1995 Ford Windstar complaints

AFTER TOTAL FAILURE OF ONE TIRE, I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO A GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER AND WAS INFORMED THAT 3 OF MY 4 TIRES SUFFERED FROM SIDEWALL CRACKING. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND MOUNTED ONTO MY VAN AT 54381 MILES ON 22 AUGUST 1998. THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE REMOVED FROM MY VAN WHEN IT HAD 85611 MILES. THE TIRES HAD COLLECTED A TOTAL OF 31230 MILES. I BELIEVE THE TIRES WERE RATED FOR 65000 MILES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/70R15 )

DEALER KNEW OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BUT SAID FORD WAS NOT RECALLING.

HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACE ON 5/10/00. DEALER SAYS NO CORRELATION TO BLOWN ENGINE. TRAVELING OUT OF STATE, WHILE ON VACATION AT 60MPH. LOSS OF POWER. WAS TRAVELING WITH MY MOTHER AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN. STRANDED FOR 3 DAYS, NO CAR. CAR REMIANS IN PA, I IN NY. WILL TAKE 8-12 WEEKS TO REPAIR. FORD IS DOING NOTHING FOR ME. NOT ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS, NO LOANER CAR, NOTHING.

HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES CORRODED, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK BRAKE LINE IS LOCATED OVER CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. THE A/C CONDENSATION DRIPS ON THE STEEL BRAKE LINE (NOT STAINLESS STEEL). THE MOISTURE AND EXCESSIVE HEAT CORRODED THE BRAKE LINE. IT WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE DRIVER STOPPED FOR BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. *YH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL COMPONENT (HEAD GASKET) CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE TO DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. YH

AFTER OPERATING THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE, TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO DRIVE AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO REVERSE. OVERDRIVE LIGHT THEN STARTED TO FLASH. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOES ENGAGE, THE VEHICLE TENDS TO LURCH FORWARD IN AN UNSAFE MANNER. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE. THEY CHANGED THE ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) AT A COST OF $650.00 PARTS AND LABOR. WE LEFT FOR A WEEK VACATION THE NEXT DAY ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR. GARAGE INSISTED THAT THE ECM WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS A SEPARATE ISSUE. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO DEALER (SHAMROCK FORD). WITHIN A COUPLE OF HOURS, WE RECIEVED A CALL THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. COST: $2600.00. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET, WE FOUND THAT A LOT OF 1995 WINDSTAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY AN ISSUE OF MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE, SOMETHING THE NHTSA SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOT BEEN RECEPTIVE TO OUR COMPLAINS AND REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE REPAIR ALTHOUGH, WE BELIEVE, THAT THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION AS EVIDENCED BY THEIR PROMPT DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM . WE OWN A 1995 TOYOTA CELICA WITH 245,000 MILES AND A 1988 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 264,000 MILES. WE FEEL THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE CAR OWNERS AND THAT OUR VEHICLES ARE NOT SUBJECTED TO ABUSE AND MISUSE. WE BOUGHT THE FORD WINDSTAR WITH THE BELIEF THAT FINALLY, AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURERS HAS ACHIEVED A LEVEL OF RELI

ON 8/30/99 THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ON 9/15/99 WHO CHARGED US $150 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE FUSE MONITOR AND WAS GOING TO CHARGE US AN ADDITIONAL $200 TO INSTALL A NEW MONITOR. AIR BAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED FOR FREE. I DID NOT HAVE THE WORK DON AND AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS A REPAIR THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR. *AK

FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL OR REBATE. WHY??? WE HAVE HAD 4 TRANSMISSIONS PUT IN OVER THE PAST 2 & 1/2 YRS. FORTUNATELY, 2 OF THEM WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MAJOR REPAIRS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO LIST THEM ALL. PLEASE CALL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT GREAT LAKES FORD FOR THE ENDLESS NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. IF YOU CAN NOT PLACE THIS CALL PLEASE CONTACT ME. I WILL TRY TO GET COPIES OF THE MANY REPAIRS FROM GREAT LAKES FORD MYSELF. I AM TRULY CONCERNED WITH THE DEFECTS OF THIS VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE OVERHEATING AND FAULTY HEAD GASKETS, RECALL WAS ISSUED BY FORD IN REGARDS TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE, CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO EXCEEDING THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT. *MJS

