1997 Mercury Grand Marquis complaints

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED SPILLING COOLANT AND DISABLING CAR. THIS WAS A PLASTIC PART THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY METAL. DEALER SAYS LARGE NUMBERS OF THESE FAILURES. COST OVER $1,000 TO REPAIR. POSSIBLE RECALL FOR OTHER MODEL LINES USING EXACT SAME ENGINE IE CROWN VICTORIA.*AK

1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS INTAKE MANIFOLD. *BF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. AFTER SO MANY MILES THE PRESSURE MADE THE FRONT END OF THE MANIFOLD CRACK AND LEAK. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT MANY OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODELS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TC *JB *TC

WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHT LENS OVER THE YEARS HAS BECOME CLOUDY. WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. *JB CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR REPAIRS AND THINKS THEY SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TC

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. VEHICLE OVERHEATED. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY WERE SOME PLASTIC PIECES IN THE ENGINE.*AK

THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER LET THE ENGINE COOL BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE RADIATOR. THE ADDED WATER AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE, THEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO RISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MERCURY DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A CRACK IN IT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB PLASTIC TUBING INSIDE METAL CASING WAS CRACKED ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. SERVICE MANAGER ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE WATER PUMP BE REPLACED. *TC

DRIVING RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FEEL OFF CAR. RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT CAME APART AND WHOLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAME OFF. *BF LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE AND PULLED OUT OF THE SOCKET. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. *NM

A FEW MONTHS AGO WE FOUND THAT OUR WAS OVER HEATING AND FOUND THAT WE ARE LEAKING WATER SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM. WE COULD NOT FIND A LEAK BUT HAD TO PUT WATER INTO THE RADIATOR EVER TWO DAYS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP TO HAVE THE PROS FIND THE LEAK. WE WERE TOLD THAT THEIR WAS W CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN FORD & MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THEY SAID THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND THEY WOULD ALL CRACK AND BRAKE. EVERY SHOP THAT I WENT TO SAID THE SAME THING AND THAT THEY A LOT OF GRAND MARQUIS WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. A REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD COST $400.00 PLUS $250 IN LABOR. WE WERE TOLD THAT IF WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT, IT WOULD BLOW-UP. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I SAW AT LEAST 20 GRAND MARQUIS WAITING FOR MANIFOLDS. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD DESIGN THEM TO BRAKE. THAT'S WHY THEIR MADE OF PLASTIC. HOW STUPID COULD THEY BE TO MAKE ENGINE PARTS OUT OF PVC. WHAT CAN I DO? I BELIEVE THAT THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING IN CANADA, I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE SUDDENLY APPEAR COMING FROM MY EXHAUST. I WAS ABOUT 200 MILES FROM HOME AT THE TIME. I PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION AND LATER LEARNED THAT I HAD A HOLE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT CAUSED MY ENGINE TO IMMEDIATELY OVERHEAT. I HAD SINCE, PHONED FORD MOTOR AND INQUIRED ON THIS PROBLEM TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL. I HAD LEARNED OF MANY INSTANCES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON MANY 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS'. FORD INFORMED ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS REGARDING THIS.*AK

SUDDEN FAILURES OF BALL JOINTS AND STEERING LINKAGES. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD CAME APART.*AK *JB

VEHICLE IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC. IT LEAKS AND EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING. OWNER HAS BEEN LEFT STRANDED DUE TO THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD MELTING AND CRACKING. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

ENTERING THE FREEWAY I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE BEHIND THE CAR. I WATCHED THE TEMPERATURE. AND NURSED THE CAR TO EXIT. I DISCOVERED A BROKEN INTAKE MANIFOLD, THE SAME DEFECT AND PROBLEM THAT FORD IS FIXING FOR POLICE AND TAXIS. I HAD TO HAVE THE NEW STYLE INTAKE INSTALLED WITH THE ALUMINUM WATER CROSS OVER. NOW THREE MONTHS LATER I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I THINK THAT IS ALSO A PROBLEM CAUSED WHEN THE INTAKE BROKE, AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE 1990, BUT CONTINUED TO USE DEFECTIVE PARTS PAST MY MODEL YEAR. *AK

