The contact owns a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving at speeds of 10 mph, the contact observed smoke coming from under the hood and within seconds, the interior cabin was filled with smoke and flames. The vehicle occupants were able to safely exit the vehicle. And the fire and police department were contacted. There were reports filed by both entities. The vehicle was destroyed. The dealer advised there were no recalls for the vehicle and the manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The failure and current mileages were 37,000.

- Bettendors , IA, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving at any speed, the vehicle will suddenly shut off. The contact is able to shift into neutral and restart the vehicle. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 67,000.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

The 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis had started running a little rough, and being on a very fixed income I hoped and prayed nothing was too badly wrong with it. The manifold failed on the way to the repair shop and I lost all the coolant from the cracked plastic manifold. I had to replace the defective manifold, due to the 3 inch crack in it and all the related gaskets and peripheral equipment. I still have the manifold and the outrageous bill that went with it!!!!!!!

- Pekin, IL, USA

Re: objection to proposed settlement on susan chamberlan et al. V. Ford Motor Company, case no.[xxx] to whom it may concern: I am the owner of a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis, [xxx], that experienced catastrophic failure of the intake manifold in question. I object to the proposed settlement because there is no provision for the additional damage that is likely to occur when there is catastrophic failure of this part. After having the intake manifold replaced we experienced abnormal performance, which included abnormally high coolant temperatures during a road trip, which caused us to have to have the car towed from out of the area to the local Mercury dealer. They discovered no problem with the replacement of the intake manifold, but the heads and block had warped at the time of the failure requiring a complete engine replacement. If the vehicle had been under warranty then the total cost of engine replacement and the intake manifold would have been covered. For this reason the proposed settlement of just retroactively providing an extended warranty on the manifold alone is not acceptable. If the vehicle warranty had been in effect at the time of the failure then all repair costs would have been covered. As a result of poor engineering, design, and lack of notification of the defect by Ford Motor Company it has cost me $6082, not including the aggravation, towing, and other fees associated with Ford's negligence. Please advise me how I can get the reimbursement I deserve. Updated 07/16/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Peoria, IL, USA

Drove approx. Six miles from home to christmas eve. Church service with family. When arrived, steam and smoke were coming from front grille, and around engine hood. Thought the car was going to start on fire. Also making a hissing and gurgling noise. Was quite an "event" in the parking lot! had inspected two days later (after christmas) and found front intake manifold (plastic?) passage cracked and leaking engine coolant onto top of engine block. Also cooling fan was blowing leaking coolant over the passenger side, entire top of engine. No coolant left in coolant reservoir and no coolant flow through engine; due to air bubble / loss of vacuum? I now hear Mercury has a "secret recall" admitting this is a common failure and repairing vehicles less than sever years old for free, also have read that "fleet" vehicles are being repaired for free, but denying owner assistance to same vehicle, engine and intake manifold type to "older" models.

- Ludington, MI, USA

During travel on fm 1604 (outer loop road around san antonio, Texas), I noticed engine overheating. I pulled over and took steps to delay major seizing of engine. Vehicle was spewing steam - looking like hose cracked or loosened. Taken to Firestone facility. Firestone unable to repair due to damage being cracked intake manifold! vehicle repaired at my expense (approximately $1,000). In my opinion, vehicle had insufficient mileage to justify such damage. Unable to obtain repair frequency information from Ford Motor Company (fmc) or any other data, including information concerning possible recall efforts after repeated attempts. Unable to receive any response from fmc. In 2004, found out that Firestone had issued repair kit to their facilities for cracked intake manifold repairs for various vehicles, including 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis. Fmc continues to comment or respond to my queries.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis intake manifold. 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.

- Hot Springs National Park, AR, USA

While driving approx. 55 mph and without prior warning check engine light appeared on the dashboard, and antifreeze was leaking from underneath the vehicle.

- Titusville, FL, USA

I would also like to be on a notification list when the recall on intake manifolds for 4.6L Ford/Mercury engines finally happens. The plastic intake manifold cracked and leaked water outside the engine.