LEFT SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY DUE TO ALUMINIUM COMPONENT WHICH WAS USED IN PLACE OF CAST IRON. YH

ENGINE FAILURE SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER HEAD GASKET FAILURE. FORD HAS SERIOUS QUALITY PROBLEM THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED

5548 MILES OVER THE RECALL (HEAD GASKET RECALL) DEALER LOCKED AT IT AND SAID IT WAS OK, 500 MILES LATER THE ENGINE WENT OUT DUE TO THE RECALL.

I'M ON MY 3RD TRANSMISSION AND IT IS GOING OUT! DANGEROUS, BECAUSE VEHICLE SLIPS AT CRUCIAL MOMENTS NEEDED FOR ACCELERATION. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PRODUCT! IT WILL CAUSE LIVES (IF IT HASN'T ALREADY). WIFE WON'T DRIVE BECAUSE SHE'S TOO FRIGHTENED BY IT'S INCONSISTENT ACCELERATION. WHAT IF IT SLIPPED WHILE NEAR RAILROAD TRACKS? WHAT IF IT SLIPPED/DISENGAGED WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY? VERY DANGEROUS. *AK

RECALL 97V180000/HOODS : DEALER INFORMED THAT RECALL REPAIRS DONE. BUT, CONSUMER NOTICED A GAP AT THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. DEALER REFUSED TO TAKE NOTICE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WERE DONE AS PER DEALER CORRECTIVE ACTION. ASKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER.*AK

VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM PIPE. THEN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHERE TECHNICIAN SAW THAT PROBLEM WAS A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET.*AK TRANSMISSION FAILED THREE TIMES. GAS TANK FAILED. WINDSHIELD IS DEFECTIVE. AND SIDE DOOR CLAMPS FAILED. *YH

WE ARE CURRENTLY FIGHTING A FAILED TRANSMISSION. WHEN WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK, WE WERE TOLD THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED US THAT BOTH SCENARIOS WERE COVERED BY A 12 MONTH/12000 MILE WARRANTY, BUT IF WE ELECTED THE OVERHAUL OPTION, IF A PART FAILED THAT WASN'T FIXED, THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. WE ELECTED THE HIGHER PRICED REPLACEMENT. WE WERE ADVISED TO COME BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND THE DEALER WOULD ORDER A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY WIFE TOOK OFF WORK AND DROVE AN HOUR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO LEAVE OFF THE CAR. WHEN SHE GOT THERE, THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT FORD HAS STOPPED ALL SHIPMENTS OF THIS TRANSMISSION AND THAT HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO ORDER OUR REPLACEMENT. FORD WOULD GIVE HIM NO FIRM DATE ON WHEN WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. SINCE FORD HAD DECIDED THAT CUSTOMER SUPPORT WAS A MATTER OF MINOR IMPORTANCE, WE HAD NO OPTION BUT TO REPAIR THE EXISTING TRANSMISSION AND RUN THE RISK THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD COVER ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE OXYGEN SENSORS. I WILL TELL YOU THAT IMMEDIATELY UPON GETTING THIS VEHICLE BACK AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS REPAIRED, IT IS BEING TRADED IN ON ANYTHING ELSE AND I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD. WHEN IT COMES TO CUSTOMER SUPPORT FROM FORD, WE HAVE HAD ZERO. *AK

THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 45,000 MILES THE FIRST TIME AND THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 78,402 THE SECOND TIME. BOTH TIMES COOLER WAS DETECTED IN THE OIL. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE ENGINE, PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. YH

VEHICLE HESITATED AND THEN EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *ET

