Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1995 record →
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
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
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
THE BRAKE LINES IN THIS VEHICLE WERE ROTTED AND WHEN I HAD TO STOP SHORT IN TRAFFIC, THE BRAKES LINES BURST IN TWO PLACES. I HAD SLOWED FROM ABOUT 40 TO ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR AS ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOST. I STRUCK A CAR STUCK IN FRONT OF ME, AND PUSHED IT INTO A THIRD CAR IN FRONT OF IT. TOTAL BODY DAMAGE TO ALL THREE CARS WAS MORE THAN $6000, WUTH ONE OIF THE DRIVERS ALSO PUTTING IN MEDICAL BILLS FOR ABOUT $400(WHIPLASH). MY INSURANCE COMP[ANY BELIEVED ME, AS THEY HAD SPOKEN TO THE MECHANIC WORKING ON THER CAR THE NEXT MORNING. UNFORTUNEATELY THEY DISCARDED THE BRAKE LINES BEFORE I COULD GET THEM FOR MY INSURANCE CO., AMICA. FORD TURNED DOWN AMICA'S REQUEST THAT THEY SUBROGATE THE COSTS (SURPRISE!). IN RETROSPECT, I GUESS MY FAMILY AND I GOT OFF LUCKY, BUT IT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH HOOD CAME OFF AND HIT WINDSHIELD, CAUSING $4000 DAMAGE. THIS WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 97 V 180 000. *AK
ON THREE OCCASIONS, AFTER DRIVING FOR OVER AN HOUR AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VAN WOULD START TO LOSE SPEED ROLLING ALMOST TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. EACH TIME WITH OTHER CARS MOVING TO AVOID HITTING ME FROM THE REAR I WOULD PUSH THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR AND THE VAN WOULD JUMP INTO GEAR FOR A MOMENT THEN LOSE SPEED AGAIN. BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE TRAFFIC ENOUGH TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT EACH TIME. EACH TIME AFTER THE VAN SET FOR AWAILE IT WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL CONDITIONS. THIS HAS HAPPEND 3 TIMES. I PAID FOR A TRANMISSION SERVICE AFTER THE FIRST TWO TIMES. AFTER THE THIRD TIME I TOOK THE VAN BACK TO WADE FORD AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND ALSO TOLD THEM I HAD SEEN REPORTS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED TO AN ALUMINUM FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON. THEY HAVE HAD THE VAN THREE DAYS AND CAN FIND NO PROBLEM UNDER THEIR TEST CONDITIONS. THE FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN RUNS OUT IN 4,000 MILES AND THEY REFUSE TO "THROW PARTS AT THE PROBLEM" SINCE THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM IN THE SHOP. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IT HAPPENS IN THE CENTER LANE OF I-75 OR I-95 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A CARPART AND NOTICED OIL STAINES ON ROAD. AND THERE WAS CORROSION INSIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*AK THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST UNDERNEATH. THE DEALER UNDER STATED THE ODOMETER READING WHEN THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *YH
WHEN I CALLED THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, HE TOLD ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY FORD WINDSTAR BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO TELL HIM! HE SAID THAT HE HAD REBUILD SIGNIFICANTLY MORE WINDSTAR TRANSMISSIONS THAN ANY OTHER CAR. HE RECOMMENDED I CONTACT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (MATTHEWS FORD - HEATH, OHIO) TO SEE ABOUT SOME TYPE OF REIMBURSEMENT. AFTER ALL, IN HIS OPINION, THIS WAS A DESIGN DEFICIENCY! MATTHEWS FORD REPRESENTATIVES WERE UNAWARE OF SIGNIFICANT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND REFUSED TO HEAR ANY MORE. NOW THAT FORD IS ADMITTING THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW EARLY ON, I BELIEVE THAT I AM OWED REIMBUSEMENT FOR ALL REPAIRS, ESPECIALLY IN THE LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THEY ARE ADMITTING DESIGN WAS BAD. *AK
HEAD GASKET FAILURE--JUST PAST WARRANTY MILEAGE CUTOFF--FORD REFUSING PAYMENT. *AK
VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO CONSUMER WITH A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR HEAD GASKET ON NOV. 30, 2000. PROGRAM ENDED IN OCTOBER, 2000. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
HEAD GASKETS FAILED AT 52,000 AND AT 103,000 MILES. WOULD LIKE TO RECIEVE COMPENSATION FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECTED PRODUCT. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
HEADGASKET REPLACED UNDER RECALL. WATER PUMP GASKET REPLACED AT OWNER COST. VEHICLE IS NOW RUNNING POORLY (SUSPECT SAME FAILURE OR FAILED ENGINE CRANK AND BEARINGS) AND LEAKING OIL FROM MAIN SEAL. ANOTHER 1000 DOLLAR REPAIR ACCORDING TO DEALER.
