Complaint Review: Ford Motor Company

I'm the owner of a 1996 Thunderbird with 76,000 miles on it. The plastic intake manifold failed on July 3,2005. I found the information relating to the class action lawsuit on the internet under: http://www.flamingfords.info/manifoldSettlement.html
A preliminary settlement was reached last month (June 2005) under which Ford agreed to extend the warranty on ALL affected vehicles indefinitely and cover the costs of replacement of the failing component.

The Catch-22 here is that when these things fail, the results may be catastrophic and Ford isn't willing to do anything to address any damage done by the manifold failures. I contacted Customer Relations and, while they admit this is happening, they're completely unresponsive as to assisting me. Their advice was to keep the bills. The dealer where the manifold was replaced had an even more bizarre response and won't even admit that subsequent problems are even related (i.e. coolant in the cylinder heads). They're tried to tell me that my spark plugs and wires even after I described the white exhaust smoke at the time of the failure. One of the plugs wasn't even firing after the manifold replacement. They won't even offer an explanation of this phenomena.
This settlement doesn't include a recall, simply notification of the extended warranty. I would urge any owners of these vehicles to write the presiding judge and the lawyers (provided on the website) and demand a recall instead of waiting for these manifolds to fail.

Until this part failed on my car, I wasn't even aware of the problem even though there was an Owner Notification in December 2001. Apparently this is big business because I found the new manifolds on ebay for $170 and up. Ford wants to charge $600 for the part and $400 for labor. They're more than happy to do the replacement now because FMC is paying the bill, but they're not paying for anything else.

We're probably looking at another class action down the line.

Sorry, Willl. I didn't mean to shoot the messenger. Glad to see that you are honest about how crappy the engineering has become at Ford. Maybe they need more old-school guys that believe in building stuff out of steel instead of plastic. I'm just aggravated that they pulled this off at such a grand scale.

Sorry, Willl. I didn't mean to shoot the messenger. Glad to see that you are honest about how crappy the engineering has become at Ford. Maybe they need more old-school guys that believe in building stuff out of steel instead of plastic. I'm just aggravated that they pulled this off at such a grand scale.

Sorry, Willl. I didn't mean to shoot the messenger. Glad to see that you are honest about how crappy the engineering has become at Ford. Maybe they need more old-school guys that believe in building stuff out of steel instead of plastic. I'm just aggravated that they pulled this off at such a grand scale.

Sorry, Willl. I didn't mean to shoot the messenger. Glad to see that you are honest about how crappy the engineering has become at Ford. Maybe they need more old-school guys that believe in building stuff out of steel instead of plastic. I'm just aggravated that they pulled this off at such a grand scale.

Being friends with a fleet mechanic, I know about this. Recently buying a new car I narrowed it down to three choices, a Ford 500, a Chrysler 300, or a Toyota Camry.

Knowing about Ford's engineering flaws and buyer treatment, I read some reviews of the new Ford 500. That decided that.

I liked the design of the Chrysler 300. But it is over-priced and the local dealers use an onerous sales system. Bam, decides that one.

I was wary of the Toyota oil gellification problem, but admired their near zero pollution 4-2 engine(a 4 cylinder that runs on only 2 cylinders while idling) in the new American-made Camry. I noted the oil problem is only in the 6 cylinder engine and seems to be related to not checking your oil level regularly. The Toyota dealer I went to finished the equation, offering a fair price on the vehicle I bought and having a five star service facility. I did buy an extended warranty, of which I feel confident I will never have to avail myself.

Don't over-price crap and then offer us the 'employee discount'. Improve your engineering and marketing and then price it competitively, foo's.

Hey John, No I wasn't trying to rebutt anything you were saying. I missed your post about that specific letter.

I work for Ford and don't even drive one myself I prefer my Volvo's.

I wish you could log on to the ford dealer site and read some of the tech comments about engineering "wonders"

Will, that letter is only good for Taxis, Limos, and Police cars. I checked the VIN with the dealer and online at the Ford site. Thanks for posting it, but please read it before you try to pass it off as so-called proof that Ford will fix the problem. I already mentioned this letter in my first post, so thanks for showing everyone that you firm really does f*&k over the average American consumer while covering the fleet buyers.

Thank you for posting the letter, Will. A trained eye will notice that this letter only covers service on Taxis, Police cars, or Limos. They have the same part, so why don't they cover ALL of them?

Easy answer: because Ford would not sell any more of their fleet cars to bulk buyers after they F&^ked them on the manifolds. They know they can get away with it against the regular consumer, who they expect to shut up and pay, but the fleet buyers would go elsewhere before putting up with Ford's bad engineering.

This letter posted here is yet more proof that someone at Ford F&*ked up and the consumer is left to foot the bill. Whether this was intentional from the beginning remains to be seen (it would not surprise me that they give a good planned kickback in the form of a $1000 repair to their repair shops), but it is obvious that they know about it now (i.e. they upgraded the part).

