1995 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

HEAD GASKET FAIELD. *SLC

VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. APPOINTMENT MADE FOR DEALER TO LOOK AT PROBLEM. APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR 11/10/99. ON 11/9/99 VEHICLE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AND DEALER REPORTS THAT HEAD GASKET IS THE PROBLEM, BUT THAT ENGINE HAS SEIZED, POSSIBLY REQUIRING NEW ENGINE. FORD SAYS IF PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED PRIOR TO 60,000 MILES REPAIRS WOULD HAVE BEEN FREE BECAUSE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. SINCE PROBLEM OCCURED AFTER 60,000 MILES, FORD WILL PAY NOTHING.

CAR STARTED TO IDLE AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE, AND OIL WAS COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. TOOK TO A MECHANIC, AND HE SAID IT WAS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. CONSUMER RECEIVED A WARRANTY LETTER, SAYING IT WOULD BE COVERED UP TO 60, 000 MILES, BUT IT BLEW OUT AT 70, 000 MILES. *AK

ENGINE'S HEAD GASKETS FAILED. THEY BLEW WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. WAS EMITTING WHITE SMOKE & THEN DIED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER OF HEAD GASKETS. NO FLUID WAS LEAKING. HAD NO WARNING EXCEPT WHITE SMOKE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED & VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED. INFORMED NO LEAKS & VEHICLE BEYOND GIVEN MILEAGE. *AK

WE DID NOT EVER RECEIVE (NOR DID THE PREVIOUS OWNER) A LETTER ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET RECALL ON OUR WINDSTAR. WE CONTACTED FORD TODAY AND WERE TURNED DOWN REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE IT HAD TOO MANY MILES. BUT WE WOULD HAVE HAD IT DONE BY THEN, HAD WE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. *AK

FUEL TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM OF USING A PLASTIC TANK. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS FIRE & SAFETY ISSUE.

THE FIRST 3 INCIDENTS OF THE BRAKES FAILING DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. WE TOOK THE VAN TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS; EACH TIME THE SHOP COULD NOT DIAGNOSE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE NOR CAUSE IT TO REPEAT . EVENTUALLY THE VAN STOPS, BUT IT TAKES 2 TO 3 CAR LENGTHS LONGER TO STOP. THE ABS BRAKES DO NOT INITIATE AND ONE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE ABS BRAKES ONLY OPERATE IF IT DETECTS THE WHEELS ARE LOCKING. ALL 4 BRAKE FAILURES WERE ON DRY ROADS AND WE DID NOT PUMP THE BRAKE. THE FAILURES HAPPENED TWICE TO MYSELF, ONCE TO MY HUSBAND AND ONCE TO MY SON. IT TENDS TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY AND WE CANNOT TELL IF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE ABS, HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM OR THE COMBINATION OF THE TWO. ON EACH OCCURRANCE, THE BRAKE HAD BEEN DEPRESSED TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE SLOWING WAS INADEQUATE AND THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR, THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE BASICALLY COASTS TO A STOP. ON THE FOURTH OCCURRENCE, THE LANE HAD NARROWED FROM 2 LANES TO 1 AND WE HAD SLOWED TO ALLOW A VEHICLE INTO THE LANE LEAVING ABOUT 2 VEHICLE LENGTHS BETWEEN US. THE FRONT VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE SECOND VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS CAUSED US TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE BUT WE WERE NOT SLOWING ENOUGH SO THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT RESPONSE CAUSING US TO HIT THE MIDDLE VEHICLE INTO THE FRONT VEHICLE. THE MIDDLE VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF OF THE FRONT VEHICLE AND BACK INTO OUR VAN.

