This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My 1995 Ford Windstar gasket has blown for the second time. The last time it blew in 2001, Ford finally replaced my engine, after fighting for 2 months, as the faulty part blew the engine. Ford also at this time extended the "owner notification" gasket problem (#98M01) from 60,000 to 100,000. Now, only 2 years later, the gasket has blown again, and Ford again refuse to claim responsibility as my odomoeter reads 103,000, only 3,000 miles over the cut-off, but my engine is only 2 yers old. This part is the problem and Ford put it in and Ford should fix it.
Vehicle transmission went out on 1995 Windstar. When starting up vehicle the van was engulfed in white smoke. The consumer was informed that engine needed to be replaced, water had leaked through the head gasket destroying the engine.
The vehicle was riding rough and idling high. The driver noticed white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. Dealer was aware of the problem, who stated it was a blown head gasket.
While driving various speeds and without warning vehicle would overheat because head gasket blew, causing cold air to come out of the heater. Had taken vehicle to dealership, but the problem has not been resolved.
Engine failed twice due to a faulty head gasket. Also, original automatic transmission failed and was rebuilt. About two years later, transmission failed and the dealer replaced it with a new transmission. Another two years later, the transmission failed again and was rebuilt. The cause of the failures was not determined. The recalled engine blew and the manifold gasket blew. When the consumer contacted Ford they stated they couldn't do anything right now but would notify them later and maybe they could help. Consumer had two windows that didn't go up or down - replaced $412.34. Both tie rods were replaced.
My 1995 Windstar has been diagnosed with a failed head gasket. This vehicle has the 3.8 liter engine. The vehicle has 108,000 miles on it. Given the known history of this vehicle, engine and component, I find it unbelievable that Ford has not issued a service campaign that would cover this repair for the expected life of the vehicle. Or does for expect that the vehicle will only last 100,000 miles?
It's us again!!! on our vacation to ga, about 250 miles or less, our engine check light came on. We went to the nearest Ford dealer in lumbngton, nc and had an engine diagnostic done. The Ford dealer was said they fixed the problem. Codes P1150, P1151, and another code. However the engine check light came on again while in ga and then went off. I called the Ford dealership back in nc and he stated that we should be okay and should make it back home safely. On our way back home the check engine came on again aroound nc-va and S no warning lights came on, nor did the engine overheat and it was driving okay. We decided to pull over at a rest stop and thats when the car hesitated to move and then smoke came out from the tailpipe and underneath the hood and leaked out all the transmission fluid including all over the back door and windows was greasy from the leak.. this is the second time something like this has happened to us while driving long distance. Thee vans are very unsafe to drive and Ford needs to do a recall on these vans. We have put more money into this van then I can imagine in a lifetime. These incidents has also cause us unneccesary strain. In addition, our door ajar lights comes on, cruise control don't work, our gears do not shift correctly and gets stuck between gears, overdrive light starts blinking when we try to use it, the air conditioner makes strange noises when using it and driving, etc. It just does not work. I am very unsatisfied with this van and would appreciate a remedy and prompt solution. This is our only means of transportation and we still owe more than what the vehicle is worht. Please help us and contact me when you have receive this. Thanks and I look forward to something being done to take care of us Ford Windstar owners. We would also like reimbursement for our emergency expenses, tow charges to freedom Ford from emporia, Virginia. We also had our oil changed by freedom Ford before we left and a 15 point multi inspection done.
On June 18, 2001 while on a road trip to visit relatives the car overheated and Mr. John campbell from bob bennett Ford service department in columbia, SC performed the warranty work to repair the problem. He replaced the cylinder head gaskets. On December 4, 2002 the car again overheated while we were driving on the local toll way and we had the car towed to greenway Ford in orlando, fl. Mr. Josh knowles received the work order to identify why the car overheated. According to invoice C50990 Mr. Knowles pressure tested the system and no external leaks were found. He test-drove the vehicle and let the vehicle run. No reason could be found for the vehicle to overheat and the coolant to leave the system. The car continued to show temperatures above normal but within the normal range on the temperature gauge. We modified our driving habits to shorter trips around town and this abated much of the raised temperature problem. On August 23, 2003 while we were driving on the highway the car again overheated and we again had the car towed to greenway Ford. Mr. Brad johnson received the work order to identify why the car overheated. According to invoice C85933 the main head gasket was cracked and repair would require a new or rebuilt engine. When I inquired with Mr. Ron kremer, service manager, about the warranty from the previous time this happened he informed me since the car was driven over 24,000 miles and over 24 months had passed there was nothing he could do. Upon further investigation the cooling system overheating and/or loss of coolant in 3.8L engines is a well-known and documented problem. The mitchell repair information company published the issue of coolant may leak from the head gaskets and/or the vehicle may overheat in a technical service bulletin dated March 2, 1998 pertaining to 3.8L engines in 1995 Ford Windstar.
While driving and with no warning, the left rear axle snapped. The dealer was notified. The consumer also stated the vehicle had engine problems in the past.
This is in referance to ODI number 10030637 I have drained the oil out of the engine and have found aluimum shavings in the oil, this is a rebuilt engine with just 45,797 miles on it and I had this problem fo a whilethis is a lemon of a vecheil and I hope that the Ford Motor Company will fix this engine as I have taken very good care to change the oil when needed at about 3,000 miles every time and it only had 50 miles on the rebuilt engine on it so I think that 45,797 mile is not enough milage to need a engine to do this.ws.
Our 1995 Ford Windstar with only 57,000 miles on it experienced an engine failure while we were on a family vacation hundreds of miles from home. The engine had to be replaced due to the premature failure of a faulty head gasket that caused coolant to leak into the engine. We had no warning or overheating before the engine failed. We had previously experienced some coolant leakage and had the timing cover gasket fail also. Our van was no longer covered by the 100,000 mile or 7 year Ford service program by several months even though we had so few miles on it. Since then we have learned that this defective gasket and related engine failures are occuring on nearly all 1995 Windstar. I believe Ford should be required to stand behind their faulty engines for 100,000 miles with no time limit since a properly manufactured engine should last at least that long without a head gasket failure.
The head gasket on my 1995 Windstar failed after just 70,000 miles; Ford has refused to help me since it failed in December 2002 and I have owned the car for 8 years. Since coolant has leaked into the engine, the Ford mechanic has recommended a new engine which costs $4600.
The head gasket had blown and was been a problem with the 3.8 liter engines since Ford used them in their vehicles. Dealer would not fix due to the expired warranty.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cobb, CA, USA