1998 Ford Mustang GT

PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILING EXTENDED AND LOCKED. UNUSABLE *TR

THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LEAKED COOLANT ONTO THE ENGINE AND OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS. CAR DIED ON FREEWAY. 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. 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 & DELIVERY 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 A

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65MPH, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, SPRAYING COOLANT AND STEAM FROM THE HOT ENGINE OUT THE BACK OF THE HOOD. THIS COVERED THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING ME TO LOSE ALL VISIBILITY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, HAD THERE BEEN SOMETHING IN FRONT OF ME, I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I SEE THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS RECALLS FOR THE SAME PART/ENGINE ON OTHER YEARS AND VEHICLES. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACES IT, WITH AN UPDATED VERSION TO AVOID FAILURE, AT A COST OF $900.00. IF IT IS RECALLED ON ONE CAR, WHY NOT THE REST. IT IS THE SAME PART NUMBER AND THE SAME ENGINE, IT SHOULDN'T MATTER WHAT MODEL VEHICLE IT IS IN. SOMEDAY THERE WILL BE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS. *TR

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE ON 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT / 4.6L / 2V PER CLASS ACTION SUIT US DISTRICT COURT / NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT. APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND TO A NEIGHBORING HOME; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR

MY COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE 05N04 RECALL ON MY MOTHERS 1998 FORD MUSTANG. LAST FRIDAY MY 80 YEAR MOTHER GOT LOST AND I SENT MY NIECE TO PICK HER UP, AND ON THEIR WAY HOME THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND DIED, MY NIECE THINKING QUICKLY TURNED THE CAR INTO FIRE STATION AND WAS ABLE TO GET HELP FAST. I THANK GOD MY MOTHER WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN THE HOOD FIRE STARTED, SHE WOULD HAVE WRECKED FOR SURE. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO WALT'S AUTO CARE THE NEXT DAY, WHICH WAS ON SATURDAY AND TESTS WERE RUN TO FIND THE REASON WHY THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF PRIOR WARNING FROM THE CAR OBC. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THEN WE WERE INFORMED OF THE RECALL NOTICE AND TOLD THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE. HOWEVER, WE RECEIVED A CALL MONDAY FROM WALT'S STATING THAT THEY COULD NOT DO THE WORK AND THAT THEY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO ANOTHER SERVICE STATION NAMED RENTON AUTO REPAIR. I WAS CONTACTED BY THEM TO FIND OUT WHO WOULD BE PAYING FOR THE SERVICE REPAIRS AND IT WAS THEN I INFORMED HIM WITH THE SAME INFORMATION THAT WAS RELATED TO ME BY THE FIRST SERVICE STATION. UPON LOOKING IT UP, I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DO THE WORK AND I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A AUTHORIZED FORD REPAIR CENTER. I THEN CONTACTED SOUND FORD, THE PLACE OF PURCHASE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS TOO LATE TO MAKE A CLAIM FOR REPAIRS, BECAUSE THE CAMPAIGN HAD CLOSED FOR OUR CAR YEAR IN 2006 AND IT WOULD HAVE HAD TO FAIL BEFORE THAT TIME. I THEN EXPLAINED THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIRS IN 2004 AND WE WERE NEVER I

SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF MY MUSTANG ENGINE THE DEALER SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I PAID FOR THE REPAIRS TWICE AND THEN AGAIN FOR A 3RD TIME. IT SHOT OUT ON THE ROAD AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTI- FREEZE. THE CONTACT DID NOT REMEMBER IF THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON OR NOT. AFTER REMOVING THE THERMOSTAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,427. *AK

OWNED CAR FOR OVER 5 YRS. ALMOST PAID OFF. DISCOVERED COOLANT LEAK. PUT IN NEW WATER PUMP, NEW PULLEYS, NEW THERMOSTAT, NEW THERMOSTAT HOUSING, NEW HOSES. ONLY TO DISCOVER THE JUNK PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. NOW I FOUND OUT BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MY YEAR OF CAR. FORD IS AWARE OF SAID PROBLEM DUE TO CRAPPY ENGINEERING AND REFUSES TO MAKE IT RIGHT WITH CONSUMERS. THEY MADE IT RIGHT WITH THE FLEET CARS THAT ARE 1998'S AND CARS OTHER THAN MY YEAR. *TR