THE #4 ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. APPARENTLY, FORD HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECALL THE 95 WINDSTAR'S TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SENT SOME PEOPLE A 98MO1 LETTER STATING SO. HOWEVER, THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ANYONE WHO'S VEHICLE HAS OVER 60,000 MILES OR IS 5 YEARS OLD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER, ROUGH RUNNING, WHITE SMOKE OUT EXHAUST, AND STRONG COOLANT SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND ENGINE.*AK

PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO FACTORY DEFECTIVE GASKETS (FORD SERVICE PROGRAM # 98M01)

THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT FORD WOULD COVER UP TO 5 YRS. OR 60,000 MILES, IF THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, HOW CAN THEY PUT A CAP ON THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY VANS FROM 95 WE WERE LUCKY WE WERE NOT ON THE HI

PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. ALSO CAUSED INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE WHICH REQUIRED ENGINE REBUILD AT A TOTAL COST OF $2,441.00

THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT 4 TIMES AND THE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT. THEN THE ENGINE WENT OUT BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET DAMAGE. WITH A TOTAL REPAIRS BEING $7,500.00 DEALER ONLY COVERED ALTERNATOR AFTER 4 MONTHES OF FIGHTING WITH THEM.

THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE 1ST. TIME WAS 1 YEAR AGO. MY VAN WAS MAKING A TICKING OR KNOCKING SOUND. THIS WAS RIGHT AFTER THEY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS RECALLED. I ASKED THE FORD DEALER WHO DID THE WORK IF THE SOUND COULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD NO IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MY PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW SHORT BLOCK. I HAD BOUGHT A WARRANTY FROM THE PERSON I BOUGHT THE VAN FROM FOR $430.00 WHICH WAS FOR $2500.00, I ONLY HAD ABOUT $1900.00 LEFT ON IT. I GOT AN ESTIMATE OF ABOUT $3500.00 TO DO THE WORK FROM FORD. ICOULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY THAT MUCH MONEY. I ASKED IF THEY COULD FIX THE PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN WIHT THE AMOUNT THAT WAS LEFT ON MY WARRANTY. THAT IS WHAT THEY DID. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT IS THE LONGB LOCK THAT I MUST REPLACE I HAVE BEEN TOLD. WHY BECAUSE I SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE SHORTBLOCK THE FIRST TIME. I COULD NOT SEE HOW THE MOTOR COULD HAVE GONE WITH SUCH LOW MILAGE ON IT. THE FIRST TIME IT ONLY HAD 37668 MILES ON IT. IT HAD 36914 MILES ON IT WHEN THEY REPLACED THE HEADGASKET RECALL ON 09/08/98. I AM JUST FINDING OUT NOW THAT THIS COULD HAVE VERY WELL BEEN A PROBLEM THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE FAULTY HEADGASKET. I BELIEVE THAT FORD DEALER HERE IN SEASIDE, CA. KNEW THIS AT THE TIME. I BELIEVE THEY DID NOT TELL ME SO THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR IT. SINCE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT THEN, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT NOW AFTER THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ONLY WORSE. MY VAN BROKE DOWN OUT OF TOWN I MUST TRY AND GET IT TOWED OVER A 100 MILES BACK TO MY CITY. I STILL DO NOT HAVE THE VAN WITH ME TO THIS DATE. I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A CAR IN MY LIFE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THIS NEW EITHER. I GOT THE VAN SO I COULD DRIVE MY FATHER AROUND WHO IS HANDYCAPPED AND IS 86 YEARS OLD. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET HIM TO DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS NOR MY SON TO HIS ACTIVITES FOR SCHOOL. I WOULD BE MOST GREATFULL FOR ANY ADVICE OR HELP. THANK YOU.

CAR WILL NOT CRANK DUE TO BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKETS ON 1995 3.8L ENGINES BUT STATE THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS FAILURE SINCE THE CAR HAS OVER 60,000 MILES. $1000 REPAIR BILL IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A KNOWN DEFECT IN FORD'S PRODUCT. BOTH DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE STATE MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE CAMPAIGN FORD HAD CONCERNING THEIR HEAD GASKET PROBLEM.

HEAD GASKET FAILURE NOT COVERED BY MANUFACTURER DUE TO MILEAGE OVER 60000. PROBLEM EXISTED PRIOR TO THE NOTICE OF THE FAILURE DUE TO SAME SYMPTOMS IN EXCESS OF 30000 MILES. FORD EXPECTS $2400 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. OVER 156 COMPLAINTS ON SAME COMPONENT LISTED IN COMPLAINTS SECTION OF NHTSA.

GAS TANK DEVELOPED A CRACK SPILLING GAS ONTO THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, CREATING AN EXPLOSIVE SITUATION. APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT WHERE THE STRAPS ARE EXERTING PRESSURE ON THE PLASTIC TANK. *AK

FUEL IS LEAKING FROM SEAM OF FUEL TANK AND DRIPPING DOWN ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. *AK

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FAIL IN OCT 1998. SHIFTING TO OVERDRIVE WOULD NOT OCCUR OR WOULD SHIFT BACK AND FORTH CAUSING A BUCKING MOTION. AFTER FIRST TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FILTER AND FLUID WERE CHANGED. THE THE CONDITION WORSENED UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR AT ALL. THIS WAS THEN REPAIRED BUT STILL DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY ALL THE TIME. THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED NOW AT 84,000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN THESE COMMON PROBLEMS ON WEBSITES AND THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT AS THEY ARE THE SAME TYPE THAT SEEM TO RE-OCCUR ON THIS MODEL. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET ON THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR FIRST FAILED AT 35000 MILES WHICH WAS FIXED UNDER. *AK

DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND OR EXPLAIN WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. "PREMATURE FAILURE. WAS ASKED HOW THEY EXPLAINED IT. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. THIS IS OUR SECOND FORD CAR WITH A 3.8L ENGINE THAT HAD FAILED. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *MJS

ENGINE FAILED, DEALER SAID EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT APPLY TO CONSUMERS VEHICLE (99V-309). NLM

STEERING FEELS STIFF DUE TO STEERING RACK FAILURE. YH

THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND THE CAR WON'T GO, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT JUMPS AND COULD JUMP IN FRONT OF ANOTHER CAR; THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING AND WON'T GO OFF. YOU CAN'T GET IT TO SWITCH ON; THE SWITCH WON'T TURN AND IT GOES DING, DING, DING WHEN YOU TAKE THE KEY OUT

BLOWN HEAD GASKETS AT 44K TOLD THEY WOULD BE COVERED BY RECALL. ADDITIONALLY TOLD THAT THE TIMING COVER GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACE BUT NOT COVERED BY RECALL. WHEN I TOLD THEM NOT TO DO THE WORK I WAS WARNED BY THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER THAT I WOULD HAVE SERIOUS DAMAGE THAT WOULD NOT BE COVERED WITHIN 1 MONTH. COST FOR TIMING GASKET COVER WAS TO BE $800 BUT SETTLED AND PAID $400. IT TOOK 3 WEEKS (NOV 1-21, 1999) TO GET THE WORK DONE RIGHT. MARCH 2000 I RECEIVE A LETTER FOR FORD CUSTOMER CREDIT. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE PROGRAM SO WHEN I CALLED AND PROVIDED MY INFO I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY $400 PAYMENT WAS NOT FOR THE RECALL (HEAD GASKETS ONLY) THAT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE $4000 CREDIT THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY HAD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT I WAS. I HAVE A NEW TAURUS PICKED OUT WAITING TO BE PICKED UP AND NOW I AM TOLD THAT I DON'T QUALIFY FOR THE CREDIT. IF THIS ENDS UP BEING THE CASE, THIS WINDSTAR WILL BE THE LAST FORD THAT I OWN! I PROMISE! *AK

I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION APROXIMATELY NOVEMBER 1999 ($2000.00), A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER I THOUGHT THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED REPLACED IN THE ENGINE BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM FORD IS HAVING($1200.00), I CONTACTED FORD AND GOT REFUSED IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE MY VAN HAD OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE FORD KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN MY VAN WAS UNDER THE 100,000 MILE MARK BUT DID NOT NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A NEWSPAPER CLIPPING STATING THAT FORD IS HAVING THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND I AM LOOKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS.*AK

WIDESPREAD FAILURE OF 1995 WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE HEAD GASKET... ME THIS TIME.

