Tl*the contact owns a 1997 lincoln town car. While driving 55 MPH, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the intake manifold suddenly cracked. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic and they stated that the failure was normal for vehicles that exceeded 100,000 miles. The dealer replaced the manifold, but they believed this should have been recalled years ago. The current mileage is 108,387 and failure mileage was 107,950. Updated 05/27/08
1997 Lincoln Town Car engine complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 91, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 lincoln town car. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The power brakes and steering lost power and the check engine warning indicator light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The dealer stated that the intake manifold had a leak. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage was 130,000.
While surfing the web my husband came across an article about ford intake manifolds we have a 1997 lincoln town car that this cracked on in 2004 which resulted in replacing the engine. When I called ford this had already been settled as it was not a recall but class action suit & not done in a dealer shop sorry about my luck.
Intake manifold cracked and started leaking coolant due to manufacturing defect, causing lots of steam and the inability to see ,almost resulting an accident. Also, where the crack always occurred it allowed water to pour onto the electrical system, creating the potential for a fire. The intake manifold was replaced with one of a new design with an aluminum sleeve built in to the polymer composite intake manifold. A law suite settled on this matter.
Consumer was not sent a recall notice for his vehicle . Recall expired april 2006. *ts the consumer was inquiring about a recall related to the engine manifold.
Dt*: the contact stated the intake manifold cracked and had to be replaced. The vehicle was taken into an independent mechanic for service. A letter was received by the manufacturer regarding reimbursement for those who had to replace the manifold in their vehicle. The contact notified the manufacturer and was informed that the reimbursement had expired. The contact never received reimbursement. Updated 12/15/06.
I am the owner of a 1997 lincoln town car. My wife was driving the car today with her mother and 2 children, ages 2 1/2 yrs & 4 wks. The engine suddenly began to loose coolant fluid rapidly and overheated. This left all of them stranded. After having the vehicle towed into a repair shop, we were notified it had a cracked intake manifold. It only has 99k miles. Then I was informed that this was normal considering it had a plastic manifold. After researching this issue, I have found thousands with the same problem, but of course ford is willing to handle the big guys (I.e.; government fleets and taxis services) and get their problems fixed. Of course us little guys must spend the money to replace some guys project with plastic. They would loose money if they didn't take care of their money bag, the big guys. So tell me why I have to pay $1000 to fix their screw up. I think their needs to be another class action to make ford pay for their mistake. I am paying for mine, buying a ford.
Engine began to run very rough took vehicle to dealer dealer replaced intake manifold and spark plug wires.
I recently purchased a 1997 lincoln town car in june 2006. A few weeks ago, I learned of the class action suit against ford automobiles regarding faulty plastic intake manifolds used in several of their cars. I also learned that my car model and year fall under the class of cars that are mentioned in the suit, but the settlement period has since expired. When I purchased the car, I was not notified of the faulty intake manifolds nor did I have knowledge of a past lawsuit that was settled. My car still has the old intake manifold that is prone to cracking and there appears that there is nothing I can do about it except hope it doesn't crack. Even though it hasn't cracked yet, I am upset that I was not warned or notified about this. I also feel it is unfair to recall fleet versions of my vehicle but not civilian vehicles like mine. Is there anything I can do? Is ford going to recall vehicles with the plastic intake manifold anytime soon?
I am not covered by the recent settlement on my 1997 town car both because of it's age is just outside the covered range, and because the manifold only failed yesterday. The manifold cracked on interstate 293 in manchester, nh. When the car shifted into overdrive after accelerating slightly steam came from under the car due to coolant loss. The engine did not overheat, because I was able to stop and call for help quickly. I am the second owner of the car. It has 96,000 miles on it, has been well maintained, and otherwise has never had a mechanical problem. I have been quoted $900 to repair this problem. The intake manifold should be considered a lifetime part, mine cracked without being abused.
Upper plastic manifold broke and leaked out coolant while traveling. Repair was made by replacing manifold at a cost of $812.89. Reported this to ford dealer after settlement date and was told that the repair was made after 7 year warranty period had expired.
Intake manifold failure.
Dt: contact stated the vehicle stalled at low speeds and the engine light was on. He was told by an independent mechanic it was a manifold leak. The dealer has not been contacted. The manufacturer offered no free remedy. Due to the excessive expense no repairs have been made.
Dt: the consumer stated the plastic intake manifold cracked. The consumer had to replace the manifold at a cost $1600.00. The owner was hoping that there may be a recall on the manifold. The car was fine before this. The car was running well and a metal intake manifold was put on. The dealer could not help because of the age of the car.*ak
Dt: consumer states that three years ago the engine started smoking, with no warning. They had the vehicle to the dealership and were told the engine had blown. They had an extended warranty but the company that provided the warranty wouldn't cover it. The company did eventually fix the problem. On june 20, 2005 the vehicle started jerking and the consumer pulled over on I-10 at which point the vehicle died. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and they were told the engine needed to be replaced. Dealership said they heard a lot of noise in the engine and to break it down it would cost more than replacing it. *jb the consumer stated the first problem was the manifold.
