1995 Ford Windstar complaints

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH: 1. THE ENGINE GASKETS AND, 2. THE TRANSMISSIONS OF MANY OF THE 1995 FORD WINDSTARS AND FORD TAURUS'S. THEY ARE ROUTINELY FAILING. GIVEN THIS OBSERVATION, I WAS COMPELLED TO PURCHASE A $1000 EXTENDED WARRANTY TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED POWERTRAINS AND REPLACE/REPAIR THE DEFECTS WITHOUT CHARGING THE OWNERS. OWNERS SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COSTS OF REPAIRS OR PURCHASE OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE "LEMON LAW" MAY APPLY BECAUSE THERE ARE REPETITIVE REPAIRS.

THE ALUMINUM PISTON IN THE TRANSMISSION CRACKED RESULTING IN SPORADIC SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT PRIOR TO COMMPLETE FAILURE OF THE PART.

WE PURCHASED THE VAN WITH 42,00 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PREFORMED SINCE APRIL 1998: BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED, ROTORS WERE WARPPED BECAUSE OF HEAT, WE BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VAN TO COVER COST OF REPAIRS INCLUDING ELECTRICAL TO FIND OUT IT COVERS ZIP. A SENOR IS CONSIDERED A COMPUTER CHIP AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, THEN AFTER THE 90 DAY WARRANTY WAS UP THE SENOR IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE DOOR SENORS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE TURN SIGNAL/CURSE CONTROL SENOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ABOUT AN AVERAGE OF EVERY TWO MONTHS IN THIS CAR AND IT COSTS US AT LEAST $180.00 EACH TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED. I JUST HAD THE VAN IN TO CHECK OUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND HAVE THE CAR SMOGED THE FIRST WEEK IN JUNE 1999 THEN TWO AND A HALF WEEKS LATER AS I WAS DRIVING HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, FUMES COME IN THROGH THE VENTS AND CAR STARTS CUTTING OUT. HAD TO WAIT TIL THIS WEEK TO TAKE TO SHOP SO I COULD AFFORD TO FIX IT AS THE SHOPS DON'T TAKE PAYMENTS. CONTACTED THE 1800 # FOR FORD AND THEY SUGESTED I TRADE THE CAR IN. I STILL HAVE 2.5 YRS TO PAY ON THIS PIECE OF FORD. THIS CAR HAS BEEN DOWN TOTALING 8.6 MONTHS SIN THE LAST 15 MONTHS. I FIND THAT THE SENORS ARE A MAJOR DEFECT IN THIS VAN, MAYBE SOMEONE SHOULD CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM HERE. ALSO HAD TO TAKE VAN IN FOR A RECALL ON HEADGASKET. I AM FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A BACK UP CAR OR I WOULD HAVE LOST MY JOB DUE TO T

WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT OR JUST STOPPING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. *AK

CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HRS, STRONG ODOR OF GAS NOTED BUT NO LEAKAGE SEEN ON UNDERSIDE OF CAR NOR ON GROUND. DROVE 2 MILES HOME, STILL STRONG ODOR, AND UNDERSIDE OF GAS TANK SLIGHTLY WET. TANK AREA CONTINUED TO GET INCREASINGLY WET. *AK

FORD ADMITS HEAD GASKETS ARE DEFECTIVE, BUT WILL ONLY REPLACE THEM IF THEY BLOW BEFORE 60000 MILES.

ENGINE HEAD-GASKET FAILURE, AT THE NO. 4 CYLINDER, ON A WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE. WINDSTAR HEAD GASKET FAILURE (PARTICULARLY AT THE NO. 4 CYLINDER) IS A KNOWN AND WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM WHICH FORD MANAGEMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED, OBLIQUELY, THROUGH FORD'S "M01" PROGRAM. HOWEVER, SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS BEYOND THE 60,000 MILE DRIVE-TRAIN WARRANTY (63,705 MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE), WARRANTY SERVICE WAS DENIED AND I WAS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL REPAIR CHARGE OF THIS *KNOWN PROBLEM*. THE RESULTING $1,961.00 REPAIR BILL HAS PUT A SEVERE BURDEN ON OUR FAMILY FINANCES.