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET . I TOOK THE VAN INTO KOONS FOR "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" AND THEY FOUND NOTHING, BUT CHARGED ME $500, LATER, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED; UPON GETTING MY VAN BACK WITH A REBUILT ENGINE, THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND FAILED WITHIN THE WEEK. THE AAMCO DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT A FORWARD CLUTCH THING WAS NOT WORKING, BUT WORSE YET: THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED BECAUSE IT HAD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT; IN FACT, SO HOT THAT ANY INTERNAL COMPONENTS THAT WERE RUBBER OR PLASTIC ACTUALLY MELTED, AND THE GEAR TEETH BECAME SO HOT THAT THEY CHANGED COLOR TO PURPLE-ISH AND CRACKED IN PLACES. YET FORD REFUSES TO ASSOCIATE THE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION WITH THEIR FAULTY HEAD GASKET. INCIDENTLY, I HAVE BEEN FULLY REIMBURSED FOR THE REBUILT ENGINE, BUT NOT THE $500 FORD 'SERVICE' RESPONSE TO THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT, OR THE $2,500 TRANSMISSION. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING HOT AIR . VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLOWING OUT. *AK

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 95 FORD WINDSTAR. I'VE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 CYLINDER ENGINES. THE FORD DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT ITS TOO LATE TO FIX THE PROBLEM NOW. DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM?*AK

THE COIL SPRING FAILED DURING NIGHT-TIME STORAGE IN OUR GARAGE. THE BROKEN SPRING WAS RESTING ON THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. BREAKAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEED COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC.*AK

TRANSMISSION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT EVERY 25,000 MILES. VEHICLE MAY STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD REPLACED TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL ON THE MOTOR, THE PART TOOK 8 WEEKS TO COME IN AT WHICH TIME THE CONSUMER HAD NO USE OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO RENT A CAR. NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

PISTON WENT THROUGH ENGINE BLOCK SO ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER & FORD RESPONDED VERBALLY DENYING FAULT, REQUEST FOR VOUCHER OF $4000 FOR NEW CAR, AND/OR REPAYMENT OF REPAIRS. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES, THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 13,000 MILES, THE SECOND AT 42,000 AND THE THIRD AT 45,500. *ET

REAR STABLIZABER BAR BROKE, CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO SHIFT AND CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

ALL THE POWER WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WERE STUCK IN AN UP POSITION DUE TO ALL THE WIRING MELTING TOGETHER. DEALER HAS VEHICLE CURRENTLY.*AK

SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT WE WERE LUCKY VAN DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE.I NOW HAVE NO VEHICLE .SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THEY WILL KEEP THE VAN UNTIL THEY CAN MAKE IT SAFE TO DRIVE. ALSO THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED .I AM LOOKING AT A BILL OF AT LEAST 800.00 DOLLARS NOT FAIR I SAY!. *AK

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT WE HAVE HAD TO BRING OUR WINDSTAR IN FOR HEAD GASKET FAILURE. FORD IS AWARE OF THE CHRONIC MECHANICAL FAILURES OF THEIR WINDSTARS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL PROBABLY BE THE NEXT THING TO GO. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT MAKING FORD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR FAILURES AND NOT MAKING THE PUBLIC PICK UP THE TAB AS USUAL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.*AK

AFTER PURCHASING A USED 95 WINDSTAR JUST 58 DAYS AGO FROM PUNDMAN FORD WHILE TRAVELING 35-40 MILES AN HOUR ON 61-67 IN IMPERIAL MO. WITH FOUR PASSENGERS (2 ADULT COUPLES) AFTER CHANGING INTO THE CURB LANE TO BE PREPARED FOR A RIGHT TURN SOME WAYS DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS A SUDDEN JOLT/DROP AS BEST I CAN DESCRIBE AND IMMEDIATELY THE VAN WAS SWERVING,SKIDDING,AND TRAVELING SIDEWAYS OUT OF CONTROL. IT WAS ALL I (DRIVER) COULD DO TO STRUGGLE AND FIGHT WITH THE STEERING TO MANUVERE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A VACANT PARKING LOT.(AVOIDING A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT) THE PASSENGERS WERE HYSTERICAL AND AMAZED THAT I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN COMPOSE LONG ENOUGH TO BRING IT TO A SAFE STOP. WE THOUGHT WE MUST HAVE BLOWN A TIRE BUT ONCE THE HYSTERIA HAD DISSIPATED AND THE MEN BEGAN A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE VAN THEY FOUND THE TIRES WERE INTACT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS NOTICED BENEATH THE CAR SOMETHING WAS INDEED BROKEN AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS NOW WEDGES INTO THE REAR BUMPER.WHEN AAA CAME TO TOW US TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER HE TOO WAS AMAZED WE WERE ABLE TO AVIOD THE TRAFFIC (THE LORD WAS ALL OVER THIS ORDEAL)AND A MAJOR COLLISION HE SAID THAT THIS WAS A FIRST FOR HIM SEEING ANYTHING LIKE THIS. THE CAR IS NOW ON RUTHERMAN FORD'S LOT ON RICHARDSON RD. IN IMPERIAL,MO.WAITING TO BE LOOKED AT ON MONDAY (THIS HAPPENED ON A SAT. EVENING). *AK

PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT I HEARD A RUBBING NOISE. I PARKED THE VEHICL AND TURNED THE WHEEL. THE TIRE EXPLODED. WHEN I LOOKED THE COIL HAD BROKEN AND ONE END WAS JAMMED THROUGH THE TIRE. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I COULD NOT FIND A PART ANY WHERE. I CALLED 3 FORD DELAERSHIPS AND THEY SAID ALL THE PARTS WERE BACK ORDERED AND COULD NOT BE DELIVERED FOR MONTHS. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SEFCIE AS MY CAR WAS BROKEN DOWN 100 MILES FROM MY HOME. THEY SAID TO PUT MY NAME ON AN ORDER FORM AND WAIT FOR THE PART, EVEN THOUGH I WAS PAYING $43.00 A DAY FOR A RENTAL CAR. WHEN TOWING THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR BOTH WINDOWS EXPLODED FRO NO REASON. WE ENDED UP ORDERING A USED SPRING FROM OHIO OVER 600 MILES AWAY AND HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT SHIPPED. WHEN IT ARRIVED IT WAS THE REAR COIL AND HAD TO BE SENT BACK AND REORDERED. THE NEW PART IS DUE TO BE DELIVERED MONDAY. I WILL BE WITHOUT THE VEHICLE FOR 7 DAYS IF THE PART IS PUT ON TUESDAY.

THE BRAKES FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS, DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *MJS

ALUMINUM CLUTCH PISTON IN TRANSMISSION HAS CRACKED MAKING CAR HESITATE TO GO INTO GEAR (FORWARD OR REVERSE)ALSO TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WHITHOUT WARNING MAKING VEHICLE DANGEROUS.THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM HAPPINING TO A LOT OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS. CONTACTED FORD (DEALER AND DIRECTLY) AND BOTH REFUSE TO BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE.DEALER WANTS $2990 FOR NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. *AK

ENGINE SEIZED AFTER HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN DEC 1998. STENGERS FORD (NOW OUT OF BUSINESS) TOOK IN EXCESS OF ONE MONTH TO REPAIR. THEY ADMITTED THIS WAS THEIR FIRST ATTEMPT TO REPLACE WINDSTAR ENGINE. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF RECEIVING WINDSTAR BACK. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK

HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SPEEDOMETER TWICE AND STARTER TWICE WITHIN FIRST 58000 MILES. *AK

ABS SYSTEM MOTOR OPERATES INTERMITENTLY AT LOW SPEED NORMAL STOPS. ALL SENSORS HAVE BEEN CLEANED AND CHECKED, BUT THE ABS WILL OPERATE INTERMITENTLY AND CAUSE DISCOMFORT WHILE BREAKING: EFFECTIVENESS DOES NOT SEEMTO BE REDUCED, BUT THE SURPRISE OF THE PEDAL PULSATING MIGHT CAUSE A REDUCTION IN PEDAL PRESSURE AND RESULT IN A REDUCTION OF BRAKING EFFICIENCY.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO OVERHEAT.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKET FAILURE AS STATED IN RECALL 98M01 WHICH CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE, OWNER BEING REFUSED RECALL REPAIR DUE TO MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. *MJS