BALL JOINTS SEPARATED WHEN VEHICLE WAS ON A FLOOR JACK AND CONSUMER WAS UNDER VEHICLE. *AK

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I HAVE A 97 GRAND MARQUIS WITH A CRACKED MANIFOLD, BUT MY ENGINE IS DESTROYED. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION OR IF I CAN JOIN THIS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD COULD YOU PLEASE FORWARD IT TO ME.. I'VE BEEN PRICING REBUILT ENGINES AND MOST RUN ABOUT $3000, I HAVE THE DOHC ENGINE WHICH IS VERY PRICEY. ANY HELP IN THIS ENDEAVOR WOULD BE GLADLY APPRECIATED..PLASTIC JUNK! I HAVE VISITED SEVERAL WEBSITES THAT HAVE MANY CUSTMERS OF FORD WHO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD.. I AM SURPRISED BY ONLY SEEING 15 OR SO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. FORD HAS A RECALL ON THIS PART FOR OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT MINE ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME ENGINE AS THE OTHER VEHICLES. I DON'T HAVE $3000 FOR A NEW ENGINE AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM..*AK

THE WEB SITE WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS IS THE FOLLOWING.HTTP://COMMENTS.FOTKI.COM/TRSI/ I DON'T FEEL IT'S FAR TO CONSUMERS TO MAKE A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH CAN DESTROY AN ENGINE. HELP DO SOMETHING FOR ME AND OTHERS LIKE ME. *AK

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MELTED TWICE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THERE WAS FLUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHIC WAS MADE OF PLASTIC, CRACKED. CONSUMER CONTACTED LINCOLN MERCURY AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE DESIGNED FEATURES OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS.*MR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED WHICH CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO BE SPRAYED ONTO THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER OBSERVED THAT THE REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD HAD AN ADDITIONAL PROTECTIVE METAL PLATE LOCATED AROUND THE FRONT FACE OF THE MANIFOLD DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE ALTERNATOR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE ADDITION OF THE METAL SHIELD IS PROOF THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE POORLY DESIGNED ORIGINAL DESIGN THEREFORE HE FEELS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD. *NM

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONSUMER'S HOUSE. HOWEVER, CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY NOTICED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, AND NEED TO BE REPAIRED. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT WAS ONLY PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS ON FLEET VEHICLES. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *JB

PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUEE MELTED ON ARIZONA FREEWAY . BY THE TIME I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER, MY CAR HAD LOST IT'S COOLANT AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR, MERCURY KNEW IF THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT NOTIFY ME. THE RESULT WAS A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF $4871.45 I FEEL THAT THE FORD MOTOR SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR SOME PORTION OF THIS REPAIR. I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR ALL THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AT THE REQUIRED INTERVALS AND WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THIS CONDITION. *LA

AIR FROM AIR CONDITIONER TURNED WARM; TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL; PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. GOT OUT OF CAR AND OBSERVED STEAM AS WELL AS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. CALLED FOR TOW TRUCK WHICH TOOK CAR TO THE NEAREST AUTO REPAIR. TECHNICIAN NOT AVAILABLE. CAR THEN TOWED TO FORD MECURY DEALERSHIP IN BAKERSFIELD, CA WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD. REPLACED THE MANIFOLD AT A COST OF $1600!!!!*AK

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I REPORTED A SHUDDER OR VIBRATION IN THE TRANSMISSION AT SPEEDS OVER 25 MPH. I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT EITHER THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR 85% OF THE TIME THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS THE PROBLEM. A NEW MERCON 5 FLUID WAS BEING USED TO ELIMINATE THE SHUDDER OR VIBRATION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TODAY TO FORD, WHO IS NOW REPORTING THE CLUTCH TO BE GOING OUT. I FIND THIS VERY UNUSUAL AT 48,000 MILES WITH THE PREVIOUS DIAGNOSIS GIVEN. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS OR RELATED PARTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. ALSO BOTH ELECTRONIC WINDOWS ON THE DRIVER-SIDE HAVE GONE OUT...REGULATOR PARTS BROKEN. HELP! *JB

BRAKING LIGHTS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION, THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL DID SO TOO. THERE WERE NO CONSEQUENES DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTIONS, UNTILL THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BEGAIN TO CATCH ON FIRE AND SO DID ONLY THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR.*AK

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD , I NOTICED A COOLANT SMELL COMING INTO MY 1997 GRAND MARQUI. I THEN PULLED OVER TO FIND COOLANT STEAMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY FOUND A CRACKED PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT IS GOING TO COST AROUND $1000 TO FIX. SINCE THEN I HAVE CHECKED THE INTERNET SITE AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE CARS WITH 4.6 ENGINE. I ALSO FOUND OUT THIS PROBLEM WAS BEING FIXED BY FORD ON FLEET CARS ONLY AT NO CHARGE. WHY IS THIS NOT BEING PAID BY FORD WHEN IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTUER DEFECT AND WHY ARE THE FLEET VEHICLES BEING TAKEN CARE OF FOR NOCHARGE?*AK

PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS A CRACK IN IT LOCATED IN THE FRONT PART FO MANIFOLD, BEHIND THE ALTERNATOR.*AK

THIS REGARDS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY THE CAR DEALERSHIP. THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC/PASSIVE DOOR LOCK, WILL NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN AT ALL. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, THERE WOULD NO WAY TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE. THE FORD/MERCURY DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIX/REPAIR THE VEHICLE, AND SENT IT BACK UNREPAIRED. THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS LOCKED - AND CANNOT BE OPENED WITH THE KEY, SWITCH OR REMOTE CONTROL. THEY STATE THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE, AND THE MERCURY NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE, THAT I CALLED TODAY, STATED THAT THIS HAS NEVER BEEN RECORDED IN THEIR DATABASE. *AK

I OWN A 97 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS WE WERE LOSING RADIATOR FLUID. FOUND THAT OUR PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED WHERE THE ALTERNATOR HITS AGAINST IT. FORD MOTORS ANSWER IS A KIT THAT WILL RUN ME $621. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM, PLEASE HELP.*AK

DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY, ON AN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH, WE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. THANK GOD, I MANAGED TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED 25 MILES TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER TO NATURAL BRIDGE, VIRGINIA. I WAS DUMBFOUNDED WHEN I LEARNED THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS MADE OF PLASTIC; IT ACTUALLY BLEW APART, RELEASING ALL THE ENGINE COOLANT AT ONCE. ADDITIONALLY, I LEARNED THAT NOT ONLY DID FORD ENGINEER AN INFERIOR MAJOR ENGINE COMPONENT, BUT THEY MADE MY FAMILY THE GUINEA PIG TO FIELD TEST THIS JUNK! TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THEY MADE ME PAY FOR IT. MY COST INCLUDED: TOWING $125, MANIFOLD REPLACEMENT FOR $800, AND AN UNPLANNED HOTEL STAY INCLUDING MEALS FOR APPROXIMATELY $225 WITH A TOTAL COST OF $1150 WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LOSS OF A DAYS PAY. IF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY THINK THEY DERIVED AN ADVANTAGE BY NOT PAYING FOR THIS FAILURE, I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD THINK AGAIN. UNTIL I HAVE BEEN REIMBURSED IN FULL I WILL NOT OWN ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT NOR ANY PRODUCT IN WHICH FORD HAS A BUSINESS INTEREST. I'M GLAD I FOUND THIS WEB SITE. I HOPE IT ALERTS OTHERS TO THE BAD BUSINESS PRACTICES THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAPPENS TO BE PRACTICING!*AK

1. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT NORMAL SPEED, APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, AND BRAKES WERE APPLIED. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED FURTHER THAN NORMAL AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY. ON FURTHER INSPECTION I SAW BRAKE FLUID ON THE FRAME RAIL ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR AT A LOCATION UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR (APPROXIMATELY). 2. IT APPEARS THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBING ON THE CAR BODY/FRAME STRUCTURE AND WORE THROUGH ALLOWING THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. 3. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE YET. I AM STILL INVESTIGATING MY OPTIONS: REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE, FILE A CLAIM WITH FORD, ETC.

I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL ANITFREEZE. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, STEAM START COMING FROM AROUND THE HOOD, OBSCURING MY VISION. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED WITH AN IMPROVED PART WHERE THE COOLANT WAS ROUTED THROUGH A METAL SECTION OF THE MANIFOLD. TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $1145.62 PLUS $80 FOR THE TOW.

CONSUMER DISMAYED TO NOTICE THE SMELL OF FUEL AS SHE DROVE AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. *PH THE SMELL WOULD BE PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AS WELL. THE FUEL WAS LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE LINE. *SC THE IDLER AND PITMAN ARMS WERE REPLACED. *JB

1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. *AK

WITHIN A WEEK OF CHANGING THE TIRES THE BRAKES FAILED. *PH THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT TO REAR BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED DUE TO RUST. (SON ON BEHALF OF HIS MOTHER ANNETTE MEYERS). *JB

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY COVERS ON THIS MODEL ONLY, FOGS OVER (INTERNALLY) AND LENS CAN NOT BE CLEANED. DEALER INFORMS ME THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT DISCREPANCY IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE PIECE AT A RATE OF ABOUT $500.00.*AK

BALL JOINT ON RIGHT FRONT BROKE AND MADE TIRE GO FLAT.CAR WAS INOPERABLE , AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC. *AK

THE ISSUE IS A DRAMATIC DECREASE IN HEADLIGHT CANDLEPOWER ON THE MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS AS THE VEHICLE AGES THAT CAN ONLY BE REPAIRED BY REPLACING INTEGRAL COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLES BODY FOR $500 OR MORE IN COST. THIS IS NOT DUE TO AGING BULBS BUT DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHT COVERS. THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVER CLOUDS WITH AGE AND CANNOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING LARGE BODY COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE WILL LEAD TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WITH THE MOST LIKELY TYPE BEING WITH PEDESTRIANS. THE REASON I HIGHLIGHT PEDESTRIANS IS DUE TO THE FACT OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES HAVE LIGHTS THAT WILL HELP GRAND MARQUIS DRIVERS AVOID AN ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, PEDESTRIANS DO NOT HAVE LIGHTS AND THE DIMINISHED HEADLIGHT CANDLEPOWER OF THE GRAND MARQUIS WILL MAKE PEOPLE ON OUR STREETS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AND THUS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING STRUCK BY A GRAND MARQUIS. ITS UNREASONABLE TO REQUIRE $500 TO SIMPLY MAINTAIN YOU HEADLIGHTS. IN ADDITION, THIS ISSUE BECOMES MORE OF A PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE AGES DUE TO THE FACT IT ENDS UP IN THE HANDS OF FOLKS LEAST LIKELY TO HAVE $500 TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE REQUIRES A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND REPAIR DUE TO DESIGN FLAWS AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY CONCERNS. *NM

INTAKE MANIFOLD FROM FACTORY FAULTY-MADE OF PLASTIC THAT TENDS TO CRACK WHEN VEHICLE GETS HOT. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON TRAIT IN FORDS 4.6 LITER ENGINES AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO COST EACH CUSTOMER APPROXIMATELY $750.00 TO FIX.

CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, AND WATER WENT ALL OVER THE ENGINE. DEALERSHIP INSTALLED AN ALUMINUM INTAKE MANIFOLD.*AK

WE HAVE OWNED A 1997 GRAND MARQUIS FOR APPROX 3 YEARS. WE HAVE NOTICED A SHUDDER AND/OR VIBRATION IN THE TRANSMISSION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, RANGING FROM APPROX 27MPH TO 55 OR 60 MPH. IT APPEARS TO DIMINISH UPON ACCELERATION AT EACH POINT, BUT RETURNS LATER. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 45K MILES. IT DIDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHEN PURCHASED. IS THIS A RECALL SAFETY ISSUE OR MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT? WILL THIS LEAD TO FURTHER, MORE PROBLEMATIC DIFFICULTIES OR DOES IT SMOOTH OUT AFTER INCREASED DRIVING? CAN AN ADDITIVE COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THE SHUDDER WITHOUT DAMAGING ANYTHING ELSE? THANK YOU. *AK

BRAKE LINE FAILURE...RUBBING/EXTREME CORROSION FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER 6 YEARS AND IS CAUSED BY ROUTING/RETAINERS/RUBBER INSULATORS/EXTREMELY POOR CORROSION PROTECTION ON THE EUROPEAN METRIC BUBBLE FLARE LINES. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON OUR PREVIOUS GRAND MARQUIS-1993 AFTER 6 YEARS. IN THIS CASE VEHICLE RESIDED IN SYRACUSE ONLY 2 YEARS AND SPENT 4 MORE IN S.E. MASSACHUSETTS. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS TYPE VEHICLE(1990-1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA/MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS) A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED/ISSUED. *CB

1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS, 81,000 MILES; THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY WITH A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC COOLANT CROSSOVER. THE COOLANT SPRAYED ALL OVER INSIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I UNDERSTAND THAT FORD RECALLED THESE TYPE VEHICLES FROM FIRE, POLICE AND OTHER SERVICE RELATED AGENCIES. I WONDER HOW MANY CRASHES THIS DEFECT HAS CAUSED? WONDER WHY FORD DOESN'T CONSIDER ITS OTHER CONSUMERS? WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE; I.E., MONEY, EMOTIONAL TRAUMA, LOST TIME FROM WORK, ETC.! WONDER WHERE YOU FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY CLASS-ACTION LAWSUITS? GOING THERE NOW! *CB