1) PLASTIC MANIFOLD STARTED LEAKING. NO WARNING. 2) DUMPED ALL COOLANT ON MOTOR AND LEFT ME STRANDED. 3) WILL HAVE TO REPLACE AT A COST OF OVER $900. *NM

CRACKED COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD COOLANT CROSSOVER RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK. MANIFOLD BEING REPLACED WITH NEW ALUMINUM MANIFOLD. I SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME AWARE OF SETTLEMENT IN CHAMBERLAN V. FORD. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF SETTLEMENT AND MY VEHICLE WAS PAST THE 7 YEAR LIMIT AT THE TIME OF THE SETTLEMENT. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD EXTEND COVERAGE. *JB

LAST YEAR I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. I HEARD NOTHING ELSE AFTERWARD, AND HAVE ONLY JUST REALIZED THAT I MISSED THE MARCH 16, 2006 DEADLINE. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF CAN DO IN THIS INSTANCE? *NM

1998 FORD MUSTANG GT INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. MISSED THE SILENT RECALL BY 6 MONTHS. *NM

FORD RECALL PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS.I HAVE PURCHASED A 1998 MUSTANG FROM A NON FORD DEALER THERE IS A DEFINITE LEAKING INTAKE ON THIS MOTOR,I HAVE CONTACTED A FORD DEALER IN MY AREA THEY SAID THE RECALL TIME HAS EXPIRED.THE PLACE OF PURCHASE AND MY SELF NEW OF NO RECALL UNTILL I STARTED LOOKING ON THE INTERNET,AND STARTED TO KEEP ADDING ANTIFREEZE TO THE SYSTEM,YOU CAN SEE THE LEAKING INTAKE,

MY 98 GT MUSTANG PLASTIC RADIATOR INTAKE HAS RUPTURED AT 89,000 MILES. IT SEEMS ALL OF FORD'S EQUIPPED WITH FORD'S 4.6L V-8 CONTAIN AN INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. DUE TO ORIGINAL DESIGN, THIS PART HAS A TENDENCY TO CRACK RESULTING IN SOMETIMES OVER HEATING, ENGINE FAILURE AND WORSE CASE DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR'S ENGINE. FORD RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RECALL MOST CARS OTHER THAN FLEET VEHICLES AND THOSE LISTED IN THE TSB #97M91. 1. 1998 MUSTANG WAS OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. 2. WHEN CAR WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP THE MECHANIC NOTICED A CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD AND ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT IF THIS PART WAS NOT CORRECTED ENGINE FAILURE COULD OCCUR DUE TO COOLANT LOSS RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE. 3. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND I GAVE THEM THE TSB #97M91 AND TOLD THEM TO REPLACE THE PART. 1998 MUSTANG WAS NOT LISTED AND THE CAR AND CAN'T BE FIXED AT DEALER'S COST ONLY CONSUMER'S. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY LUCK TALKING TO CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. FORD OWNERS BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

FORD MOTOR COMPANY SETTLED THE LAWSUIT WITH THE DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT WAS TO CRACKING BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES AND I HAPPEN TO BE ONE OF THEM. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTIES OR SEVEN YEARS BUT ONLY AFTER A CERTAIN DATE AND MANY FORD OWNERS WERE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD. THEY SHOULD REPLACE ALL OF THEM NO MATTER WHAT!! *NM

