Gasoline Engine Problems of Ford Windstar - part 1

Head gasket for 3. 8l v6 Ford engine is defective. Ford recognizes this for previous model years (1994-1995), but does not for my model. Ford has TSB for this problem for their dealers and service centers, as it is a common problem for the 1996 - and 3. 8l engines of that time across their product line according to center for auto safety, this is a part that should never need changing. Furthermore, according to a Ford dealer service manager, Ford at 7 years and 78k miles do not want to repair the defect. The dealer I bought this vehicle from did not disclose that this car was past any defect recall and was past time to take action with Ford. (there is another issue with their climate controls on this minivan as well, as they ceased to function - and that is another item that should not fail unless defective. ) in any case, the head gasket is very expensive to repair/replace, and should not need to be replaced during the lifetime of a vehicle.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Next cars USA in bakersfield California sold us a Ford Windstar which was defective (a lemon). Within two week after our purchase the vehicle cut off jeopardizing the safety of my children each time we pressed the accelerator pedal. We have taken the vehicle to next cars for repairs and to date we are now moving into our third month without transportation. When we inquired about a loan vehicle juan casillas (manager) response was that "we don't do that. " we have filed a complaint with the better business bureau and when next cars received the complaint on March 8, 2006 juan casillas told us that "we just stopped working on the car because you pissed us off. " we are at our wits end and so we are submitting this complaint for an investigation.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Was driving down street, steady speed approx 40 mph, not using cruise control. Attempted to brake for intersection, vehicle would not slow down. Visually looked to confirm foot was on brake and not on accelerator, it was on the brake and was not on the accelerator. Shifted into neutral to avoid a crash, the engine revved way up then slowed down. This was a one-time incident so far, but it only happened yesterday and I haven't driven it much since then.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Engine spewing water. Diagnosed as freeze plugs blowing 72,000 miles. At 42,000 miles transmission had to be worked on. Jumped out of drive to neutral. Vehicle has had regular maintenance since purchased new.

96 Ford Windstar with 3. 8 lt v6 ,has blown head gasket,Ford says there has been no recall for part with my VIN# after looking up problem with vehicle on the web I found numerous complaints about the head gasket for the 94 and 95 models and it seems they have followed over to the 96 models especially with the 3. 8 engines. Upon calling Ford and talking to a representative they said the repair cost were basically im my hands ,I told them from what I read there had been numerous problems with the gaskets in the 96 and for them to go at 73,ooo miles seems a little premature,she basically told me that we were talking in circles and that the 96"s had a excellent customer rating and to make a long story short the expense of the repair would be mine.

This is in reference to what appears to be an excessive number of 1996 Ford Windstar's with the 3. 8 engine having multiple head gasket problems. My vehicle is now having to be replaced after a third head gasket has to be replaced.

No summary. Dt.

Plastic fuel intake was defective replaced with metal, should be made with metal. Dt.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Consumer states that the vehicle with warning the idle gets disconnected and the vehicle loses power and becames inoperative. Dealer was contacted. Mr.

Vehicle died completely with power steering and electrical all off, lights and all when driving at night.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Engine accelerates/races while backing up and going forward at very low speed like going into a parking slot. Seems to happen when brake is used to keep speed low.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Windstar 🔎.

At 60-65 mph, engine blewout with no warning and could have caused an accident. Cause unknown. Dealer notified. Personal mechanic found broken connecting rod which damaged two cylinders and crankshaft. Connecting rod experienced metal fatigue due to faulty manufacturing. Engine needs to be replaced.

Vehicle has extended warranty which just expired. Ford regional representative rejected request for assistance. Complaint letter sent to wc Ford. $1673. 38 paid for repair of defects. No safety defect listed.

At 70mph engine blewout, and antifreeze started to leak from vehicle. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.

After hitting brakes vehicle appears to lose power, and feels like it's going to lurch forward. Please provide any further information.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar 🔎.

This is the 5th time that this engine problem has occurred, and each time it stays in the shop 12 days and out 26 days. Dealer does not seem to be able to correct problem and is very rude when vehicle is taken in says this is nothing.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Vehicle was misfiring. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they stated that engine needed to be replaced. Please provide any further information.

Appears to be a known problem with Ford Windstars after 50,000 miles, however Ford refuses to address the problem in existing vechicles. * no safety defect listed.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

While driving engine ran hot. Engine check sensors failed and this caused the engine to blow. Had contacted dealership for another engine.

I brought it while I was living in toronto, ontario. The exact mileage is 98881km (not k-miles). I have contacted Ford but Ford refused to help on servicing the vehicle. No safety defec tlisted.

On 11-10-01 noticed cool air coming from heater. Checked coolant level and added way more than just topping it off. The next moring the engine was seized up. Local Ford dealer quoted me 3600. 00 for a new engine. There is water in the oil.

They have recalled 94 and 1995 versions of the same engine. Problem not fixed.

While driving, consumer heard a large pop and saw smoke, vehicles engine compartment caught on fire, claim 42-1402-914.

While in motion, insured rear ended another vehicle, causing the vehicle to rear end someone else, vehicle caught on fire possibly mechanically related, there were two injuries in the accident, claim 43-r763-433.

While driving, consumer rearended another vehicle, that vehicle ran into another vehicle, consumers vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment, 2 people were injured in the accident, fireman stated fire could have been mechanically related, claim 43-r763-433.

This vehicle has had two engines, transmission work and a lot of smaller problems. Right now it is having the drivers seat track and adjusters replaced. Would like to be part of a class action suit. The Windstar may be safe, but it isn't reliable.

When reaching 20mph vehicle will start to shake soon after it will shut off. Consumer has contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.

This Ford Windstar lx has experienced the engine just suddenly quitting while driving on the roadways. The first incident happened the day I purchased the vehicle, whereby I drove it home and even test drove it without incident. However, when I got home my daughter wanted to take it for a spin and got approximately two houses down the street we live on and the engine suddently quit. I attempted to simply drive it around the block to get back home and it quit running two more times. I took it back to the dealer and he called Ford and what was done I do not know but one day later I was told it was ready and picked it up. We drove it from the 26th of June until the 29th of June. On the 29th my wife was travelling 40mph down a busy street when the engine suddenly quit again. The dash lights always came on and this time the "check engine" light came on and stayed on. When the engine quits you steere without power sterrin nor power brakes. My wife is 5'1" and 120 lbs and this was very difficult and scarry. I fear if she had been on an interstate and had this occur! subsequently, I took it back to the dealer on the 2nd of July and todate they fixed the "check engine" light problem, but this was not the problem with the engine suddenly quitting. The Mini-van has quit running twice more while at the Ford dealer and they do not have a clue as to what the problem is. From the 2nd of July to today 7-13-01 I have no cause nor solution to this safety hazard. I would appreciate any information or if this has been previously reported with this particular Mini-van, or if I indeed just have a lemon. I have researched the van and it comes out with a clean bill of health each time. I feel this needs to be reported for the possible accident potential and possible loss of life due to the engine just suddenly quitting to run. I will update your office as to any changes in status and/or resolution of this vehicle problem. Thank you for time and energy in this matter.

This is the 13 major repair on this minivan. I have had so many problems. No afety defect mentioned.

Vehicle loss, fire under hood, claim 59-v719-855.

Since vehicle's last motor was put in, when shifting gears, it sounded like engine was ready to fall out. Consumer ended up trading vehicle, dealer offered a buy back.

Vehicle intermittently shutdown.

There was a churping noise on right driver's side of car, took to dealer, and they replaced housing for motor.