1997 Mercury Grand Marquis: engine failure

Filed Apr 15, 2006 · Engine · 40,000 miles · IL

Re: objection to proposed settlement on susan chamberlan et al. V. Ford motor company, case no.[xxx] to whom it may concern: I am the owner of a 1997 mercury grand marquis, [xxx], that experienced catastrophic failure of the intake manifold in question. I object to the proposed settlement because there is no provision for the additional damage that is likely to occur when there is catastrophic failure of this part. After having the intake manifold replaced we experienced abnormal performance, which included abnormally high coolant temperatures during a road trip, which caused us to have to have the car towed from out of the area to the local mercury dealer. They discovered no problem with the replacement of the intake manifold, but the heads and block had warped at the time of the failure requiring a complete engine replacement. If the vehicle had been under warranty then the total cost of engine replacement and the intake manifold would have been covered. For this reason the proposed settlement of just retroactively providing an extended warranty on the manifold alone is not acceptable. If the vehicle warranty had been in effect at the time of the failure then all repair costs would have been covered. As a result of poor engineering, design, and lack of notification of the defect by ford motor company it has cost me $6082.00, not including the aggravation, towing, and other fees associated with ford's negligence. Please advise me how I can get the reimbursement I deserve. *nm updated 07/16/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Dec 14, 2005 · Engine · 130,000 miles · NH

Dt: the contact stated the intake manifold failed twice. The first failure was in 2001, and the second failure was in 2005. The vehicle was towed to the dealership on both occasions where the engine was replaced at the contact's expense. The manufacturer has offered no free remedy. *ak the engine had to be replaced in 2001, and in 2005 had to replace the intake manifold and pay to have it installed at lincoln mercury in concord, new hampshire. When the intake manifold failed, antifreeze leaked all over the engine. After it was fixed, the intake manifold failed again. The contact had to pay for repairs, and there was no recall.

Filed Aug 24, 2005 · Engine · 66,500 miles · MA

Driving down highway at 60 MPH., when the plastic intake manifold suddenly ruptured dumping out all the antifreeze. High volume of traffic, we could barely get off highway, steam coming from my car blocking vision. Could have caused a major accident. Car had to be towed to local garage, then towed to my home and local garage for repairs. We had to rent car to get home. Mechanic said our intake manifold ruptured causing head gasket failure and possible engine failure. On 8-23-05, got class action suit papers in mail stating plastic intake manifolds could rupture causing coolant to leak and ford would reimburse people who had the problem and paid for repairs. When I got the paper I went to mechanic and told him to stop repairs to see where I stood in suit. Suit did not mention gasket repair reimbursement and engine failure reimbursement. I called ford today and got the usual story that their was no recall on my car, etc. However ford did recall police cars, taxis and fleet cars with the same engine that I have. Ford knew about the poorly designed plastic intake manifolds for years and did not care about customer safety. We could have died from their neglect. W

Filed Sep 19, 2004 · Engine · MI

To whom it may concern, I have a 97 grand marquis with a cracked manifold, but my engine is destroyed. If you have any information or if I can join this class action lawsuit against ford could you please forward it to me.. I've been pricing rebuilt engines and most run about $3000, I have the dohc engine which is very pricey. Any help in this endeavor would be gladly appreciated..plastic junk! I have visited several websites that have many custmers of ford who had problems with the plastic manifold.. I am surprised by only seeing 15 or so complaints about this. Ford has a recall on this part for other vehicles but not mine although it has the same engine as the other vehicles. I don't have $3000 for a new engine and would like some help with this problem..

Filed Jul 12, 2004 · Engine · 61,130 miles · AZ

Plastic intake manifold on my 1997 mercury grand marquee melted on arizona freeway . By the time I could safely pull over, my car had lost it's coolant and caused the engine to be damaged beyond repair, mercury knew if this problem but did not notify me. The result was a new engine at a cost of $4871.45 I feel that the ford motor should have paid for some portion of this repair. I had taken my car in for all the scheduled maintenance at the required intervals and was never made aware of this condition.

Filed Apr 22, 2003 · Engine · 78,993 miles · AZ

The plastic part on the 4.6 liter engine of my 1997 grand marquis failed in a remote part of arizona which resulted in complete engine replacement. I understand that all 4.6 engines in crown victoria's, mercury's, lincoln's, and ford trucks had this part on which many failed. Ford motor co. So much as admitted that this part was unacceptable, because the plastic part was replaced with a metal one. However they decline to do anything if the car is beyond warranty. I understand that they had a hidden warranty for police cars and taxis with no mileage restrictions. Help !!!!!!!

Filed May 6, 2002 · Engine · GA

I puchased my vehicle new in 1997. The harmonic balancer had two major cracks which resulted in damage to the crank shaft which resulted in the vehicle requiring a new engine. This vehicle had only 68000 miles and was never involved in an accident. An independent mechanic who examined my vehicle explained he had never seen something of this nature in all his years of repairing vehicles. Since this vehicle has never been in a accident, all indications are that this is a severe manufacturing defect. If this engine had exploded, it could have caused severe injury to the driver.

Filed Oct 8, 1999 · Engine · KY

Computer has to be 'reflashed' every 20,000 miles approximately because of lost data controlling engine timing and optimum automatic shift performance. This could lead to early engine failure.