AFTER SERVICE OF MY 4.6 MUSTANG GT, MY CAR BEGAN MISSING AND I HAD THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPLETE IT REPORTED A MISFIRE ON PLUG 7 & 8, SO I HAD THE PLUGS REPLACED. DURING THE REPLACEMENT, I SAW COOLANT UNDER BOTH THE 7 & 8 PLUG. THE MISFIRE CONTINUES, AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD FAILED AND THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY FOR THE CONSUMER EVEN THOUGH FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS A KIT TO SELL TO THE CONSUMER FOR 900+ DOLLARS. FLEET CARS TAXI, CROWN VIC'S USED BY SHERIFF DEPARTMENTS WERE CLEARED FOR REPLACEMENT, BUT NO THE CONSUMER CIVILIAN. WHAT SENSE DOES THAT MAKE? IF THE ENGINEERING IS BAD, AND IT IS, THE REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE FOR ALL OWNERS OF THE 4.6 LITER ENGINE. HOW IS THE SEGREGATION OF FLEET CARS FROM PERSONAL USE VEHICLES LEGAL IN THIS COUNTRY? EVERYONE WHO OWNS THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE A REPLACEMENT MADE AVAILABLE REGARDLESS OF WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, AND WHAT OTHER DAMAGE CAN I EXPECT TO FIND? WILL THIS HAVE A DAISY CHAIN OF FAILURES DUE TO THE BAD DESIGN? I UNDERSTAND THE COST TO REPLACE WILL BE $1,200.00 + WITH THE DEALERSHIP ESTIMATE PARTS AND LABOR. *JB

I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HOPE YOU WILL LET ME KNOW. I OWN A 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT. IT HAS 48,620 MILES ON IT. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND INSIDE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT IN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOME KIND OF SENSOR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I DO NOT REMEMBER SPECIFICS. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE ABOUT $500.00 PLUS TO FIX IT. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX. LAST MONTH THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR. I TOOK IT IN LAST WEEK AND THEY TOLD ME THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WAS BAD. IT WOULD BE $992.00 PLUS TO FIX IT. I SPENT $115.00 JUST SO THEY COULD TELL ME THIS. I AM FINANCIALLY STRAPPED, I DO NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF MONEY. THE CAR IS IN MINT CONDITION. YES, IT IS ABOUT 8 YEARS OLD BUT, AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE MILES IT HAS HARDLY BEEN DRIVEN. FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DO NOT THINK ALL OF THESE SENSORS AND OTHER THINGS SHOULD BE GOING WRONG WITH IT. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ERROR AND PROBLEMS ON FORDS END. I THINK THEY SHOULD BE FIXING THESE THINGS. I COULD SEE IF MY CARD HAD MORE MILES ON IT AND I HAD THESE PROBLEMS BUT, NOT AT 48,620 MILES. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF THE ABS UNIT IS NOT REPLACED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT GO INTO DETAILS. SO, COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR ME. *NM

INTAKE MANIFOLD DEFECTS.. IT'S MADE FROM PLASTIC AND IT CAN NOT WITHSTAND ALL THE PRESSORE AND HEAT THAT IT WILL CRACK VERY EALRY AND CAUSE COOLING FLUID TO LEAK , AND WITH ALL THAT STEM COMING FROM THE HOOD IT WILL BE SO HARD TO SEE THE ROAD AND WILL CAUSE A FIRE FROM THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM SHORTING OUT FROM THE FLUID.

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED UNDER NORMAL OPERATION WITH NO REAL REASON AS TO IT'S FAILURE OTHER THAN STRUCTURAL FLAWS IN IT'S ORIGINAL DESIGN.

RE: 1998 FORD MUSTANG 4.6 LITRE. DEFECTIVE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD SPLIT NEAR THERMOSTAT HOUSING. FOUND OUT THROUGH INTERNET RESEARCH THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, WITH RECALLS TO ALMOST EVERY VEHICLE MADE WITH A 4.6 LITER ENGINE EXCEPT FOR MY YEAR, THUS WE HAD TO FIND OUT THE HARD WAY. WE NOW FACE REPLACING THIS PART, AT OUR OWN EXPENSE, BECAUSE FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. WE WERE TREATED RUDELY AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO EVEN REFUSED TO TELL US WHETHER A UPGRADED REPLACEMENT PART WAS AVAILABLE. THUS THE INTERNET RESEARCH. THANK GOD FOR THE INTERNET!!

