FaultScore

1995 Ford Windstar engine problems

1,849 of the 4,799 complaints about the 1995 Ford Windstar are about the engine — 39% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,539 miles.

F

1,849

Complaints

12

Crashes

11

Fires

8

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 1,193 64.5%
Gasoline 323 17.5%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 112 6.1%
Cooling System 107 5.8%
Emission Control 33 1.8%
Radiator Assembly 27 1.5%
Exhaust System 18 1.0%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 17 0.9%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 5 0.3%
Catalytic Convertor 5 0.3%

Engine & Cooling across every Ford Windstar year

1995 1,849 60.0%
1996 527 17.1%
1997 41 1.3%
1998 231 7.5%
1999 141 4.6%
2000 107 3.5%
2001 78 2.5%
2002 41 1.3%
2003 69 2.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 245,000 miles Shreveport, LA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES SHIFTING THE VEHICLE TO DIFFERENT GEARS. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IDLE AIR CONTROLLER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 245,000.

NHTSA complaint #10786616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hollywood, FL

ENGINE

THE ENGINE FREEZES UP AND SHUT DOWN WHEN DRIVING. HAD TO CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP AND PUT IN A NEW AC COMPRESSOR.

NHTSA complaint #10777831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 154,000 miles Benton Harbor, MI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TWO TIMES AND EACH TIME THE ENGINE BELT AND TENSIONER PULLEY ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. THREE DAYS AFTER THE SECOND REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

NHTSA complaint #10487435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Bristow, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN BURNING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL SINCE THE BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE O2 SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS/WIRES, INTAKE GASKETS AND INTAKE ISOLATOR BOLTS WERE ALL REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89000.

NHTSA complaint #10360351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Bristow, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

I HAVE A 95 FORD WINDSTAR (89K) LX3.8; DTC P0306.... GAVE RICH CONDITION, BLACK SMOKE OUT TAILPIPE, EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION ... DON'T STAY RUNNING. SPENT MORE THAN $4,000 ON THE REPAIRS DIDN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. - HAVE REPLACED ALL O2 SENSORS; - HAVE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS/ WIRES; - HAVE REPLACED STARTER/ BATTERY; - HAVE REPLACED ALL THE UPPER INTAKE GASKETS AND INTAKE ISOLATOR BOLTS; - HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR #6; - HAVE HAD REPLACED ALL WATER PUMP/GASKET, A/C AND TRANSMISSION TWO YEARS AGO STILL DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. NEED RUN THE COMPRESSION TEST FOR ANY MECHANIC ISSUES BUT DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS TO DO SO' FORD DON'T WANT HELP ANYTHING/REPAIRS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10359634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Tanla, WV Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAD RISEN; WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING BLACK SMOKE TO FILL THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE NEXT MORNING, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION OUTSIDE OF HER HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SQUEALING SOUND MOMENTS BEFORE THE BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140000.

NHTSA complaint #10299846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,000 miles Richmond, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR ENGINE HAS STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS AND ALSO WHEN COASTING WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILLS. IT ALSO STOPS WHILE AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. MECHANIC ADJUSTED THE IDLE SPEED AND REPLACED THE IDLE CONTROL. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THE REAL DANGER HERE IS THAT AT LOW SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALSO FAIL MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY HARD TO STEER AND STOP. ON A VERY TIGHT TURN I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10296193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Ewingville Township, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE STARTER AND THE ALTERNATOR TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WILL MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 260,000.

NHTSA complaint #10294366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 170 miles Eldersburg, MD Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR DEVELOPED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN AT ALL DURING THE TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE LAST TIME IT WAS DRIVEN PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CAR REPEATEDLY LOST POWER (DECELERATED, NEARLY TO A STOP) WHILE DRIVING ON AN UPHILL INCLINE. DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR WAS INEFFECTIVE DURING SUCH EPISODES. POWER RETURNED AND THE CAR WOULD ACCLERATE AND MAINTAIN A STEADY SPEED ONCE THE CAR RETURNED TO LEVEL GROUND. I HAD NOT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM AT ALL DURING THAT LAST TRIP AND USED IT RARELY IN THE 12 YEARS THAT I OWNED THE CAR. THE FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE ENGINE AND ALL OTHER MAJOR SYSTEMS UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE SURFACE OF MY DRIVEWAY AND A SMALL AREA OF MY LAWN.

NHTSA complaint #10288550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Spokane, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THREE DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED UP TO SEVEN TIMES PER DAY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. SHE CALLED A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. SHE REMOVED THE ALTERNATOR FROM THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT TESTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS NO GOOD; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW ONE AND PLACED IT INTO THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE AND RUN THE VEHICLE, BUT IT STALLED ONCE AGAIN 4 BLOCKS LATER. SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, DROVE HOME, AND CALLED THE DEALER FROM WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR, BUT IT STILL DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINS AT THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.