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
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.
HEAD GASKET WENT OUT ALONG WITH THE STARTER & BELIEVED TO BE WATER PUMP ALSO WENT OUT..ALL WITH IN 2 DAYS....NO NOTICE AT ALL ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN GASKET BLEW.COVERED WITH A LOT OF SMOKE WHICH FILLED MY WHOLE BACKYARD.I TURMED THE VAN OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START...I CONTACTED PAYDAYS SOUTH WHERE I PURCHASED THE VAN WHEN THEY DIRECTED ME TO RICART FORD IN COLUMBUS,OHIO.THEY HAD BELIEVED IT WAS STILL COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY.I SPOKE WITH A KEVIN DANIELS AT RICART WHO WAS VERY NICE AND IS GOING TO SET UP A APPT FOR US....ALSO WHEN WE REPLACED THE STARTER..WE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VAN AND IT MADE TWO VERY LOUD CLANKING NOISES.WHICH LEFT ME VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DAMAGES DONE TO THE ENGINE.
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
CONSUMER HAS HAD THE SUBFRAME BUSHINGS REPLACED ON 2 OCCASIONS WITHIN A FIVE YEAR PERIOD UNDER 70,000 MILES, ON ONE OCCASION AT 65488 MILES THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS (KNOCKING UNDER THE FLOORBOARDS) AS BEFORE WHEN THE BUSHINGS NEEDED REPLACED, HOWEVER THIS TIME THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS LOOSE SUBFRAME BOLTS WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, SO A MONTH LATER THE DEALER STATED THE SUBFRAME BUSHINGS HAD FAILED AGAIN, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
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
THIS IS A KNOWN FORD DEFECT, 3.8 LT ENGINE WITH FAULTY HEAD GASKET. OUR ENGINE SELF DESTRUCTED 400 MILES FROM HOME. FORD IS UN CO OPERATIVE AS FAR AS WHAT THEY ACCEPT RESPONSIBLITY FOR, UNNECESSARY COST ARE BEING INCURRED BY OWNER OF THESE VEHICLES, HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSES COOLANT TO ENTER THE ENGINE FOULING OUT THE SPARK PLUGS, AND OXYGEN SENSORS, WHEN ENGINE SELF DESTRUCTS AS MINE DID FORD,TO REFUSES REPLACE PLUGS, WIRES, AND GASKETS. THE FORD DEALER THAT "REPAIRED" MY VEHICLE ALSO CHARGED ME LABOR COSTS TO INSTALL THE PARTS THAT FORD REFUSED TO REPLACE DUE TO THE ENGINE FAILURE. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ALL HOSES AND PIPES WERE RUSTED AND NOONE WILL REPLACE THEM FOR US. THE VEHICLE ORIGINATED IN CANADA AND WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS. WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO WATER DAMAGE, BUT WE NOW SEE RUST UP UNDER CAR, IN DOOR AND ON ENGINE.