COOLANT WAS LEAKING SLOWLY FOR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS, THEN BEGAN TO LEAK A LOT THE END OF DECEMBER, SO THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE BECAUSE OF RISK OF OVERHEATING, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEAK RESULTED FROM A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WHERE THE THERMOSTAT SITS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MANIFOLD WITH A NEW MANIFOLD THAT IS METAL WHERE THE CRACK OCCURRED (AN INDICATION OF FORD'S AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM). THE COST TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS $1,070 AND I HAVE KEPT MY OLD MANIFOLD. THROUGH MY RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT FORD WILL REPLACE THIS PART ON THE 1996-1997 MUSTANGS AND POLICE AND FLEET CARS. A MEMORANDUM TO THE DEALERSHIPS SHOWS THAT THE 1996-1998 MUSTANGS HAVE THE SAME INTAKE MANIFOLD PART NUMBER, SO FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST TO REPLACE MY INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB

THERE IS COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE DUE TO A DEFECT THAT THE INTAKE HAS. *NM

I CURRENTLY OWN A 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE. IAM THE SRCOND OWNER. IT HAS THE 4.6 V-8 ENGINE. AT APPROXIMATELY 88,000 MILES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND STARTED LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. IT HAS CONTINUALLY GOTTEN WORSE AND IS NOW TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 12/27/2004 REGARDING 3 CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTERS I FOUND ON LINE REGARDING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURES AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN #'S WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON FAILURE. I CONTEND THAT FORD SHOULD REPLACE ALL DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLDS AS THEY OCCUR INSTEAD OF DESIGNATING ONLY CERTAIN VIN #'S AS A FAILURE IS A FAILURE.*AK

FORD AUTOMOBILES EQUIPPED WITH FORD'S 4.6L V-8 CONTAIN AN INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. DUE TO ORIGINAL DESIGN, THIS PART HAS A TENDENCY TO CRACK RESULTING IN SOMETIMES OVER HEATING, ENGINE FAILURE AND WORSE CASE DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR'S ENGINE. FORD RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RECALL MOST CARS OTHER THAN FLEET VEHICLES AND THOSE LISTED IN THE TSB #97M91. 1. 1998 MUSTANG WAS OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. 2. WHEN CAR WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP THE MECHANIC NOTICED A CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD AND ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT IF THIS PART WAS NOT CORRECTED ENGINE FAILURE COULD OCCUR DUE TO COOLANT LOSS RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE. 3. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND I GAVE THEM THE TSB #97M91 AND TOLD THEM TO REPLACE THE PART. 1998 MUSTANG WAS NOT LISTED AND THE CAR AND CAN'T BE FIXED AT DEALER'S COST ONLY CONSUMER'S. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY LUCK TALKING TO CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. FORD OWNERS BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

(1) FORD MADE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OUT OF PLASTIC. (2) MANIFOLD CRACKED, AND CAUSED LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. (3) REPLACED MANIFOLD.OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. NOTES: NEW ONE IS MADE OF ALUMINUM IN CRACK AREA! FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL BUT ONLY FOR FLEET VEHICLES. INTERNET IS FULL OF LIKE STORIES. *AK

HELLO, MY FORD MUSTANG OVERHEATED AND DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. I READ THAT A RECALL ON THIS PART THAT WAS CALLED BY FORD BECAUSE THE SAME EXACT ENGINE ON THE CROWN VICTORIA GIVES THE SAME PROBLEMS AND A RECALL IS IN EFFECT ON IT. WHY WOULD THEY NOT HAVE A RECALL ON ALL ENGINES IF IT IS ECACTLY THE SAME? I WOULD HONESTLY APPRECIATE AN ANSWER IF IT CAN BE PROVIDED. BEST REGARDS. MUNAZZAR TAPAL.*AK

I HAVE A 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD VALVE HAS CRACKED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF INTERENT RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS PLASTIC PART THAT FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT.*AK

