1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

I EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM AND REAR HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM DUE TO CORRODED(RUSTED) BRAKE LINE (PIPING) WITHIN ONE YEAR. I ALSO EXPERIENCED FUEL TANK FAILURE DUE TO RUST AT TANK SEAM AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME TIME. TANK FAILED 11/30/03, FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE 03/16/04, REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE 12/04, BOTH DUE TO PIPING RUST OUT. *JB

Mileage: 111,175

EMAIL FM ELLEN ROW (NC) INQUIRING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF HER 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, WANTS TO KNOW WHY RECALL WAS ONLY FOR THE POLICE CARS.*MR THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS IDENTICAL TO THE POLICE VEHICLES BEING RECALLED FOR FUEL TANK PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE REPAIRS MADE BUT CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY HER VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *NLM *SCC *JB

PROBLEMS WITH POLICE CRUSIERS AND REAR END COLLISION EXPLOSIONS. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED HER VEHICLE BEING THE SAME AS THE POLICE VEHICLE'S. THE VEHICLE WAS MADE AT THE SAME PLANT AS THE POLICE CRUISERS). THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIR DONE TO HER VEHICLE BUT WONDERED WHY FORD COVERED THE POLICE VEHICLE'S EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD HIGHER MILEAGE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE TREATED FAIRLY AND EQUALLY. *SCC

A PIN HOLE SIZE LEAK DEVELOPED IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE, AND WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINE. MR SCC

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND COOLANT LEAKED FROM CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS SEVERAL RECALLS FOR THE PROBLEM THAT COVERS ONLY THE FLEET CARS (TAXI AND POLICE). THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART IS USED ON CONSUMER VEHICLES. I THINK THAT ALL 4.6L SOHC V8 ENGINES WITH THIS DESIGN DEFECT SHOULD BE COVERED.

Mileage: 87,000

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 50MPH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED.*JB

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM PLASTIC MANIFOLD, AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN.. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO ADD. *AK

PLASTIC INTALE MANIFOLD WATER TUBES FAILED. CORY FORD BINGHAMTON, NY. PARTS DEPT RELATED THAT THIS IS A HIGH RATE FAILURE MODE. ON FORD & MERCURY "W" SETRIES ENGINES.RE-ENGINEERED REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD KIT COST APROX $500.00 KIT INCLUDES RE DESIGNED INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH ALUMINUM ENCAPSULATED TUBING , NEW GASKETS & NEW DESIGN ALTERNATOR BRACKET. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR OVER 1,000.00. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IT IS A DESIGN ERROR. IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. WITH A HEART CONDITION I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR IN A REMOTE AREA. THIS IS A FAILURE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO AN INHERRANT DESIGN DEFICIENCY. ONE ONLY HAS TO COMPARE THE KIT TO THE OEM PART TO VERIFY THIS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUTTER, AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ENGINE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. THERE IS A RECALL 01 F 025 000 FOR SAME PROBLEM CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

FAINT SUDDEN NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (COOLANT CAUSING SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPAGE, I BELIEVE) AND THEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. DUE TO ROUGHLY A 3 INCH CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLASTIC COMPOSITE WHICH DUMPED COOLANT INTO THE BACK OF THE ALTERNATOR. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF BEFORE THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. BOTH THE DEALER, WHO IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR A QUICK AND EFFECTIVE REPAIR (MAKES ONE WONDER IF THE MECHANICS HAVE HAD A LOT PF PRACTICE WITH THIS REPAIR), AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELL ME THERE IS NO RELIEF FOR REPAIRS ON A CAR WITH MY VIN ALTHOUGH THE REPLACEMENT PART IS CONSTRUCTED OF METAL AND COMPOSITE RATHER THAN COMPOSITE ALONE. I APPRECIATE THIS DESIGN CHANGE WHICH HOPEFULLY WILL WARD OFF ANOTHER SIMILAR FAILURE BUT DOESN'T CHANGING THE DESIGN RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WAS A WEAKNESS? ON THIS SAME WEB-SITE I READ THAT SOME FORD FLEET VEHICLES WERE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. CONCERNING SAFETY, THE ONLY ISSUE THIS SENIOR CITIZEN FACED WAS THE STRESS OF WALKING FOUR TENTHS OF A MILE IN THE JUNE HEAT AND HUMIDITY TO CALL FOR HELP AND IN PAYING THE TOW AND REPAIR EXPENSE. ONE IS NOT SURPRISED OR GREATLY UPSET WHEN THE ALTERNATOR WEARS OUT - BUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD? WHAT KIND OF STRESS TESTING DID THIS NON-MOVING PART GET WHEN APPROVED FOR PRODUCTION?*AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK. *AK

CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH NOTICE ANTI FREEZE BURNING SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STOPPED A SERVICE STATION AND NOTICE ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE BY TECHNICIAN AND REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD. NLM HEATER HOSE LEAKING COOLANT, ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPAIRED. *YH REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. THERE WAS A RECALL 01F02500ON FOR THIS PART, BUT ONLY POLICE CRUISERS AND TAXI VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED.*AK DEALER REPLACED CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD, ALSO THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. *TT

COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. THERE WAS A RECALL 01F02500ON FOR THIS PART, BUT ONLY POLICE CRUISERS AND TAXI VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED.*AK DEALER REPLACED CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD, ALSO THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. *TT

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION FRONT PANEL OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WATER PASSAGE CROSSOVER FAILED AND WATER SPRAYED UNDER THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. *YH

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION FRONT PANEL OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WATER PASSAGE CROSSOVER FAILED AND WATER SPRAYED UNDER THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. *YH

FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS DEFECT BUT WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO CUSTOMERS WHO OWN RESIDENTIAL CROWN VICTORIAS. THE DESIGN FLAW (FATIGUE CRACK IN COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD COOLANT CROSSOVER PASSAGE) AFFECTS VEHICLES WITH THE 4.6 LITER ENGINES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN 8/8/95 AND 11/22/97 AT THE ST. THOMAS PLANT. THE CRACK CAUSES A RAPID LOSS OF COOLANT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE ALTERNATOR AND CAN RESULT IN SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO OVERHEATING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AFTER THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE TOW TRUCK TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE A REDESIGNED MANIFOLD WAS INSTALLED AT MY COST. *AK

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL 01F025000 REPAIRS CONCERNING INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK, BUT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE WORK COMPLETED FOR LACK OF PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND I LOST ALL OF THE COOLANT @ 65 MPH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR FLEET VEHICLES (TAXIS, POLICE, LIMOS) BUT DOES NOT COVER THE SAME PART (SAME PART #) ON CIVILIAN VEHICLES. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS THE SAME POORLY DESIGNED UNIT, WHICH OVER TIME, WILL MOST LIKELY FAIL AGAIN.*AK

THIS IS APPARENTLY A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON 1996 AND NEWER CROWN VICS, T-BIRDS, MUSTANGS AND LINCOLNS. FORD KNOWS THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO BEAR THE COST. PLENTY OF COMPLAINT INFO CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEB - SEE WWW.THECOMPLAINTSTATION.COM A FORD RECALL IS IN EFFECT FOR 96-98 CROWN VIC TAXIS MADE IN THEIR ST. THOMAS PLANT. VERY FRUSTRATING - MY FAILURE HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75+ MPH WITH NO WARNING. LUCKILY I COULD PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. GOING TO COST $600+ TO REPAIR. FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE. OUR CITY GARAGE HAS REPLACED AT LEAST 5 FAILED MANIFOLDS ON CV POLICE CRUISERS WITH REDESIGNED MANIFOLDS (FORD MUST KNOW THERE IS AN ISSUE HERE TO REDESIGN THE MANIFOLDS). MINE IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT - LOOK AT YOUR COMPLAINT DATABASE AND THE WEBSITE I REFERENCED. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!!NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK

SUDDEN STRUCTURAL RUPTURE OF PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH RESULTANT SUDDEN LOST OF COOLANT. ALSO, FALSE COOLANT TEMPERATURE READING DUE TO NO COOLANT. PASSING MOTORIST ALERTED DRIVER OF DEPENDING PROBLEMS.*AK

ENGINE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND STARTED TO SPIT OUT ANTI-FREEZE AND WATER. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER REPLACED ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME MODELS, HOWEVER HIS WAS NOT INCLUDED, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED. *SLC

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, TSB 01M02, CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT SINCE THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE PROBLEM. *SLC

I RECENTLY SPENT OVER $1,000 HAVING THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FIXED ALONG WITH OTHER REPAIRS. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO SUPER LOWE FORD SEVERAL TIMES AFTER I PURCHASED IT BECAUSE THE LIGHT STAYED ON. SUPER LOWE SAID IT WAS "GAS CAP IS LOOSE" AND "IT'S A SHORT, WE CAN DISCONNET IT IF YOU WANT US TO" ETC. IT WOULD BE OFF FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN RIGHT BACK ON. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IT REALLY DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING, JUST DON'T DRIVE IN CALIFORNIA. WHY DOES THE LIGHT STAY ON?*AK

PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED WHERE ALTERNATOR IS MOUNTED. HAD NOTICED MINILMAL COOLANT LEAK AND GRADUAL INCREASE IN TEMP OVER THE LAST YEAR. FINALLY FOUND CRACK IN PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK

BRAKE LINE FORWARD OF REAR AXLE AND ABOVE FUEL FILTER RUBS ON CAR BODY, RESULTING IN A HOLE IN BRAKE LINE.

BRAKE LINE FORWARD OF REAR AXLE AND ABOVE FUEL FILTER RUBS ON CAR BODY, RESULTING IN A HOLE IN BRAKE LINE.

INTAKE MANFOLD SPLIT. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS VECHILE, BUT THERE IS A VIBRATION INTHE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT BECAUSE IT'S OUT FORD MOTOR CO. DOESN'T WANT TO RESPOND IN GOOD FAITH.

WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 50MPH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK, CAUSING THE ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, RESULTING IN AN OVERHEATING CONDITIONS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL LINE. NO PRIOR WARNING. *AK

BRAKE LINES MOUNTED UNDER LEFT OF VEHICLE RUBBED THROUGH CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE.