Reference ODI id 752976 - I had a similar experience and failure of the same equipment and parts described in the refereneced complaint. These are latent design/material/manufacturing defects. I was originally told, under warranty, that the shudder was due to the traction control sensors. This apparently was incorrect. Now that the vehicle is just over 100,000 mi, Ford will do nothing to correct this defect. The dealer to their credit is trying to correct the shudder problem by servicing the transmission with additives. The intake manifold cracking is a design/material defect which was finally discovered after the warranty period although I had complained about coolant odor several times while in warranty. Ford split the difference with me on the cost of repair, they should have sholdered the entire cost. Now we have another problem which Ford, according to the service supervisor is unwilling to correct. There is a serious problem with the brake booster, it has a tendency to crack internally and cause a hard pedal. This defect was discovered on my wife's Mercury Sable at about 38,000-mi and now is be exhibited on my Crown Victoria. Catastrophic failure of this component at high speed could cause an accident, loss of control in a panic stop because the driver would have to exert an unusual amount of of pressure on the pedal to apply the brakes and activate the ABS. I was told that Ford as a general policy will not do anything to correct problems on vehicles over 100,000 mi. The manufacturer should not have indemnity relief on safety issues and latent defects.

- Rockville, MD, USA