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.
Several minor engine components (O2 sensors, coolant lines, computer, rough running engine, check engine light coming on & off) failed over a one year period followed by the head gasket failure. After it was repaired, about 100 miles later the engine failed. The oil pressure light came on, the van lost power and the speed started fluctuating. This was on a high speed, but no shoulder bridge, so slowing down could have caused an accident. Fortunately it didn't this time. The dealer recommended towing the van to the garage, and after review the engine was recommended to be replaced.
Ford will not recognize there is an engine problem with the first year model of this vehicle. The Ford dealer said it would cost $1500 to have spark plug wires, oxygen sensor, thermostat, and head gaskets replaced.
In 7/99 a 'check engine light' came on after a long trip [boca raton, fl to charlotte, nc] an oxygen sensor was replaced by a Ford dealer[young Ford, 704-598-2599] in 10/99 the 'check engine light' came on again. Wallace Ford [delray beach, 561-278-0303]was informed of the previous sensor replacement, and replaced another sensor. No other indicating lights had come one at any time. On Nov. 14 the car was rough on startup, then ran okay. On Nov. 16 the car would not start. Wallace Ford has found a headgasket failure. Research on the internet has indicated over 200 of the same failures for this make & model year. I was informed that Ford had a 'program' for this if the mileage was under 60K. My understanding is a relatively easy check could have prevented this catastrophic failure that is estimated at $2100 to repair at this time. Neither dealer, when making the earlier repairs, that were likely caused by the leaking of the headgasket, mentioned the possibility of a headgasket failure for this make & model, although Ford is clearly aware of the problem. A graph attributed to NHTSA indicates the very high number of complaints for this problem. I expect to be contacting Ford at a number of levels to voice this complaint. Is there any investigation underway for this? I understand kron tv in san franscisco ran an investigative story on this problem this week.
Was driving 45-50mph when antifreeze was coming out of tail pipe, then vehicle died. Vehicle towed to mechanic, who refused to repair due to tsb on head gaskets. Vehicle towed to dealer & informed the 02 sensors needed replacing.
Replaced head gasket less than one week ago. Replaced oxygen sensors same day of failure. On highway headed for vacation engine died and loss all power. Had to have it towed from the highway. I have two childern and a pregant wife - out on the highway while I wait for a ride. Mechanic syas I now need full rebuild of the engine to repair damaged bearings and rods form the blown head gasket. Uthis will cost me $2,500 in addition to the 1,300 I have already spent. I will lose the use of the vehicle for another 10 days. Ford has deneid any responsibility.
- Holland, MI, USA
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Consumer was driving approximately 35mph when engine temperature light came on. Consumer pulled over and smelled anti-freeze. Then called tow truck, after towing vehicle, garage found nothing. Again, on 22-Apr-99, while driving at 40mph temperature light came on. Driver pulled over. Then had vehicle towed to a dealership. Dealer found a leak in engine head gasket. Dealer replaced head gasket/oxygen sensor, and checked engine cylinder head. Found engine cylinder head to be okay. An open investigation of coolant leakage in engine head gasket is pending, ie-98-080.
This vehicle has been in for service since we bought it new for engine check lights and poor runability. Compression tests ran in November because engine ran poorly. Dealer replaced oxygen sensors, and then a month and a half later, the head gasket failed. Ford would not honor the recall since it expired on Dec. 31,1999. I think the dealer missed the diagnosis all along, the gasket was failing. The failures of the gasket and transmission along with the numerous sensor replacements has cost me about $5800. These problems are too numerous in numbers, many 95 Ford Windstar owners are having the same or worst problems. These problems are well known to Ford and they refuse to take responsibility. You must make these recall issues to force them to improve their quality.
The O2 (oxygen) sensor fails and causes the vehicle not to accelerate, and then unexpectently the vehicle will suddenly surge, and could cause an accident.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Covington, LA, USA