Ford Head Gaskets: Where to Write or Call

Ford Motor Co. last month announced that it is extending warranty coverage on the problematic 3.8-liter V-6 engine in some of its cars and trucks (Your Wheels, Highway 1, March 8).

The covered models, which will receive extended warranty coverage of seven years or 100,000 miles, are the 1994 and ’95 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, the 1994 Lincoln Continental and the 1995 Ford Windstar minivan.

Owners of the listed vehicles can seek reimbursement of their head-gasket repair bills at their dealers or obtain more information by calling or writing to Ford Motor Co., Customer Assistance Center, P.O. Box 6248, Mail Drop 3NE-E, Dearborn, MI 48121; (800) 392-3673.

Motorists who have suffered blown head gaskets in Ford, Mercury or Lincoln 3.8-liter V-6 vehicles that are not part of the announced warranty extension can voice their concerns to Ford’s Customer Assistance Center or to the Center for Auto Safety.

The center is an independent consumer group that has petitioned Ford to extend warranty coverage for head gaskets in all its 1988-95 cars and trucks that have the 3.8-liter V-6.

The group asks that readers interested in adding their stories to its case file write (but not call), specifying their make, model, year, number of miles at which they suffered the blown head gasket and the cost of repair. Write to: Center for Auto Safety, 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 330, Washington, DC 20009.