1996 Ford Thunderbird: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Engine · NC

1996 ford thunderbird 4.6l v8 motor failure of plastic intake manifold. Driving home under normal conditions and check coolant light came on. Duaghter said she had thought she smelled burning coolant for several days prior. Took to mechanic and he pointed out the crack in the intake manifold. Said this was a very common problem with this motor. Paid over $900.00 to have repaired with upgraded part. Told by mechanic that recall issued but expired about 6 months prior to repair.

Filed Oct 29, 2004 · Engine · 114,000 miles · SC

1996 ford thunderbird 4.6l 281cid v8 motor failure of plastic intake manifold. Driving home under normal conditions and check coolant light came on. Wife said she had thought she smelled burning coolant for several days prior. Took to mechanic and he pointed out the crack in the intake manifold. Said this was a very common problem with this motor. Paid over $800.00 to have repaired with upgraded part. Ford motor co. Has been aware of problem for years and issued a recall for taxis and police vehicles but recall does not cover privately owned vehicles. Car has approximately 114,000 miles.

Filed Sep 1, 2004 · Engine · PA

While driving consumer noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to a body shop. Mechanic determined that the intake manifold was cracked and needed to be replaced.

Filed Jul 8, 2003 · Engine · 64,018 miles · IN

Ford recall not honored - intake manifold http://www.bigclassaction.com/class_action/ford_manifold.html upon acceleration, smoke came out of under hood & I believe engine light came on. It all happened so quickly. Made it to the nearest lot, where I could pull off the road. All coolant leaked out. Had to call for tow. Mechanic did coolant pressure test, and showed only leak was at back of engine. Had to pull transmission to get to it. Water pouting out back of engine but no freeze plug blown, traced backward to intake manifold crack that never showed up on intial pressure testing. I was charged over $750. For repairs. Called dealer to check on warranty (expired 1200 miles earlier) and recalls. Said there were none. Just recently discovered the recall at an autozone website, and contacted dealer about it. He said to send in original receipt & ford would reimburse. They gave me the runaround, and finally said the claim was denied because I should've taken it to a ford dealer/service. Since the warranty was expired, & I knew of no recall, I saw no reason to spend the extra money ford mechanics charge, so I went with the other private mechanic. Ford's argument is that I should've gone to ford mechanic, and mine is that ford should have notified me of the recall, especially when I asked them. At least they should reimburse me for something they should have taken care of. I bought the car in 2000, recall was in 1999. Dealer or someone should've notified me of the recall.

Filed Mar 20, 2001 · Engine · MD

While driving consumer noticed smoke coming from under hood, took vehicle dealer who found manifold had cracked.

Filed Jul 2, 1998 · Electrical · MI · fire

The vehicle broke down and the toll truck brought the vehicle back to the owner's house. Vehicle sat for 13 hours. After that the vehicle had caught on fire. Owner could not tell from where the fire came from because of the smoke. She called the fire department and they said that the fire started from the wire in the console area from where the power windows are operated. Owner did not understand how the wires became hot because the vehicle was shut off for 13 hours, enough time for vehicle to cool off. This is the third number that owner gave to contact her, the number is 734‑485‑5839.