1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA Complaints

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MADE OF PLASTIC. IT SPLITS AT THE CASING SEAMS, WHICH CAUSES ANTI-FREEZE TO SHOOT ALL OVER THE ENGINE.*AK

I OWN A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN A MINI MALL WHEN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF MY VEHICLE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD SNAPPED. HAD THIS HAPPENED 10 MINUTES EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE DOING 65 MPH. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS AS WELL AND AS SUCH I THINK THAT YOUR AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE. IN ADDITION, A PREVIOUS LETTER TO THIS DEFECT WAS SUBMITTED, BUT I HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPLY. *JB

THE FOLLOWING IS A WELL KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED DESIGN CROWN VICTORIA 4.6 ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH FORD HAS IGNORED AND CLAIMED IT IS "INVESTIGATING" FOR THE ORDINARY CONSUMER, WHILE PROVIDING EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR POLICE CARS AND TAXIS. OBVIOUSLY, THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS FLEET MARKET. THERE HAVE EVEN BEEN NEWS STORIES ON THIS VIA NBC. THE FAILURE RELATES TO A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKING PREMATURELY, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT FLUIDS, EXTREME CONSEQUENT ENGINE OVERHEATING, AND RESULTANT CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THEY SELL THE REPLACEMENT AND RE-ENGINEERED PART FOR NEARLY 600 DOLLARS AND CHARGE ALMOST 500 DOLLARS ADDITIONAL TO INSTALL IT. THIS IS A NON-MOVING PART WHICH SHOULD NOT FAIL UNDER NORMAL USE! THERE IS EVEN AN ENTIRE AFTERMARKET BUSINESS MAKING THESE PARTS AS A REPLACEMENT FOR LESS MONEY...ALTHOUGH I SUSPECT MOST FOLKS JUST PAY FORD TO DO THE REPAIR. QUERIES TO DEALERS MEET WITH A REITERATION OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION AND A KIND "SORRY, IT'S NOT COVERED" REPLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A CASE OF FRAUD AND MISREPRESENTATION OF FITNESS, AS OPPOSED TO THE NORMAL RISKS OF WEAR AND TEAR...THEIR POLICY REGARDING LUCRATIVE FLEET EXTENDED REPAIRS SPEAKS TO THIS, IN MY OPINION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DEFECT DUE TO ENGINE STALLING AND POWER ASSIST LOSS.*AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BEGAN TO FILL WITH A WHITE SMOKE AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND LET THE CAR COOL OFF. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP TO THE COST OF $1100 FOR A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF AND WOULD ONLY PAY FOR THE REPAIR IF MY CAR WAS A TAXI CAB OR A POLICE CAR!!!!! *NM

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED CAUSING PLUG SOCKETS TO FILL WITH WATER CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *NM

SOLE OWNER 1997 FORD CROWN VIC LX; INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED - APRIL 16, 2003; TSB REPORT ISSUED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY; COST INCURRED - $1170.00. *NM

CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD DISCOVERED WHEN CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED THINKING IT WAS A BAD SEAL, ONLY TO DISCOVER THE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. NEW MANIFOLD IS ON ORDER $285 DOLLARS, STILL WAITING ON THE REPAIR BILL. *JB

THE HORN / CRUISE CONTROL / AND HAZARD LIGHTS HAVE QUIT WORKING I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED YET. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

THE HOOD COVER CAME LOOSE WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT WAS CAUGHT BY A LATCH AT THE HORIZONTAL POSITION. *JB