- Callaway, MD, USA

The intake manifold cracked while driving at about 65 miles an hour, with no warning. I was not aware of the coolant lose until A/C started blowing hot air. After walking 6 miles to a phone and a 2 hour wait for a tow truck, I was able to get the car to the dealer. When I told service rep what happened, , he said "you got a cracked manifold." If this has happened so often that the service rep can tell you what went wrong with out raising the hood, then there is a problem! Ford Motor Company should be made to correct the problem or give free replacements and free labor every time this happens. The web site, "my autostats.com" has 138 complaints listed at this time, on this problem and no investigations or findings are listed. This car is targeted towards the older driver and no one would want this to happen to their parents or even grand parents.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

I would like to be on a notification list when the recall on intake manifolds for 4.6L Ford/merc engines finally happens. Our '97 Grand Marquis intake manifold cracked, while on the highway and we (fortunately) had just returned from a back roads area. We had to get towed to a Ford dealership where for $700 they replaced the 'composite' plastic manifold. I also have a 2001 G.marquis, if it's covered by the rumored forth coming recall.

- Abilene, TX, USA

The plastic intake manifold cracked, and leaked water inside the engine.

- West Granby, CT, USA

I own a 1997 Grand Marquis with 36,000 miles. When exiting my car I would smell plastic burning. This happened more frequently when I drove longer. I brought the car to the dealership and was told the head gasket was leaking and needed to be replaced. I have an extended warranty which covered most of the cost, but I still needed to pay for parts that weren't covered. When asked how this could have happened with a car having such low mileage, they had no answer, just that it happens. I had my car serviced at the dealership in November of 2002 for an oil change and fluid check and also, upon their recommendation, had my transmission fluid changed. I would like to know if there have been any other complaints of head gaskets leaking in this model and if someone can please tell my why this would happen.

- Revere, MA, USA

Intake manifold coolant crossover rupture at 79000 miles.

- West Chester, PA, USA

The plastic part on the 4.6 liter engine of my 1997 Grand Marquis failed in a remote part of Arizona which resulted in complete engine replacement. I understand that all 4.6 engines in Crown Victoria's, Mercury's, Lincoln's, and Ford trucks had this part on which many failed. Ford Motor Co. So much as admitted that this part was unacceptable, because the plastic part was replaced with a metal one. However they decline to do anything if the car is beyond warranty. I understand that they had a hidden warranty for police cars and taxis with no mileage restrictions. Help !!!!!!!

- Sun City, AZ, USA

Plastic manifold cracked open releasing all cooling fluid driving 30 mph, outside temp 58 degrees... despite the unwise - if not stupid - decision to save costs by manufacturing one of the hottest parts on a car, plastic, this car should definitely be recalled for that reason, and the dealership should be told to repair this defect at their cost or to reimburse customers who already had to pay this $ 600.00+ for replacing this part with a metal one.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

We also had the plastic intake manifold crack on the interstate at a repair cost of about $950 Ford has recalled fleet bought 4.6L engines, however individual owners have to pay $$$ for the same issue.

- Elkton, FL, USA

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis cracked plastic intake manifold.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

I puchased my vehicle new in 1997. The harmonic balancer had two major cracks which resulted in damage to the crank shaft which resulted in the vehicle requiring a new engine. This vehicle had only 68000 miles and was never involved in an accident. An independent mechanic who examined my vehicle explained he had never seen something of this nature in all his years of repairing vehicles. Since this vehicle has never been in a accident, all indications are that this is a severe manufacturing defect. If this engine had exploded, it could have caused severe injury to the driver.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

Engine shut down completely while proceeding across a busy intersetion, consumer was able to shift into neutral and restart engine while still rolling and continued on, engine check light would stay on, consumer had aarm reman sensor asy-engine elec. Replaced, and also PCM reprogrammed.

- Yuba City, CA, USA