1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM FAMILY ON NOVEMBER 5, 2004, AND THE FAILURE OCCURED LESS THAN TWO MONTHS LATER ON DECEMBER 22, 2004. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY US LESS THAN 1,000 MILES AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS ONLY 29,900 AS THE CAR WAS OWNED BY MY HUSBAND'S GRANDMOTHER. THE CAR IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION AND WAS TOWED TO WITT LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALERSHIP ON DECEMBER 23, 2004. WE WERE NOTIFIED THE EVENING OF THE 23RD THAT THE HEAD GASKET APPEARED TO BE BLOWN AND ON CHRISTMAS EVE THAT THE INITIAL REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS $1,485 MINIMUM, WHICH INCLUDES 11 HOURS OF LABOR AT $85. MY 1990 TOYOTA CELICA HAS 260K+ MILES, MY HUSBAND'S 1984 CHEVROLET CAMARO HAS 280K+ MILES. IT IS AMAZING THAT FORD BUILDS CARS THAT REQUIRE MAJOR REPAIRS AFTER LESS THAN 30,000 MILES!!! THEY SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN.*AK

Mileage: 29,900

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. SIMULTANEOUSLY, WHILE DRIVING TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATED, AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT HEATING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. RECALL 97V019000 ON ENGINE COOLING FAN WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Mileage: 73,000

I DID NOT GET A RECALL FOR THE 1986-1993 FOR THE BRAKE ROTOR HUB CORROSION PROBLEM. I DID RECEIVE AND REPAIRED THE SUBFRAME MOUNT(93V-106.001) THE ROTOR HUB IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM AS I HAVE PAID TO HAVE THIS REPLACED ONCE AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A FORD AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY LOOK AT THIS.

WE HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WHERE WOULD YOU START. THE REAR AIR BAGS EXPLODED SHORTLY AFTER WE BOUGHT IT. WE HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, COOLENT LEAKS, AND BELT PROBLEMS. ONE TRIP TO OKLAHOMA COST A TRANSMISSION, AND THE NEXT TRIP, THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE ENGINE.

Mileage: 50,000

ENGINE (3.8L V6) BLEW HEAD GASKET FIRST TIME AT ~60,000 MILES. DEALER REPAIRED. THIRTEEN MONTHS LATER, ~72,000 MILES, HEAD GASKET BLEW AGAIN. DIFFERENT DEALER REPAIRED, (ANOTHER $1,600 WITH NO HELP FROM MANUFACTURER OR PREVIOUS REPAIRING DEALER). NOW WITH ~126,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, HEAD GASKET MAY HAVE BLOWN AGAIN. ALL THREE MOTOR MOUNTS AND HARMONIC STABILIZER WERE REPLACED (ALL MOUNTS WERE LEAKING OR CRACKED).

Mileage: 126,000

THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TAILPIPE, COOLANT LEAKED DUE TO BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. MR *PH *JB

Mileage: 65,000

POWER STEERING FAILURE, MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE, HEAD GASKET LEAK AND THE TRANSMISSION SEALS LEAK. CAR HAS 75000 MILES. *JB

Mileage: 75,000

THIS CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND HAD ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE ONE IN THE 1994 RECALL AND THAT THIS SHOULD APPLY TO OUR CAR AS WELL. WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED AFTER READING MANY REPORTS OF MULTIPLE HEAD GASKET FAILURES ON THE SAME CAR.*AK

THERE IS CRYSTALIZED COOLANT NEXT TO HEAD GASKET, INDICATING THAT THERE IS A LEAK. GASKETS HAVE NOT BLOWN. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH VEHICLE WAS OVER HEATING. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND CHECKED UNDER HOOD. NOTICED COOLANT WAS LOW AND REPLACED IT. PROBLEM REAPPEARED AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO A TECHNICIAN. INFORMED OWNER HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