TRANSMISSION: SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTING WITH DRAMATIC LOSS OF SPEED; FOLLOWED BY UPSHIFTING AND SPEED SURGE. ENGINE: COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AFTER DEALER HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT, RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED AND MANEUVERABILITY. SIMILAR EXPERIENCES FREQUENTLY REPORTED IN VARIOUS PUBLIC FORUMS BY MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MODELS.

HAD 2 HEAD GASKET FAILURES - NOW THE CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS GONE, REQUIRING A SHORT BLOCK. BELIEVE BEARINGS ARE A RESULT OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS.

BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND FRONT ENGINE TIMING COVER LEAK. MINIMUM ESTIMATE FROM DEALER IS $1900. WE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR WHO OFFERED NO RELIEF. WE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISION AT 40,000 MILES. WE FOUND A POSTING IN THE EDMUNDS WEB SITE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THIS PROBLEM AND LACK OF COMPENSATION FROM FORD MOTOR. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

HAVE FOUND THE SAME DEFECT HAS OCCURRED IN MOST 1995 WINDSTARS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

HEAD GASKETS FAILED AT 61,000 MILES. AFTER REPAIRS MADE, DEALER NOTED THAT RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WAS WORN OUT. THIS IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER 65,000 MILES. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE DEAD DUE TO HEADGASKET FAILURE. *AK

THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 1995 AFTER FAILING AT APPROXIMATELY 9000 MILES. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION HAD A SPEED SENSOR FAILURE AT 31,500 MILES AND NOW APPEARS TO BE FAILING THE SAME WAY THE ORIGINAL FAILED. FORD CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS TRANSMISSION COUPLED WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE. AFTER WRITING TO YOUR ORGANIZATION ABOUT MY HEAD GASKET PROBLEM, I WAS VERY PLEASED THAT SOMEHOW FORD WAS PERSUADED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THAT COMPONENT AS IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT LED TO THE PROBLEM. FROM WHAT I AM READING, THE TRANSMISSION IS A SIMILAR FACTORY DEFECT (POORLY DESIGNED PART: FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON). ANY HELP IN THIS AREA WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, TIMING CHAIN AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER NOT TO HAVE ANY POWER WITHIN THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP. PROBLEM MOST LIKELY DUE TO A DEFECTIVE GASKET. *AK *ML

I JUST PAID A $2200 REPAIR BILL FOR A VERY WELL MAINTAINED WINDSTAR. MY "MASS SENSOR" OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER. EVIDENTLY, MY CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WAS GONE. IT WAS A MAJOR JOB TO GET IT REPLACED.

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH KEY REMOVED. A 3 YRS OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE GEAR FROM PARK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL INTO GARAGE DOOR. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP, AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

I BEGAN EXPERIENCING ALL THE CLASSIC SIGNS OF A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO KINGS CROWN FORD AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS ONLY A THERMASTAT. I PAID THEM ALMOST $200 AND WAS ON MY WAY. A SHORT TIME (3 DAYS) LATER THE CAR AGAIN BEGAN RUNNING HOT AND SMELLING OF ANTI-FREEZE. I BROUGHT IT TO RICHBORG AUTOMOTIVE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE, FL AND THEY CONFIRMED "HEAD GASKET." FORD NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HEAD GASKET DEFECT BEYOND THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY EARLIER ANNOUNCED. PLEASE HELP US. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $1,100 GETTING THE GASKET REPLACED AND ENGINE FIXED. FORD SHOLD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF. *AK

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF REPORTS OF FAILED TRANSMISSIONS AND HEAD GASKETS IN THE 1995 WINDSTAR. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES? *AK

WHEN TRAVELING AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL INTERIOR LIGHTS/DOOR LIGHTS ILLUMNATE ON THE DASH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO REPLACE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

AFTER A MONTH OF ROUGH IDLING AND 47800 MILES THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT TO DEALER TO INDICATED THAT ITEM WAS COVERED UNDER SERVICE "NOTIFICATION". *AK

OIL PAN LEAK NOTED @ 60K. DEALER RECOMMENDED FIX @NEXT SERVICE. AT 73224 DIED WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, OIL WARNING LIGHT FLICKERING. DEALER IDENTIFIED LEAKING TIMING COVER GASKET CAUSED COOLANT TO ENTER OIL SYSTEM. MAJOR LOWER ENGINE OVERHAUL REPLACEMENT OF ALL MOVING PARTS REQUIRED. REPAIR WAS COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH EXPIRED @ 75K. DEALER REQUESTED REPLACEMENT OF KNOWN HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AT THAT TIME DECLINED BY FORD AS NO CURRENT PROBLEM APPARENT. AT 83K VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO START, EXHAUST BLOWING WHITE SMOKE WHEN IT FINALLY STARTED. DEALER HAS HAD CAR OVER A WEEK & HAS IDENTIFIED HEAD GASKET FAILURE WHICH HAS ALSO CAUSED THE REBUILT LOWER ENGINE TO FAIL AGAIN. DEALER RECOMMENDS FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. FORD IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH AN APPARENT RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED AGAINST PREMATURE HEADGASKET FAILURE. IN COMMON WITH OTHER NOTIFICATIONS YOU HAVE RECEIVED AND WE HAVE NOTICED ON THE INTERNET. WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE WITH A MANUFACTURER WHO IS AWARE OF A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW AND REFUSES TO SERVICE ITS CUSTORMERS? OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND SERVICED FOR ITS ENTIRE LIFE SOLEY BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP FROM WHOM WE PURCHASED THIS "DEAD" VEHICLE. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR--$5,000. *AK

THIS REPORT CONCERNS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT COULD VERY WELL BE A SAFETY CONCERN. A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON OF THE TRANSAXLE FAILS AND CAUSES FORWARD/REVERSE ENGAGEMENT PROBLEMS. FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND HAS EVEN ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ALERT DEALERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IN FACT, THE BULLETIN RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE ALUMINUM PART THAT IS FAILING WITH A STEEL PART THAT WILL SURVIVE. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED IN A TRANSMISSION RELATED FAILURE. THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED AT THEIR EXPENSE. *AK

TRANSMISSION SLIPS GOING INTO 2ND GEAR ( ALMOST REARENDED FROM CAR BEHIND). HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM, AND FIND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THE VAN USED AND AT THE TIME OF THE TEST DRIVE, NO PROBLEM. BUT 1WEEK AFTER THE SLIP STARTED AND IS GEETING WORSE..NOW AT EACH STOP LIGHT OR CORNER I NO LONGER KNOW IF IT WILL SLIP, FAIL OR WORK RIGHT ????? HELP !!!!!!!!! I BELIVE THE DEALER KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN I BOUGHT THE VAN AS IS .....NO WARRT. SUCKER ME........ *AK *TR

FORD HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 12/98- THEY KNEW THEY SOLD FAULTY PRODUCT (AGAIN LIKE PINTO) NOW WILL NOT FIX IT. *AK

