Blown Head Gasket Problems of Ford Windstar - part 1

I just found out that my head gasket is blown on my 1998 Ford Windstar. I read up on this and saw that this has been an ongoing problem with Ford and they haven't done anything to correct this problem nor do they offer you a solution to fix this problem at their expense.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

: the contact stated the vehicle's head gasket blew out while traveling 50 mph and caused the vehicle's check engine light to illuminate. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted and determined the vehicle had to be taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar 🔎.

1996 Ford Windstar head gasket failure leading to complete engine failure. There was no prior indication. After the van sat for one week we started it and the headgasket blew allowing coolant into the engine.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The head gasket blew out while driving, causing anti freeze to leak into the engine. Also, there was a strong anti freeze odor coming into the cabin of the vehicle while driving. Ford changed the gasket and since that time a blown head gasket have been a major failure.

I own a 1997 Ford Windstar minivan (VIN# 2fmda514xvbc98040) that contains a 3. 8 v6. At 82,000 miles, the head gasket has blown. The dealer tells me that it will cost between $2000 and $4000 to repair. After doing extensive research on the web, it appears that the 1995 and 1996 models also had head gasket problems due to an admitted design flaw. Ford claims to have corrected the problem-but there are increasing numbers of owners of 1997 models that are experienceing the same problem. Repeated visits to the dealership-as well as numerous calls to Ford-have resulted in dead ends. I get responses such the warranty has expired, there are no recalls on your vehicle at this time, etc. But since this is clearly due to a design flaw in the engine, then shouldn't this still be covered and corrected? Ford offered a brief program to repair the earlier models-so why hasn't this been offered on the later years? Ford claims that they have fixed the problem-which they clearly have not-yet they expect people to simply pay for the repairs. I believe that Ford needs to be held accountable for this, and that they should offer to perform the work at either a discounted rate, or for free since this is due to their engine design. Even the manual claims the head gasket is expected to last for at least 120,000 miles, and I was told that this was the case with this vehicle. Had I known of the problems other owners were having, I would have reconsidered my decision to purchase this van. To that end, I feel that I was misled somewhat. It is my hope to have Ford admit to the problem and offer to repair my vehicle at no charge. Given the circumstances-and the amount of evidence supporting the claim of negligence on the behalf of Ford-this should not be an unreasonable request.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Windstar 🔎.

I own a 1997 Ford Windstar minivan (VIN# 2fmda514xvbc98040) that contains a 3. 8 v6. At 82,000 miles, the head gasket has blown. The dealer tells me that it will cost between $2000 and $4000 to repair. After doing extensive research on the web, it appears that the 1995 and 1996 models also had head gasket problems due to an admitted design flaw. Ford claims to have corrected the problem-but there are increasing numbers of owners of 1997 models that are experiencing the same problem. Repeated visits to the dealership-as well as numerous calls to Ford-have resulted in dead ends. I get responses such "the warranty has expired", "there are no recalls on your vehicle at this time", etc. But since this is clearly due to a design flaw in the engine, then shouldn't this still be covered and corrected? Ford offered a brief program to repair the earlier models-so why hasn't this been offered on the later years? Ford claims that they have fixed the problem-which they clearly have not-yet they expect people to simply pay for the repairs. I believe that Ford needs to be held accountable for this, and that they should offer to perform the work at either a discounted rate, or for free since this is due to their engine design. Even the manual claims the head gasket "is expected to last for at least 120,000 miles", and I was told that this was the case with this vehicle. Had I known of the problems other owners were having, I would have reconsidered my decision to purchase this van. To that end, I feel that I was misled somewhat. It is my hope to have Ford admit to the problem and offer to repair my vehicle at no charge. Given the circumstances-and the amount of evidence supporting the claim of negligence on the behalf of Ford-this should not be an unreasonable request.

Head gasket blew. Never ran hot. Always serviced on time. Talked to owner at the Ford dealership, who in turn had me talk to the service mgr. He told me he would look into it and see if there was anything Ford would do about it. He never called me back, so I called him after a week. He said he left a message on my answering machine. I don't have an answering machine. . . Then he tells me the only problems with the 3. 8 engines was in the t-birds, not the Windstars. By this time I have already looked on the net and seen the problems are with the Windstars as well. He then tells me to come in and talk with the owner. I had already taken off work to do this. I now have the van at my mechanic to be repaired. I will never again buy a Ford product. I personally believe that if Ford is producing a faulty product, they should take the blame when it tears up. I know from the net that they did a repair, or trade in allowance on some years for the same problem, but stopped this program in 1998. There was never a recall. I think they tried to just ignore it and see if it would go away!.

While driving and without warning the head gasket blew and caused fluid to leak.

For the 3rd time the head gasket blew. The first was at 56,000; the second at 90,000, and now at 125,000. On searching for used engine to replace mine, I find that most out of Windstars have blown head gasket.

Vehicle was parked and head gasket blewout. Vehicle had to be towed. Dealership is aware of problem.

While traveling on the highway without prior warning the head gasket blew. Oil was leaking from underneath the vehicle and shut down and the vehicle wouldn't restart. Please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Ts.

Head gasket blew out at 68000 miles.

During routine service mechanic noticed headgasket had blown out. Part was replaced. On 10 August 2002, engine check light came on. Vehicle at dealership at this time.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Consumer states head gasket blew, consistent with historical problem on this engine, dealer initially paid one half of repair due to history.

On December 13, 2001 my wife returned from a visit with her mother in galesburg illinois. As usual she parked our 1996 Ford Windstar in the garage. Since my son and I had to make a trip to iowa city the next day, I decided to fill the van up with gas. Upon trying trying to start the van I notice that the heat gauge was indicating that the van was overheating. I question my wife about this and she said that the van had not shown any signs of overheating on the way home. I took the van to dennison Ford in bloomington illinois on December 17, 2001 and they informed me that the head gaskets had blown and that it would cost approximatel $1700. 00 to repair. On December 22, 2001 I authorized dennisons to make the repairs. I got the van back the same day. On feburary 1, 2002 my daughter took the van to champaign illinois to pick up my son. This was the first time the van had been on the highway since the head gaskets had been replaced. I receive a call from my daughter from champaign telling me that the van had died and they couldn't get it started. On the way to champaign I called my daughter and found out that they were able to get the van started and were at my son's dorm. When I arrived at champaign I inspected the van and didn't find anything wrong, there were no light or any warning indications. I decided to drive the van home and gave my vehical to my kids. On the way home, approximately 10 miles from my son's dorm, I attempted to pass a semi. While passing the engine died. This left me in a very unsafe condition. There were cars in front and back of me and a semi on the right. I was able to get the van off the road with out an accident, but just barely. The van was tolled back the dennison's. Later that day I was informed that the engine had blown and that it would cost approximately $3300. 00 to repair.

Engine check light illuminated. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated that head gasket blew up. Cause unknown. Please provide any further information.

During routine maintenance check, dealer found head gasket had blown and the pistons broke. Dealer replaced head gasket and cylinder head, also consumer stated that the vehicle would run hot and then cool back down due to the blown had gasket.

It appears that I have experienced "the problem" with my van. Like everyone else who has lodged complaints the vehicle started smelling like it was overheating. The coolant level was checkd and no problems were found. Then the rough idle started. Then the dealer found out that the head gaskets were bad, and a rod was bent and the motor would have to be replaced. And it all started at 60k miles. The problems are well documented and it will continue to get worse. Most of the vehicles of this year are probably getting close to the right mileage for the gaskets to blow. Ford will have to ramp up production on replacement engines because every vehicle will have to have the engine replaced and it doesn't matter how well it has been maintained. It is unbelievable that a company would knowingly and willingly let this happen. As long as people aren't dying who cares about millions of dollars spent on repairs by consumers. What a joke!.

After driving to state of virginia and parking it for 5 days. When consumer attempted to start vehicle head gasket blewout.

We have a blown head gasket at 115,000 miles even though we had the van to the dealership several times when it was under warranty with concerns that the head gaskets were blown. They blew us off like we were idiots!! we had to have the door windows repaired because they were installed incorrectly, the latch assembly on the hatch broke we took it in and had repaired then approximately 1year later it broke again! of course that time it was not covered because we were under the extended warranty and they refused to replace the latch, instead they wanted me to pay $250 to replace a piece of plastic that could not be purchased seperately! the rear windshield wiper quit working. We also have to periodically scrape and clean the sensor for the sliding door otherwise it will not stop dinging. The driver side mirror cracked the first winter, it was replaced and the replacement cracked the next winter. Right now this van is not running and we had to have the head pressure checked and resurfaced, will have to replace the head gaskets, etc. . . If we are lucky we will have a van that runs if not we will have to replace the engine which will be around $4500 or more. We have already spent several hundred. I feel Ford should be paying for these services especially since we took this van to the dealer several times and were told there was nothing wrong except we needed to replace our O2 sensors!! Ford is junk!!!.

