1997 Lincoln Town CAR engine problems

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10864176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, STEAM EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN AFTER MARKET INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10864179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC PIECE ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FRACTURED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TEMPERATURE READER AND ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V638000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #10678294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ENGINE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA complaint #10548446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ENGINE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA complaint #10548448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE OIL PAN RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED ALL THE OIL TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER KEEPS CAUSING THE CAR TO TAKE OFF OR NOT EVEN WORK AT ALL WHEN U SET IT, WHEN THE CAR TAKES OFF AFTER SETTING IT THE GAS PEDDLE GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT WILL NOT DEACTIVATE UNLESS YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10440817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ALSO, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND COLLAPSED ONTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000.

NHTSA complaint #10392454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

NHTSA complaint #10362817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING AS USUAL AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED OR HAD BEEN CRACKING OVER TIME. THE ENGINE MADE A PING NOISE AND THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING DOWN INTO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. THE MANIFOLD, THERMOSTAT, AND GASKETS HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR WAS OVER $1,200.00.

NHTSA complaint #10348082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLES THAT EXCEEDED 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MANIFOLD, BUT THEY BELIEVED THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 108,387 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,950. UPDATED 05/27/08

NHTSA complaint #10225462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLES THAT EXCEEDED 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MANIFOLD, BUT THEY BELIEVED THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 108,387 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,950. UPDATED 05/27/08

NHTSA complaint #10225462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A LEAK. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10202040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

WHILE SURFING THE WEB MY HUSBAND CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE ABOUT FORD INTAKE MANIFOLDS WE HAVE A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THAT THIS CRACKED ON IN 2004 WHICH RESULTED IN REPLACING THE ENGINE. WHEN I CALLED FORD THIS HAD ALREADY BEEN SETTLED AS IT WAS NOT A RECALL BUT CLASS ACTION SUIT & NOT DONE IN A DEALER SHOP SORRY ABOUT MY LUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10201040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND STARTED LEAKING COOLANT DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT, CAUSING LOTS OF STEAM AND THE INABILITY TO SEE ,ALMOST RESULTING AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, WHERE THE CRACK ALWAYS OCCURRED IT ALLOWED WATER TO POUR ONTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED WITH ONE OF A NEW DESIGN WITH AN ALUMINUM SLEEVE BUILT IN TO THE POLYMER COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A LAW SUITE SETTLED ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #10187418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

CONSUMER WAS NOT SENT A RECALL NOTICE FOR HIS VEHICLE . RECALL EXPIRED APRIL 2006. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS INQUIRING ABOUT A RECALL RELATED TO THE ENGINE MANIFOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10176440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE. A LETTER WAS RECEIVED BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THOSE WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD IN THEIR VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REIMBURSEMENT HAD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 12/15/06.

NHTSA complaint #10174658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR TODAY WITH HER MOTHER AND 2 CHILDREN, AGES 2 1/2 YRS & 4 WKS. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOOSE COOLANT FLUID RAPIDLY AND OVERHEATED. THIS LEFT ALL OF THEM STRANDED. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED INTO A REPAIR SHOP, WE WERE NOTIFIED IT HAD A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. IT ONLY HAS 99K MILES. THEN I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL CONSIDERING IT HAD A PLASTIC MANIFOLD. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT OF COURSE FORD IS WILLING TO HANDLE THE BIG GUYS (I.E.; GOVERNMENT FLEETS AND TAXIS SERVICES) AND GET THEIR PROBLEMS FIXED. OF COURSE US LITTLE GUYS MUST SPEND THE MONEY TO REPLACE SOME GUYS PROJECT WITH PLASTIC. THEY WOULD LOOSE MONEY IF THEY DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR MONEY BAG, THE BIG GUYS. SO TELL ME WHY I HAVE TO PAY $1000 TO FIX THEIR SCREW UP. I THINK THEIR NEEDS TO BE ANOTHER CLASS ACTION TO MAKE FORD PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE. I AM PAYING FOR MINE, BUYING A FORD.

NHTSA complaint #10170991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN VERY ROUGH TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND SPARK PLUG WIRES.

