The oil pan rusted through and caused all the oil to leak out onto the ground. The cruise control computer keeps causing the car to take off or not even work at all when U set it, when the car takes off after setting it the gas peddle goes all the way to the floor and it will not deactivate unless you shut the car off while driving.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Town car. While driving approximately 20 mph, the engine began to misfire. The check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel until the engine was turned off. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they informed that the engine manifold would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Also, on a separate occasion the front lower control arm fractured and collapsed onto the front driver side wheel. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Town car. While driving approximately 65 mph, the engine overheated and a large amount of white smoke expelled from the exhaust. The warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected under the hood. He noticed that the coolant was extremely low and allowed the engine to cool completely. He then added water to the radiator reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and he stated that the failure was related to a blown head gasket. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 105,000 and current mileage was 107,000. Updated 10-29-08 updated 10/30/08.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

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

- Mistigan, MI, USA

Engine began to run very rough took vehicle to dealer dealer replaced intake manifold and spark plug wires.

- Grapevine, TX, USA

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.

- Kettering, OH, USA

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. The consumer stated the first problem was the manifold.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

I have 1997 Lincoln Town car, 4.6L. The plastic intake cracked, causing the engine to overheat and shutdown. Towed the vehicle costs $180. 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.

- Windcrest, TX, USA

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.

- Columbus, IN, USA

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.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

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?

- Stuart, VA, USA

The manifold crack while driving, the condition caused a coolant leak and over heating.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

I had been driving some 20 miles @ 50mph on a rural highway when the overheat warning sounded. Stopping and raising the hood revealed that coolant was spraying from the front of the engine. I had the vehicle towed to the place of a certified technician who advised me that the intake manifold was cracked and that it was a common occurence on my type vehicle and that Ford Motor Company would cover the repairs. The local Ford dealer denied the coverage and a call to Ford customer service confirmed their decision. I learned from other sources that they would warrant this repair on vehicles in police or taxi service but no others. This is a clear admission that the produce is defective and blatant discrimination against a vast group of owners. I was able to purchase genuine parts and get the repairs made at one half the cost quoted by my local Ford Agency. I am aware that thousands of customers have expirenced the same treatment as I have. It would be very possible for this failure to be responsible for accidents and personal injury.

- Mohawk, TN, USA

Excessive wear on the upper and lower control arm ball joints led to vague steering and a wandering car path. The control arm ball joints that were replaced were rubber on metal without zerk lube fittings. They were designed to fail. The replacement control arm ball joints are metal-on-metal with zerk lube fittings. In 1999 there was a recall on Lincoln Town cars for replacement of the lower control arm ball joints. The recall numbers are NHTSA recall no. 98V322/Ford recall no. 98S37. However, we had to pay the full amount of the repair. Developed a crack in the intake manifold coolant crossover pipe and lost all engine coolant. We had to have it towed 80 miles for repair. Several Ford recalls were issued on the 4.6L V8 engine for replacement of this defective part; but they were for police cars, limo fleets, etc. I was told I am not covered. The little guy is left paying a thousand dollars for Ford's engineering defect. Within a time period of 4 months, we have had to spend almost two thousand dollars to correct Ford's design defects.

- Atlantic City, NJ, USA

The intake manifold failed. The part is made of plastic and split right along the seam, leaking coolant all over the engine.

- Houston, TX, USA

Plastic intake manifold on my 1997 Lincoln towncar cracked leaving my wife and children stranded over 40 miles from home

- Rome, NY, USA

The intake manifold on a 97 Lincoln Town car was originally made of plastic. This manifold has cracked in a large number of cars that use this manifold. These cars include the Crown Victoria, the mustang and the Town car. When purchasing a new manifold, it has been redesigned and a cast iron section has replaced the front plastic section. Keep in mind that the rest is still plastic. The manifold supposedly cracks under the pressure of the alternator, which is attached to the front of the manifold. A recall was issued only for fleet and police vehicles. I believe this is unfair to the consumer. Ford's engineers made a mistake and they are not claiming responsibility unless the vehicles are part of a fleet. The cost of replacement of the manifold is $975. It's not pocket change even for a Lincoln owner. And even if it were just pocket change the owner shouldn't have to pay for an engineering mistake that could have injured someone. The crack in the manifold causes the coolant to leak out of the engine, which could cause other serious repercussions. I, along with many other consumers, feel that Ford (Lincoln) should take responsibility for this defect.

- Broadview Hts, OH, USA

Intake manifold failure...part made out of plastic. Dealer states manufacture had issued a "campaign" to replace at no charge because they knew part was faulty...but only if vehicle was in "taxi or limo" service. I am outraged that manufacture acknowledges that part is faulty but does not replace with adequate replacement. Vehicle has only 56000 miles. Cost to me to repair almost $900. Call to Ford customer service representative has yet to be returned.

- La Quinta, CA, USA

I was driving down a remote highway with the car on cruise control going 60mph. The high temperature alarm sounded, so I immediately pulled over. I opened the hood and hot coolant was spraying out all over the engine. Since the coolant reservoir was still over half full, I drove downhill going only 25mph, to a populated area approximately 1.5 miles away where I could receive assistance. I called a tow truck and had to be towed 75 miles to the Lincoln dealership in las vegas, nv. I left the car, and was later informed that the intake manifold had failed and had to be replaced. I picked up the car the next day, only drove a few miles and realized something was still wrong, so I immediately returned the car to desert Lincoln-Mercury. They took it back into the shop to look it over...returning it after about 30 minutes. They said that coolant had leaked into the spark plug sockets and they had to remove them and blow out the fluid. The service manager told me that the intake manifolds on 97 Lincoln failed quite often and he figured that eventually Ford would have to recall them. I was sent off again with the assurance that my vehicle was repaired. Two days later I tried to start the car and it wouldn't start without repeated efforts. I called Lincoln and they told me to drive the car back to las vegas...approximately 35 miles away. They kept the car for three days and then informed me that the cylinders were warped from the coolant and that I needed a new engine. I am furious that Ford Motor Company knowingly leaves parts on their vehicles that are obviously faulty. The intake manifolds on some 97 Lincoln Town cars have been recalled, but apparently not on those with our particular VIN number. The defective intake manifold was plastic and the new ones are metal. Which again shows that Ford knows the part is the defective and will cause problems. Now I'm stuck with paying a fortune for a new engine. Ford shouldn't be allowed to get away with this.

- Boulder City, NV, USA

Check engine light comes on.

- West Colum, TX, USA