3. 8 liter engine. Premature wear of head gaskets. Head gaskets blewout, causing engine to go. Dealer has the vehicle.

Was driving vehicle when head gaskets blewout. Started to lose antifreeze; this caused engine to overheat. Took vehicle to independent mechanic, and informed consumer problem of head gaskets can be repaired. Consumer also had a check engine problem due to cylinder, Ford could not duplicate the problem, so consumer has his personal mechanic to reset the engine when the light comes on.

Vehicle started operating above the normal temperature. Dealership examined vehicle and discovered that there was an internal leak. There was a cylinder that was warped and head gasket was blown. Please provide any additional information/attachments. Consumer states because of the low mileage and condition of the vehicle, consumer believes there is a efect in the design of the vehicle.

Engine head gasket was leaking anti-freeze. Had taken vehicle to dealer for repairs where they said that head gasket blewout, and could not be repaired.

Had noticed smoke and steam coming from tailpipe out of rear view mirror. Engine head gaskets blewout while driving. Vehicle kept going after that. The 1995 , 3. 8 engine vehicles made by the manufacturer were known for blowing head gasket.

Consumer was losing antifreeze. Took vehicle to deaelr, and they said consumer needs a new head gasket. Consumer was scared that engine gasket may blow on highway with children present. The manufacturer had extended the warranty on the 94-95 models admitting the engine was faulty. So, the manufacturer should not fix only some vehicle but not others.

The head gasket has blown on our Mini van. We took it to our local Ford dealer who said that most Windstars are covered on an extended warranty issued by Ford due to manufacutering defects. However, for some reason, our van is not covered. Even though it has done just what the others have done, ours is not "their fault. " I called the Ford hot line and talked with suzette, who was very friendly, but she offered no help other than contacting you. Please help. Thank you.

Like the 95's, it's only just begun. Head gaskets blown at 64k miles.

Head gaskets blew out without warning. Dealer has inspected vehicle. Ford has issued a service recall on earlier years.

Head gasket blown, requires engine replacement.

July of 1999 while on vacation in pennsylvania the engine check light came on. A family friend recommended that we not worry about the problem unless the light stayed on. The light went off but then came back on a couple of times over the next few months. Finally in April of 2000 the light came on and stayed on. The Ford dealership informed us that the head gaskets were blown. The dealership told us that they would pay most of the $1400. 00 repair bill but we still ended up with $600. 00 on our part. We have contacted Ford twice about this failure at only 53,000 miles. We believe that we should be reimbursed our $600. 00. We are shocked to see how many 1996 Windstars are having the same problems. We have asked Ford to tell us the number of gasket failures they have seen on the 1996's. They have refused to provide that information. Please help us. Thank you for your time and attention to this problem.

After three fairly reliable years and only 58,000 miles, I have had head gaskets blown and a transmission that is showing signs of failure. After researching on the internet, I see that I am not alone in having these problems with the Windstar. I have never felt compelled to complain about a vehicle before. The thought of this car leaving my family stranded on a busy stretch of freeway (which it almost did) due to a premature engine failure and factory defect is inexcusable.

The check engine light came on and we took it to the local dealer, who checked it and discovered that the head gaskets had blown and that the timing cover gasket and the front engine gasket were needing to be replaced as well. And we suspect that the transmission is also going out. We talked with the service advisor who told us that it was not part of the recall isssued by Ford motor CO. We contacted bill at Ford motor CO. Employee number 2556 and he also informed us that there really wasn't anything that they could do as it wasn'tcovered under the extended warranty just issued by Ford motor CO. We have looked on the web and have discovered numerous other people who have had the same problem with their 1996 Ford Windstar. We would like some help in this matter. Thankyou the estimated cost for all repairs are $2000. 00.

Head gasket has blownout, causing damage to engine which occurred over night. Please provide further information.

The engine gasket blew out due to engine overheating and boiling the coolant. Consumer filled vehicle with coolant twice a week.