The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that there was steam emitting from the engine compartment. A mechanic advised the contact that there was a crack in the plastic intake manifold. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current and failure mileages were approximately 85,000.

- Soca, ME, USA

: the contact stated the temperature gauge became inoperable, and while attempting to repair a leak in the intake manifold was noticed. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the intake manifold was replaced. There have been no further problems.

- Springfield, VA, USA

The vehicle had problems with the intake manifold. The car was smoking while driving. The intake manifold was cracked. The vehicle had 90,000 miles on it. The owner was aware this was not a safety problem. The owner was upset with the dealership.

- Streamwood, IL, USA

1996 Mercury marquis, ,cracked composite intake head...$ $1100 repaired. I understand there was a fleet recall for this, but not for personally owned vehicles.I feel cheated...the composite heads are defective.

- Valrico, FL, USA

Complaint received via E-mail. We just had our plastic intake manifold replaced, costing $852.28. After so many miles, the pressure makes the front end of the manifold crack and leak. Our mechanic has replaced many of these faulty plastic manifolds, and he said eventually all early models of the Mercury Grand Marquis will have to have this part replaced. He said the Ford company has replaced this manifold on later models, starting with 2002 with an aluminum part where the problem was.

- Hot Springs Village, AR, USA

Intake manifold on 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis failure.

- Bellflower , CA, USA

Intake manifold had to be replaced. The manufactured manifold is made of some sort of plastic. The replacement manifold is also made of the same sort of plastic, but has been revised. Lincoln Mercury considers the new manifold improved. The new one has an aluminum metal on the front section of manifold where alternator support bracket bolts in to hold back of alternator. Speaking to many garages dealing with these same type of vehicles it was stated that this is a common problem with these types of vehicles. Reasoning believed to be is from the vibration of alternator bracket where it bolts into the intake manifold. The intake manifold between the 2 mounting bolts of the alternator bracket cracked across the 2 bolts.

- Old Bridge, NJ, USA

Consumer noticed that vehicle was leaking coolant. Vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, and mechanic determined the intake manifold cracked and coolant spilled inside the engine. Mechanic indicated the need to replace the intake manifold.

- Syosset, NY, USA

My car intake cracked. The car dealership informed us that there was a recall of police vehicles by Mercury/Ford for this problem but not to consumers.

- Mcalester, OK, USA

While driving 55 mph consumer noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the intake manifold was cracked and needed to be replaced.

- Fayetteville, PA, USA

My car (1996 Mercury Grand Marquis) developed a crack in the intake manifold leading to complete loss of coolant and overheating while traveling through Wyoming. It was then towed to a small town repair shop, where this problem was brought to my attention, and that many cars had a recall for this. Unfortunately, for civilian cars there is no recall which led to a repair cost of $1132.

- Superior, CO, USA

While driving 50 mph smoke came from underneath the hood. The dealer stated that the intake manifold cracked.

- Morehead City, NC, USA

While driving 50 mph vehicle overheated. Dealership informed the consumer that the problem pertained to cracks in the intake manifold. The problem was not resolved.

- Morehead City, NC, USA

Intake manifold made of plastic and it cracks. Replacement has metal where plastic was used, obvious a design defect.

- Punta Gorda, FL, USA

While driving consumer noticed head gasket was leaking coolant. The intake manifold was replaced at consumer's expense.

- Oldsmar, FL, USA

Consumer took the vehicle to dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that plastic intake manifold cracked, causing fluid to leak onto the engine. This led to the blew up of coolant in the motor and over heating of the vehicle. Service dealer replaced intake manifold.

- Northfield, NJ, USA

Intake manifold failure.

- Elmwood Park, IL, USA

Plastic intake manifold cracked causing premature damage to vehicle. Consumer stated Ford was aware of the failure because they entered a recall to fleet owner's only. This included taxi cabs, and all police departments. There was no restriction on mileage. Ford has made the crossover pipe of the new manifolds out of aluminum. Consumer contacted the dealer and was told "the VIN wasn't recall and it wasn't under warranty."

- Bellmawr, NJ, USA

Intake manifold cracked, causing vehicle to overheat and stall while driving. Dealership indicated that manifold cracked because it's made of plastic.

- Memphis, TN, USA

While driving down a major highway, the manifold cracked and a cloud of smoke come out from behind my car. I thought it was just a hose. After having it towed to a repair station, I found out that the manifold had cracked and that it was made out of plastic. It cost over $500 to fix it.

- Peabody, MA, USA