ON 01/12/02 I WAS DRIVING 130 MILES EAST OF LOS ANGELES,I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING BELOW NORMAL ON THE TEMPERATURE, TEN MINUTES LATER I HEAR A BEEPING SOUND FROM THE DASH AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS RUNNIG HOT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED BACK TO TORRANCE, CA. THE MECHANIC TELLS THAT I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND THAT IT,S PRETTY COMMON ON THE FORD 3.8 SIX CYLINDER ENGINES.I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY 1993 CONTINENTAL HAD NO RECALLS ON MY ENGINE. BUT IT'S NOT THE MODLE OF THE CAR BUT THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND THEY NEVER NOTIFIED ME ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM.AFTER GOING ON THE INTER-NET I'VE FOUND A LOT OF FORD MODELS OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET.I THINK FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON ALL OF THESE ENGINES. THANK YOU MR. GARY STUART. *AK

CONSUMER REPORTED TO DEALER ON DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

THE DESCRIBED VEHICLE EVIDENTLY HAD A WATER PUMP GO OUT. THE VEHICLE GAUGE NEVER INDICATED VEHICLE WAS HOT, SO THERE WAS NO WARNING WHEN THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND QUIT RUNNING. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 70, WE LOST BRAKING AND STEERING CAPACITY AND WERE FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE TO BRAKE OR MANEUVER AGGRESIVELY. THERE WERE 4 PERSONS IN THE VEHICLE WHO CAN ATTEST THAT THE WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 40,217 MILES WHICH REQUIRES COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, CONSUMER REQUESTS THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH COVERED HEAD GASKETS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE FOR THE 1994-1995 MODELS INCLUDE THE 1993 MODEL AS WELL. *MJS

THIS KNOWN PROBLEM IS OUTRAGEOUS AND FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT I HAVE WRITTEN THEM AND NO HELP FROM THEM .NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

THE VEHICLE HAD A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR AND HEAD GASKET ASSEMBLY WHICH THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF, THE DAMAGED GASKETS WERE REPLACED IN 1997 WITH THE SAME STYLE GASKETS AS THE ORIGINAL ILL DESIGNED GASKET WHICH EVENTUALLY FAILED AGAIN. NLM

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 3.8 LITER ENGINE AT ONLY 42,000 MILES, CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE WHICH ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER FEELS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED IN THE RECALL. *SLC

HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWNOUT PREMATURELY TWICE. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE SECOND TIME OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, THE ENGINE WAS ALSO RUINED, CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR SECOND REPAIR. *SLC

AT 28,835 MILES HEAD GASKET FAILED ,CAUSING NO- HEAT IN VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. *AK THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM BUT HAD NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. *YH

VEHICLE NOT HEATING, COLD AIR WAS COMING OUT OF HEATER, AND VEHICLE THREATENED TO STALL. IT WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND A TSB WAS FOUND ON BLOWN GASKETS. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED GOLD WARRANTY ISSUED IN 1998 FOR LINCOLN, CONTINENTALS 1993- 1995. REPAIRMEN CALLED TO SEE IF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED, ONLY 1994-1995 WOULD BE REPAIRED FREE, 1993 VEHICLES WEREN'T COVERED. *AK CONSUMER HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE: DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED MIRROR FAILED, 02 SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET REPLACED, OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS AND BUSHINGS REPLACED, LEFT FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLE REPLACED, VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED, SUSPENSION PUMP REPLACED, RESERVE TANK REPLACED, RIGHT AND LEFT AIR BAGS REPLACED, SHOCKS REPLACED, DISTRIBUTOR CAP REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, LEFT DOOR ACTUATOR REPLACED, BLOWER MOTOR SPEED CONTROLLER REPLACED, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS, REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS, MACHINED ROTORS, REPLACED REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER REPLACED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, FRONT AND REAR MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS REPLACED, REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, AND FROM THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE DEALER WOULD NOT REIMBURSE CONSUMER. *SLC

