1998 Ford Mustang GT Engine Problems

THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LEAKED COOLANT ONTO THE ENGINE AND OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS. CAR DIED ON FREEWAY. THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKS. THE COOLANT WILL LEAK ONTO THE TOP OF THE BLOCK AND THEN DOWN THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. THIS INTAKE DESIGN IS A KNOWN DEFECT BY FORD. BELOW IS AN "OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER" FROM FORD: 97M91 APRIL, 1999 FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS PROVIDING A NO-CHARGE SERVICE PROGRAM NUMBER 97M91, TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN 1996 THROUGH 1998 CROWN VICTORIA TAXI, TOWN CAR LIMO PREP & DELIVERY PACKAGE, 1996 AND 1997 THUNDERBIRD, COUGAR AND MUSTANG VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L SOHC ENGINES. THIS SERVICE PROGRAM PROVIDES ADDITIONAL COVERAGE FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM FATIGUE CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN SOME OF THE COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLDS USED ON THE 4.6L SOHC ENGINES INSTALLED IN THE AFFECTED CARS. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE WHICH, IF NOT DETECTED OR IGNORED, WILL CAUSE ENGINE OVERHEATING. COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT MAY RESULT IN ENGINE DAMAGE OR ENGINE FAILURE. WHAT WE WILL DO IF THE ENGINE OF YOUR CAR SHOULD DEVELOP A COOLANT LEAK AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CROSS OVER 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. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT MY MUSTANG DID NOT LEAK AT THE GIVEN 7 YEARS AND NOW FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. EVERYONE WHO OWNS THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE A REPLACEMENT MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM REGARDLESS OF WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS STATED IN ABOVE LETTER FROM FORD. *KB

NHTSA ID

10446283

Incident

Jan 25, 2012

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65MPH, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, SPRAYING COOLANT AND STEAM FROM THE HOT ENGINE OUT THE BACK OF THE HOOD. THIS COVERED THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING ME TO LOSE ALL VISIBILITY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, HAD THERE BEEN SOMETHING IN FRONT OF ME, I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I SEE THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS RECALLS FOR THE SAME PART/ENGINE ON OTHER YEARS AND VEHICLES. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACES IT, WITH AN UPDATED VERSION TO AVOID FAILURE, AT A COST OF $900.00. IF IT IS RECALLED ON ONE CAR, WHY NOT THE REST. IT IS THE SAME PART NUMBER AND THE SAME ENGINE, IT SHOULDN'T MATTER WHAT MODEL VEHICLE IT IS IN. SOMEDAY THERE WILL BE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10353815

Incident

Aug 24, 2010

Mileage

138,000 mi

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE ON 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT / 4.6L / 2V PER CLASS ACTION SUIT US DISTRICT COURT / NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10210302

Incident

Nov 19, 2007

Mileage

68,700 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT. APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND TO A NEIGHBORING HOME; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR

NHTSA ID

10210072

Incident

Nov 22, 2007

Mileage

140,000 mi

SPARK PLUG SHOT OUT OF MY MUSTANG ENGINE THE DEALER SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I PAID FOR THE REPAIRS TWICE AND THEN AGAIN FOR A 3RD TIME. IT SHOT OUT ON THE ROAD AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10204429

Incident

Aug 30, 2007

Mileage

20 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTI- FREEZE. THE CONTACT DID NOT REMEMBER IF THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON OR NOT. AFTER REMOVING THE THERMOSTAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,427. *AK

NHTSA ID

10188640

Incident

Mar 19, 2007

Mileage

94,000 mi

OWNED CAR FOR OVER 5 YRS. ALMOST PAID OFF. DISCOVERED COOLANT LEAK. PUT IN NEW WATER PUMP, NEW PULLEYS, NEW THERMOSTAT, NEW THERMOSTAT HOUSING, NEW HOSES. ONLY TO DISCOVER THE JUNK PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. NOW I FOUND OUT BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MY YEAR OF CAR. FORD IS AWARE OF SAID PROBLEM DUE TO CRAPPY ENGINEERING AND REFUSES TO MAKE IT RIGHT WITH CONSUMERS. THEY MADE IT RIGHT WITH THE FLEET CARS THAT ARE 1998'S AND CARS OTHER THAN MY YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10188346