FORD ACKNOWLEGES PROBLEM BUT CUTS OFF REPAIRS AT 60,000 MILES. *AK

AFTER BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BECAUSE WHEN I TAKE MY FEET OFF THE BRAKE AND PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR, ENGINE JUST REVVED AND THE VAN DID NOT MOVE. THEN SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED, AND THE VAN JUMPED FORWARD DANGEROUSLY AND ACCELERATED. THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FROM DI BLASI FORD, 112-21 NORTHERN BLVD., CORONA, NY 11368 (TEL: 718-898-6100). MONTCLAIR-BLOOMFIELD MOTORS IS THE DEALER CLOSEST TO ME AND HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. BOTH DEALER & THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM, AND THAT I HAD TO PAY $2,000 FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE I AM PAST THE 3 YEAR STANDARD WARRANTY (ALTHOUGH I AM UNDER 36,000 MILES). AGAIN FORD CLAIMED THIS WAS AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE AND NOT A DEFECT. BUT IF ANYONE SHOULD RESEARCH THE VARIOUS INTERNET SITES, IT WOULD BECOME APPARENT THAT WINDSTAR 1995-6 OWNERS HAVE BEEN COMPLAIMING ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR SOMETIME. OWNERS HAD THEIR TRANSMISSION REPLACED AS MANY AS THREE TIMES FOR VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. ALSO MAJORITY OF THESE OWNERS FELT THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT REFUSED TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC, AND WAS PUTTING PROFITS AHEAD OF THEIR CUSTOMERS LIFE. AFTER BEING SUBJECT TO THIS LIFE THREATENING SITUATION, I FELT COMPELLED TO REPORT THIS MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE, HOPING IT COULD SAVE LIFE AND PROPERTY. IN CLOSING, I BEG YOUR INVOLVEMENT TO CURE THIS PROBLEM FOR THE SAKE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. I HAVE THREE KIDS 7,5 & 2 AND PRACTICALLY ALL OTHER WI

CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED ENGINE GASKET FAILURE A THIRD TIME. THE FIRST TIME IN APRIL 97,REPAIRED AND REINBURSTED, SECOND TIME, IN AUGUST 98, AND THE THIRD TIME IN DECEMBER 98. ALL THREE TIMES THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE AND CONSUMER NOTICED ALL THE COOLANT WAS GONE FROM THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM THIS TIME INVOLVES THE TIMING COVER GASKET GOING BAD. NOTICED THAT WHENEVER DRIVING ON INCLINE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATES. *AK

DEFECTIVE SPRING INSIDE THE SEATBELT MECHANISM BEHIND DRIVER SEAT WILL NOT TIGHTEN, AND RETRACT, CAUSING A LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK

FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. *AK

THE ENGINE'S HEAD GASKETS LEAKING OIL. HAD IT REPAIRED ONCE BEFORE & NOW PROBLEM HAS RETURNED.

FORD DID PAY FOR THE HEAD GASKET PER RECALL, HOWEVER THE DEALER RECOMMENDED AN ENGINE FLUSH BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET. HAD TO PAY 100 FOR THAT. THEN THE DEALER (APPLE FORD) SAID THE THE TIMING COVER GASKET NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND CHARGED 598 LABOR. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM A LOT WITH THE WINDSTARS. I ALSO BELIEVE I WAS CHARGED LABOR FOR THE HEAD GASKET, BUT THE DEALER GOT AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE OF THE TIMING COVER. ALSO NOW THE DEALER IS SAYING TIE ROD PROBLEM TOO! THESE 95 WINSTARS ARE LEMONS!

CURRENTLY OUR VEHICLE IS AWAITING A NEW ENGINE AFTER HAVING THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED ON A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD LAST OCTOBER. WHILE WE HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE, WE FEEL IT IS NOT FAIR THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE REPLACEMENT IN LIGHT OF OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD WINDSTARS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 34,489 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION CONCERNS ABOUT THIS VAN AS WELL, HOWEVER THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS VAN IS INFACT A LEMON, AND WE HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, WHICH ADVISED US THAT NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY BY TIME, NOT BY MILES. *AK

MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE HEAD GASKET (COMMON PROBLEM ON 95 FORD WINDSTAR). FORD HAS REPAIRED SEVERAL VEHICLES IN EXCESS OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT ONLY ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS AND VERY FEW (FORD WILL NOT ADMIT TO THIS AND I HAVE THE VIN NUMBERS THAT WERE WARRANTIED). FORD WILL NOT DISCUSS THE DEFECT WITH OWNERS.

