1995 Ford Windstar complaints

A WORN ROD CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL PREMATURELY WHILE DRIVING. NLM

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SLC

ALREADY REPLACE HEAD GASKET NOW TIMING GASKET LEAKING. *AK

WE BROUGHT IN VEHICLE FOR REPAIR OF COOLANT LEAK DIAGNOSED AS TIMING CHIAN COVER GASKET BY AUTOFAIR FORD IN MANCHESTER NH. CHARGED 630.00 RECIEVED CAR BACK ON THURSDAY THE 9TH OF NOVEMBER TODAY THE 12TH OF NOVEMBER I HAVE EXPERIANCED SOME FORM OF ENGINE FAILURE!*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE SUFFERED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROVIDER REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIRS. FORD IS WELL AWARE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE AND THE AXODE TRANSMISSIONS. I FIND IT CURIOUS THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROVIDER IS ALSO OWNED BY FORD, AND THE STAFF AT THE EWP WAS AWARE OF A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ONE OF FIRESTONE'S TIRES BLEWOUT. CONSUMER CHANGED TIRE. SOON AFTER, REPLACED TIRE ALSO BLEWOUT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP, AND ONCE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED, THEY WERE TOLD THAT A THIRD TIRE WAS ABOUT TO BLOWOUT. DUE TO TIRES BLOWING OUT THERE MUST HAV EBEEN SOME DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. CONTACTED FIRESTONE, AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT SINCE TIRES WERE NOT UNDER RECALL, THEN THERE WAS NOT NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

THE PLANETARY GEARS FAILED RESULTING IN MINOR OTHER DAMAGE. SEVERAL OF THE REPAIR SHOPS I CONTACTED TO GET A QUOTE STATED THAT THE PLANETARY GEARS WOULD BE WHAT FAILED BECAUSE THAT IS A PROBLEM THAT PLAQUES THIS TRANSMISSION TYPE IN WINDSTARS AND TAURUS/SABLES. ONE REPAIR SHOP EVEN STATED IF YOU HAD A WINDSTAR/TAURUS/SABLE AND YOU DID NOT EVER HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM YOU SHOULD CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY RATHER THAN ON THE BUSY STREET THAT HAD JUST EXITED. I REALIZE THAT THE NHTSA IS MORE CONCERNED WITH SAFETY RELATED ITEMS, BUT I HOPE BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE RATE OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD PRESENT WHEN THEY DO FAIL THAT THE NHTSA CAN PERSUADE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO DO THE RIGHT THING. HOWEVER, I NOT REAL SURE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO THESE POORLY ENGINEERED TRANSMISSIONS. I REALIZE MOST PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY ONLY CONCERNED WITH RECOUPING ANY MONEY THEY SPENT ON REPAIRS, BECAUSE YES I WOULD LIKE FORD TO REINBURSE ME THE $1167 REPAIR COST, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I FEEL SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE FROM A DESIGN STANDPOINT TO HELP ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THE FAILURES. EVEN AFTER HAVING HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPAIR I AM SKEPTICAL ABOUT HOW LONG THE REPAIR WILL LAST, NOT BECAUSE WHO/HOW IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT BECAUSE OF THE POOR FORD ENGINEERING/DESIGN. I GUESS THAT FORD WOULD HAVE TO HAD CHANGED SOMETHING TO IMPROVE THE LATER MODEL WINDSTARS AND I HOPE THAT THAT TECHNOLOGY

WE EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON OUR 95 FORD WINDSTAR. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR THE HEAD GASKETS, THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR SECONDARY DAMAGE (TIMING COVER GASKET) WE HAD TO PAY $840. SMALL CLAIMS COURT AGAINST FORD ON 12/12/00. HOPE TO GATHER AS MUCH INFO AS POSSIBLE. EMAIL [email protected]. *AK

THE HEAD GASKET ISSUE IS WLL KNOWN TO FORD, AS THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 7YRS/100,000 MILES, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SINCE I HAVE PASSED 100,000 (BY 300 MILES) WARRANTY IS INVALID...APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM MAY BE LARGE ENOUGH TO CONSIDER A RECALL. *AK