FORD NEVER INFORMED US THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO ALMOST A DOZEN MECHANICS AND ALL HAVE SAID THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. AS A RESULT OF NOT BEING INFORMED OF THIS DEFECT BY FORD OR THE DEALERSHIP (IT WAS ROUTINELY MAINTAINED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP), IT CAUSED MORE SEVER ENGINE DAMAGE BY IT BLOWING AND WE ARE NOW IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE. WE HAD VERY MINOR WARNING SIGNS THAT THE FORD MECHANIC INFORMED US OF AFTER IT BLEW, AND HAD WE KNOWN THAT WE SHOULD BE WATCHING FOR THIS OR HAD IT BEEN RECALLED TO PREVENT SUCH A PROBLEM, WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE DAMAGE WE CURRENTLY HAVE. WE ALSO WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER. I BELIEVE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. *AK
NOTHING NEW TO NTSA: HEAD GASKET FAILURE, TIMING COVER ROTTING, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON, DOOR AGAR LIGHT ON, ETC....YOU ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH 1995 FORD WINDSTAR AND RELATED PROBLEMS!*AK
OUR HEAD GASKETS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WARNING WAS AN ERRACTIC TEMPATURE GAUGE. WE ARE AIR FORCE OFFICERS SERVING IN THE UK AND TRANSPORTED THE VEHICHLE WITH US. WE ARE ONLY ALLOWED ONE VEHICLE, AND WE ARE NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR A VERY LONG TIME DUE TO VERY SHORT SUPPLY OF PARTS IN THE UK. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO FIND OUT THAT FORD WAS AND IS WELL AWARE OF THIS FAILURE, YET REFUSES TO PAY THE COST. I WOULD NEVER SELL MY CAR TO SOMEONE ELSE KNOWING FULL WELL THE HEADGASKETS ARE GOING TO BLOW, SO FORD HAS KNOWLINGLY STUCK ALL WINDTAR OWNERS WITH THIS HUGE BILL. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THIER KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH SLIDING DOOR COMING OFF. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER RECEIVING VEHICLE SLIDING DOOR CAME OFF AGAIN. VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALER. *AK THE VAN DOOR FELL OFF SECOND TIME DUE TO POOR REPAIR JOB. *YH
NO SUMMER LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
CORRODED BRAKE LINE ON FRONT RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER, DRAINED BRAKE FLUID CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. *CJ
TRANMISSION FAILURE AT LOW MILAGE IS UNACCEPTABLE/COULD BE CONNECTED TO HEAD GASKET. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 99V-309 AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE GAS TANK WHICH CRACKED AS STATED IN THE RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER WAS DENIED RECALL REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE LOCATION OF RESIDENCE. *MJS
THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS INSTANTANEOUS AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURIES IF IT OCCURED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.*AK
THIS WILL BE THE 3RD ENGINE WITHIN A YEAR FOR THIS VAN. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THIS AGAIN AND WE NEED HELP. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
HEAD GASKET WENT, REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BUT FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RADIATOR OR TIMING COVER GASKET WHICH ARE BOTH DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE RADIATOR IS SEPARATING AT THE SEAMS DUE TO FUEL GETTING INTO IT FROM THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND THE TIMING GASKET IS ALSO DAMAGED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF FUEL INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THEY WANTED US TO PAY $1,400 TO FIX EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE. HOW CAN I GET THEM TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE DONE?
