Coolant Leaking problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar

My 3. 8l, 1996 Ford Windstar gl at almost 100k started leaking coolant through a blown head gasket. I was able to get home safely despite almost completely overheating. I am now without transportation for me and my four small children, walking a total of 2 miles a day to get my 7 yr old daughter to/ from school with a 5, 3 and 1yr old. My husband's job is our only source of income so this will be a *huge* financial burden getting this fixed (not to mention the new problem over the malfunctioning 'door open' indicator). I have found Windstar head gasket problems are very common after talking with several mechanics. The issue is acknowledged by Ford as they extended warranty on the 1995 Windstars. Why can't they own up to a defective engine and extend this to the 1996 Windstars as well?! this blatant disregard by Ford will get someone hurt or worse (god forbid) killed. Ford needs to take care of this!!.

Our 1996 Ford Windstar gl, which we purchased new, has 118000. We have experienced a broken (bouncing) speedometer, dome light malfunctioned, abs and brake light malfunctioned, and more recently, leaking coolant which is linked to a blown head gasket and check engine warnings. The cost has been astronomical. According to many other consumers, all of these issues are common with the 96 model. Please investigate whether Ford intends to make any recalls regarding these issues.

I purchased a 1996 Ford Windstar in September of 1998. It had 15,000 miles on it. It has the 3. 8l v6 engine. The van currently has 84,452 miles on the odometer. On March 28, 2003 the check engine light appeared. I took the vehicle to my local Ford dealer to be fixed. They advised that the engine had a miss-fire on cylinder number 1. They checked the spark plug, spark plug wire and coil. They did not determine why the engine misfired and concluded that it must have been a fluke. I paid for the work completed. I drove approximately one half mile and the check engine light again appeared. On March 28th, I was informed by the shop forman that the fuel injector on number 1 cylinder was not working. A fuel injector was ordered and installed. On Monday, March 31, 2003 I paid a bill for $136. 31 for the repair of the fuel injector. As I drove the Windstar to my home the check engine light appeared. The shop forman advised me that the fuel injector was not the problem and that an alternate engine computer was tried. On Wednesday, April 2, 2003 I was advised that an engine knock had developed. It was caused by antifreeze leaking through a head gasket into cylinder number 1. The water in the cylinder caused the piston rod to bend ruining the engine. A replacement engine will cost $3400. I asked the shop forman if an engine compression check had been done during the engine diagnosis. He advise that no compression check was done since a pressure check of the engine had been done by this shop a few months previous because the coolant level was low. I have found many testimonials and complaints regarding the 1996 3. 8l v6 engine. I believe that Ford should pay for the new engine.

We took our 96 Windstar into the Ford dealer to investigate an oil leak. The service department informed my wife that the oil pan gasket and lip seal, timing cover gasket, upper/lower intake gaskets and u/c gaskets needed replacement at a cost of $1,800. 00. I found this unusual and researched these symptoms on the internet and was astonished what I found. The content in the articles on many web sites researched, are identical to what I am experiencing. Following the pattern of these stories I am concerned that if the dealer begins the work stated, I will receive a call from him saying that coolant leaked passed the gaskets and I will need a new engine. I also discovered that Ford extended the warranty on 95 Windstars. There is no indication that Ford is planning on extending the warranty for the 96 year however, the information that is public domain clearly indicates a chronic problem. It is my opinion that I should not bear these costs, given the historic problems, and hope that Ford will take responsibility to resolve this issue.

The head gasket leaked coolant.

I have 1996 Windstar (85k) 3. 8 v-6 with a coolant leak in the >combustion chamber. It developed last year. I know this is a >chronic problem that plagued 1994/1995 3. 8 v-6 Windstars too. >Ford extended their warranties to 7 years & 100,000 miles. While >Ford made some changes to the '96 models, they didn't really >upgrade the head gasket until 1997. >please see link. . Read more...

The consumer stated that while driving and with no warning, the vehicle's head gasket blew and the coolant will started to leak causing the engine to over heat and the consumer will be forced to pull over. Dealer notified. Mr the consumer stated Ford will not recognize this problem as with the 94 and 95 Windstar's. Scc.

