Check Engine Light On problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar

At 60000 miles check engine light came on, indicating a misfire on cylinder 1. Mechanic pulled plug and found coolant in cylinder due to a blown head gasket.

My check engine light stays on and if I hit the brakes suddenly the brake light will come on.

The engine light illuminated on the dashboard, a noise emitted from under the hood, and then the engine stalled.

My Windstar blew its headgasket with 60k miles on it- the engine never ran hot---when check engine light came on I took it to dealer--blown gasket 1800 dollars--checked internet and found at least 200 people with same problem--called Ford but they refuse to assist.

Consumer states while driving, the check engine light illuminated. Took to dealer and they stated that the head gasket needed replacing. Consumer feels that the gasket should not have went out, there is a common problem with winstars. Please provide any further information.

After vehicle is started engine check light remained illuminated. Dealer replaced head gaskests which did not correct the problem. Please give any further details.

I have a 1996 Windstar with just over 40,000 miles - v-8 engine. The engine warning light came on, and I stopped driving and dropped the car off at the dealer. He said it has blown head gaskets and after research online, I find that this is an engine problem that Ford has with Windstars. I would like to see a recall ordered on all Ford 3. 8 engines having this problem.

Check engine light flashes and at times remains on. The engine hesitates while acceleration. Per the dealer the engine head gasket has developed a small crack which allows coolant to seep into the engine and cause an occational misfire. The dealer stated that this is not covered under the warranty and will cost $1,800 to repair. Per NHTSA recall report in 1995 the same engine and in Windstars were recalled for the same issue. Also simlar issue noted in 1996 Windstar complaintss.

Loss of coolant and engine check light on. Took to local mechanic, who is Ford certified. Told of recall on Windstars for this problem. O'meara Ford diagnosed as head gasket crack. Recall would not include vans after 1995. Ours was manufactured in March of 1996. Called Ford. They would not honor or regard this as their problem. Returned to our personal mechanic. He made repairs and found all of the "old" parts as used in vans under recall. He replaced the parts with the newer design Ford now uses to eliminate this problem. Cost to us was extreme-$1600, which was almost $1000 less than what o'meara Ford was estimating. We are very disappointed with Ford dealership and Ford motor CO. Not planning to ever purchase another Ford vehicle in the future.

White smoke was coming out of tailpipe & engine check light came on. Dealer hasn't been able to do anything about the problem. Manufacturer told consumer that it was not a safety problem.

While driving down the street anti-freeze had leaked out, and engine check light came on. Took vehicle to the local mechanic. Mechanic said it was a head gasket problem. Contacted dealer and manufacturer who were not able to help.

When filling vehicle with gasoline engine check light would come on. This happened twice last year. Owner's manual indicated that after three starts engine check light did not go off. Then brought vehicle to the dealer to be checked. Engine was running very rough. Contacted the dealer, advised consumer on 9-Mar-2000 that there was a problem with the head gasket.

While traveling vehicle commenced to run rough and engine check light would come on. Vehecle taken to an independent repair shop. Consumer was informed of a blown head gasket. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not cover undered extended warranty.

Check engine light has been on since 9/99. Several repair attempts have been made, 2 diagnostics performed. Fred beans Ford has been unable to correctly diagnose and remedy problem. Manufacture offering no assistance.

Ongoing problem with 3. 8l v6 engine check light coming on, running rough and loss of coolant. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

Had on numerous occasion taken my 1996 Ford Windstar for engine light was told problem fixed only to have light come back on. Proceeded to have all work done due to not being able to afford another vehicle. While searching for aditional information concerning this problem discovered that this is known Ford motor problem with this model. If this known by the company as known defect why has nothing been to resolve this beside having the consumer to absorb the financial burden of fixing a known manufacturer's defect.

Consumer noticed vehicle was surging . Also, there was an anti freeze smell. Checked engine, and engine check light started flashing. Vehicle was serviced, and technician noticed a head gasket problem.

Consumer stated while traveling and without any indication vehicle started surging, and check engine light started flashing. Vehicle was serviced, technician noticed that head gasket needed to be replaced.

Head gaskets had to be replace, engine light came on and started to blink. Taken into mechanic who said that the head gaskets had to be replace along with a few oxygen sensors. Is going to cost approx. $1,800. Ford told us that the 96's were not covered under the extended warranty, even though these probably still have the same bad parts.