HAVE HAD BRAKES REDONE 6 TIMES IN 18 MONTHS-CONSTANTLY RETURNS TO SQUEALING. ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS?*AK

CONSUMER HAS HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED 3 TIMES STARTING OCTOBER 24TH, 1997. PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. DEALER HAS SENT A LETTER TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY. WARRANTY WAS UP AT 100,000. CONSUMER ONLY HAD 10,000 MILES TO GO. ENGINE BLEWOUT THE FIRST TIME. OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED, SUCH AS THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE.*AK

AT 75,000 MILES TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILD DUE TO TRANSMSSION FAILURE. AT 123,000 MILES TRANSMSSION LOST REVERSE, AND REPAIRS MADE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIRS SHOP. BELIEVED PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION; DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK

BLOWN HEAD GASKET,FORD ENGINE REPLACED, HEAD GASKET GOING .ELECTRIAL PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VAN.THOUSANDS OF MY MONEY SPENT FOR REPAIRS WITH PROBLEMS STILL OCCURRING.NO RELIEF FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. YEARS OF AGGRAVIATION &OUT-PUT OF MONIES.REPAIRS, RENTAL CARS,ETC.*AK

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE BACKING FROM GARAGE DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. TOWED TO LOCAL BRAKE SHOP AND FOUND SEVERE CORROSION ON BRAKE LINE LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE INSULATION WHERE A/C CONDENSATE DRIPS. THIS BRAKE LINE SERVES THE FRONT RIGHT ROTORS. *AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ENGINE RELATED FAILURES, THE HEAD GASKET FAILED TWO TIMES, THE DEALER WOULD NOT COMPENSATE FOR THE SECOND FAILURE AND ALSO DID NOT OFFER THE CONSUMER THE $4000.00 CERTIFICATE TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE, AFTER THE FIRST HEAD GASKET REPAIR, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE COOLANT, THE ENGINE CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED, THE TIMING COVER WAS CRACKED, THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED, AND THE BLOWN GASKET CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, SHAKE, AND SMOKE. *SLC

INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT ON 8/8/2000, SEVERAL PROBLEMS AFTER VEHICLE WAS RETURNED ON 10/10/2000, PROBLEMS STILL NOT FIXED! NEED HELP ASAP. THANK YOU .*AK

AAMCO SAID THAT DUE TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING (FAULTY HEAD GASKET) THE TRANSMISSION EXCESSIVELY OVERHEATED ALSO. ADDITIONALLY, THE ALUMINUM PISTON WAS DAMAGED/INADEQUATE

WHEELS - 2 WHEELS (RIMS) WARPED WITHOUT REASON. CAUSED CONSTANT VIBRATION. HAD CHECKED 3 TIMES BEFORE PROBLEM FOUND. FOUND AT NON-FORD GARAGE. REARVIEW MIRROR FELL OFF WHILE PARKED. WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY, CONSTANTLY SMEAR. REPLACE AT VARIOUS TIMES.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PART NUMBER F4BP-7000-BB.

TRANSMISSION DOESN'T NOT ENGAGE AFTER YOU STOP AND A STOP LIGHT, WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS IT JURKS YOU FORWARD ALSO DOING THE SAME THING IN REVERSE, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEM YEAR AND FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT IS ANY BODY CONCERNED OR DOES A DEATH HAVE TO ACCUR BEFORE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST THEM. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED SMOKE, ANTI- FREEZE COMING FROM TAIL PIPE, VEHICLE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

OUR VAN WAS IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES IN 1999. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT RIGHT NOW AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT START AT ALL DUE TO ANOTHER PROBLEM. I HATE TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO THIS VAN BUT I WILL HAVE TO I GUESS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO TRADE IT IN THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOU ANYTHING FOR IT. THE TRANSMISSION IS DANGEROUS IN THAT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WON;T GO.*AK

DRIVER'S SEATBELT TENSIONER MALFUNCTIONED WHICH WONT PROTECT OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. NLM

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL WITH OUR 3 KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN THE BRAKES GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. SHE HAD TO SWERVE INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. AFTER HAVING THE VAN TOWED BACK TO OUR HOUSE I FOUND THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH IN ONE SECTION. THE REST OF THE BRAKE LINES WHERE FIND. IT WAS ONLY WHERE THE BRAKE LINE WAS TOUCHING THE ENGINE HEAT SHEILD DID IT RUST. I THANK GOD MY WIFE AND KIDS DID NOT GET SERIOUSLY HURT.

WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. DEALER HAS REPAIRED PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS RETURNED. *AK

I HAD THE HEAD GASKET FIXED UNDER THE FORD RECALL; ONE WEEK LATER THE ENGINE THREW A ROD, AND IT REQUIRED A NEW LONG BLOCK AND ASSORTED PARTS. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR 5 WEEKS, AND NEVER EXPLAINED WETHER IT WAS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE OR A MHUMAN FAILURE. IT THEN, ONE WEEK LATER, STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WITH THE CAR SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR ON THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, ONLY TO BE TOLD IT WASNT THEIR FAULT, AND THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE, YET THIS WASNT HAPPENING BEFORE THEY TOOK MY CAR APART. I STILL HAVE THE CAR, DRIVING IT ONLY AS ABSOLUTLE NECESSARY; I CANT AFFORD THE REPAIRS AND DONT FEEL IM RESPONSIBLE. THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAS A TERRIBLE TRACK RECORD FOR DEFECTS.

WAS DRIVING 55MPH AND ENGINE EXPLODED. COOLANT SYSTEM MIXED IN WITH THE OIL ACCORDING TO MECHANIC AFTER TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. HEAD GASKET WAS CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PRIOR TO ENGINE EXPLODING, HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS ENGINE STALLING PROBLEMS. TOOK TO DEALER & IT CAUGHT FIRE. WAS NOTIFIED PROBLEM WAS THE ENGINE (TWICE). IT NEEDED REPLACING.*AK

BROUGHT CAR TO BELL FORD ON 10/3/00 FOR RECALL SERVICE REPAIR AFTER LOCAL SVC MECHANIC INDICATED ENGINE PROBLEM IS ONE THAT FORD INITIATED A RECALL FOR IN MAY 2000. BELL REFUSED DUE TO CURRENT MILEAGE OF 106000 ON VEHICLE EXCEEDING RECALL LIMITATION OF 100000, AND REPAIR DEADLINE OF 10/1/00. FORD REFUSES TO COVER THE $1400-1500 REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL. WE HAD NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, ALTHOUGH FORD INSISTS THAT THEY SENT US ONE IN MAY 2000.

TRANSMISSION FAILED PREVIOUSLY AND WAS REPLACED UNDER EXT. WARRANTY

5 1995 FORD WINDSTARS AT ONE AAMCO STATION IN 1 WEEK PERIOD(TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS). *AK

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING OR NOT ENGAGING TO 2ND GEAR. NOW IT SHIFTS HARSH AT ALL GEARS AND HIGH PITCH WHINE IS PRESENT.*AK

HAD LEFT FREEWAY & NOTICED A NOISE. PULLED OVER, STOPPED VEHICLE & TURNED IT OFF. RESTARTED VEHICLE & NOISE BECAME LOUDER. WHILE GOING UPHILL, ENGINE FELT SLUGGISH & WAS DRAGGING. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP & MECHANIC INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS THAT INNER TIE ROD HAD BROKEN.*AK

IN JULY OF 1999 WE EXPERIENCED TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON A CROSS COUNTYR TRIP. THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED, FORD CLAIMED NO DEFECT OR RESPONSIBILITY EVEN UNDER WARRANTY. CALLS FOR LEGAL ACTION PRODUCED A REPLACEMENT ENGINE BUT WE ABSORBED ALL THE ASSOCIATED COSTS. IN NOVEMBER 0F 1999 THE SECOND ENGINE FAILED IN THE EXACT SAME WAY, AGAIN FORD SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ENGINES, THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND REPLACED BOTH HEAD GASKETS INSTEAD.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INABILTY TO ACCELERATE. *SLC

ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING, LUCKILY THE ENGINE WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL NOTICE BUT THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO RENT VEHICLES DURING REPAIR, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR RENTAL VEHICLES. NLM

THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE MAY 17, 2000, REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AS WELL AND WAS REPLACED ON JULY 14, 2000, HOWEVER THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *MJS

CONTACTED FORD ON ENGINE NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *AK

SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE FLUCTUATES BACK AND FORTH. DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO VERIFY CORRECT DRIVING SPEED. VAN HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO KEEP THIS PART IS STOCK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE IN TURN ACROSS 4 LANE ROAD THANK GOD NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *AK

LEHIGH VALLEY FORD REPLACED THE RECALLED HEADGASKET AND THE PROBLEMS STARTED THEN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER FOR $400. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THEY TOOK IN THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER AGAIN, BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS STILL A PROBLEM THEY DECIDED TO WITHOUT ASKING TO REPLACE THE MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS. I PICKED MY VAN UP TODAY, THE NICE PEOPLE THERE ASKED TO TEST DRIVE FOR A WEEK AND THEN COME BACK TO DISCUSS THE CHARGES. I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT L.V.FORD ARE VERY GOOD PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH BUT I DON'T FEEL IT IS FAIR TO BE CHARGED ANYTHING AFTER I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SAME HARNESS, AND BEFORE REPLACING THE HEADGASKIT I DID NOT FACE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VAN, I AM NOT SAYING THESE PROBLEMS RELATED TO THAT IN ANY WAY.

I HAVE HEARD OF MANY WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO HAVE ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE MECHANIC WE GO TO SAID TO EXPECT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION - WE THOUGHT, OH, NOT OUR CAR. $2200 LATER, WE FIND IT MAY HAVE BEEN A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM INSTEAD.

I UNDERSTAND (THROUGH THE INTERNET) THAT FORD IS HAVING MANY PROBLEMS WITH ITS TRANSMISSIONS. MAINLY THE WINDSTAR, TAURUS, SABLE, AND CONTINENTAL WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE. MY TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED IN 1997 AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR IT!

HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FORMER FORD TEC. THAT THE FRAME BUSHING HAVE FAILED ON A LOT OF WINDSTAR VANS AND THAT THE RUBBER SWRINKS WITH AGE AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO POP ANY TIME THAT THE TIME FRAME IS PUT IN A BIND.*AK

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL AT STOP THEN LURCHES FORWARD OR ROLLS BACKWARD. *AK

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT 30MPH IN A PANIC STOP PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, CAUSING A COLLISION. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NO SUMMARY

TRANSMISSION REPLACED FIRST TIME 12/17/99, FAILED AGAIN ON 12/24/99 WITH 453 MILES OF USE. BOTH INCIDENTS REQUIRED RENTAL CAR WHICH FORD WILL NOT REIMBURSE. WE MAY NOT HAVE INCURRED RECORDABLE ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES BUT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT DEMANDS A RECALL WITH SIMILIAR TERMS INVOLVE WITH THE FAILED HEAD GASKET IN THE 3.8L WINDSTAR.

ON 2/22/00 THE HEAD GASKET BLEW ON THE 1995 3.8L ENGINE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GASKET ON 2/28/00. THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE 100,000 MILE RECALL ON THE ENGINE. ON 4/28/00 THE ENGINED FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON ROUTE 495 IN MA WITH A SPEED OF 60 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS FROM LEAKING COOLANT FROM THE REPLACED HEAD GASKET THAT RESULT IN WIPING THE BEARING AND #5 & 6 CYLINDERS. AT FIRST THE DEALER WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE WORK. ON 5/16/00, THE DEALER FINALLY WARRANTY THE WORK AND STATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WOULD TAKE 2-5 WEEKS TO RECEIVE. THE ENGINE WAS NOT RECEIVED UNTIL MID JULY. A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WAS NOT OFFFERED TO ME UNTIL I HAD TO RAISE A LITTLE STINK AT THE DEALER ON 6/20/00. I ALSO INQUIRED IF THERE WAS A BUYBACK PROGRAM FOR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EVER RESPONED. COME TO FIND OUT THERE IS A PROGRAM FOR THE '95 &'96 WINDSTAR TO THE HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE ENGINE. I ALSO WAS NEVER REIMBURSED FRO THE HEAD GASKET WORK DONE ORIGINALLY ON 2/28/00. *AK