Small coolant leak into engine from head gasket.

My 1996 Ford Windstar van's engine assembly must be replaced due to persistent internal coolant loss into the engine, despite repeated trips to the dealership with complaints of classic head-gasket symptoms. Ford displayed blatant neglegence and dishonesty in its dealings with me. I took my van to dealership twice for head-gasket-like symptoms: excessive loss of coolant with no external leakage, gray smoke out of exhaust, and engine running rough. The first time the dealership said no problems could be found. Two weeks later I returned to the dealership with the same symptoms, only this time more obvious, and the check-engine light had come on. The dealership determined my engine had overheated and that coolant was lost via the timing cover gasket, which they replaced and then returned the vehicle to me. Exactly one thousand miles later I had to have my vehicle towed to the dealership, at which point they condemned my engine due to coolant entering the #1 cylindar. They offered to replace the engine for $3,650, which includes a 20% discount for the timing cover gasket work that was done for nothing. I refused the offer and managed to barely drive the vehicle home, where it now sits, undrivable. Aware of the Windstar head gasket problems from the beginning, I repeatedly stressed to the dealership my concern that this was a head gasket problem, but they repeatedly explained this was not the problem. They lied by saying no known gasket problems exist on the 1996 Windstar, but I researched the NHTSA's records and found TSB 99-13-1 (titled "underdetermined loss of coolant"), which instructs dealerships to replace the gaskets in situations like mine. The TSB is very clear. I wrote the dealership a letter demanding help replacing the engine, but received no reply. I re-sent the same letter and documents to the dealership just yesterday. I can provide copies of all documents, as I have scanned them into a compressed pdf file for e-mail transmission.

Intake gasket over passenger front wheel well leaking coolant abs brake light comes on during warm weather and on bumpy roads.

Gasket failure leaked coolant into engine oil damaging engine.

Engine check light came on. Rough idle. Tune-up performed. Oxygen sensor replaced. Engine check light is now off. Two days later, engine check light is back on and rough idle returns. Replaced oxygen sensor and plug wires. Next day, driving car and temperature gauge falls almost all the way to cold side. Heater blowing out just a little warm. Pressure tested engine. Leakage in a cylinder. Upon teardiown, head gasket has failed leaking coolant into engine.

Noticed check engine light on in December 2001. Looked in manual and said needed to complete 3 cooled complete cycles, but light didn't go off. Started leaking coolant and temperature gauge would go to hot. Heater would blow out cold air. Took to an independent mechanic and was told it had a cracked block and that Ford has had these same problems with previous years. Contacted dealership and they are unwilling to do anything to help out. Am in the process of contacting Ford company to see if they will be willing to help. Please follow up with any information. At this point my family of 5 is driving around in a small pick up truck beause I am unable to drive the van since told it could stop on me at anytime and cause even more damage.

Vehicle has leaked 2 1/2 gallons of coolant. Engine check light stays on, andvehicle is having trouble starting. Heat is warm because coolant keeps leaking out. Mechanic suggested to replace engine head because leakage was ruining the engine.

I maintained my Windstar properly. It began to leak coolant and engine light. Ford dealership stated it needed a new engine. Due to faulty head gasket causing leak of coolant. Ford canada agreed to cover some of the cost but not all of it. Said if I declined their offer they would withdraw all offers. So I took it. I couldn't afford the bill as it was. I have since seen a small claims court in quebec found that Ford was responsible for the repairs related to the head gasket. I have contacted Ford canada customer complaint center. And told they will not reimburse me for the expenses. And that although they lost the complaint in quebec in all other canadian proviences they have one. Even a class action suit. Why would they pay a portion of the repair if they were not responsible??? I feel they are responsible for the full cost of the engine repair.

Consumer was traveling 65mph on highway and noticed that temperature gauge went up and was red. He pulled over to shoulders and lifted hood. Checked coolant, and noticed that there was no coolant inside of vehicle. Headgasket leak caused the temprature gauge to go up.

Engine (3. 8l) was leaking coolant onto engine cylinder. Also, oxygen sensor needs to be replaced.