MY 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT WITH A 4.6 LITER ENGINE SUFFERED A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH WAS REPLACED COSTING APPROXIMATELY $600,00, HAS CRACKED ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED NUMEROUS FORD DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, TO WHICH THEY REPLIED IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH A WORKING PART ON MINE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, AND COOLANT SPILLED INSIDE THE ENGINE. *AK

VEHICLE CONTAINS A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFORD THAT CRACKS DUE TO THE HEAT AND CHEMICALS INVOLVED IN STANDARD ENGINE USE. THE CRACKS ALLOW THE ESCAPE OF RADIATOR FLUID/ANTIFREEZE ... WHICH WILL THEN CAUSE PERMENANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE/VEHICLE.*AK FORD IN FACT KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, AND WARRANTIES CERTAIN VEHICLE STYLES/YEARS AS WELL AS VEHICLES USED AS FLEET/POLICE/TAXI VEHICLES ... BUT NOT ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES FOR CONSUMERS THAT CONTAIN THE IDENTICAL PART IN QUESTION. LATER VEHICLE YEARS WERE FITTED WITH INTAKES WITH EITHER ALUMINUM CROSSOVERS, OR MADE ALL OF ALUMINUM. VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN THE FAILED PART HAVE THE PART REPLACED WITH THE ALUMINUM-CROSSOVER PART AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. 1.) PART FAILS UNDER REGULAR USE OF VEHICLE. 2.) DEFECTIVE PART MUST BE REPLACED AT HIGH COST OF LABOR - DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPAIR PART DESPITE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLITIN #97M91. 3.) NOTHING. - DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE - I CANNOT AFORD REPLACEMENT CURRENTLY.

I HAVE A 1998 FORD MUSTANG. I NOW HAVE A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS ARE SUBJECT TO FAILURE. THEY ALSO RECALLED SOME OF THE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT I HAVE IN MY CAR. I WAS TOLD, BY FORD THAT SINCE MY CAR WAS MADE A FEW MONTHS AFTER THOSE BEING RECALLED THAT I DO NOT QUALIFY. THE PART IN QUESTION IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD MADE OUT OF PLASTIC. THE MANIFOLDS THAT WERE REPLACED BY FORD NOW HAVE ALUMINUM IN PLACE OF THE PLASTIC IN THE AREA OF THE CRACK. I LEARNED OF A FORD DOCUMENT # 97M91 WHICH SHOWS THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO TRY AND GET FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.*AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. WAS TOLD NEW ONE WAS REDESIGNED. SPOKE WITH SEVERAL AUTO PARTS DEALERS AND FOUND THIS COMPONENT BREAKS IN SAME LOCATION ON ALL. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND FORD WILL NOT REPLACE FOR FREE OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY.*AK

THE PLASTIC INTAKE ON THE ENGINE (4.6 SOHC), CRACKED IN THE WATER JACKET AREA CAUSING, AN ANTI-FREEZE FLUID LEAK. *JB

PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. HAPPENS ON MOST 1996-1998 MUSTANG GT 4.6. NEW PART FROM FORD REPLACES PLASTIC PART PRONE TO CRACKING WITH ALUMINUM PART. FORD HAS A SERVICE PROGRAM # 97M91 RELATED TO 4.6 ENGINES FOR CARS BUILT 07/1995 - 06/1997. CARS BUILT AFTER THIS END DATE STILL EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART. *AK

1) VEHICLE STARTED LOSING RADIATOR FLUID THEN 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON. 2) TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE IS A CRACK IN THE FRONT PLASTIC PART ON THE ENGINE. MECHANIC STATED HE HAS REPLACED A COUPLE DOZEN OF THESE PARTS ON OTHER NEWER MUSTANGS AND IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. MECHANIC STATED TO TAKE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART AND IS BEING REPLACED WITH AN ALUMINUM PART INSTEAD OF PLASTIC BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. 3) TOOK VEHICLE TO COLUMBIA, SC DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED OTHER MECHANIC WAS CORRECT AND WOULD IT COST $780 TO REPLACE PART. 4) I FEEL FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THIS SINCE IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART. *AK

