1995 Ford Windstar complaints

ON 1/18/99, VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AFTER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. ENGINE HAD BEEN IDLING AND RUNNING ROUGH--"LURCHING" AS NOTED IN SERVICE INVOICE. VEHICLE HAD 59363 MILES. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AT NEAREST EQUIPPED SERVICE CENTER--MERIT INC, A GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER. THEY PERFORMED MOST OF A 60,000 MI SERVICE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION AND ENGINE OPERATION IMPROVED, BUT STILL RAN ROUGHER THAN NORMAL. WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO MERIT ON 1/20, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO OFFER FURTHER INSIGHTS ON PROBLEM. PROBLEM REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THEN GOT NOTICEABLY WORSE THE WEEKEND OF 2/20. ON 2/22 OR 23, WE CALLED CROSSROADS FORD IN RALEIGH, NC, DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM AND RECENT HISTORY. THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT THEY OFFERED WAS LATER THE FOLLOWING WEEK, SO AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR 3/5. ON THE EVENING OF 2/26, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AT 61,054 MILES. THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF BEFORE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDLE REACHED RED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CROSSROADS FORD THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. THEY ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO THE HEAD GASKET DEFECT NOTED IN SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01, AND ADVISED REPLACING THE ENGINE AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF JUST OVER $3400. DEALER AND FORD REFUSED TO COVER UNDER THE WARRANTY DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE PROGRAM, EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITHIN THE 5-YR, 60,000 MI PERIOD COVERED. *AK

FORD IS AWARE THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE. REFUSES TO COMPENSATE.

DOORS WILL LOCK ON THEIR OWN, THIS COULD RESULT IN LOCKING MY 4 SMALL CHILDREN IN. *AK

TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF 1ST GEAR. YH

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS PREMATURELY WORE OUT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO WARRANTY ISSUES. *AK

A LOUD FRONT END RUBBING SOUND WHEN YOU TURN WHEELS. THIS IS JUST ONE COMPLAINT MY FRIENDS WHO OWN THIS VAN YEARS 1995, 1996 AND 1997 ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME HAVE TRIED TO HAVE IT FIXED AND HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED. OTHERS HAVE SIMPLY WAITED TO SEE IF IT WAS FIXED BY OTHERS. WE ALL HAVE HEARD OTHER VANS MAKE THE SAME NOISE WHEN THE WHEELS TURN AT A LOWER SPEED. NO MECHANIC HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM YET ON ANY OF THE VANS WE KNOW ABOUT. *AK

THIS IS THE SECOND ENTRY ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SINCE TALKED TO 3 OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU OR FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONCERNING THIS MATTER. I FEEL THIS ISSUE WILL ESCALATE AS MORE PEOPLE DISCOVER THAT IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *AK

ON 3-21-99, WAS PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLE AND FOUND TRACES OF OIL IN RADIATOR. EXPERIENCE TELLS ME THAT THIS MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH HEAD GASKET FAILURE. ON 3-23-99, SPOUSE DRIVING VEHICLE ADVISED OF TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS AND VEHICLE FOUND TO HAVE LEAKED OUT RADIATOR FLUID. TOOK TO MECHANIC ON 3-24-99, AND WAS ADVISED THAT FORD 3.8 ENGINES HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE SINCE 1993, AND THAT MECHANIC BELIEVES THE ENGINE WAS SUBJECT OF A RECALL TO REPAIR HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. SPOKE TO LOCAL DEALER-UHLMANN'S IN CHEHALIS, WA., WHO ADVISED THAT THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM AND REPAIR AT THEIR FACILTIY RELATED TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN THIS ENGINE,. DEALER STATED FORD HAD DONE A RECALL, BUT THAT FORD WOULD NO LONGER COVER REPAIR IF OVER 60, 000 MILES ON ENGINE, PAST 12-31-98 OR IF NO EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE HAD BEEN PURCHASED. CALLED FORD REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS TOLD THAT IN MAY OF 1998, FORD HAD SENT OWNERS AN OFFER FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT "WOULD" HAVE COVERED THE FAILURE, BUT THAT THEY HAD CHOSEN NOT TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM AND POTENTIAL FAILURE OF PART. WAS TOLD FORD WULD NOT PROVIDE SERVICE FOR FAILURE AS PAST MILEAGE AND DATE OF OFFER TO REPAIR, AND AS I HAD NOT PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE LESS THAN 5 YEARS AND HAS APPROX. 67000 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE. REPAIR COST ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $1400. *AK

WHY WERE WE NOT NOTIFIED OF PROBLEM?RECALL? NO DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

INITIALLY, THE PROBLEM WAS A LOSS OF COOLANT AND AN INABILITY OF THE HEATER TO PRODUCE HOT AIR. AFTER A TRIP TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TIMING COVER, WATER PUMP AND HEAD GASKETS HAD LEAKED, AND REPLACING THE GASKETS WOULD CURE THE PROBLEM. WITHIN 500 MILES, OUT OF STATE, THE ENGINE KNOCKED HORRIBLY, THEN STALLED. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO MOCK FORD IN GRANT'S PASS, OREGON. AFTER AN ENGINE TEARDOWN, WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT A ROD BEARING HAD SPUN, SEIZING THE ENGINE. FORD IN OREGON WOULDN'T HELP US, FORD IN CALIFORNIA WOULDN'T TALK TO FORD IN OREGON AND HENRY CURTIS WOULDN'T HELP US. SUBSEQUENTLY, FORD HAS HAD A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKETS AND WE'VE GOTTEN A REFUND FOR THE GASKETS. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT GASKETS BLEW AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE, I TEND TO FEEL FORD SHOULD COVER THE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR OF THE ENGINE. HENRY CURTIS HAS REFUSED TO COOPERATE WITH US, AND FORD'S WARRANTY REPS WON'T TALK WITH US. I'M AWARE OF THE NUMEROUS SIMILAR WINDSTAR PROBLEMS, AND I INVITE YOU TO BROWSE "WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/MECHGOBLINS/HTML" *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED CONTINUED ENGINE FAILURES RELATED TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE (RECALL NOTICE SENT AFTER REPAIRS), HOWEVER FAILURE DAMAGED ENTIRE ENGINE, DENIED SERVICE DUE TO MILEAGE.

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE FAILING. DEALER/MANUFAXCTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT SERVICE BULLETIN INDICATED THAT THE COST FOR REPAIRS WOULD GO TO CONSUMER. CONSUMER NEEDS HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS ARE GOING BAD, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND OIL LEAKING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

I WOULD LOVE TO HERE A RESPONSE. THANKS. NO DEFECTS MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK

THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE,WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. SOMETIMES NEEDS TO TURN OFF VEHICLE IN ORDER TO STOP. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED CALIPERS, ROTORS, ETC. PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

FORD APPARENTLY SENT OUT A BULLETIN ON HEAD GASKETS IN 1998. WE DID NOT RECEIVE SUCH A BULLETIN. IF WE DID, I WOULD HAVE CONTACTED FORD AT THAT TIME TO SCHEDULE A GASKET REPLACEMENT. FORD REPS ARE TELLING ME THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I GOT THE LETTER OR NOT. MY GASKET BLEW IN 1999 SO THEY ARE BEARING NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRING THE DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR (ONE NEW HEAD, AND A PROPOSAL TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE!). I MAINTAIN THAT I WOULD HAVE HAD HAD MY GASKETS REPLACED LAST YEAR REGARDLESS OF THEIR CONDITION. FORD'S ARGUMENT ABOUT THE CLOCK RUNNING OUT ON DEC 31, 1998 IS SPECIOUS. MY HEAD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE. IT DID NOT GET ANY BETTER AFTER DECEMBER 31. FORD NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ENGINEERING. *AK

FORD COVERED THE COST FOR THE HEAD GASKET AT 117000KMS. BUT AS YET HAVE NOT REPORTED TO THEM ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION UNTILL I GET THE FINAL BILL (TUES. MARCH 23/99) I HAVE NOW 126000KMS ON VEHICLE. I AM A RESIDENT OF CANADA, AND WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT COMPLAINT TO AN AUTHORITY HERE IF YOU COULD ADVISE ME OF ONE. THANKS. *AK

ORIGINAL HEAD GASKET LEAKED COOLANT INTO CYLINDER # 3 MAKING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. ENGINE SHUDDERED AND SMOKED/STEAM AND WATER CAME OUT OF EXHAUST PIPE. HAS FORD RECALLED THIS PROBLEM? SEEMS LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MORE THAN ONE OWNER.

FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN INHERRENT DESIGN FAULT WITH THE 1995 BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES AND CALIPERS REPLACED APPROX EVERY 8,000 MILES SINCE NEW AND NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I AM TOLD THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH IT OR REPLACE THE VAN. FORD SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR DESIGN FLAWS. *AK

TRANSMISSION NEEDED OVERHAUL. DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION PISTONS DUE TO A NEW MATERIAL BEING USED. *AK

CONSUMER STATES WHEN TRAVELING IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS VEHICLE HESITATES, ALSO VEHICLE DOES NOT HEAT UP. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER INDICATED THERE IS A CRACK IN THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS, (NEED REPLACING). CONSUMER ALSO NOTE THERE IS A TSB LISTED FOR THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NONE

THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. IT IS A DEFECT THAT FORD HAS ADMITTED AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY IT. IT IS A DANGER THAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO LOSE POWER WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, NOT TO MENTION THE THICK SMOKE THAT POURS OUT THE BACK OF YOUR VEHICLE. THE NATIONAL DEALER COUNCIL HAS ASKED FORD TO RE-OPEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM DUE TO THE NEGATIVE CUSTOMER REACTION- NATIONWIDE. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR MISTAKES!!!

ENGINE HEAD GASKET/RADIATOR REPLACED, DOMN LIGHTS WON'T SHUT OFF, WATER IN REAR TAIL LIGHT, HOOD WONT SHUT, AIRCONDITIONING SWITCH REPLACED, BRAKES MAKING NOISE AFTER BEING JUST REPLACED, DIDNT SOLVE PROBLEM,. SEAT BELT SEEMS LOOSE. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. YH

CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT THE TROUBLED HEAD GASKET. DEALER COMMENTED THAT THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THE MILLAGE CAN'T EXCEED 60K. I TOLD THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER RECALL ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "EYE BURNING GASES WHEN DEPLOYED" THE DEALER COMMENTED THE RECALL, BUT AGAIN THE MILLEGE OF THE VEHICLE COULDN'T EXCEED 50,000. AT NO TIME DID I RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. ALSO, I'M NOW HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION "PARK SELECTION". IT WON'T RELEASE OR DIS-ENGAGE.

HEAD GASKETS FAILED COMPLETELY. UPON BRINGING TO FORD DEALER, INFORMED THAT THEY KNOW PROBLEM EXISTED. NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM. FORD COMPANY CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT MY SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOWING CHARGES INCURRED. BASICALLY, THE FORD COMPANY IS NOT COOPERATING.

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT ON MARCH 5TH. THE PROBLEMS RETURNED, AND THE CONSUMER VEHICLE ISN'T WORKING RIGHDEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROIMATELY 35 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE COST OF REPAIR WOULD GO TO CONSUMER. *AK

NO SUMMARY

HEAD GASKETS BLEW DURING 12/98. THIS SITUATION COULD POSSIBLY CASE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH UNDER HIGHER SPEEDS. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR OF THE ENGINE BECAUSE I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ON 1/4/99, 4 DAYS AFTER THEIR WARRANTY PROGRAM 98M01 EXPIRED. EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER HAD TESTED THE HEAD GASKETS AS GOOD DURING 10/98. ONLY TWO MONTHS EARLIER. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD ISSUE A FULL RECALL FOR. THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID THE ISSUE WITH THEIR 98M01 PROGRAM.

THIS FAILURE DIDN'T RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT BUT WOULD IF IGNORED BY OWNERS

ON MARCH 4TH WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE, MY 95 WINDSTAR VAN LOST ALL POWER AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE DEFECT, THAT OF A HEAD GASKKET, WAS UNDER A RECALL BUT I WAS NVER NOTIFIED BY FORD NOR BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO IS ALSO SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH THIS INFORMATION. FORD WILL NOT FIX MY VEHICLE AND HAS NO DESIRE TO MAINTAIN SAFETY ONT HE ROADS BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY MANY STORIES OF WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS OR WORSE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! THANK YOU

I BLEW THE HEAD GASKET ON THE ENGINE 2 WEEKS AGO,AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS READY TO GO AS WELL..AFTER ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM,IM SURPRISED FORD HASNT HAD A RECALL ON THIS AS YET.I KNOW I LIVE IN CANADA BUT I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME IN SOME WAY..TKS VERY MUCH...