HEAD GASKET OVERHEATED, CAUSING ENGINE TO BLOW. *YC

SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILED. NLM

A LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE NEEDS A HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT A HEAD GASKET FAILURE SHOULD BE EXPECTED AT ANY TIME, ESPECIALLY IN A VEHICLE THAT HAS NOT SEEN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IN THE TWO YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, VARIOUS DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT SOME ISSUES THAT WERE MERELY ANNOYING (SPEEDOMETER WAVERING AND JUMPING; WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT; REAR WIPER ARM BOOT FAILURE; BUILDUP OF SNOW/ICE ON FRONT WIPERS DURING SNOW). WITH THIS RECENT FAILURE (HEAD GASKETS), I AM CONVINCED THAT I HAVE PURCHASED A LEMON.

FORD VAN RECALLED FOR HEAD GASKETS 8/98 (MILEAGE 58000). BROUGHT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AS IT WAS A NINE TO TEN HOUR JOB UNLESS THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SUNDAY MARCH 7TH AND THE CAR WAS PARKED AND LATER TOWED TO METRO FORD, STATE ST. SCHENECTADY NY. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE AND RUINED IT. REPLACEMENT WOULD BE $3500+ DEPENDING ON WHETHER OR NOT THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED. ADDITIONALLY CONSUMER WAS CHARGED A $30 FEE FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT IT, AND IF THE VAN WAS NOT OUT OF THERE QUICKLY, THEY WERE CHARGING STORAGE FEES. CONSUMER APPEALED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE "LOOPHOLE" IN THE LAW WAS THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED AND THE CONSUMER WAS ENTITLED TO NO FURTHER REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VAN AND THIS IS IN LITIGATION WITH THE NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. SO FAR, THERE HAS BEEN NO SATISFACTION ON THIS CASE.

ENGINE ROD IS KNOCKING, CAUSING MOTOR TO LOCK UP. A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE; VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED, COOLANT LEAKED INTO ENGINE, DESTOYING THE ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND OVERHEATED. ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH AND WAS MAKING WEIRD NOISES. GAUGE INDICATED OVERHEATING. PULLED INTO GAS STATION. AFTER VEHICLE BEEN RESTARTED & DOWNSHIFTED, WHITE SMOKE APPEARED IN REAR. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER NEXT DAY *AK

PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET CAUSED THE CAR TO START LURCHING SEVERELY WHILE DRIVING UP AN EXTENDED GRADE ON HIGHWAY 101. THE SUDDEN LURCHING CAUSED THE DRIVER TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL ON THIS ALREADY HAZARDOUS SECTION OF FREEWAY. UPON INVESTIGATION I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. FORD IS AWARE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND BECAUSE OF THIS FORD HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS WARRANTY IS ONLY VALID AFTER A PROBLEM OCCURS. BY THEN IT IS TOO LATE. FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES PROACTIVELY AND CORRECTING THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT MY DEALER AGREED WITH ME, BUT WASN'T WILLING TO TAKE A STAND WITH THE MANUFACTURER ON MY BEHALF. I WAS AMAZED WHEN THIS SMALL TOWN DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD 5 OTHER '95 WINDSTARS IN THE SHOP AT THIS SAME TIME WITH THE SAME FAILURE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF WEBSITES WITH PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND UNABLE TO GET ANY SATISFACTION FROM FORD. *AK

ON 3/26/99 THE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT ON MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THIS CREATED AN UNSAFE SITUATION SINCE I WAS TRAVELING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 494 IN INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN AND HAD TO SUDDENLY PULL OF THE ROAD. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENDED ON 6/14/99. AGAIN I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 494, THIS TIME IN OAKDALE, MN, WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO BLOW APART. AGAIN, NO ACCIDENT OCCURED, BUT I WAS PLACED IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION BECAUSE I HAD TO TRAVEL AT A SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED SPEED ON TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE I ARRIVED THERE AND THEY HAD A CHANCE TO CHECK THE ENGINE, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHOT AN WOULD REQUIRE A "LONG BLOCK" REPLACEMENT. *AK

CONSUMER WAS IN A SIDE FRONTAL ACCIDENT AT 50 MPH WHICH LEFT VEHICLE SPINNING. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKETMALFUNCTIONED. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED MANUFACTRURER'S WARRANTY, BUT IT HAS EXPIRED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK