Engine problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar - part 1

Check engine stays on after tuneup . . . Does not lose speed . . . Runs rough after accelerating and doesnt not overheat . . . . What is the problem.

The contact owns a 1996 Ford Windstar. While stopped at a traffic light, the contact noticed smoke coming from the hood. The contact turned off the vehicle and the smoke ceased; however, the hood caught fire when the vehicle was started again. The contact extinguished the fire and there were no injuries. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 135,000.

Ford Windstar 1996. I have seen that many of these models and previous years as well have had severe head gasket problems. Head gasket regularly fails at around 80,000 miles. Nasa says a head gasket should last at least 120,000. Ford does not care. Ford does not stand behind their product. I am basically screwed because now I don't have a car. I still owe on it but it doesn't run. $2,000+ to fix it and it will probably fail again. The head gasket going out caused the upper 02 sensor to go bad. It also sprayed the number 2 cylinder causing it to fail thus alerting me to a problem, which may have resulted in a blown engine. At no time while I have owned this vehicle has it ever overheated even slightly. Heat was not the cause, it was faulty from the beginning. Car auto safety has reported 429 complaints about the Windstar!.

I have a '1996 Ford Windstar. It was taken into the shop for an oil change and they discovered water in the oil. I know that Ford knows this is a problem. There has been no damage to the motor but the head does need to be fixed. The repairs have not been done yet because they are costly. I feel Ford should at the least help cover some of the cost.

Problems encountered by consumer on 1996 Ford Windstar. (nar).

Ford winstar head gasket premature failure.

Consumer stated that head gasket is cracked. Dealer and manufacturer has been notified.

1996 Ford Windstar 3. 8 liter engine with 83,000 miles on it blew head gasket in December 2002. Paid over $1200 for repairs. Sent a complaint to Ford motor company requesting assistance. Response was that the 1996 model is not covered under recall. June 19, 2003 after paying repairs mentioned above, the engine blew. The vehicle is completely disabled and will cost over $3500 to repair.

96 Windstar 3. 8l engine . Blown head gasket . 90,000 miles on vehicle. Dealer quote $1500. -$1800. To repair head gasket. Service manager suggested replace engine $4000. Service manager admitted there is a definite problem with this engine Ford knows of the problem . The service manager gave me the telephone # for Ford customer complaints and wished me good luck. Three independent mechanics told me there is definitely a problem with the 3. 8l engine and Windstars. One of the mechanics " 9 out of 10 Windstars blow head gaskets". His suggestion of vehicles to avoid when shopping for a vehicle -------------Ford Windstar-------- Ford dealer offered to take my Windstar in trade and they would re-wholesale the vehicle not repair it. No thanks Ford will be last on my list of vehicle's to own. " made in America and proud of it" ??? how about it Ford?.

1996 3. 8 Ford Windstar has a blown head gasket which ruined my engine. Ford refused to do anything to help with this problem even though it is a well know problem.

44,000 miles and blown head gasket, $1500 repair quote. How many complaints before Ford provides remedy for 96 Windstars? I will never buy a Ford again and I am telling everyone I know not to buy a Ford.

Blown head gasket. Mechanic tells me hes seen hundreds of these on the Windstar but there is no recall. Will not buy a Ford again.

The apparently common blown head gasket on the 3. 8l engine has occurred on my '96 Ford Windstar. I've been told by the local Ford service center that Ford is not compensating owners for this obvious design flaw.

Have in Ford dealer shop a 1996 Ford Windstar with 92,100 miles on it. It has the infamous 3. 8l engine head gasket and front cover gasket problem, as previously defined by Ford motor company. Ford customer assistance center refuses to cover the cost of this.

I have a 1996 Ford Windstar (3. 8-liter engine) with almost 78,000 miles. I've owned is since it was new. It experienced a blown head gasket 3 weeks ago. The service manager at bert weinman Ford here in chicago recommended that I replace the engine. I did so at a price of almost $4500. From what I know, Ford has a serious problem with head gaskets in this engine. They have offered extended warranty for some model years, but none which covers my vehicle.

