Do all the Ford 3.8 Essex V6 engines have head gasket problems or only certain years?

Not all Ford 3.8L Essex V6 engines have head gasket problems, but certain years and applications are more prone to them than others. It's not a universal issue. The problem is more associated with specific manufacturing periods and potentially how the engines were used and maintained. Factors like overheating greatly increase the risk of head gasket failure in any engine, not just the Essex V6.

To say definitively which years are *most* problematic requires a deep dive into Ford service records and reported failures, which isn't readily available in a concise form. However, anecdotal evidence and forum discussions often point to certain model years having a higher incidence of head gasket issues than others. You'll likely find more reported problems with certain years of specific vehicle models that used the 3.8L Essex V6.