VEHICLE NOT HEATING, COLD AIR WAS COMING OUT OF HEATER, AND VEHICLE THREATENED TO STALL. IT WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND A TSB WAS FOUND ON BLOWN GASKETS. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED GOLD WARRANTY ISSUED IN 1998 FOR LINCOLN, CONTINENTALS 1993- 1995. REPAIRMEN CALLED TO SEE IF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED, ONLY 1994-1995 WOULD BE REPAIRED FREE, 1993 VEHICLES WEREN'T COVERED. *AK CONSUMER HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE: DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED MIRROR FAILED, 02 SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET REPLACED, OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS AND BUSHINGS REPLACED, LEFT FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLE REPLACED, VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED, SUSPENSION PUMP REPLACED, RESERVE TANK REPLACED, RIGHT AND LEFT AIR BAGS REPLACED, SHOCKS REPLACED, DISTRIBUTOR CAP REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, LEFT DOOR ACTUATOR REPLACED, BLOWER MOTOR SPEED CONTROLLER REPLACED, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS, REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS, MACHINED ROTORS, REPLACED REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER REPLACED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, FRONT AND REAR MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS REPLACED, REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, AND FROM THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE DEALER WOULD NOT REIMBURSE CONSUMER. *SLC

HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN A 3.8L V6 ENGINE CAUSES VEHICLE TO RUN ROUGH, WHITE SMOKE TO COME FROM TAIL PIPE,COOLANT LEAKAGES, AND OVERHEATING. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. *AK *SLC

VEHICLE HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET TWICE WITHIN PAST TWO YEARS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK DURING REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR AND POWER STEERING THE MECHANIC POURED, BY MISTAKE, A METAL CLEANER INTO THE RADIATOR WHICH RESULTED IN UNPLEASANT ODOR. THE CUSTOMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE RADIATOR SEALS, HOSES AND THE ENGINE BY THAT CHEMICAL BEFORE IT WASH FLUSHED OUT. THERE IS A NOISE PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING THAT WAS NOT THERE BEFORE THE REPLACEMNT OF THE POWER STEERING HOSES. *YH

VEHICLE HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET TWICE WITHIN PAST TWO YEARS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK DURING REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR AND POWER STEERING THE MECHANIC POURED, BY MISTAKE, A METAL CLEANER INTO THE RADIATOR WHICH RESULTED IN UNPLEASANT ODOR. THE CUSTOMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE RADIATOR SEALS, HOSES AND THE ENGINE BY THAT CHEMICAL BEFORE IT WASH FLUSHED OUT. THERE IS A NOISE PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING THAT WAS NOT THERE BEFORE THE REPLACEMNT OF THE POWER STEERING HOSES. *YH

BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK

THE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE AND IT BEING A 1993 FORD HAS DECIDED NOT OT INCLUDE THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK

ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO RISE AND BECOME UNSECURE. *AK THE ENGINE MOUNT BREAKING ALSO CAUSED REAR BRAKE AND ROTOR FAILURES. THE FRONT TIRES WAS DAMAGE. *YH

NO SUMMARY

NO SUMMARY

NO SUMMARY

LATELY I HAVE BEEN GETTING A THUMP EVERY TIME I SHIFT INTO GEAR SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WAS THE MOTOR MOUNTS. I CHECKED AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL. I CALLED THE FORD SERVICE CENTER AT TEL. 1-800-392-3673 AND TALKED TO SOMEONE NAMED CHRITOPHER AT THE LINCOLN DIVISION. I GAVE HIM ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND THE SAFETY-RECALL. HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A 6 YEAR LIMIT OR 60,000 LIMIT ON THAT SAFETY-RECALL AND THAT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THE WORK DONE ON THE MOTOR MOUNTS, UNLESS I PAID FOR IT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES, HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 53419 MILES AND AGAIN AT 68564 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ENGINE OVERHEATED, ANTIFREEZE WAS IN TAILPIPE AND OIL IN RADIATOR, MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE 11/95 WITH 28005 MILES. CONSUMER STATED IT WAS NOISY WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL, DEALER REPLACED TIE ROD END. AIR CONDITIONER WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO MANIFOLD SET AND ACCUMULATER RUSTED THROUGH. TAPE PLAYER ATE TAPES. WIPERS WOULD NOT PARK, DEALER REPLACED WIPER MOTOR AND WIRE HARNESS. DEALER REPLACED HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND TERMINAL. *SLC

