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Ford Extends Warranty on Certain 3.8l Engine Head Gaskets

28 February 2000

Ford Extends Warranty on Certain 3.8l Engine Head Gaskets To 7 Years/100,000 Miles

    DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 25 -- In the interest of customer
satisfaction, Ford Motor Company is extending the warranty on the
head gaskets on the 1994 Lincoln Continental, 1994-1995 Ford Taurus and
Mercury Sable, and 1995 Ford Windstar with 3.8L V-6 engines to 7 years or
100,000 miles, whichever comes first.  The original extension, issued in 1998,
was for 5 years/60,000 miles for the Taurus, Sable and Windstar vehicles, and
6 years/75,000 miles on Continental.
    "When Ford issued the original warranty extension, our data indicated that
the extension would cover the affected vehicles over the time and mileage
where owners were most likely to have a head gasket concern," said Ann
O'Neill, director, vehicle service and programs, Ford Customer Service
Division.  "But, as these vehicles have aged, we have received new data that
indicate that some owners are having failures outside the original warranty
extension."
    Owners of these vehicles who experienced head gasket failures during the
7 year/100,000 mile time frame will be eligible for a full refund for past
repairs, or for a limited time, may choose a $4,000 certificate to be used
towards the purchase or lease of a new Ford, Mercury or Lincoln.  Vehicle
owners will receive a communication from Ford via first-class mail in March
explaining the warranty extension.
    "We have looked at the data, listened to the voice of our customers, and
are taking this action because customer satisfaction is our number one
priority," said O'Neill.