT-RIDDEN VAN HEAR IN WISCONSIN, NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH 1995 FORDS WITH 3.8L V6 ENGINE HEAD GASKET - FORD WON'T OWN UP TO IT. WILL THE NHTSA DO SOMETHING FOR ALL OF THE OWNERS WITH DEFECIVE CARS????

THE FORD WINDSTAR EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GUAGE FLUCTUATING UP AND DOWN THE SCALE; THE RADIATOR FLUID LEVEL WAS LOW; NEXT BUBBLES WERE NOTED IN THE OVER FLOW RESERVOIR. THE DEALER SAID THE ENGINE GASKETS WERE BAD AND REPLACED TEHM AT A COST $1446.02. NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL AT THIS TIME. LESS THAN A MONTH LATER WE RECEIVED IN THE MAIL FROM FORD VEHICLE SERVICE AND PROGRAMS (NO. 00M09). THE LETTER STATED ADDITIONAL WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED FOR HEAD GASKET FAILURE FOR 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES WHICHEVER CAME FIRST. WE HAD 103,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF OUR $1400 REPAIR. THE PROBLEMS STARTED BEFORE THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY BUT WE COULD NOT AFFORD ANY REPAIRS UNTIL JAN 2000. AGAIN NOTICE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY CAME IN MARCH 2000. WHY CAN'T FORD STAND BEHIND US ON THIS INSTEAD OF RUNNING FROM US?*AK

THE FIRST SYMPTOM OF THE PROBLEM CAME WITH NO HEAT WHILE TRAVELLING FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. IT MADE FOR A COLD TRIP WITH OUR CHILDREN. LUCKILY WE CAUGHT IT BEFORE TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE IN OUR MINNESOTA WINTER. THE ESTIMATED REPAIRS I HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR RANGE FROM $1000 TO $1800. FROM WHAT I HEAR, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE FOR 95 WINDSTARS. IS FORD PLANNING ON DOING ANYTHING? ANY COUNSEL OR ACTION I CAN TAKE. *AK

VEHICLE OVERHEATED, CHECKED ENGINE AND FOUND HEAD GASKET FAILURE. CONTACTED FORD, WOULD NOT COVER EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON THIS PARTICLAR ENGINE, WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IF I HAD NOT HAD IT INSPECTED ON 8/98 AND FOUND TO BE OK. I FEEL FORD HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO OWNERS OF THESE PATICULAR VEHICLES WITH THIS ENGINE (3.8L). *AK

BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 95 WINDSTAR. COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON X-WAY OR MAJOR INTERSECTION. FORD WILL NOT DO RECALL. LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF 95 WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. FORD WILL NOT REIMBURSE FOR THIS DESIGN PROBLEM THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME. *AK