I am writing this letter due to the defective intake design by Ford Motor Company. The plastic intake manifold cracks. The coolant will leak onto the top of the block and then down the back of the engine. This intake design is a known defect by Ford but will only cover for 7 years from the vehicle's warranty start date.
Below is an “Owner Notification Letter†from Ford:
97m91 April, 1999
Ford Motor Company is providing a no-charge Service Program Number 97M91, to owners of certain 1996 through 1998 Crown Victoria Taxi, Town Car Limo Prep & Livery Package, 1996 and 1997 Thunderbird, Cougar and Mustang vehicles equipped with 4.6L SOHC engines. This service program provides additional coverage for the intake manifold.
REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM
Fatigue cracks may develop in some of the composite intake manifolds used on the 4.6L SOHC engines installed in the affected cars. This condition may result in engine coolant leakage which, if not detected or ignored, will cause engine overheating. Complete loss of coolant may result in engine damage or engine failure.
WHAT WE WILL DO
if the engine of your car should develop a coolant leak at the intake manifold cross over coolant passage, located directly behind the alternator, your dealer will verify the condition. If the coolant leakage is from the location described above, your dealer will replace the engine intake manifold assembly free of charge.
This no charge coverage is available for 7 years from the vehicle's warranty start date (no mileage limitation) and is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.
My complaint is that my Mustang did NOT leak at the given 7 years and now Ford Motor Company will not do anything.
Everyone who owns these defective vehicles should have a replacement made available to them regardless of when the failure occurred. It is a safety issue, as stated in above letter from Ford.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I am writing this letter due to the defective intake design by Ford Motor Company. The plastic intake manifold cracks. The coolant will leak onto the top of the block and then down the back of the engine. This intake design is a known defect by Ford but will only cover for 7 years from the vehicle's warranty start date. Below is an “Owner Notification Letter†from Ford: 97m91 April, 1999
Ford Motor Company is providing a no-charge Service Program Number 97M91, to owners of certain 1996 through 1998 Crown Victoria Taxi, Town Car Limo Prep & Livery Package, 1996 and 1997 Thunderbird, Cougar and Mustang vehicles equipped with 4.6L SOHC engines. This service program provides additional coverage for the intake manifold.
REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM
Fatigue cracks may develop in some of the composite intake manifolds used on the 4.6L SOHC engines installed in the affected cars. This condition may result in engine coolant leakage which, if not detected or ignored, will cause engine overheating. Complete loss of coolant may result in engine damage or engine failure.
WHAT WE WILL DO
if the engine of your car should develop a coolant leak at the intake manifold cross over coolant passage, located directly behind the alternator, your dealer will verify the condition. If the coolant leakage is from the location described above, your dealer will replace the engine intake manifold assembly free of charge.
This no charge coverage is available for 7 years from the vehicle's warranty start date (no mileage limitation) and is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.
My complaint is that my Mustang did NOT leak at the given 7 years and now Ford Motor Company will not do anything. Everyone who owns these defective vehicles should have a replacement made available to them regardless of when the failure occurred. It is a safety issue, as stated in above letter from Ford.
- Brenda D., Las Vegas, NV, US