OUR VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON FOR RECALL OOMO9 FOR DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. THE DEALER IS ALSO SAYING THE FRONT COVER GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE ALSO. THIS IS A $600.00 DOLLAR REPAIR JOB. IN DEC OF 1999 WE SPENT $242 TO HAVE AN INTAKE GASKET REPLACED WHICH WAS ALSO LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. WE FEEL FORD MOTOR CO. PUT DEFECTIVE GASKET MATERIAL AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE OR REIMBURSE THE CUSTOMER FOR THESE EXPENSES. *AK

THE ENGINE FAILED, ALL THE ANTIFREEZE WA IN THE ENGINE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBELM WITH THIS ENGINE. I HAD THE ENGINE REPLACE. THEY HAD MY CAR FROM 10-99 TILL 01-2000. IN FEBRAURY THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MAD EBY FORD THEY WOULD REMIBURSE FOR ENGINES SINCE IT WAS SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I FOLLOWED ALL OF THE TEPS AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT GRIEF. THE FIRST DEALER TOLD ME MY RECEIPT WASN'T AUTHENTIC AND THEN REFUSED TO REIMBURSE. I CONTACTED FORD, I CONTACTED CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY YOU NAME THEY SUGGESTED I RESUBMIT AT DIFFERENT DEALER.*AK

BLOWN HEAD GASKET. EXISTING FORD SERVICE BULLITEN 98M01.

HEADGASKET FAILED. DEALER SAID RECALL EXPIRED DEC.1998. ESTIMATED $900 REPAIRS. UNDERSTAND PROBLEM WAS AND IS RECURRING

ON FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 29, 1999 MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR BLEW IT'S 3.8 LITER V-6 ENGINE HEAD GASKET. AS I DROVE THE CAR IT BEGAN TO EMIT CLOUDS OF STEAM FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THAT HAD A VERY HEAVY CHEMICAL VAPOR SMELL. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MY ENGINE VIBRATING AND RUNNING VERY ROUGHLY. UPON CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT OVERFLOW CONTAINER WAS DRY. I CHECKED MY OIL AND FOUND THAT IT HAD ANTIFREEZE IN IT. THESE ARE THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS OF A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET.

OUR MINI-VAN BLEW A HEAD GASKET AND HEAD WAS CRACKED. THESE DEFECTS WERE KNOWN TO FORD WHO REAPIRED THEM THRU DECEMBER 1998 HOW CAN FORD LIMIT REPAIR OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT?

HEADGASKET BLEW AND CAUSED MOTOR TO BE RUN WITH ANTIFREEZE IN THE #1 CYLINDER. MOTOR GONE...

THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL & ANTI-FREEZE ONTO THE ENGINE CAUSING FAILURE. *AK

AS THE OWNER OF A 95 FORD WINDSTAR WITH THE 3.8L MOTOR, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD EXTENDING WARRANTY COVERAGE DUE TO PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. AT 59,482 MILES I HAD THE 95 WINDSTAR SERVICED AT BATTLEFIELD FORD, SPECIFICALLY ASKING THEM ABOUT THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM TO MAKE SURE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF PROBLEMS. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE 60,000 MILE SERVICE AND GAVE MY VEHICLE A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. ON 28 OCT 99, AT 1030 PM ON A DARK ROAD, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW ON MY VEHICLE WITH NO WARNING. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX MY VEHICLE. EVERY DEALER I HAVE SPOKEN WITH WILL NOT REPAIR THE HEAD GASKET ON WINDSTAR'S, THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE MOTOR AT A COST OF $6,000.00 DOLLARS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CYLINDER HEADS IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CASTING NUMBERS WERE FOR A FORD TAURUS, NOT A WINDSTAR. I HAVE ALSO FOUND OVER 40 PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIANCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS WITH THEIR 95 WINDSTAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OF THESE 3.8L MOTORS HAVE FAILED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. SINCERELY, SCOTT A. HEFFNER

WE HAVE JUST EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT MANY OWNERS OF 95 WINDSTARS COMPLAIN ABOUT - BLOWN HEAD GASKETS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE OUR VAN IN THE SHOP AND WILL BE PAYING ABOUT $5,000 IN REPAIRS FOR BOTH PROBLEMS. FORD BRUSHED US OFF SINCE OUR CAR IS OVER THE 60,000 MILE POINT.

THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM IS SOMETHING FORD MOTOR CO. IS AWARE OF. IT IS EVEN LISTED IN THE OCT. ISSUE OF CONSUMER REPORTS. WE SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY 1,000--2,000 FOR REPAIRS FOR THIER MISTAKE.