Check the engine light came on and the coolant was leaking due to head gasket failure. The consumer noticed that the 1995 Windstars had been issued a recall notice but when the consumer contacted the manufacturer but they were unwilling to help with the cost of repair, the consumers technician replaced the defective parts with a newly designed part. Yh.

The head gasket was replaced by the dealer on 3-16-01, due to a crack and leaking coolant. The car had never overheated or shown obvious signs of this, although the engine check light came on after long trips and the dealer said this was O2 sensors. 3 weeks after the headgasket replacement, the whole engine blew while on I-81 at 65mph. We lost all power and had to coast to a narrow shoulder. This sounds exactly like the 1995 Windstar head gasket problem, but they have not acknowledged the 96 as a manufacturing defect and did not recall the 95 either.

Consumer stated that on December 11, 2000 haed gasket was replaced due to crack and coolant leakage that got into piston and other parts of engine. Currently, engine is not working, and manufacturer will not be responsible for repairs. Consumer believed that deterioration of engine was due to defective head gasket.

Failure of defective head gasket, resulting in coolant leakage into engine, engine failure.

While traveling on a busy interstate, engine light went on. Van lost speed and started overheating. I was able to make it off highway. Van died had to be towed. Told it was cracked head due to coolant leakage. Warranty company refuses to pay claim. . Speedometer flips around, estimate repair cost is $475. Warranty company refusee to pay.

Timing chain cover cracked, causing coolant leakage. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under manufacturer's recall. Feel free to provide further details.

Engine head gaskets were leaking coolant. Consumer was told by manufacturer that this problem has been recognized by the manufacture in canada, and that the warranty was extended to the us for 7 yrs/ 100000 miles.

The premature failure of the 3. 8l engine head gasket was first noticed by myself during a routine inspection of my fluid levels and engine compartment. What I noticed was what appeared to be a coolant leak around the head gaskets. Under more constant supervision my wife and I observed other symptoms which include a more constant drop in the coolant level and a loss of heat when the heating system was operating. These symptoms seemed seriuos so we decided not to drive the vehicle until it has been serviced. Through friends and relatives we have discovered that this problem is occuring with many Windstar owners so we have decided to further research this matter which is how we have come across your site. Please contact us with any updates you may have on this matter. Thank you.

Van is well taken care of. Only 1 driver, over 50 years old. Kept a merc grand marquis wagon for 14 years and 250,000 miles. Timing cover gasket failed - leaked coolant. This is very premature - seems like a design/fabrication problem, gasket problem. Over $600 to repair. Window track became separated from door - had to be rewelded. Over $150 to repair. Should not happen in 4 years of mostly highway driving. Definite assembly problem. Undectable until nearly fully separated, and out of warranty, and excessive vibrations in using window.

Outer hood panel separated from body of vehicle prior to recall (97v-180). In addition, replaced front electric door latch/multifunctioned wiper switch/windshield wiper switch/engine cylinder head gaskets due to coolant leak, and differential seal.

Engine head gasket has blown out, causing coolant to leak onto the engine. Dealer has been notified.

Engine head gaskets have blown, causing water coolant to leak into the oil pan . Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

The head gasket had to be replaced. Ford recalled the 95 models and will not honor the 96 models. There was an inadequate performance and abnormal engine coolant temperature indications, coolant leaked from the head gasket and caused the engine to overheat. The dealer misdiagnosed the problem and caused the consumer spend more money. The consumer requested a refund for the repair cost.

There was premature failure of headgaskets, causing coolant to leak onto engine and inside passenger's compartment. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified. Please provide further information.

The consumer requested an investigation of Ford motor company and their lack of recalls on some serious defects. . The vehicle experienced a clunking sound, however the dealer stated the clunking sound was normal and then the transmission failed, the transmission was replaced with another Ford transmission, which failed on a test drive and one other occasion. Coolant leaked into the engine through the intake gasket, which was recalled for the 95 models. The timing chain leaked. There was a recall on the coils in the suspension, which Ford would only replace when they failed. The brake rotors failed at 30000 miles. Scc.

Engine head gasket blew out, allowing coolant to leak inside the engine compartment. Dealer has replaced engine head gasket once before, for the same defect. Problem is occurring again.