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS A COMPOSITE ON FORD, LINCOLN, AND MERCURY. IT HAS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT. FORD ALLOWED ALL POLICE VEHICLES, TAXI CABS AND LIMOS REPAIR COVERAGE OF THIS PROBLAM BUT NOT PLEASURE VEHICLES. THE MANIFOLD LEAKS ON A PARTING SEAM FROM THE MOLD OF IT, ON THE FRONT OF THE MANIFOLD, JUST BELOW WHERE ALTERNATOR IS MOUNTED. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE STATED THE AREA IS TOO THIN AND THE STRESS FROM THE MOUNTED ALTERNATOR CAUSES IT TO CRACK. ONE REPAIR MAN SAID HE TAPPED ON IT AND THE PIECE BROKE BECAUSE IT WAS SO THIN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY WE CAN'T GET THE REPAIRS DONE LIKE THE POLICE, TAXI AND LIMOS WITHOUT COST. THERE 14 COMPLAINTS ON THESE CARS IN 2003 THAT ARE ON RECORD, 3 IN 2002 AND 1 IN 2001 ALL ON 1997 CARS. THE REPAIRMAN SAID HE HAS BEEN REPAIRING 2001 AND 2002 POLICE CARS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE PHOTOS SHOWING THE LEAK. I SHOULD BE REINBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS AND IF NECESSARY A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD COMPANY. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE MADE A DRASTIC MOVE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WITH ALUMINUM.

I GUESS WE WERE LUCKY. AT 105,260 MILES, DURING THE TEST DRIVE AFTER A MAJOR TUNEUP, THE PLASTIC INTAKE ON OUR 1997 GRAND MARQUIS INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE MECHANIC WAS ALMOST AT THE SHOP, SO NO OTHER DAMAGE WAS DONE EXCEPT TO OUR POCKETBOOK. UPON LOOKING AT THE CONSISTENCY OF THE MANIFOLD FAILURE, AND THAT THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD, IF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRENTY, HAS BEEN COVERED FOR CARS IN SERVICE, SUCH AS POLICE CARS, BUT NOT FOR PASSENGER CARS, AND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT FOR SOME TIME AND, FROM WHAT I CAN DETERMINE, DID NOT ISSUE ANY RECALLS, I'M INCLINED TO BELIEVE THIS IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. *AK

97 MERCURY MARQUIS GS, IT HAS 91K MI ON IT. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY WITH A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC COOLANT CROSSOVER. THE COOLANT SPRAYED ALL OVER INSIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT WAS THE WEEKEND I WAS ON A RURAL HIGHWAY IN THE STICKS WITH MY TWO KIDS AGES 4 & 6 IN THE CAR SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BOSTON & THE UNIVERSITY OF NH. NOT WANTING TO BECOME STRANDED IN SUB ZERO DEGREE WEATHER IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE, I MANAGED TO CRAWL IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT DIED & WOULD NOT START, THE MOTOR WAS SUPER HOT! THE MECHANIC ADDED COOLANT MANAGED TO GET THE ENGINE TURN OVER AFTER SITTING FOR THE WEEKEND & CALLED TO TELL ME THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED & THAT IS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL BY FORD. IT COST ME OVER $1200 FOR THE EXPENSES INCURRED AS A RESULT(PARTS & LABOR, HOTEL & RENTAL CAR EXPENSES). THE ENGINE MIRACULOUSLY HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE FOR CLOSE TO A YEAR NOW WITH A NEWLY FACTORY REDESIGNED (ALUMINUM COOLANT CROSSOVER) FORD INTAKE MANIFOLD. *LA

WHILE REVERSING IN THE DRIVEWAY THE LOWER BALL JOINT FELL OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINT. *AK

VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE, SHE PULLED OVER AND THEN THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED. *SCC *JB

THE ENGINE ON MY '97 GRAND MARQUIS BLEW UP WITH 37,057 MILES ON IT. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT, A VALVE STUCK OPEN, THE ENGINE BACKFIRED INTO THE INTAKE AND BLEW IT OUT. I NEED TO REPLACE THE INTAKE AND THE CYLINDER HEAD, AND HAVE BEEN QUOTED ABOUT $3500 TO REPAIR IT. ACCORDING TO THE FORD FACTORY REP, FORD WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR IS OVER 6 YEARS OLD. *LA