Engine Head Gasket Failure problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar

My 2000 Ford Windstar had transmission problems that started in late 2008. Automatic transmission lever was hard too shift into any gear. A few months later the transmission started leaking. As the months went by the leaking got worse. In may of 2009 there was now quite a bit of transmission fluid leaking from the transmission, causing the need for fluid to be added in order for the transmission to work. Problem fixed in July of 2009. Transmission oil seal was defective on the van, even though it only had 75,000 miles on it. Head gasket needed replaced as well. Total price: $1700.

Contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated. The mechanic stated that the vehicle needed to have the upper input and the upper gasket replaced. The mechanic changed the fuel filter, performed a tune up, and replaced the ignition wire. The contact was responsible for the cost of the repairs ,which totaled $900. The diagnosis listed code po133 , sensor slow response. After the repair was performed another failure occurred. The vehicle accelerated without warning while driving 40 mph. The failure occurred while the contact's foot depressed the brake pedal or when the vehicle idled. The rpm needle also fluctuated from high to low. The current and failure mileages were 101,016.

While my wife was driving our 2000 Ford Windstar down the highway after picking my son up from school, she noticed that at least 3 cars had passed her with their windshield wipers on during a perfectly clear day. She looked out the back window and could not see anything. We later found out the hot engine coolant was spraying out from the bottom of the vehicle and spraying onto the trailing cars creating a visibility hazard. The cause of the incident was the failure of the head gasket on the Windstar. This could have had a very serious impact on other drivers or my wife due to a lack of visibility due to the engine coolant spraying over the windshields of other vehicles. Ford motor company under went a huge recall campaign in 2000 for head gasket failures in several vehicles for model years 1996-1999. Ford claims they resolved the problem with the head gaskets, but considering I had a failure at less than 50,000 miles that warranted an engine replacement I don't believe the issue has been resolved.

12/02 engine light came on - had to have upper plenum gasket, o-rings, vacuum elbow and valve cover with gasket replaced for $600. 00. 4/03, car less than 3 yrs. Old but with 44k miles, the transmission blew: weld broke on the "drum over the planetary gear". So warranty expired at 36k miles but Windstar still under 3 yrs. Old. I expect a car to last at least 3 years before anything this expensive happens. Want Ford to pay for repairs and extend warranty til Windstar is paid for in 2005.

While driving the driver could smell a burning odor and the engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the intake gasket failed and was causing oil to leak.