Incident

Apr 14, 2007

1) PLASTIC MANIFOLD STARTED LEAKING. NO WARNING. 2) DUMPED ALL COOLANT ON MOTOR AND LEFT ME STRANDED. 3) WILL HAVE TO REPLACE AT A COST OF OVER $900. *NM

NHTSA ID

10180956

Incident

Jan 23, 2007

Mileage

100,000 mi

CRACKED COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD COOLANT CROSSOVER RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK. MANIFOLD BEING REPLACED WITH NEW ALUMINUM MANIFOLD. I SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME AWARE OF SETTLEMENT IN CHAMBERLAN V. FORD. I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF SETTLEMENT AND MY VEHICLE WAS PAST THE 7 YEAR LIMIT AT THE TIME OF THE SETTLEMENT. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD EXTEND COVERAGE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10173031

Incident

Nov 9, 2006

Mileage

61,250 mi

LAST YEAR I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. I HEARD NOTHING ELSE AFTERWARD, AND HAVE ONLY JUST REALIZED THAT I MISSED THE MARCH 16, 2006 DEADLINE. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF CAN DO IN THIS INSTANCE? *NM

NHTSA ID

10171311

Incident

Mar 16, 2006

1998 FORD MUSTANG GT INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. MISSED THE SILENT RECALL BY 6 MONTHS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10171134

Incident

Oct 15, 2006

Mileage

60,000 mi

FORD RECALL PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS.I HAVE PURCHASED A 1998 MUSTANG FROM A NON FORD DEALER THERE IS A DEFINITE LEAKING INTAKE ON THIS MOTOR,I HAVE CONTACTED A FORD DEALER IN MY AREA THEY SAID THE RECALL TIME HAS EXPIRED.THE PLACE OF PURCHASE AND MY SELF NEW OF NO RECALL UNTILL I STARTED LOOKING ON THE INTERNET,AND STARTED TO KEEP ADDING ANTIFREEZE TO THE SYSTEM,YOU CAN SEE THE LEAKING INTAKE,

NHTSA ID

10170853

Incident

Oct 6, 2006

Mileage

82,000 mi

MY 98 GT MUSTANG PLASTIC RADIATOR INTAKE HAS RUPTURED AT 89,000 MILES. IT SEEMS ALL OF FORD'S EQUIPPED WITH FORD'S 4.6L V-8 CONTAIN AN INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. DUE TO ORIGINAL DESIGN, THIS PART HAS A TENDENCY TO CRACK RESULTING IN SOMETIMES OVER HEATING, ENGINE FAILURE AND WORSE CASE DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR'S ENGINE. FORD RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RECALL MOST CARS OTHER THAN FLEET VEHICLES AND THOSE LISTED IN THE TSB #97M91. 1. 1998 MUSTANG WAS OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. 2. WHEN CAR WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP THE MECHANIC NOTICED A CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD AND ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT IF THIS PART WAS NOT CORRECTED ENGINE FAILURE COULD OCCUR DUE TO COOLANT LOSS RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE. 3. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND I GAVE THEM THE TSB #97M91 AND TOLD THEM TO REPLACE THE PART. 1998 MUSTANG WAS NOT LISTED AND THE CAR AND CAN'T BE FIXED AT DEALER'S COST ONLY CONSUMER'S. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY LUCK TALKING TO CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. FORD OWNERS BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

10166194

Incident

Aug 21, 2006

Mileage

89,500 mi

FORD MOTOR COMPANY SETTLED THE LAWSUIT WITH THE DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT WAS TO CRACKING BUT DID NOT INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES AND I HAPPEN TO BE ONE OF THEM. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTIES OR SEVEN YEARS BUT ONLY AFTER A CERTAIN DATE AND MANY FORD OWNERS WERE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD. THEY SHOULD REPLACE ALL OF THEM NO MATTER WHAT!! *NM

