Cracking manifolds on 4.6, 96-2001

[99LS1]

Good news

18 June 2005 Robert Lane Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford has agreed to settle lawsuits filed agaist it due to cracking intake manifolds on certain 1996-2001 4.6L engines. The engines are found in: Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Car, Mustang, Cougar and Thunderbird models. The settlement could impact over 2 million vehicles and cost Ford up to $375 million USD. The plastic intake manifolds Ford used were plastic and were nortorious for cracking, thus causing coolant leaks.

The terms of the settle include:
• Ford will reimburse customers with receipts for the intake repair.
• Ford will pay $735.00 to those without receipts, provided that they can verify with a dealership that a repair was made.
• Ford will extend the warranty coverage for customers whose intakes have not failed.

Ford lost an appeal earlier in the year to have the case dismissed.