NO SUMMARY

TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT.

LEAKING OIL FROM SEALS OF STEERING RACK,OVERSIZED CYLINDER BORE,DEALER REPLACED . NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING AND HITTING BUMPS, DEALER NEVER HAS FIXED IT , ITS BEEN IN SHOP 4 TIMES BEFORE 2 YEARS THEY TOLD ME IF THEY COULD FIX ONE THEY COULD FIX THEM ALL. THE SOUND IS STILL THERE, IT NEVER WAS FIXED. NOW THE TRANSMISSION WONT GO INTO 1ST OR REVERSE, LEAVING YOU MABY OUT TO FAR INTO THE TRAFFIC LANE WITH NO WAY TO BACK UP AND GET OUT OF HARMS WAY.FORD HAS KNOWN OF THIS DEFECT IN MID 1994 , BUT SOLD DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS TILL MID 96. THEN THEY REPLACED THE ALUM. PISTON THAT FAILS, WITH A STEEL PISTON. I FEEL FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS KNOWING BEFOREHAND THEY WOULD FAIL PREMATURELY UNDER 70000 MILES IN MOST CASES.

ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING COOLANT. I CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 5 YEARS AND 60K MILES WHICH I HAVE EXCEEDED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP.

NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE FROM FORD ABOUT A "HEAD GASKET CHECK" OR AN EXTENSION ON THE ENGINE WARRANTY. LOCAL FORD DEALER WOULD NOT CONSIDER COVERING ENGINE HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT DUE TO OUT OF WARRANTY.

LEAK OF COOLANT IN HEAD GASKET CAUSED FLUID TO ENTER ENGINE BLOCK CAUSING DAMAGE TO BEARINGS AND VALVES

MANUFACTOR'S DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION.

INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHICH CAN BECOME DIFFICULT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE LIGHT ONLY GOES OFF WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 20 MPH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLOWN CAUSING CRACKED HEADS. FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 60,000 MILES BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY OWNERS. ALSO, REPLACED ENTIRE BRAKE ASSEMBLY AT 50,000 MILES, ABS NEVER WORKED, AND PLASTIC DOOR PANEL ON SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. TRANSMISSION SLIPS, DOWNSHIFTS, OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF, AND VEHICLE ACCELERATES SLUGGISHLY.

TRANSMISSIONS HAS BEEN ALWAYS A PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW IT WAS TAKEN SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER THAT AFTER IT IS PLACED ON PARK, THETHERE IS A PLAY OF ABOUT 3 -4 INCHES AND THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD BY 3 - 4 INCHES. WAS TOLD THAT IS THE DESIGN OF THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION FROM FORD. WAS NOT SATISFIED AT ALL. ALL ALONG PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. FINALLY IT GAVE WAY AT 49, 000 MILES. HAD A REBUILT INSTALLED AND THAT TOO GAVE WAY AT 61K. NOW A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 65K. OTHER NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TO LIST. FORD IS RIPPING OFF CONSUMERS.

THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING TO SHIFT AND WOULD HESITATE. WE ALSO HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE. FEARING THAT THE TRANSMISSION'S HESITATION COULD CAUSE US TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT, WE TOOK THE WINDSTAR INTO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THAT BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $4000 -$5000.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED CAUSES DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE

THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED AT 62000 MILES ON 6 FEB 99. FORD KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE GASKETS, BUT SENT A NOTIFICATION LETTER TO COVER THE COSTS AS LONG AS FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE 31 DEC 98, OR 60000 MILES. I CONTEND THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR ALL REPAIRS, ON ALL SIMILAR VEHICLES WITHOUT OIMPOSING A MILEAGE LIMIT. THE FORD DEALER AGREES, BUT TELLS ME THAT THEIR HANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE THE PARENT COMPANY WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM FOR REPAIRS THEY IMPLEMENT FREE OF CHARGE. FORD IS CHEATING THEIR CUSTOMERS.

DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE HEAD GASKET, BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND NOW IT IS CONSUMER'S RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK