Engine Head Gasket Failure Problems of Ford Windstar - part 1

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.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar 🔎.

I own a 1996 Ford Windstar with a 3. 8l v-6 engine. The vehicle currently has about 72,000 miles on it. It is now in the shop with a blown head gasket that will require a new long-block motor and possibly the replacement of the catalytic converter because antifreeze/oil was passing through it due to the gasket failure. I'm currently looking at a $5,800 bill to repair the vehicle. My query to Ford motor company resulted in a response that they can't do anything for me. . . That there are "no warranties, recalls or customer satisfaction programs" on my vehicle. My research shows that there are a ton of complaints of blown head gaskets in the 1996 Ford Windstar, but Ford refuses to do anything about it. Ford was hit with class action suits regarding the 1995 Ford Windstar that has the same problem and eventually agreed to extend the 1995 Windstar warranty period. Head gaskets should last the life of the vehicle. It should not fail at 72,000 miles. My vehicle had all of the required maintenance performed when they were due. This is not a case of a neglected vehicle from a maintenance perspective. Ford needs to step up and take corrective action. The service rep has told me that if they can't get a re-built in the next couple of days, it will probably be next week before the repairs will be completed. Next week is christmas. This was my first Ford product that I purchased. It will be the last. Any company that has this much disloyalty to its customers can not expect any loyalty in return. Their actions speak volumes to the lack of quality control in their product, customer service and, quite frankly, any sense of common decency. A proper head gasket would have cost them probably under $10. 00 when the engine was built. It is now costing me $5,800 to fix their inaptitude and incompetence.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar 🔎.

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.

3 deaths. Bet I've got your attention now! I have been reading about the check engine light failures, and my van has the same persistent problem. I understand there is an engine design defect and that although gasket replacement is recommended by the technical service bulletin, it seems customers who have paid to get the TSB fix still have the same problem. I personally have spent over $5000 in the last two years trying to get the issue resolved. At 103k, my van's blue book value is much less. This is not even to mention what I've spent on extra gas at today's high prices due to inefficient engine operation resulting from this design defect. The stalling of the engine which is being reported by a lot of consumers is also due to the long term effects of running the van with this same design defect. It is just a matter of time until someone does die because of this defect, especially with the engines cutting off on the highway. Ford should recall the vehicle for this problem and fix it at no cost to consumers. There are enough individuals on this website alone to organize into a class action lawsuit, and I am just the one to take the lead on it. Of course, I do not plan to keep this vehicle. I have also had a persistent problem with the engine compartment getting too hot and burning up my alternator. I purchased this van in 2000 and have already replaced the alternator six times (averaging once per year). This is the first Ford vehicle I have ever owned and I am less than impressed. I will not buy another Ford product again. I have owned Dodge caravans and Chevrolet vehicles which were designed properly and gave me no where near this amount of problems. I am going to purchase a Dodge caravan.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Engine oil found in coolant. Timing cover gasket failure. Loud engine knock from rear valve bank- possible wrist-pin/lower intake gaskets/valve problems.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Cel (check engine light) came on. Ford dealer said that the Ford company has a bulletin out to dealers recommending the replacement of gaskets and valve cover for the vacuum leaks. Which run upward of 600. 00 if they are acknowledging this problem, why are they not recalling it?.

The head gasket failed causing us great problems, loss of car to drive, financial hardship. The 1995 Windstar's had a program that allowed for the repair of this issue. We bought our 1996 Windstar on February 16, 1996 and we are not offered any assistance or resolution this failure and defect.

I had my intake gaskets replace in Feb 2005 to avoid any engine problems; I just threw a rod on 9/7/05 in my 2001 Ford Windstar with only 80000 miles on it. I was told that I would have to replace the engine at the cost of $4000. I just checked the blue book value - it's only $9000. I'm in an upside down situation because I still owe on the car! I've read all over the internet about preventing this problem - and not changing the intake gaskets (which should be a manufacturer recall or at least send a notice!) should help keep the engine running smooth. This wasn't true in my case!.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Oil leaks leading to the engine $700. 00 @60,000 miles abs ---system replaced $1200 @74,500 miles head gaskets replaced and some suspension problem $2,000 @ 7500miles.

1996 Ford Windstar with headgasket problem. I have contacted fors, but they say there is no record of the 1996 engines having premature head gasket failure. My Windstar, bought new has 68,000 miles. I have been smelling antifreeze for the past 3 years, but it has now gotten much worse. Brought car to mechaninc due to engine misfiring, one of the sysmptoms listed for the head gasket failure. The reapiar will cost over $2,000.

The head gasket on my 1998 Ford winstar 3. 8l engine has failed at 90,000 miles, well short of what I would have expected. It appears that Ford has issued a recall for older 3. 8l engines which have had head gasket failures, but not for this model year. I am registering this complaint in the event that other Ford owners are experiencing the same problem.

Failed head gasket led to a piston rod shooting through the oil pan. Very dangerous for the cars behind me as oil was shooting over the highway. Slippery for cars following, and went on other cars paint and windshields. Head gaskets were recalled in previous 3 years of vehicles 1993-96 Ford Windstars, 1997 was not on a recall even though the problem was never correctly fixed. Highly dangerous and highly irresponsible of the automaker to not include additional cars in the recall effort.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Head gasket failed.

The vehicle stalled without warning. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The mechanic informed the owner that the engine head gasket failed.

1996 Ford Windstar VIN 2fmda5147tba10097 mftd. 08/95 Ford motor CO of canada. Head gasket failure allowing coolant and engine oil to mix, with main result being lost of coolant. I have to keep filling coolant resovoir.

Head gasket failure in 3. 8 I asked the service manager at the dealership when I purchased the car if the engines were having problems. He told me no. I took him on his word and now I have a car that needs a new engine. I have a 1994 t-bird that had to have the engine replaced due to the same problem. Ford was great to work with. I wish they would stand behind this engine as well. I am very disappointed.

Head gasket failure leading to complete engine failure.

I've had the check engine light since 9/98 (6 months after purchase)-approx 40000 miles. I've spent over $2000 over 5 trips to the shop- last one 11/27/03- trying to have this fixed. I just had my transmission rebuilt for addt'l $1600 (Jan 2004) and now I have the head gasket failure. I am desparate for some assistance as I have no other transportation and have invested way too much money into this van to replace it with more car payments.

Engine front cover gasket failed in line with recall 99b29. Ford does not include my Windstar model, built in 03/96 in recall campaign 99b29, indicating that the original recall has been inadequate. ".

Timing cover gasket failure allowed coolant to mix with engine oil. Gasket replaced but engine damage may have already been done. Speedometer wavers between 20 and 60 mph at 30 mph, headlight lenses have yellowed to the point that the headlights are useless. Most Ford vehicles from 1990 to 2000 have the yellowing headlight problems and should be recalled as a safety problem.

1996 Ford Windstar with premature head gasket failure.

Failed head gasket in 3. 8l engine.

Consumer states that the engine head gasket failed. Dealer notified.

Head gasket failed, same problem as 95, which were repaired. I was teaching my teen age daughter to drive and the engine could have easily failed causing a very inexperienced driver to crash. In a letter to Ford and a several conservations, they state that the problem was solved. Persusal through numerous car web sites indicates that this is a common problem. Ford told me it was my problem.

Head gasket failure.

The head gasket failed. A technical service bulletin was issued for the earlier models.

Engine: head gasket failure @ 62,218 miles. Needed to replace both cylinder gasket heads and resurface same. Power door: failure of power door lock on passenger side. Transmission: was replaced twice under warranty. Other: ignition control module needed replacement. Have been advised engine has a sludge condition despite regular oil changes per Ford guidelines.

The head gasket failed.

Nar 03/05/2003 the consumers experienced head gasket failure. The cost of repair were approx $2100. 22. Dealer notified.

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.

The head gasket failed, which caused the anti-freeze and oil not to circulate through the engine.

Replaced head gasket on 1996 Ford Windstar with 66, 712 miles on engine.

The engine cover gasket failed, and oil mixed with the anti-freeze and ruined the engine.

Head gasket failed leading to coolant entering cylinders. Van had just 70,000 miles and this should not have been a problem. Repair at Ford dealership was $1,300. They acknowledged this is a problem with the 1996 Windstars.

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.