WHEN DRIVING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO COME TO A GRADUAL STOP, ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *AK THROTTLE RETURN SPRING CAME OFF POST ON THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. *YH

VEHICLE JUST CUT OFF. CONSUMER HAD TO BE TOLD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED MOTOR AND OIL GASKET. THEN, JULY 6 OF 2000 MOTOR WENT OUT AGAIN . TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR AND CRANKSHAFT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT A WARNING. PROBLEM WAS REOCCURRING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH A TIMING COVER LEAK. *AK *ML

ON JUNE 27, 2000, I HEARD A TICKING NOISE AND TOOK THE VAN INTO MULLINAX TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY DID A THOROUGH CHECK AND INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE TIMING COVER GASKET AND COULD BE REPAIRED FOR APPROXIMATELY $900. I WANTED TO HAVE MY OWN MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT. HE LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THAT THE TIMING COVER GASKET WAS NOT LEAKING; HOWEVER THE HEAD GASKET WAS. HE WAS LEAVING FOR VACATION, SO HE COULD NOT WORK ON IT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I THEN TOOK IT TO ANOTHER RESPECTED MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IMMEDIATELY THAT THE TICKING WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE HEAD GASKET WAS ALSO BAD. HE RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST IMMEDIATELY AND BRING IT BACK TO HIM FOR THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. ON THE WAY TO THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR (JULY 5), THE TRANSMISSION WENT, COMPLETELY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,000. THE HEAD GASKET REPAIR WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $650. THE TIMING COVER GASKET DOES NOT EVEN NEED REPLACED, WHICH WAS THE ONLY THING MULLINAX TOLD ME WAS WRONG WITH IT. AFTER RESEARCHING, I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ALMOST IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. FORD DID EXTEND THE WARRANTLY TO 100,000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY, I AM OVER THAT AMOUNT. BY EXTENDING THE WARRANTY, THEY HAVE ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT MAKING A LIMIT ON THE MILEAGE IS UNFAIR, CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT ALMOST EVERYONE WHO OWNS A 1995 WINDSTAR HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM (OR WILL IF IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET.) FORD WILL OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. THEY WON'T EVE

TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING FUNNY SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE;SLIGHT SLIPPING ON SHIFT,ESP. AT HIWAY SPEEDS.TOOK TO HAMPTON FORD DEALER IN HAMPTON,NH.THEY SAID THAT THE COMPUTER SHOWED NO SIGNS OF SLIPPAGE,AND CHARGED US $75.00 FOR DIAGNOSIS,NOT MENTIONED TO US THAT THAT WAS NOT COVERED IN THE EXTENDED WARRENTY WE HAD PURCHASED WITH THE VAN.NOW,THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME FAR WORSE;IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE AT HIWAY SPEEDS OR FROM STAND-STILL AFTER VEHICLE IS WARMED,I HAVE TO FLOOR THE ACCELERATOR TO GET A PROPER DOWNSHIFT/ACCELERATION.MY PREGNANT WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN,AGES 1 YEAR TO 13 YEARS ARE OFTEN WITH HER IN THE VAN(REASON WE BOUGHT A MINI-VAN)...WE HAVE GOTTEN A RECALL ON PARTICULAR ENGINE CONDITIONS;WHY NOT FOR THE TRANSAXLE?I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPLACED,AND ALTHOUGH AN EXPERIENCED AUTO MECHANIC,AND CERTIFICATED AIRCRAFT MECHANIC,HAVE NO MEANS OF EQUIPMENT TO DO THE JOB MYSELF.I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT,AS THEY HAVE APPARENTLY NOT LEARNED ANYTHING FROM THE PINTO,ESCORT NOR ANY OTHER OF THE MECHANICAL JUNK THEY CONTINUE TO PRODUCE.I DO NOT TRUST THIS VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY,AND FEEL THAT SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE PICKED UP ON THIS WITH MY FIRST VISIT...NOW FORD VEHICLES ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT UNDER 70,000 MILES???*AK