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION (SHIFTDOWN) WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FOR PASSING. THIS STARTED BEING A PROBLEM AFTER THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS PRESSURE FLUSHED AND REFILLED WITH NEW FLUID. THIS WAS MORE THAN JUST A STANDARD SERVICE FLUID AND FILTER CHANGE. IT HAS BECOME SUCH A PROBLEM WE ARE CONCERNED WHEN NEEDING TO PASS A VEHICLE AS SPORADIC RESULTS ARE THE RESULT. SOMETIMES WE CAN PASS, BUT MANY TIMES THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT DOWN FOR FAST ACCELERATION. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF TIMES WE HAVE BEEN WITHIN SECONDS OF A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE VAN INTO THE SHOP, TELLING THEM TO FIX WHATEVER IS WRONG IF IT WAS UNDER $200. THEY TEST DROVE IT AND SAID THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. WHEN ASKED IF THEY DID ANYTHING THEY SAID ONLY A TEST DRIVE, BUT IT DID APPEAR TO WORK BETTER FOR THANKSGIVING WEEKEND. I AM SPECIFICALLY CONCERNED ABOUT A NEWS BROADCAST ABOUT AN ALUMINUM CLUTCH PLATE WEAR AND / OR CRACK PROBLEM FOR 1994 AND 1995 YEARS OF THIS VAN. *AK
JUST BEFORE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF WARRANTY (APPROX. 31,000) TRANSAXLE WENT OUT. FORD REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSAXLE. LAST MAY, AT 141,000 MI. THE REPLACEMENT WENT OUT. THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS HIGH MILEAGE, THE MILES HAVE BEEN "EASY" PRIMARILY HIGHWAY MILES. AS EVIDENCE OF THIS, THE VEHICLE STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL MUFFLER SYSTEM, AND HAS ONLY HAD TWO SETS OF BRAKES IN 150,000 PLUS MILES OF USE. I FEEL IT IS UNREASONABLE, IN THE 1990'S-2000'S FOR A TRANSAXLE TO FAIL ONCE, BUT CERTAINLY TWICE IS OUT OF LINE. THE REBUILD OF THE "TRANNY" COST ME $2,100 PLUS.*AK
WE PREVIOUSLY HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE THROUGH A FORD RECALL. NOW, THE ENGINE HAS SPUN A ROD BEARING AT THE CRANK SHAFT. WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR ENGINE OVERALL.*AK
I HAVE HAD 2 HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE FIRST ONE WAS REPAIRED BY FORD UNDER WARRANTY @ A COST OF $2378.60. IT FAILED AGAIN 38,000 MILES LATER. I HAD IT REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT A COST OF $2,003.97. I CONTACTED A FORD DEALER AND CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE ORGANIZATION BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE SECOND FAILURE. I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD DEALER DID NOT PROPERLY MAKE THE REPAIRS THE FIRST TIME RESULTING IN THE SECOND FAILURE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR A SOLUTION. PLEASE HELP!! *AK
HEAD GASKETS: VAN PURCHASED IN MARCH 2000 FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP - MILEAGE 91,000. AT 102,637 HEAD GASKETS BLOWN & POSSIBLY CRACKED HEAD. NOTIFIED FORD THEY STATED THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS POSSIBLE PROBLEM IN MAY 2000 AND BECAUSE WE WERE OVER 100,000 MILES THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. NOW IT IS COSTING US $3,500 FOR A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED AND WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL. DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS ALSO NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. I SPOKE WITH OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THEY SAID TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE AT FORD HEADQUARTERS THAT THEY WERE THE ONLY ONES THAT COULD OVERRIDE THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE WOMAN I SPOKE TO AT FORD HQ WAS EXTREMELY RUDE AND REALLY COULDN'T CARE LESS. I INFORMED HER THAT IT WAS UNFAIR THAT THIS LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY (WHEN WE HAD ALREADY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE) AND YET BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS OWNER RECEIVED IT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. SHE AGAIN TOLD ME THAT A LETTER HAD BEEN SENT OUT TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER THERE. *AK
ON FIRST INCIDENT, IN AUGUST OF 1999, I WAS TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH ON I-4 JUST NORTH (EAST) OF ORLANDO, FLORIDA WHEN THE RIGHT , SIDEVIEW MIRROR LENS FLEW OFF, BOUNCED ALONG THE SIDE OF MY CAR, AND FLEW BACK INTO THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I STOPPED, AND NO OTHER CARS STOPPED- THEREFORE I DON'T FEEL THIS MIRROR HIT ANYONE. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED IN JULY OF THIS YEAR, WHERE THE LEFT SIDE-VIEW MIRROR BLEW OFF UNDER IDENTICAL CIRCUMSTANCES. AGAIN, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. WHY DID BOTH SIDE-VIEW MIRRORS FAIL (AND BLOW OFF) WITHIN AN ELEVEN MONTH PERIOD. I'M SURE THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS, IF NOT FATAL INJURY WAS THERE WITH THIS 3" BY 4" PIECE OF GLASS FLYING AROUND AT 65 MPH. I CONTACTED FORD, AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR ME , AS THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE NOTIFY ME OF THE RESULTS OF ANY INVESTIGATION REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT. THANKS FRANK RENNER. *AK
FRONT COVER GASKET OF TIMING CHAIN IS LEAKING COOLANT INTO OIL SYSTEM. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
ON 9/15/00, AFTER ABOUT 3 DAYS OF RESEARCH, JERRY'S FORD OF ANNANDALE (703) 256-5000 CONCLUDED THAT THE NOISE I WAS HEARING AT 35-40MPH, 50MPH, AND 60MPH WAS DUE TO A LEAKING PISTON AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 85,548 MILES. MY INVOICE READ: NEEDS ENGINE. FORD OFFERED 50/50 SPLIT. OWNER ADVISED. AFTER I WAS TOLD THAT FAILURE WAS NOT IMMINENT, I DECIDED TO WAIT. BY NOVEMBER, THE NOISE HAD WORSENED, BUT JERRYS FORD COULD NOT GET A REPLACEMENT ENGINE UNTIL JANUARY. I CALLED SHEEHY FORD ON 11/3 AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DAVID GARRETT FOR 11/6. I TOLD DAVID ABOUT THE 50/50 OFFER FROM FORD ON THE INVOICE, SHOWED IT TO HIM ON 11/6 WHEN I DROPPED OFF MY VAN, AND FAXED A COPY THAT DAY. HE CALLED ME LATER AND SAID ALL THE WORK WOULD NOT BE DONE UNTIL NOON ON 11/7 AND THAT IRENE BERRY, THE FORD REGIONAL REP, HAD NOT ANSWERED THEIR CALLS ABOUT THE 50/50 PROMISE. I CALLED SHEEHY DAILY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT GET HOLD OF IRENE. ON 11/15, I ASKED FOR THE PHONE NUMBER OF IRENES BOSS. HE REFERRRED ME TO FORDS NORTH AMERICAN CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER. THEY SAID FORD POLICY DENIES CUSTOMER SERVICE ACCESS TO THE PHONE NUMBER OF IRENE BERRY OR HER BOSS. THEY PROMISED TO SEND IRENE AN E-MAIL ABOUT MY PREDICAMENT AND MENTION MY REQUEST TO BE REIMBURSED $233.91 FOR A RENTAL CAR DUE TO HER DELAY IN CONTACTING SHEEHY FORD. ON 11/16, SEAN TOLD ME THAT IRENE HAD TO TALK TO JERRYS FORD TO REFRESH HER MEMORY ON THE 50/50 PLEDGE. I CALLED FRED JAVIER AT JERRYS. HE
THIS IS A PROBLEM KNOWN BY FORD AND THE FACT THAT THE FORD DEALER IN MY AREA WILL NOT FIX THE HEAD GASKET, BUT WILL ONLY REPLACE THE ENGINE IS SUSPECTIBLE. THIS REPAIR COULD COST ME 4000 DOLLARS VERSUS THE TYPICAL 1000 TO FIX THE HEAD GASKET. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
1999 ENGINE REPAIR WAS HEAD GASKET COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. 2000 ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. *AK
ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET THAT WAS RECALLED. *AK CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER AND FEELS THAT SHE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR COSTS SHE INCURRED. *SLC
WHEN OPENING SLIDING DOOR, IT JUMPS LOWER TRACK AND HANGS, WHICH SEEMS THAT DOOR MAY HAVE FALLEN DOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WATER PUMP AND TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO CRACKED FORWARD PISTON WHICH WAS MADE OUT OF ALUMINIUM, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND SLOW DOWN SPEED. ALSO, ENGINE BLEWOUT ABOUT 1 WEEK AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DUE TO HEAD GASKET.*AK
ENGINE IS RUNNING HOT DUE TO A DEFAULTED ENGINE GASKET. *AK
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1995 Ford Windstar → · Every Windstar year → · How the figures are calculated →