I WAS TOLD BY FOR THAT ONLY THE 1994 MODELS ARE BEING INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THIS IS NOT RIGHT IT IS NOT THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE BUT IT IS THE 3.8 L ENGINE THAT IS BAD REGUARDLESS OF WHAT YEAR IT IS IN!*AK

MAJOR PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER MY CAR RECEIVED THE 144,000 MILE SERVICE CHECK (CAR HAD APPROX. $130,000 AT THAT TIME). IN ADDITION TO THE PROVIDED LIST: FEB 00 - TRUNK LATCH ASSEMBLY WENT OUT; FEB 99 - R/R HEADS & GASKETS/COOLANT/ THERMASTAT/ SENSOR/TUNEUP ($1602) DONE DUE TO WORN-OUT HEAD GASKETS; AUG 98 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STUCK - OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED ($133), NOV 97 - BLOWER MOTOR SPEED CONTROLLER IGNITION KEY LOCK CYCLINDER REPAIRED DUE TO DEFROST LIGHTS STAYED ON WITH KEY OFF, IGNITION SWITCH INOPERABLE ($375). MY COMPLAINT IS IN EVERY INCIDENT (WHETHER THE CAR HAD 75,000 OR 100,000 MILES), THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A FACTORY PROBLEM WITH THE 1993 & 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTALS. RECALL #97V019000 COVERING THE SAME GASKET/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR THE 1994 SHOULD ALSO COVER THE 1993 LINCOLN. ALL REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE UPKEEP WERE DONE BY THE DEALER REGULARLY. THE MORE THIS CAR IS TAKEN IN FOR MAINTENANCE UPKEEP, IT SEEMS TO DEVELOP INTO MORE EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS. REPLACEMENTS DONE TWICE: HEAD G

MAJOR PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER MY CAR RECEIVED THE 144,000 MILE SERVICE CHECK (CAR HAD APPROX. $130,000 AT THAT TIME). IN ADDITION TO THE PROVIDED LIST: FEB 00 - TRUNK LATCH ASSEMBLY WENT OUT; FEB 99 - R/R HEADS & GASKETS/COOLANT/ THERMASTAT/ SENSOR/TUNEUP ($1602) DONE DUE TO WORN-OUT HEAD GASKETS; AUG 98 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STUCK - OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED ($133), NOV 97 - BLOWER MOTOR SPEED CONTROLLER IGNITION KEY LOCK CYCLINDER REPAIRED DUE TO DEFROST LIGHTS STAYED ON WITH KEY OFF, IGNITION SWITCH INOPERABLE ($375). MY COMPLAINT IS IN EVERY INCIDENT (WHETHER THE CAR HAD 75,000 OR 100,000 MILES), THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A FACTORY PROBLEM WITH THE 1993 & 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTALS. RECALL #97V019000 COVERING THE SAME GASKET/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR THE 1994 SHOULD ALSO COVER THE 1993 LINCOLN. ALL REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE UPKEEP WERE DONE BY THE DEALER REGULARLY. THE MORE THIS CAR IS TAKEN IN FOR MAINTENANCE UPKEEP, IT SEEMS TO DEVELOP INTO MORE EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS. REPLACEMENTS DONE TWICE: HEAD G

HEAD GASKET FAILED. NLM

PLEASE REFER TO ODI#722537 WHICH I FILED LAST WEEK REGARDING BAD HEAD GASKET. DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THIS WEEK THAT ENGINE HAS FAILED AS A RESULT. FORD CO HAS DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS REGARD! NEW ENGINE WILL COST ME OVER $4000.00! AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS WAS NO NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART BUT A CONTINUED PROBLEM WITH ENGINE DESIGN. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED ON MY CAR. BAD DESIGN OF 3.8L ENGINE. COMPANY HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR YEARS 1994 AND 1995 CONTINENTAL. I HAVE A 1993 SAME ENGINE!! THIS IS THE SECOND VEHCLE (I OWN 1995 WINDSTAR WITH SAME PROBLEM!!) OUT OF WARRANTY HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIR!! FORD CLAIMS THEY CAN'T HELP ON MY LINCOLN!! DOESN'T MAKE SENSE IN VIEW OF SAME PROBLEM WITH SAME ENGINE RGARDLESS OF YEAR! MILEAGE IS LOW ENOUGH THAT THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING! PLEASE HELP!! IT'S GOING TO COST ME ANOTHER $1200.00 TO FIX!ELAG. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FORM THE TAIL PIPE AND ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT. DEALER STATED THAT HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

I HAVE A 1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WITH A V6 3.8 ENGINE; THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP HAVING THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RECALLED THE HEAD GASKETS OF V6 3.8 ENGINES ON OTHER VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT FORD IS IGNORING, WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS BUILT AT THE END OF 1993, AND I KNOW THAT MY ENGINE HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. I FEEL THIS ENGINE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL PROGRAM. *AK

THERMOSTAT FAILED. YH

HEAD GASKET, CYLINDER HEADS AND VALVE TRAIN FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE OVERHEATING. YH

RADIATOR TANK FAILED. YH

WATER PUMP FAILED. YH

AT 50,000 MILES, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING. REPAIRS TOTALLED$2700. THE REPAIRS INCLUDED REPLACING THE ABS INDICATOR RING, WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, BLOWER CONTROLLER,DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR,HEAD GASKET, VALVE COVER, OXYGEN SENSORS & OIL PAN. THE MOST COSTLY REPAIRS INVOLVED THE HEAD GASKET ISSUE WHERE THE 4TH CYLINDER WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE. THE FIRST SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR ON 11/30/99 WHEN THE HEAD GASKET ISSUE WAS DETECTED. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TWO TIMES AND REQUIRED THREE ADDITIONAL VISITS TO THE GARAGE TO COMPLETE THE WORK. TO THIS DAY, THE CAR STILL IDLES ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON PERIODIACALLY....INDICATING MORE THAN LIKELY, MORE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. *AK

AT 50,000 MILES, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING. REPAIRS TOTALLED$2700. THE REPAIRS INCLUDED REPLACING THE ABS INDICATOR RING, WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, BLOWER CONTROLLER,DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR,HEAD GASKET, VALVE COVER, OXYGEN SENSORS & OIL PAN. THE MOST COSTLY REPAIRS INVOLVED THE HEAD GASKET ISSUE WHERE THE 4TH CYLINDER WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE. THE FIRST SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR ON 11/30/99 WHEN THE HEAD GASKET ISSUE WAS DETECTED. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TWO TIMES AND REQUIRED THREE ADDITIONAL VISITS TO THE GARAGE TO COMPLETE THE WORK. TO THIS DAY, THE CAR STILL IDLES ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON PERIODIACALLY....INDICATING MORE THAN LIKELY, MORE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT CONSUMERS COST. WANTED REIMBURSEMENT. MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REIMBURSE CONSUMER AT FIRST BECAUSE VIN# DIDN'T MATCH RECALL, BUT FORD REP ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS THE SAME ENGINE AND REIMBURSED FOR HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. *AK *ML

BECAUSE MY CAR IS A93 MODEL FORD WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS KNOWING THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE STREET AT 10-15 MPH NOTICED SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. DROVE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. REPAIRS WERE MADE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

CONSUMER EXPIERENCED PROBLEM WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF COOLANT. TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK *ML

HAD HEAD GASKET REPAIRED ON ENGINE THAT FORD MOTROR COMPANY KNOWS HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE ENGINES INCEPTION. REPAIRS OVER $2100.00. *AK

ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2000 FORD ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE FOR OWNERS OF 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTIALS, 1995 FORD WINDSTARS, AND 1994-1995 FORD TAURUSES AND MERCURY SABLES. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WHOSE HEAD GASKETS FAILED DURING A NEW WARRANTY PERIOD OF 7 YEARS AND 100,000 WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND OF THEIR REPAIR BILLS. I HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTIAL BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHAT FACTORS DETERMINED WHO WAS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS REFUND? I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND AGAIN THEY REFUSE TO EXPLAIN WHY I AM NOT ELIGIBLE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME ENGINE AND THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THEY CONTINUE TO ADVERTISE THAT "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY" WHICH IS TOTALLY FALSE. *AK

AT 40,217 MILES ON MY 1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MY " ENGINE CHECK LIGHT" COME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET AND HAD TO REPLACE MY 3.8L ENGINE. I CONTACTED FORD TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FAILURE AT ONLY 40,000 MILES. TO DATE, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SATISFACTORY ANSWER, ONLY A LOT OF SYMPATHETIC WORDS AND "I AM SORRY MR. BLAIR WE WILL NOT TELL YOU ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS ENGINE AND SINCE YOUR CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY WE CONSIDER THIS MATTER CLOSED." ON SEARCHING THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT HOW I CAN RESOLVE MY COMPLAINT I HAVE FOUND THAT OTHER FORD CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PREMATURE 3.8L ENGINE FAILURES. CAN YOU HELP ME RESOLVE MY CONCERNS WITH FORD? WHAT IS THE PROCESS ON ORGANIZING A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION SUIT ?*AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT LOW MILEAGE, SIMILAR VEHICLES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE CONSUMERS. NLM

REPAIRS PAST 8 MONTHS: HEAD GASKET, REAR BRAKES, POWER STEERING SYSTEM, REAR AIR BAGS, SPEED SENSOR (3X), TO NAME A FEW. PENDING REPAIRS: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (DASH), REAR DOOR ACTUATOR, CHIPPING BUMPER PAINT, TRANSMISSION SLUGGISH.

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUTON A METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED VEHICLE. IT WAS A COSTLY REPAIR. SO I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT HAD OCCURRED IN OTHER '93 LINCOLNS, AND HE STATED THAT, WHILE IT WAS UNFORTUNATE, IT SEEMED TO BE UNIQUE TO MY CAR.*AK

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED, FORD RECALLED 1994 AND UP MODEL BUT NOT 1993 EVENTHOUGH IT HAS THE EXACT SAME ENGINE. *SLC

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BROBLEM @55000 MILE IT WILL COST ME 1200.00$. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS ON IT'S SLOW TO ACCELERATE, AND NO HEAT COMES OUT AFTER CAR WARMS UP. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER, BUT THE COST IS TOO MUCH TO HAVE IT FIXED. *AK

SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO A LEAKING HEAD GASKET. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING MOTOR MOUNTS BUSTED, AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURE - CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED - HAS NEVER OVERHEATED - OCCURED AT ONLY 62500 MILES

A$30. WATER PUMP STARTED A CHAIN REACTION THAT HAS RESULTED IN APPROX. $5,500 IN DAMAGES SO FAR. *AK

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE HEAD GASKETS TO BLOW OUT. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 97V019000. ALSO, BATTERY BLEW UP, AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAN WAS NOT WORKING, REPLACED FUSE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK

HEAD GASKE BLEW AT 79,990 MPH. RECALL IS ON 1994 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF SAME ENGINE AND SAME COMPONENT, CONSUMER STATES, RECALL SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED. DEALER CONTACTED AND VERIFIED THE PART. PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED BY DEALER AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. ALSO TWO REAR STRUTS WERE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE. *AK

ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED, COOLANT LEAKING FROM HEAD GASKETS. OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF SUDDEN ROUGH IDLING. DEALER CAN PROVIDE NO EXPLANATION BUT RECOMMENDS THE PURCHASE/INSTALLATION OF NEW ENGINE BLOCK.

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET; CONSUMER HAS LEARNED OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECAL DONE ON THE 1994 VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ENGINE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

FAN BELT REPLACED.

HEAD GASKET FAILED. QCAW

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT 30 MPH, THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE AND MOVE OFF ROAD SAFELY. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

CORRODED ENGINE OIL PAN. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED.

UNDETECTED LEAKING OIL DRIPPED ONTO STEERING RACK. AS FAMILY PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, THEY NOTICED FLAMES AND BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF VEHICLE.

MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED.

ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. *DSH