Class action lawsuits over this matter are already in effect in California and Alabama. Please, if you have suffered financial loss because of Ford's poor engineering and possible planned obselescence in regards to their manifolds and you live in these states, take the opportunity to contact the law firms persuing the case (i.e. Do a Google search and find them listed there, as well as info on the progress of the cases) and make sure that you are fairly compensated for theri incompetence.

Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 1904
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
1-800-392-3673
www.ownerconnection.com

01M02 March 2001
Your Vehicle Identification Number: 12345678901234567

Mr. John Sample
123 Main Street
Anywhere, USA 12345

Ford Motor Company is providing a no-charge service, Program Number 01M02, to owners of certain 1996 through 2001 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor vehicles, certain 1998 through 2001 Model Year Crown Victoria Taxis and certain 1998 through 2001 Lincoln Town Car Limousine and Livery Package vehicles with 4.6L SOHC engines. This service program provides additional coverage for the intake manifold.

Reason For This Additional Coverage Program A fatigue crack may develop in the composite intake manifold used on the 4.6L SOHC engines installed in your vehicle. This condition may result in engine coolant leakage, which, if not serviced, may cause engine overheating. Complete loss of coolant may result in engine damage or engine failure.


What Ford Motor Company and your dealer will do... If the engine of your car should develop a coolant leak at the intake manifold crossover coolant passage, located directly behind the alternator, your dealer will verify the condition. If the coolant leakage is from the location described above, your dealer will replace the engine intake manifold assembly free of charge.

This no-charge coverage is available for 7 years from the vehicle's warranty start date (no mileage limitation) and is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.


How long will it take... The time needed for this repair is less than one day. However, due to service scheduling requirements, your dealer may need your vehicle for a longer period of time.


What we are asking you to do... PLEASE KEEP THIS LETTER. If your car's engine intake manifold should exhibit the condition described above within the 7 year coverage period, contact your dealer. Show the dealer this letter. The dealer will replace the intake manifold assembly after verification of this specific condition. If you lose this letter the dealer will still honor the provisions of this program.


If you've already paid for this service... If you paid to have the engine intake manifold replaced due to a leak at the cross over coolant passage before the date of this letter, Ford Motor Company is offering a full refund. For the refund, please give your paid original receipt to your dealer. To avoid delays, do not send receipts to Ford Motor Company.


If you 've changed address or sold the vehicle... Please fill out the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us if you have changed address or sold the vehicle.


If you have questions If you have questions, please contact us through the Internet at www.ownerconnection.com. Our current response time to Internet inquiries is three business days.

You may also the Ford Motor Company North American Customer Relationship Center and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you:

CALL: (866) 436-7332
(800) 232-5952 (TDD for the Hearing Impaired)

Office Hours: 8am - 11pm Monday through Friday and
9am - 6pm Saturday (Eastern Time)


Quality Care service is there for you all year round.
Quality Care is the commitment of Ford Motor Company and its dealerships to provide you with a superior service and ownership experience. We stand committed with our Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers to assist you with all of your automotive service needs. With our nationwide dealer network, we're here to ensure you receive Quality Care service so that your vehicle maintains peak performance throughout your ownership experience.

We are taking this action as part of our ongoing effort to maintain owner confidence in our products. We hope this program will confirm your continued satisfaction in your Ford built vehicle.

Copyright 2001 FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Published By: Recall/Service Programs Department
Ford Customer Service Division

I Have a 96 Crown Victoria and had the same problem. But be warned if the Dealer offers to replace the Heater Hoses let them do it!. My Manifold split after I had almost 3 years of driving on a Used Crown Vic. It actedlike a broken hose had it towed and was told of the Manifold situation.

They told me there was a recall and Ford would pay for Repair. I was advised to replace the Heater Hoes at the same time for almost$140.00. Thinking this was a Jacked up price I declined. Wrong!!!

To change the Hoses you have to Take the Manifold off! Who the heck ever designed this? Sure 'nuf 8 Months later I had a Leak=Heater Hoses $490 Repair Bill!

The Folks at my Ford dealer couldn't have been better fixed it OK for a lot less. So the moral is: IF YOUR MANIFOLD CRACKS THERE IS A RECALL ON IT. AND PAY THE EXTRA GET THE HOSES CHANGED!

In fact, Ford will replace the manifold with another plastic one during the warranty period. After that, they will use the one with the aluminum crossover, because the customer is paying for it. They still use the plastic one as it leaves the factory, knowing full well it will need to be replaced down the road. They hope it will be after the warranty expires. If it makes you feel better, the job at my shop would run $811 at $60/hour and using the good manifold. Small shops can do the same job for less than dealers for no other reason than we don't have to pay 100 employees or rent a 50K sq/ft building. Go find a small shop and have them do it. I would suggest a NAPA Autocare Center(I am one) so you will have a warranty that is honored nationwide. Good luck.