Need to replace speedometer head, replaced tie rod, front and rear brakes, cylinders, head gasket and now engine blew need new engine.

Consumer states that the 3. 8l v6 engine blew a head gasket and causing loss of coolant and coolant getting into the engine oil. Dealer and the manufacturer has been notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

I have been told by 5 repair people that the Windstars are very likely to have a blown head gasket, I have been told to request that Ford repair the van. I have contacted the Ford corp. And I have been told that the Windstars are not having a head gasket issue. This van with the proper care should not be having this big of an issue. My van has sat in my driveway since July, the estimate is $ 2,000. 00 to 4,000. 00 to now replace an engine with less then 100,000 miles.

My 1996 Windstar has a blown head gasket.

Cylinder head gasket problem resulting in internal antifreeze leak, causing bearings to go bad - engine replacement required.

Dealer informed that engine shot a bearing and needed to be replaced. Feel free to provide any further informnation.

According to jerry's Ford Lincoln Mercury, an authorized Ford dealer in leesburg, virginia, my engine blew a head gasket. This happened when I started the car. There were 2 passengers, ages 15 and 16, and myself, the driver in the car at the time this occurred. I contacted Ford and was told that the build date of my engine was 12/19/95 and that the engine had been built in their oakville plant in ontario, cananda. Orson, Ford employee badge #2092 acknowledged that a recall had been issued on engines built in 1995 with this problem, but that no 1996 vehicles were involved. I explained to him that I appeared to have been affected as well. He stated that Ford would not offer me any assistance, goodwill or otherwise, with this defect and that I should contact william clay Ford, jr. In dearborn, michigan if I wished to pursue the matter further.

Headgasket problems need new engine, just like the 1995 recall but Ford wont honor the same problem with the 1996.

Consumer called complaining about the engine head gasket. The consumer also stated this was a common problem. The dealer was contacted who stated there was no warranty for the defect.

These 3. 8 l engines are known for blown headgasket problems, and for Fords lack of standing behind its so called quality products , I'm not a believer of that : thats why I will never own a Ford product again.

Vehicle is riding extremely rough, causing difficulty in steering vehicle. Mechanic stated head gaskets needed to be replaced.

1996 Ford Windstar with blown head gasket. Same engine and parts as recalled 1995's. Was stranded on the side of a highway. No assistance from Ford. Have read 100's of internet accounts of same problem. Thousands of people with same problem. This is a major saftey hazard.

Consumer states vehicle 3. 8 v6 engine was losing coolants and running rough while driving, dealer notified and informed of a cracked head gasket. Nlm.

Speedometer: shakes back & forth on highway . Impossible to know speed travelling( unless equipped with good stopwatch & excellent math skills). Head gasket- failed . Must be replaced. Does not meet any extended warranty criteria.

Consumer is experiencing same problem as previous year models concerning engine head gaskets. A recall was issued for that year. Consumer feels that later model years should be included.

While driving motor blew a head gasket which resulted in loss of power. Contacted dealer, and vehicle was being repaired.

Consumer noticed water leaking from under vehicle, vehicle was serviced. Technician noticed head gasket needed to be replaced.

Oil contamination. Found oil in the coolnat. Dealer inspection concludes that this is a blown head gasket. An exact problem caused a major recall for the same engine for the years 94-95. No recall yet for year 1996. Growing amount of reports show that this problem exists on the 1996 model that carries the same engine. Dealer recommends to replace the engine block at a cost of $4000. I am expecting Ford to pick up these charges due to the reasons stated above.

Engine blew a rod while cranking vehicle on. Dealer and the manufacturer notified. Manufacturer not willing to do anything because this particular van is not included in recall.

1995 Windstar 3. 8l engines have gotten extended warranties on blown head gaskets in their engines. It is apparent the 1996 Windstar 3. 8l engine has the same problem but Ford has not extended the warranty for this model year. Request the NHTSA force Ford to back up their products that are known to be defective.