NO SUMMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FPR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY

WHILE VAN WAS BEING DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM, VAN JUST SHUT OFF. VAN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. VAN HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

FAILED HEAD GASKET, WHICH HAS BEEN ON GOING PROBLEM. DEALER STATES SINCE I AM OVER THE MILEAGE WOULD NOT HELP PAY BILL ON A PRO-RATED OFFER. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN OF THE PROBLEM, I COULD HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT OR TRADED THE VEHICLE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT A VERY HIGH % OF THESE ENGINES HAVE A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE FORD COMPANY HAS MADE A REPLACEMENT GASKET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED ON MY VEHICLE (I PAID FOR THE REPAIR) BUT A FRIEND OF MINE HAD THE SAME REPAIR DONE THIS PAST APRIL WITH 52000 MILES ON AND FORD COVERED HIS REPAIR UNDER A RECALL LETTER. WITH THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS PROBLEM, FORD SHOULD COVER ALL COST.

ELECTRICAL BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM REQUIRED DEALER TO PULL OUT DASH TO REPAIR 8/19/96. LETTER FROM FORD SAYS OUT OF WARRANTY. FAILURE OF AUTO TRANS AT 59,428 IN 11/4/97. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY FORD FOR FORWARD CLUTCH PISTONS. FORD REFUSES AGAIN TO COVER.-- MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IN OCT 24, 99 HEAD GASKET FAILURE--REPLACED ENGINE AT 87,376 MILES. FORD ISSUES RECALL LETTER AND WE RECEIVE $3200 FROM FORD JUNE 16, 2000. SECOND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 89,021. MECHANIC STATES OVERHEATING OF ENGINE AFFECTED THE SECOND TRANSMISSION. DURING TEST DRIVE OF THIRD TRANSMISSION, THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONS. THE FORD DEALER REPAIRS PROBLEM. THE TOTAL OF THESE REPAIRS ALONE TOTAL APPROXIMATELY $9500.00! *AK

VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN SLUGGISH AND SPORADIC . OVERHEATING AND ECCESSIVE LOSS OF COOLANT. DEALER RECOMMENDED TUNE-UP. TUNE-UP COMPLETED AND PROBLEM REMAINED UNTIL THE GASKET BLEW. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE OWNERS WITH SIMILIAR PROBLEMS. IS THERE A RECALL (MANUFACTURER OR CONSUMER DRIVEN) FOR THIS MODEL/YEAR? IF SO I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION.

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. STEAM WAS COMING FROM VEHICLE. TEMPERTURE GAUGE WENT UP TO HOT LEVEL, AND ALL THE WATER CAME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN DASH CAUSED A BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM. FORD DEALER HAD TO PULL OUT DASH TO CORRECT PROBLEM. CAR HAD A PREVIOUS RECALL IN WHICH THE DASH HAD TO BE PULLED OUT ALSO. WE BELIEVE THE WIRE REPAIR IN THE DASH WAS A RESULT OF THE PREVIOUS DASH ELECTRICAL RECALL. FORD SAYS NO. AT ONLY 59,400 MILES THE TRANS NEEDS REPLACING. FORD HAS A DEALER SERVICE BULLETIN THAT STATES FAILURE OF TRANSMISSIONS CAN BE DUE TO A CRACKED OR BROKEN FORWARD CLUTCH PISION. FORD SAYS NO. BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 87, 300 MILES CAUSES ENGINE TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN MARCH AND RECEIVED $3200 FOR REIMBURSEMENT. AT 89,000 MILES DURING FEBRUARY OF 2000, THE SECOND TRANSMISSION GOES OUT AND THE MECHANIC STATES THAT THE OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM CAN AFFECT THE TRANSMISSION. DURING A TEST DRIVE OF THE THIRD TRANSMISSION, THE SPEEDOMETER GOES BAD. A RECALL LETTER FROM FORD IN MAY OF 1994 STATES THAT SOME SPEEDOMETERS CAN HAVE "INCORRECT GEAR" AND MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF FUNCTION". A LETTER HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY EXPLAINING THE EXCESSIVE COSTS TO MAINTAIN A VEHICLE. *AK