NHTSA complaint #10227461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Memphis, TN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON APRIL 19, 2008, WHICH WAS THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LIGHT WOULD DIM AFTER FUEL WAS PLACED INTO THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER PLACED SENSORS AND NEW MOTOR MOUNTS ON THE ENGINE AND, AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THAN 25 MPH. DUE TO THE LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, A MECHANIC AT A MUFFLER SHOP ADVISED HER THAT THERE WERE NO NEW MOTOR MOUNTS ON THE VEHICLE. IN FACT, THE MOTOR MOUNTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE OLD AND DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE MAY 1, 2008 AND STATED THAT NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WILL BE MADE. THE DEALER ACCUSED THE CONTACT OF DAMAGING THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND ADDING 750 MILES SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE ESTIMATED FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA complaint #10226777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dublin, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I PURCHASED A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER WHO REPORTED NO PROBLEMS WITH IT. AFTER OWNING IT FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY. SHORTLY AFTER, IT WOULD STALL OUT IF IDLING AND I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SHOOTING RAW FUEL OUT OF THE EXHAUST. I REPLACE THE COMPUTER MODULE, TWO BLOWN OPEN FUEL INJECTORS, THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE WIRES. THEY SAID THAT SHOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TWO MONTHS LATER THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A NEW COMPUTER MODULE. I DONATED THE VEHICLE TO A GROUP LISTING ALL THE ITEMS THAT WERE RECOMMENDED TO BE FIXED. WE DO NOT MISS OUR "BLOW UP MOBILE".

NHTSA complaint #10197448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,838 miles Columbia, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PURCHASED THE VAN USED IN 2004. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, ALTHOUGH PERIODICALLY THEY MADE A NOISE AND WOULD STIFFEN UP, THEN THE PEDAL WOULD GO SLACK AND THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. THE MUFFLER FELL OFF AND WAS PUT BACK ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ON, WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER IT ONLY SHOWED CODES FOR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THEN IT STARTED OVERHEATING AND A BIT OF WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE VAN DIDN'T HAVE MUCH POWER AND WOULD STALL OUT WHILE EMITTING A THICK CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE. MECHANIC SAYS NOW THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10186529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles HOT Springs, AR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY WIFE WAS LEAVING CHURCH IN THE PARKING LOT, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. HI. MY NAME IS [XXX]. I AM THE UNLUCKY OWNER OF A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE WINDSTAR HAS A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE HEAD GASKET MOUNTING, THAT CAUSES PREMATURE GASKET FAILURE(SERVICE BULLETIN #00M09). WELL MY WINDSTAR BLEW THE HEAD GASKET ON JANUARY 15TH, OF 2006. THE VAN ONLY HAS 76,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. I MADE 3 CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO RISER FORD, IN HOT SPRINGS, AND 2 CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPT' AT FORD MOTOR CO. EACH TIME THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. I INTENT TO TAKE THIS ALL THE WAY. I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFECTIVE PART REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10151720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,302 miles HOT Springs, AR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE BLEW A HEAD GASKET. THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE AND WATER COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE #1 PLUG WAS FULL OF WATER AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 03/22/06.

NHTSA complaint #10151297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles SE, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MAIN ENGINE BEARING FAILED AT 96,000 MILES AND TOOK THE TRANSMISSION ALONG WITH IT. TOTAL COST WAS $12,000. SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY; CUSTOMER PAID ONLY THE DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSE. ONLY THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS REPLACED. OTHER PARTS; HEAD GASKET, SPARK PLUGS ETC WERE NOT. WHICH EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE FOLLOWING FAILURE: THE ENGINE AGAIN BLEW A HEAD GASKET AT 40,000 MILES. LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE, NO HEAT, WINDOW DEFROSTER FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL CRASH ETC. CUSTOMER FINALLY HAD TO JUNK 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. NO SATISFACTION FROM DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10149678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JUNE 3, 2005 AND THE ODOMETER READ 59,000 MILES. CONTACT RAN A CAR FAX REPORT, AND IN THE YEAR 2000 THE REPORT WAS SHOWING 100,300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION, HEAD GASKET, AND FUEL INJECTION BROKE. SHE SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AND STATED WHEN THEY SOLD THE VAN FOR SOMEONE ELSE THEY WOULD TRY TO GET CONTACT MONEY BACK.

NHTSA complaint #10131700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Witchita, KS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT: TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE SERVICED IN FEBRUARY 2005. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER MOTOR MOUNT WAS BAD. THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REPLACED. 3 DAYS LATER THE NEW MOTOR MOUNT FAILED. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND IT WAS REPLACED. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AFTERWARDS, BUT CURRENTLY THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE AGAIN. *AK FRONT MOTOR MOUNT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA complaint #10124449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DEFECTIVE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR WITH RECURRENT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. *BF THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE KNOCK FOR THE 3RD TIME WHICH WAS DUE TO A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA complaint #10115594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,918 miles Northdfield, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

1995 FORD WINDSTAR-ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. CYLINDER HEADS RESURFACED, NEW HEAD GASKETS, REPLACED DAMAGED CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS AND O2 SENSORS. TOTAL COST $2454.

NHTSA complaint #10110132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,000 miles Jupiter, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

VEHICLE LOST POWER AND COMMENCED TO MAKE A HISSING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC REPLACED TWO VACUUM HOSES THAT DISINTEGRATED FROM THE EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10107155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles ST. Louis, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR. IT IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED! AS SOON AS ONE REPAIR IS COMPLETED (TWO TRANSMISSIONS, HEAD GASKET, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BRAKES, SUSPENSION), THEN ANOTHER ONE OCCURS. NOW, AS IN EVERY CHRISTMAS, THE "ENGINE LIGHT" IS ON AND THE CAR IS RUNNING SO POORLY THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN PULL THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WITHOUT IT CHOKING AND SPITTING, LOTS OF SMOKE, AND THE CAR IS ACTUALLY SHAKING!!! I KNOW IT IS ANOTHER HEAD GASKET AND I JUST CAN'T PAY ANYMORE MONEY INTO THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR AND IT CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE A FORD!

NHTSA complaint #10104453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Columbia, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HEAD GASKET FAILURE. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT HAD BEEN RECALLED - I NEVER GOT A NOTICE AND AM NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. ESTIMATE OF $1800 TO REPLACE. READING OTHER POSTS, T APPEARS THIS IS NOT A DEFINITE PERMANENT SOLUTION. MY VAN ONLY HAS 97,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10104256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Centereach, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

1995 WINDSTAR WITH 3.8V6. HEAD GASKET LEAK. HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND CAME ACROSS SCORES OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE SEEN THAT MANY OF THESE ISSUE WERE REOLVED AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS SO AND HOW DO I PRESENT THIS TO THE FORD REPAIR PEOPLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION SINCERELY, JAMES HAUGH.

NHTSA complaint #10090793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Centereach, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

1995 WINDSTAR WITH 3.8V6. HEAD GASKET LEAK. HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND CAME ACROSS SCORES OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE SEEN THAT MANY OF THESE ISSUE WERE REOLVED AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS SO AND HOW DO I PRESENT THIS TO THE FORD REPAIR PEOPLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION SINCERELY, JAMES HAUGH.

NHTSA complaint #10090793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Arcata, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE OVERHEATED ONCE. MECHANIC SAID COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM TIMING CHAIN COVER. WHILE SAVING FOR REPAIR, HAVE KEPT COOLANT ADDED AND ENGINE HAS NOT OVERHEATED AGAIN, BUT NOW ENGINE SURGES WHILE IDLING, MISSES SOMETIMES, AND HAS LOW COMPRESSION IN THREE CYLINDERS. MECHANIC SAID ALL DUE TO COOLANT LEAK, AND ENGINE UNSAFE, MAY BLOW AT ANY TIME. DEALER SAID THERE WAS A FORD INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON PROBLEM. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. ONLY HAVE 69000 MILES ON VEHICLE, BUT FORD TOLD DEALER THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN REPAIR. PLEASE GIVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT PROBLEM TO HELP ME WHEN I CALL FORD MYSELF. THANK YOU!

NHTSA complaint #10090596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 136,300 miles Chesapeake, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR STARTED CUTTING OFF ON ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT. I USUALLY AM TRANSPORTING MY CHILDREN AND THEIR FRIENDS AROUND AND IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN IN TRAFFIC THE VAN JUST SHUTS OFF. IT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP, BUT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT ANYMORE. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALER AND OTHER CAR REPAIR PLACES, THE DEALER SENT US HOME WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE REPLACED THE IAC VALVE, FUEL FILTER, AIR FILTER, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. ONE PLACE WE TOOK IT CHECKED FOR VACUUM LEAKS AND CHECKED THE FUEL FLOW, WHICH ACCORDING TO THEM WAS ALL FINE. WE DID NOT KEEP ANY OF THE OLD PARTS LISTED ABOVE. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A REASON FOR A CAR TO JUST SHUT OFF, BUT EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE BAFFLED. EVENT LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE THE FIRST TIME: GOT IN THE VAN TO TAKE MY SON TO AN ORTHODONTIC APPOINTMENT. AND AS I PULLED INTO THE PARKING PLACE IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING IT JUST TURNED OFF. AFTER THE APPOINTMENT. DRIVING HOME, IT CUT OFF ON ME 3 MORE TIMES. I WAS VERY SCARED SOMEONE WAS GOING TO HIT ME FROM BEHIND OR AS I MADE A TURN IT CUT OFF AND A CAR JUST MISSED MY FRONT END. ANOTHER THING THAT IS SCARY IS WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS OFF, THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND I CAN BARELY GET IT PULLED OVER TO PUT IT IN PARK TO START IT AGAIN. IF YOU CAN HELP I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

NHTSA complaint #10086371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Cruz, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

SMOKE STARTED COMING HEAVILY OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND VEHICLE STALLED OUT.*MR SERVICED DEALER DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN OUT, DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10031961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,133 miles Trenton, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

TOOK 1995 FORD WINDSTAR TO HALDEMAN FORD (THIS WHERE I PURCHASED THE VAN), BECAUSE IT WAS OVERHEATING, THEY MADE THE REPAIR WHICH WE PAID $614.54 AND TOLD US THAT WE NEEDED A HEAD GASKET, WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE USED VEHICLE AND THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE INCLUDED ON THE WARRANTY, BUT THEY TOLD US THAT BECAUSE WE DID NOT MAINTENANCE THE CAR THE PROPER WE HAD TO PAY FOR IT OURSELF, AND THAT WE HAD TO BUY A NEW ENGINE (NOT A HEAD GASKET LIKE THEY SAID AT FIRST) AND PAY OUT OF OUR POCKET $3,000 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT STEPS SHOULD WE TAKE IN ORDER FOR SOME ONE TO HEAR US OUT. I ALSO HAVE COPIES OF THE WARRANTY, RECEIPTS FOR THE OIL CHANGE AND THE RECEIPT THAT I HAD PAID FOR THE REPAIR. THANK YOU .

NHTSA complaint #10080969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles Whittier, NC Crash 2 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I ASKED THE SELLER AT FORD TO COMPLETELY SERVICE THE VAN BEFORE I WOULD BUY IT. HE SAID HIS MECHANIC WOULD. I CHECKED THE VAN OUT TWO WEEKS LATER, LOW ON OIL, NO BRAKE FLUID, TRANS FLUID VERY LOW, NO WATER HARDLY AT ALL IN RECEIVER, THEN THE STARTER WENT OUT, REPLACED IT NO GOOD, REPLACED SWITCH, NO GOOD, BRAKES GONE OUT, CAN'T KEEP FLUID IN SYSTEMS, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, EMISSION PROBLEMS, MECHANIC STALLS FOR THE HOUR AMOUNT, AND STILL CAN'T FIX/TEST II CODE. INSIDE LIGHTS DIM WHEN EXTRA. LIGHTS COME ON. IT'S A [XXX] PIECE OF JUNK AND THEY SOLD US A LEMON. I PAID OVER $4,000.00 CASH FOR IT, AND ALL THEY WANTED TO SO WAS SELL IT FOR MONEY. WHAT CAN I DO? IT HAS 72,000 ETC MILE AND NOW HAS 82,000. WE ARE BOTH DISABLED WITH TWO KIDS. WE HAVE BEEN SCREWED. I CAN GET THE FORD INFO ON THE FORD WINDSTAR 95 3.8 IT RATTLES, WATER RUNS OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE CONVERTER. I WANT TO SUE THEM, I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THE HELL WITH YOU, YOU BOUGHT IT AS IT WAS. FORD PRODUCTS ARE THE WORST AUTO'S ON THE MARKET. WE WANT REVENGE AND ALL OUR MONEY BACK NOW. [XXX]. WHAT IS NEXT A HEAD GASKET? I HEARD THAT COST OVER $1,600.00 TO FIX. AND THERE ARE ALOT OF THEM GOING OUT. FORD NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND IT'S PRODUCTS OR GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS. I HAVE HAD MY KIDS TOSSED TO THE DASH WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES BEFORE WE EVEN GET OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY. WE WEAR SEATBELTS, I WOULDN'T DARE RIDE IN IT. IT IS A DEATH TRAP TO ME.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10080551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1995 Ford Windstar problems

← Full 1995 Ford Windstar report