CAR IS A 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT WITH THE SOHC 4.6L ENGINE. AT AROUND 105K MILES, COOLANT LEVELS STARTED DROPPING RAPIDLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS REVVED ABOVE 3000 RPMS. EVENTUALLY, LEVELS DROPPED MORE QUICKLY THAN COOLANT COULD BE REPLACED AND CAR OVERHEATED. FOUND A LARGE POOL OF COOLANT IN ENGINE VALLEY BETWEEN CYLINDERS. FOUND RECALL ON COMPOSITE INTAKES FOR 1996 AND 1997 MUSTANG GT'S WITH 4.6L SOHC ENGINE BUT NOT ON 1998 VEHICLES. INTAKE WAS REPLACED WITH NEW VERSION WITH CAST ALUMINUM CROSSOVER TUBE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

I HAVE LOST 1 QUART OF OIL PER 1000 MILES SINCE 40,000 MILES. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A POOL OF OIL UNDER MY CAR BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE THE LEAK. MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THIS LEAK. MY NEW MECHANIC FINALLY FOUND THE LEAK TO BE A CRACKED TIMING CHAIN COVER. THERE IS A V-SHAPED CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE COVER. HE SAYS IT'S PROBABLY A CASTING ERROR. THE CAR NOW HAS 90,000 MILES AND OF COURSE IS NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND TWO SETS OF WORN REAR-END BEARINGS.*AK

A USED VEHICLE ('98 MUSTANG GT) WAS FINANCED FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP BY MY DAUGHTER APPROX. 3 WEEKS AGO. THE SALESMAN WHO CLOSED THE DEAL STATED THAT THE ONLY ITEMS TO BE COVERED UNDER ANY KIND OF WARRANTY WOULD BE THOSE REGARDED AS SAFETY ITEMS. ENGINE FAILURE OR COSMETIC FEATURES WOULD NOT BE COVERED. APPROX. 17 DAYS AFTER FINANCING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR SWAY BAR BROKE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING IT. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WHERE IT SAT WITHOUT NOTIFICATION FOR ANOTHER 2 OR 3 DAYS. WE WERE INFORMED BY A REPRESENTATIVE (I'M NOT SURE IF IT WAS THE OWNER OR THE MANAGER, DUE TO THE FACT THAT OUT OF THE 4 OR 5 PEOPLE I SPOKE TO, NO ONE WOULD CLAIM MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY) THAT THE PART DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A SAFETY ITEM WHICH MEANS MY DAUGHTER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE COST OF THE PART AND THE LABOR. THE SWAY BAR WAS REMOVED BY THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC AND I CURRENTLY HAVE IT IN MY POSSESSION. THERE ARE DEFINITE SIGNS THAT THE PART WAS CRACKED AND READY TO BREAK LONG BEFORE THE PURCHASE WAS MADE. I ATTEMPTED TO WORK WITH THE MANAGER AND/OR THE OWNER TO GET SOME RESOLUTION. I HAD OFFERED TO REPLACE THE PART MYSELF IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO SIMPLY PURCHASE IT. THE MANAGER SAID THE ONLY THING HE WOULD BE WILLING TO DO IS COVER HALF THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR ($150). I FEEL THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE SAFETY CLAUSE THAT THE SALESMAN ORIGINALLY TOLD MY DAUGHTER WOULD BE IN EFFECT. THE COST OF THE PART AND LABOR D

DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. MANIFOLD DEVELOPED CRACK FOR NO REASON. I FOUND OUT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FROM FORD AND FORD WILL NOT RECALL THE CARS. THE NEW REPLACMENT INTAKE MANIFOLD IS METAL IN THE AREA THAT DEVELOPS A CRACK AND FORD CHARGES ALOT OF MONEY FOR THE REPLACMENT THAT WAS A BAD DESIGN IN THE FIRST PLACE, BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM OR REFUND THE COST OF A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. NOTICED NEW ONE WAS REDESIGNED. WHY REDESIGN IT UNLESS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE OLD ONE? AND IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE OLD ONE WHY NOT A RECALL?

