1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Engine Problems

COOLANT LEAK FROM CRACK IN PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 97,130 MILES ON IT AND WELL CARED FOR. THEY SHOULD NOT BE USING PLASTIC IN THIS APPLICATION - IT SHOULD BE IRON OR ALUMINUM. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM I WAS TOLD WITH THE 4.6 V8 ENGINE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE AND REPLACE AT NO COST TO CUSTOMER. I WILL BE WRITING A LETTER TO FORD IF THE DEALER DOESN'T COVER THIS AS A RECALL. RIDICULOUS TO USE PLASTIC IN THIS APPLICATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10682192

Incident

Feb 2, 2015

Mileage

97,130 mi

1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD IN VEHICLE. *SMD

NHTSA ID

10505053

Incident

Feb 28, 2013

WHILE DRIVING HOME ON INTERSTATE 35 NORTH OF MINNEAPOLIS, MN, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LOST ANTI FREEZE. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT FOREST LAKE, MN AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO TIRES PLUS IN FOREST LAKE TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. TOTAL COST FOR TOWING, INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACEMENT AND NIGHTS LODGING CAME TO ALMOST $1500.00. *TR

NHTSA ID

10501970

Incident

Mar 4, 2013

Mileage

124,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

NHTSA ID

10390203

Incident

Mar 13, 2011

Mileage

114,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SERVICE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT STATING THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED DUE TO THE STRUCTURE. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47025 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47050. UPDATED 11/24/10

NHTSA ID

10349227

Incident

Jul 29, 2010

Mileage

47,025 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 10 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE INTERIOR CABIN WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND FLAMES. THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. AND THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE CONTACTED. THERE WERE REPORTS FILED BY BOTH ENTITIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,000.

NHTSA ID

10331472

Incident

Mar 15, 2010

Mileage

37,000 mi

MY 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS JUST EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE OF ITS INTAKE MANIFOLD MADE OF PLASTIC. *TR

NHTSA ID

10294073

Incident

Nov 30, 2009

Mileage

86,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT IS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

NHTSA ID

10278230

Incident

Jul 24, 2009

Mileage

67,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY FATHER'S 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS AT 35 MPH. I NOTICED A CAR PULL UP BESIDE ME WITH THE DRIVER WAIVING FRANTICALLY. I ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOW AND HE TOLD ME MY CAR WAS "POURING WATER". I LOOKED AT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND IT HAD RISEN. MANAGED TO MAKE IT THE FIVE OR SO BLOCKS TO THE HOUSE AND RAISED THE HOOD. STEAM CAME OUT. FILLED WITH WATER AND TOOK TO A LOCAL SHOP ON MONDAY MORNING TO FIND OUT THE CAR HAD A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. REPAIR BILL FOR INTAKE WAS $800 WITH MORE TO COME AS NOW IT HAS NOISY LIFTERS. THERE WAS A RECALL AND CLASS ACTION SUIT AS MY 1997 COUGAR HAD 3 INTAKES REPLACED, ONE THE MANUFACTURER REIMBURSED UNDER RECALL. THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE OTHER TWO BUT THEY SENT ME THE SAME FAULTY PART ON THE SECOND GO ROUND. ON MY CAR AND THIS GRAND MARQUIS, MILEAGE WAS RIGHT AT 80,000 ON FIRST OCCURRENCE. MY PARENTS NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON THIS CAR BUT DID RECEIVE NOTICE OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT. THE KEPT THE NOTICE OF THE SUIT IN THEIR FILE BUT DID NOT RESPOND AS THEY NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER AND THOUGHT THEIR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATES THEY "CANNOT HELP". THE RECALL WAS FOR SEVEN YEARS, UNLIMITED MILEAGE FROM FEB 2008. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD MAKE GOOD ON THEIR FAULTY PARTS REGARDLESS. IN CERTAIN INSTANCES AND DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE RESULTS COULD BE DEVASTATING, NOT TO MENTION THE BILL FOR ALL THE REPAIRS. BELIEVE ME, ON BOTH CARS, REPAIRS DID NOT STOP AT THE REPLACING OF THE INTAKE. PLEASE HELP!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10226872