Car began to show steam under hood. Temperature indicator was maximum. After checking under the hood,the anti-freeze over-flow was empty. I filled with water and continued home. I called my mechanic and he sent a wrecker to tow the car. After inspection, he notified that the intake manifold had split. He indicated there might be a recall on the manifold as the replacement was metal instead of plastic. I called the dealer and he said no recall.
Manifold developed a engine coolent crack. Repair was $1150. Car had to be towed to dealer for repair. Manifold was replaced. Manifold is made from plastic. Internet research shows that this is very common defect.
Driver noticed that both frontal seat belts do not retract back. While driving driver noticed fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. Driver took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. *ak updated 12-12-07. *kb the consumer stated while driving, coolant leaked from the vehicle. The consumer was informed the vehicle had a defective intake manifold. The ball joints were defective and one of them had already failed. Updated
*driving in heavy traffic on I-680 in omaha. Below freezing temps. *intake manifold failed...resulting in sprying coolent on windshilds of vehicals *behind me and a large cloud of steam. Resulting in panic braking and close calls. *taken to dealer for part replacement. *recalls for this same part are on the ford crown victoria's and limo's including lincoln limo. Not on lincoln sedans or the mercury with same problem. * I was very lucky that this did not happen just 2 week prior, where I had my family in the car traveling in s. Dakota at -25 degree temps late in the evening.
I have 1997 lincoln town car, 4.6l. The plastic intake cracked, causing the engine to overheat and shutdown. Towed the vehicle costs 180.00. Engine is clattering and moisture coming from the tailpipe. Possible cracked cyclinders heads at mininumum. Cost to replace is $2000 t0 2500. Total engine may be as much as $5,000. From what I can determine this is a major problem with this engine. Ford issued a notification to dealers (97m91). I was never notified during the warraty period or since. Ford should have recalled this part. As an engineer my self I would have never purchased such an expensive vehicle with such a poor design. Plastic and heat don't go together. I have searched the internet and there are hundreds if not thousand of such cases.
During start-up yesterday morning, the engine made a loud knocking sound and there was steam coming out of the passenger side tail pipe. Suspecting a blown head gasket, I removed the plugs on the right bank and found the spark plug in the #1 cylinder wet with coolant. I suspect that there was a leak that filled the cylinder with coolant and created a hydraulic lock that bent a connecting rod, thereby causing the knocking sound. On investigating this situation this morning, I found that ford has issued three recalls (97m91, 99m01 & 01m02) regarding this situation but only covers vehicles in fleet applications. I would like to know before I tear the engine down whether this should be covered by ford warranty. I have contacted their customer service line and they say that they will not cover it but I cannot get them one of their supervisors to return my calls.
Coolant leakage, then plastic intake manifold broke, causing engine to overheat. Had manifold replaced by repair shop who notified me that ford recalled the manifolds for gov. And corporate vehicles, but not consumer vehicles, and release a service bulletin advising of problem to dealers and to replace with new aluminum manifold that won't crack, a $1,100 repair! If ford admits the defect, why are they allowed to get away with fixing only the cars of the government and corporations. What about the consumer's rights? I am thinking of filing a class action lawsuit to get our rights back.
While driving 55-60 MPH vehicle lost coolant. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed consumer that the intake manfold cracked, causing loss of coolant.
Coolant leakage, then plastic intake manifold broke, causing engine to stall. Had manifold replaced by repair shop who notified me that ford recalled the manifolds for gov. And corporate vehicles, but not consumer vehicles, and release a service bulletin advising of problem to dealers and to replace with new aluminum manifold that won't crack, a $700 repair! If ford admits the defect, why are they allowed to get away with fixing only the cars of the government and corporations. What about the consumer's rights?
Upon starting the vehicle it sounded as if a rod was being thrown. The consumer took the vehicle to the repair shop and they tried starting the vehicle again, but the same thing occurred. The mechanic told the consumer to shut the vehicle off. Suddenly the oil pressure dropped. *jb the engine spun the bearing and there was a rattle in the engine area.
While on I-84 in waterbury,ct large amounts of smoke were emitting from rear of vehicle. Stopped and raised hood to find anti-freeze covering engine. Had my 1997 lincoln town car towed to ford/lincoln/mercury repair shop. I was informed that the plastic intake manifold had cracked and that this is a common occurance. Private passenger vehicles are not covered under the recall, however commercial vehicles are covered. Other ford mo co vehicles are also having same problem. Called customer assistance and was told that my vehicle is not covered and to proceed with the $1100 repair and save this bill in the event of a future recall which will entitle a refund. ($750 parts,labor $350 plus taxes). Car is currently in repair shop.
The plastic intake manifold cracked and leaked coolant fluid all over the engine. As a result the vehicle stalled while driving. *bf the consumer request reimbursement fro the expenses he incurred as a result of the cracked intake manifold.
The radiator leaked. Dealer stated that manifold was cracked because it was modified with metal instead of plastic manufacturer stated there was nothing they could do.
Problems with intake manifold on 1997 lincoln towncars.*mr
1997 lincoln town car - intake manifold cracked open loosing coolant and over heated.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Lincoln Town Car?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history