NHTSA ID

10157475

Incident

Apr 18, 2005

Mileage

94,000 mi

AFTER SERVICE OF MY 4.6 MUSTANG GT, MY CAR BEGAN MISSING AND I HAD THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPLETE IT REPORTED A MISFIRE ON PLUG 7 & 8, SO I HAD THE PLUGS REPLACED. DURING THE REPLACEMENT, I SAW COOLANT UNDER BOTH THE 7 & 8 PLUG. THE MISFIRE CONTINUES, AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD FAILED AND THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY FOR THE CONSUMER EVEN THOUGH FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS A KIT TO SELL TO THE CONSUMER FOR 900+ DOLLARS. FLEET CARS TAXI, CROWN VIC'S USED BY SHERIFF DEPARTMENTS WERE CLEARED FOR REPLACEMENT, BUT NO THE CONSUMER CIVILIAN. WHAT SENSE DOES THAT MAKE? IF THE ENGINEERING IS BAD, AND IT IS, THE REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE FOR ALL OWNERS OF THE 4.6 LITER ENGINE. HOW IS THE SEGREGATION OF FLEET CARS FROM PERSONAL USE VEHICLES LEGAL IN THIS COUNTRY? EVERYONE WHO OWNS THESE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE A REPLACEMENT MADE AVAILABLE REGARDLESS OF WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, AND WHAT OTHER DAMAGE CAN I EXPECT TO FIND? WILL THIS HAVE A DAISY CHAIN OF FAILURES DUE TO THE BAD DESIGN? I UNDERSTAND THE COST TO REPLACE WILL BE $1,200.00 + WITH THE DEALERSHIP ESTIMATE PARTS AND LABOR. *JB

NHTSA ID

10137290

Incident

Mar 6, 2005

Mileage

96,203 mi

INTAKE MANIFOLD DEFECTS.. IT'S MADE FROM PLASTIC AND IT CAN NOT WITHSTAND ALL THE PRESSORE AND HEAT THAT IT WILL CRACK VERY EALRY AND CAUSE COOLING FLUID TO LEAK , AND WITH ALL THAT STEM COMING FROM THE HOOD IT WILL BE SO HARD TO SEE THE ROAD AND WILL CAUSE A FIRE FROM THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM SHORTING OUT FROM THE FLUID.

NHTSA ID

10125306

Incident

Jan 12, 2004

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED UNDER NORMAL OPERATION WITH NO REAL REASON AS TO IT'S FAILURE OTHER THAN STRUCTURAL FLAWS IN IT'S ORIGINAL DESIGN.

NHTSA ID

10122338

Incident

May 27, 2005

Mileage

79,000 mi

RE: 1998 FORD MUSTANG 4.6 LITRE. DEFECTIVE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD SPLIT NEAR THERMOSTAT HOUSING. FOUND OUT THROUGH INTERNET RESEARCH THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, WITH RECALLS TO ALMOST EVERY VEHICLE MADE WITH A 4.6 LITER ENGINE EXCEPT FOR MY YEAR, THUS WE HAD TO FIND OUT THE HARD WAY. WE NOW FACE REPLACING THIS PART, AT OUR OWN EXPENSE, BECAUSE FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. WE WERE TREATED RUDELY AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO EVEN REFUSED TO TELL US WHETHER A UPGRADED REPLACEMENT PART WAS AVAILABLE. THUS THE INTERNET RESEARCH. THANK GOD FOR THE INTERNET!!

