While driving engine overheated and died. Vehicle was towed to dealer, dealer indicated that intake manifold cracked. Consumer stateed that manifold should be metal. The consumer was requesting reimbursement of intake manifold repair cost.

- Arlington, VA, USA

While driving, vehicle started to overheat, intake manifold broke.

- Riverside, CA, USA

While driving 65-70 mph, there was steam coming from under the hood, vehicle lost all cooling fluid. Dealer determined that intake manifold had a 3 inch fatigue crack. Consumer had received recall 97M91 regarding this problem and is requesting reimbursement.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

Consumer was informed of water leaking, vehicle taken to a repair shop and informed of a cracked intake manifold. Manufacturer was notified. Consumer states that the intake manifold failed in a forward area that was made of plastic, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

- Sonoma, CA, USA

While driving, steam came from the bottom of vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to dealer. Dealer stated that intake manifold hose had melted which was made out of plastic.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

A bulletin (# 97M91, & 97M91-S1 dated May 1996) was issued by Ford Motor Co informing owners of 1997 Lincoln towncar, that this vehicle may develop fatigue cracks in some of the composite intake manifolds used on the 4.6 L SOHC engines installed in the effected cars. This condition happened to my auto and I broke down in the calif desert and had to be towed to the nearest town where I had to have it fixed in order to return home. The dealer in the town in calif said that there is a recall on this problem. When I returned home I contacted the dealer and they said that my engine was not covered. I would like to know why?? I have written Ford Motor Co but they do not answer any of my letters. Please help me. Thank you

- Henderson, NV, USA

I was driving down a remote highway with the car on cruise control going 60mph. The high temperature alarm sounded, so I immediately pulled over. I opened the hood and hot coolant was spraying out all over the engine. Since the coolant reservoir was still over half full, I drove downhill going only 25mph, to a populated area approximately 1.5 miles away where I could receive assistance. I called a tow truck and had to be towed 75 miles to the Lincoln dealership in las vegas, nv. I left the car, and was later informed that the intake manifold had failed and had to be replaced. I picked up the car the next day, only drove a few miles and realized something was still wrong, so I immediately returned the car to desert Lincoln-Mercury. They took it back into the shop to look it over...returning it after about 30 minutes. They said that coolant had leaked into the spark plug sockets and they had to remove them and blow out the fluid. The service manager told me that the intake manifolds on 97 Lincoln failed quite often and he figured that eventually Ford would have to recall them. I was sent off again with the assurance that my vehicle was repaired. Two days later I tried to start the car and it wouldn't start without repeated efforts. I called Lincoln and they told me to drive the car back to las vegas...approximately 35 miles away. They kept the car for three days and then informed me that the cylinders were warped from the coolant and that I needed a new engine. I am furious that Ford Motor Company knowingly leaves parts on their vehicles that are obviously faulty. The intake manifolds on some 97 Lincoln Town cars have been recalled, but apparently not on those with our particular VIN number. The defective intake manifold was plastic and the new ones are metal. Which again shows that Ford knows the part is the defective and will cause problems. Now I'm stuck with paying a fortune for a new engine. Ford shouldn't be allowed to get away with this.

- Boulder City, NV, USA

Ford published owner notification 97M91 # & #2. notification says that my 1997 Lincoln with engine 4.6L SOHC built in Wixom plant has some vehicles have defective intake manafolds. My intake manafold failed (bursted) on 11-26-2001 in the middle of th calif desert and was towed to the nearst town where I was told by the repair garage that my intake manafold cracked. I had to have it repaired at that time and place. When I returned home I contacted my dealer and they said my car was not under the so called recall. I have contacted the Ford customer service and they reply sorry. If they have a problem with the intake manafold on 1997 Lincoln towncar with the same engine I have and built the same year and at the same plant, then why ismine not covered. Please help.

- Henderson, NV, USA

While driving smoke and steam came from vehicle due to intake manifold malfunctioning.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

Intake manifold has a 4 inch crack, behind alternator.

- Austin, TX, USA

A failure/fatigue crack developed in the composite intake manifold, causing loss of engine coolant, steaming/covering vehicle windshield, obscuring vision, also on windshields of other following vehicles. This is a defect/failure known to Ford Motor Company, and a no charge service bulletin # 01M02 has been issued on certian other vehicles, the service propgram provides additional coverage for the intake manifold. This should apply to all vehicles with this defective part, not just selected vehicles. The failure of this part while operating at highway speeds presents a safety hazard to the driver and other following vehicles. It can also result in overheating & complete engine failure. Ford has extended a no charge coverage on this part for the selected vehicles for seven years and no milage limitation, and is is also extented automatically to subsequent owners. This should be extended to owners of all vehicles woth this defective part. Ford Motor Company coustomer service has rejected / denied/ refused any calaim for refund when contacted by telephone. They have not replied to two request by mail. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

While driving at 25 mph, vehicle commenced to overheat and leaked coolant. Tow truck arrived and informed consumer that problem was a cracked intake manifold. Dealer and manufacturer were notified, and unwilling to assist in this matter.

- Vienna, VA, USA

Intake manifold is made of plastic and Ford recalled the police cars and replaced them early on in 1997 according to service personnel at Ford dealership, also as soon as I can get the information on my dad's Lincoln town a 97 also, his intake failed on his one week after mine, his had 80,000+ miles. This is not supposed to happen to an integral part of the engine as this. He had his replaced at the dealership and I saved a $125 by having mine replaced at my local garage. His costs was around $550. It was replaced with another plastic intake and the Ford parts personnel said it was a stronger one. My bet is, that it will not hold up to the intense heat and vibration any better. This is a very poor use of plastic, everyone knows any kind of plastic degrades under heat and becomes brittle over time. I suspect there are many failures out there or soon will be, especially since Ford called the police cars back in and changed them out. They would incur the most mileage and show the problems the quickest, just by their normal use. I realize that the police use crown victorias but they had the same 4.6 engine and intake setup. Like I have written, I will follow up with my dad's information as soon as I can get him to retreive it, he lives in w.V and has talked to the corporate headquarters and the local dealership there, but still had to pay for it himself. Please let me know if there is anything that will be done and if there are other failures of this type out there. Thanks in advance.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

Intake manifold failed. Mjs

- Alsip, IL, USA

Lower control arm broke, dropping vehicle to the ground, and consumer lost power steering. Also, while applying the brakes, brakes failed due to a broken brake line. Consumer stated carburetor is stuck causing engine to race at high RPM, intake manifold failed causing engine damage.

- Landsdowne, PA, USA