NHTSA complaint #10170046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR IN JUNE 2006. A FEW WEEKS AGO, I LEARNED OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD AUTOMOBILES REGARDING FAULTY PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS USED IN SEVERAL OF THEIR CARS. I ALSO LEARNED THAT MY CAR MODEL AND YEAR FALL UNDER THE CLASS OF CARS THAT ARE MENTIONED IN THE SUIT, BUT THE SETTLEMENT PERIOD HAS SINCE EXPIRED. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLDS NOR DID I HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF A PAST LAWSUIT THAT WAS SETTLED. MY CAR STILL HAS THE OLD INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT IS PRONE TO CRACKING AND THERE APPEARS THAT THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT EXCEPT HOPE IT DOESN'T CRACK. EVEN THOUGH IT HASN'T CRACKED YET, I AM UPSET THAT I WAS NOT WARNED OR NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS. I ALSO FEEL IT IS UNFAIR TO RECALL FLEET VERSIONS OF MY VEHICLE BUT NOT CIVILIAN VEHICLES LIKE MINE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? IS FORD GOING TO RECALL VEHICLES WITH THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ANYTIME SOON?

NHTSA complaint #10164883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

I AM NOT COVERED BY THE RECENT SETTLEMENT ON MY 1997 TOWN CAR BOTH BECAUSE OF IT'S AGE IS JUST OUTSIDE THE COVERED RANGE, AND BECAUSE THE MANIFOLD ONLY FAILED YESTERDAY. THE MANIFOLD CRACKED ON INTERSTATE 293 IN MANCHESTER, NH. WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED INTO OVERDRIVE AFTER ACCELERATING SLIGHTLY STEAM CAME FROM UNDER THE CAR DUE TO COOLANT LOSS. THE ENGINE DID NOT OVERHEAT, BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND CALL FOR HELP QUICKLY. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR. IT HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT, HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, AND OTHERWISE HAS NEVER HAD A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $900 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LIFETIME PART, MINE CRACKED WITHOUT BEING ABUSED.

NHTSA complaint #10154316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

UPPER PLASTIC MANIFOLD BROKE AND LEAKED OUT COOLANT WHILE TRAVELING. REPAIR WAS MADE BY REPLACING MANIFOLD AT A COST OF $812.89. REPORTED THIS TO FORD DEALER AFTER SETTLEMENT DATE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WAS MADE AFTER 7 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD HAD EXPIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10147848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10147334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

DT: CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AT LOW SPEEDS AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. HE WAS TOLD BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IT WAS A MANIFOLD LEAK. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE EXPENSE NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10144640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD AT A COST $1600.00. THE OWNER WAS HOPING THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON THE MANIFOLD. THE CAR WAS FINE BEFORE THIS. THE CAR WAS RUNNING WELL AND A METAL INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS PUT ON. THE DEALER COULD NOT HELP BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CAR.*AK

NHTSA complaint #10132989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CAR BEGAN TO SHOW STEAM UNDER HOOD. TEMPERATURE INDICATOR WAS MAXIMUM. AFTER CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD,THE ANTI-FREEZE OVER-FLOW WAS EMPTY. I FILLED WITH WATER AND CONTINUED HOME. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE SENT A WRECKER TO TOW THE CAR. AFTER INSPECTION, HE NOTIFIED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD SPLIT. HE INDICATED THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THE MANIFOLD AS THE REPLACEMENT WAS METAL INSTEAD OF PLASTIC. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE SAID NO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10132707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THREE YEARS AGO THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING, WITH NO WARNING. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN. THEY HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE COMPANY THAT PROVIDED THE WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER IT. THE COMPANY DID EVENTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. ON JUNE 20, 2005 THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER ON I-10 AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE TOLD THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HEARD A LOT OF NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND TO BREAK IT DOWN IT WOULD COST MORE THAN REPLACING IT. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE MANIFOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10126313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A ENGINE COOLENT CRACK. REPAIR WAS $1150. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. MANIFOLD IS MADE FROM PLASTIC. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10122430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

DRIVER NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONTAL SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT BACK. WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND ONE OF THEM HAD ALREADY FAILED. UPDATED

NHTSA complaint #10115895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.