This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town car. The contact stated while driving 55 mph there was smoke emitting from the engine. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the contact observed that anti-freeze was covering the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated that the intake manifold was cracked and would needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000. Updated 10/24/2014 the consumer stated that the defective plastic intake manifold was covered in a class action lawsuit. The consumer believes that even though the date of the coverage expired the vehicle should still be covered. Updated 04/16/2015
The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town car. While driving approximately 5 mph, the tie rod detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and he stated that the failure occurs frequently for that year, make, and model vehicle. He further stated that there was no lubrication in the zerks on the tie rods for that year, make, and model vehicle, which caused the failure to occur. The contact was responsible for paying $229 to repair the vehicle. The intake manifold cracked and all of the water left the exhaust system. The contact was responsible for paying $900 for that repair. The manufacturer was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 94,000 and current mileage was 100,000. Updated 02/15/08.
The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town car. While driving 55 mph, she smelled steam coming from the vehicle. The dealer stated that the intake manifold cracked and was the cause of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 114,000. Updated 01-29-08. The consumer stated the intake manifold was of plastic. Updated
The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town car. The contact noticed anti-freeze leaking from the vehicle. The dealer stated that the manifold intake failed and they repaired the vehicle. However, the silent recall on the manifold intake was not honored because it expired in 2006. Updated 12/12/07.
The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town car. While driving 65 mph, the engine began to overheat and the check engine light illuminated. The contact opened the hood and noticed antifreeze on the engine. The dealer stated that there was a crack in the intake manifold and they made the replacement. There had been no further occurrences. The failure mileage was 106,895 and current mileage was 111,082.
- Great Bend, KS, USA
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Plastic intake manifold cracked on 1996 Lincoln Town car with 4.6L engine at approximately 101,000 miles. Anti-freeze leaked over engine and interior had toxic smell. Mechanic who repaired this ($900) indicated that this was very common and a default in the design by the manufacturer.
On 3/20/04, I noticed an unusual amount of an engine fluid dripping from my 1996 Town car as I backed out of my garage, so I took it to the repair shop that has done the majority of the maintenance on the vehicle. They diagnosed that the plastic intake manifold was cracked and leaking and needed to be replaced. They told me that "this is a common problem" with this engine and that they had repaired quite a lot of them.
: the contact stated at 60 mph steam came from under the hood. The vehicle overheated, was pulled over, and towed to an independent repair shop. The repair shop determined the intake manifold cracked and needs to be replaced.
: the contact stated while descending a mountain at an unknown speed, steam was coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, where it was determined the manifold had cracked. The manifold was replaced and there have been no further problems. The contact felt that it wasn't right that Ford knowing about a serious flaw in an engine component, such as fuel/air intake manifold, should continue producing these flawed components and not have to issue a recall. For Ford to pay only for these component failures for the first seven years after original purchase is unfair to many owners of Lincoln/ Mercury vehicles.
The contact stated vehicle was leaking radiator fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealership. They found the intake manifold cracked and it was replaced. Updated 1/4/2006 -
I've just been notified by my father that the intake manifold leaks are going to be taken care of by Ford Motor Co. By means of a free intake manifold replacement. Please tell me how I need to proceed to get this done as soon as possible as my 1996 Lincoln towncar is definitely losing water through that port. Thanks very much.
While accelerating the engine stalled without warning. The dealer states that the intake manifold was cracked causing the vehicle to overheat and stall. Please provide additional information.
Defective plastic intake manifold-Ford refused to replace on 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis and 1996 Lincoln Town car. Ford and Mercury refused to take responsibility for the failure. The consumer was driving and the temperature gauge began to run hot and white smoke poured out of the hoods of both vehicles emitting the smell of the engine coolant.
Vehicle was taken to repair shop for leaking coolant out the intake manifold. Vehicle was repaired, and a few weeks later it was still leaking coolant. Once again it was taken to repair shop, and mechanic determined gaskets needed to be replaced. Leak still exist. Ford will not pay for repairs because warranty expired.
9/12/04 cracked "coolant crossover passage" of the intake manifold drained all coolant from my 1996 Lincoln Town car, on to the garage floor, while smoking and smelling. I was told this has been an ongoing problem since 1996, Ford/Lincoln has replaced this part in, cruisers, fleet car, rentals etc, what about the consumer in general. Please see 97M91 recall bullletin for further info.also tsb 02-2-2 Feb 02 intake manifold-cross over channel coolant seepage. I had to have this repair done to my 1996 Lincoln Town car mileage of 74675. The cost was $535. The mechanic and the service manager told me this was an on going and very prevalent problem. They have done alot of these replacements. The new part is made out of metal, ?aluminum or steel.I called customer service and was told it was my problem. I feel that I have been totally ignored and basically blown off by Ford Motor Co. They definately are not very customer oriented as fas I am concerned. I am a widow, and therefor have no other means of transportation, this was definately a very costly and totally preventable occurrence. I have retained the defective part.
Intake manifold developed a crack. As a result, vehicle overheated, and engine leaked anti-freeze. A recall was issued. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
My complaint is about the intake manifold on the 1996 Lincoln Town car. I am a avide car person and I have worked on car all my life. I have come across a problem that I have found out a lot of people are having. The intake manifold on the 4.6 liter engine. This engine is common in the big Ford car. My car developed this problem after 136,000 miles. So when I started looking for the part I had a problem finding it. After a long search I started getting the samething, we are out of the part, and the people that had the part wanted just as much or more than the part cost new. Then I was told by a person at the junk yard that I should check to see if there was a recall because he stated that he gets a lot of calls on this same part. I called Ford and found out that there was an extended warranty on the part, seven years. My warranty expired last year. So I started doing research and found out that this problem was all over the country. So I went to the dealership. I went on 8/18/2004 and I asked about this and a mechanic took me to a work station and on the floor was 4 intakes all with the same things, cracked! I wrote Ford and was told that they could not do any thing for me, my time has expired. Now I am out of a car with no job and no money and Ford will not do anything. I think that this is something for you to look into. Ford should issue a recall! I have done a lot of research on this matter. Please contact me!
While driving the temperature suddenly read hot. Then, steam came form the engine compartment. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and mechanic determined that plastic intake manifold cracked, and coolant leaked into the engine. Manufacturer had a partial recall for this issue, but it only applied to commercial vehicles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hamlin, NY, USA