NHTSA ID

10111884

Incident

Feb 1, 2005

Mileage

36,000 mi

COOLANT WAS LEAKING SLOWLY FOR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS, THEN BEGAN TO LEAK A LOT THE END OF DECEMBER, SO THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE BECAUSE OF RISK OF OVERHEATING, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEAK RESULTED FROM A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WHERE THE THERMOSTAT SITS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MANIFOLD WITH A NEW MANIFOLD THAT IS METAL WHERE THE CRACK OCCURRED (AN INDICATION OF FORD'S AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM). THE COST TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS $1,070 AND I HAVE KEPT MY OLD MANIFOLD. THROUGH MY RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT FORD WILL REPLACE THIS PART ON THE 1996-1997 MUSTANGS AND POLICE AND FLEET CARS. A MEMORANDUM TO THE DEALERSHIPS SHOWS THAT THE 1996-1998 MUSTANGS HAVE THE SAME INTAKE MANIFOLD PART NUMBER, SO FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST TO REPLACE MY INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB

NHTSA ID

10107728

Incident

Dec 31, 2004

Mileage

70,475 mi

THERE IS COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE DUE TO A DEFECT THAT THE INTAKE HAS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10108650

Incident

Jan 1, 2005

I CURRENTLY OWN A 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE. IAM THE SRCOND OWNER. IT HAS THE 4.6 V-8 ENGINE. AT APPROXIMATELY 88,000 MILES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND STARTED LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. IT HAS CONTINUALLY GOTTEN WORSE AND IS NOW TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 12/27/2004 REGARDING 3 CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTERS I FOUND ON LINE REGARDING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURES AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN #'S WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON FAILURE. I CONTEND THAT FORD SHOULD REPLACE ALL DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLDS AS THEY OCCUR INSTEAD OF DESIGNATING ONLY CERTAIN VIN #'S AS A FAILURE IS A FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10104556

Incident

Nov 8, 2004

Mileage

89,700 mi

FORD AUTOMOBILES EQUIPPED WITH FORD'S 4.6L V-8 CONTAIN AN INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. DUE TO ORIGINAL DESIGN, THIS PART HAS A TENDENCY TO CRACK RESULTING IN SOMETIMES OVER HEATING, ENGINE FAILURE AND WORSE CASE DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR'S ENGINE. FORD RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RECALL MOST CARS OTHER THAN FLEET VEHICLES AND THOSE LISTED IN THE TSB #97M91. 1. 1998 MUSTANG WAS OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. 2. WHEN CAR WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP THE MECHANIC NOTICED A CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD AND ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT IF THIS PART WAS NOT CORRECTED ENGINE FAILURE COULD OCCUR DUE TO COOLANT LOSS RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE. 3. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND I GAVE THEM THE TSB #97M91 AND TOLD THEM TO REPLACE THE PART. 1998 MUSTANG WAS NOT LISTED AND THE CAR AND CAN'T BE FIXED AT DEALER'S COST ONLY CONSUMER'S. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY LUCK TALKING TO CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. FORD OWNERS BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

10100596

Incident

Nov 24, 2004

Mileage

84,782 mi

(1) FORD MADE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OUT OF PLASTIC. (2) MANIFOLD CRACKED, AND CAUSED LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. (3) REPLACED MANIFOLD.OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. NOTES: NEW ONE IS MADE OF ALUMINUM IN CRACK AREA! FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL BUT ONLY FOR FLEET VEHICLES. INTERNET IS FULL OF LIKE STORIES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10100262

Incident

Nov 20, 2004

Mileage

111,000 mi

HELLO, MY FORD MUSTANG OVERHEATED AND DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. I READ THAT A RECALL ON THIS PART THAT WAS CALLED BY FORD BECAUSE THE SAME EXACT ENGINE ON THE CROWN VICTORIA GIVES THE SAME PROBLEMS AND A RECALL IS IN EFFECT ON IT. WHY WOULD THEY NOT HAVE A RECALL ON ALL ENGINES IF IT IS ECACTLY THE SAME? I WOULD HONESTLY APPRECIATE AN ANSWER IF IT CAN BE PROVIDED. BEST REGARDS. MUNAZZAR TAPAL.*AK

NHTSA ID

10098520

Incident

Oct 13, 2004

Mileage

91,700 mi

I HAVE A 1998 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD VALVE HAS CRACKED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF INTERENT RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS PLASTIC PART THAT FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10096000

Incident

Oct 16, 2004