1998 FORD MUSTANG GT - INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACK. ISSUE REFERENCED IN TSB #02-2-2 FROM FORD. FORD IS WILLING TO REPLACE '96-97 MUSTANGS BUT NOT '98 ALTHOUGH IT'S THE SAME PART NUMBER (OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAMS 97M91, 01M02, 99M01). SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ISSUED (ALABAMA/CALIFORNIA). SPOKE WITH LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND FORD CUSTOMER CARE CENTER (REF#1366271768) - BOTH ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM BUT TELL ME '98 MUSTANG NOT COVERED ALTHOUGH MEMORANDUM TO ALL FORD DEALERSHIPS DATED DECEMBER OF 2001 SHOWS 1996-1998 MUSTANG WITH THE REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD PART NUMBER. SEARCHES ON INTERNET REVEAL A DISTURBING TREND. FORD RECALLED FLEET AND POLICE UNITS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE BUT LEFT THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR FORD'S POOR DESIGN. NEW MANIFOLD DESIGN USES A METAL ALLOY INSIDE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHERE COOLANT TRANSFERS - SO THEY KNOW IT'S A DESIGN DEFECT. *LA

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK. THIS PROBLEM MAKES IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO START VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK

WHILE FUELING CAR...GAS POURED OUT OF CAR..CAUSED BY DAMAGED "O" RING AROUND FUELING NOZZLE FROM NECK TO TANK...SIGNIFICANT FUEL SPILL...DANGEROUS AMOUNT OF FUEL LOST AND LEAKING...HAVE OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES....NEVER HAVE KNOWN THIS TO HAPPEN...HAZARD TO AREA WHILE FUELING DUE TO FUEL SPILL. WENT TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE CORRECT PART FOR REPLACEMENT. POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD-IF NOT EXPLOSION CAPABILITY IF IGNITED WHILE FUELING. PERHAPS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ""O" RING. PURCHASED CAR IN 1998,, WONDERS...SHOULD THIS PART HAVE WORN OUT IN THIS MANNER? *NLM

ROAD HUGGER RAGE TIRES, MFG. BY KELLY SPRINGFIELD, SIZE 245/45/17, HAVE DEVELOPED SUBSTANTIAL CIRCUMFERENTIAL SIDEWALL CRACKS ON LOW MILEAGE, HIGH TREAD TIRES. SAME CRACKS PRESENT IN 3 OF THE 4 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 98T002 ON SIMILAR TIRES BY SAME MFG. CONTACTED KELLY SPRINGFIELD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRES. LATER FAILURE OF ONE TIRE RESULTED IN LOW-SPEED ACCIDENT. *PH

I OWN A 1998 FORD MUSTANG GTAST YEAR I NOTICED A COOLING LEAKAGE WHICH I FIRST THOUGHT COMING FROM ONE OF THE HOSES. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED.HEN I PURCHASED A NEW UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP, I NOTICED THAT THEY CHANGED THE DESIGN, ENFORCING THE CRACKED PART OF THE INTAKE WITH ALUMINUM. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND THEY CHANGED THEIR DESIGN; AM I ENTITLED FOR ANY KIND OF COMPENSATION? I HAVE ASKED MANY FORD DEALERSHIPS, BUT THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL IN REGARD TO MY INTAKE MANIFOLD.NY INFORMATION IN REGARD TO THIS IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.*AK

PAINT ON THE 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT CONVERTIBLE IS STARTING TO PEEL RIGHT DOWN TO THE SHEET METAL. LOOK LIKE A 5 INCH PUZZLE PIECE MISSING FROM THE PAINT ON THE PASSENGER UPPER REAR QUARTER PANEL. *JB

THE TIRES EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND NOT THE TIRES. *JB

PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LEAKING. *JB

PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID. FORD WILL FIX THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON THE 97 MUSTANG, BUT NOT THE 98. *NLM