Incident

May 2, 2008

Mileage

82,900 mi

THE 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS HAD STARTED RUNNING A LITTLE ROUGH, AND BEING ON A VERY FIXED INCOME I HOPED AND PRAYED NOTHING WAS TOO BADLY WRONG WITH IT. THE MANIFOLD FAILED ON THE WAY TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND I LOST ALL THE COOLANT FROM THE CRACKED PLASTIC MANIFOLD. I HAD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD,DUE TO THE 3 INCH CRACK IN IT AND ALL THE RELATED GASKETS AND PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT. I STILL HAVE THE MANIFOLD AND THE OUTRAGEOUS BILL THAT WENT WITH IT!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10225813

Incident

Feb 6, 2008

Mileage

111,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE PULLING INTO THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING BECAUSE THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS THE CRACKED MANIFOLD. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

NHTSA ID

10219673

Incident

Feb 27, 2008

Mileage

65,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES JUST BOUGHT THE CAR. ONE EVENING CAR LOST ALL ANTIFREEZE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED . THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE GRAND MARQUIS . BUT EVERY FORD BUILT WITH THE SAME INTAKE HAS BEEN RECALLED. THE NEW PART COST 230 AND IS BUILT DIFFERENTLY OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL IS A FAULTY SETUP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10215561

Incident

Jan 9, 2008

Mileage

63,900 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. IN THE COURSE OF A YEAR, THE VEHICLE LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE SPORADICALLY. JUST RECENTLY, THE MANIFOLD CRACKED COMPLETELY AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM HOLDING ANY ANTI-FREEZE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THE REPAIR WILL COST $600. THE DEALER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF UPDATED

NHTSA ID

10214027

Incident

Jan 3, 2008

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE, AS A RESULT, LEAKED ANTIFREEZE AND ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

10213479

Incident

Sep 6, 2007

Mileage

130,000 mi

JUST LEFT HIGHWAY REST STOP IN KENTUCKY, NO SIGNS OF COOLANT LEAKAGE OR ANY PROBLEMS. WITHIN 5-7 MILES AT 65MPH, A BEEP, BEEP SOUND, THEN TEMPERATURE GAUGE ROSE IMMEDIATELY TO HIGH , BEGAN TO SLOW VEHICLE & TURNED HEATER ON. STEAM WAS SCENE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AS WE APPROACHED A CONSTRUCTION AREA. WE BARELY MADE IT TO A CLOSED WEIGH STATION. FAILURE WAS SUDDEN & CATASTROPHIC. HAD WE REMAINED ON THE HIGHWAY, AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE SURELY OCCURRED, NO SHOULDER WAS AVAILABLE. TWO HOURS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK, WHICH FINALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER. BEING A SUNDAY, WE HAD TO OBTAIN OVERNIGHT STAY IN A HOTEL. MONDAY THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. DEALER REPLACED THE PART, INCLUDING THERMOSTAT & COOLANT. DEALER KEPT THE OLD PARTS. DEALER SAID NO RECALL WAS MADE FOR THIS PART. I BELIEVE THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WHICH HAS VERY SERIOUS OR DEADLY CONSEQUENCE & SHOULD BE REIMBURSED/CORRECTED BY RECALL OF ALL OF THESE PLASTIC MANIFOLDS. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID

10208132

Incident

Oct 21, 2007

Mileage

79,640 mi

THIS INCIDENT INVOLVES A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS GS AND THE FAILURE (CRACKING) OF THE MANIFOLD INTAKE WHICH IS IN THE PROCESS OF LEADING TO A HIGH REPAIR BILL. I'D LIKE TO REFERENCE THE FORD MANIFOLD INTAKE SETTLEMENT. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 9 MONTHS AFTER THE MARCH DEADLINE. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS AN ON-GOING SETTLEMENT OR AN IDENTIFIED PROBLEM WITH THE MANIFOLD INTAKE. WE REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE IN PROVIDING ANY RECOURSE IN THIS MATTER AND SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM FORD. BEING A SENIOR CITIZEN AND ON A FIXED INCOME, IT IS EXTREMELY HARD WHEN GETTING HIT WITH A HUGE REPAIR BILL ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. IT IS A SHAME THAT INDIVIDUALS LIKE MYSELF CAN BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY BIG BUSINESS AND THE SEEMINGLY HUSH HUSH ATTITUDE OF THIS DEFECT BY NOT MAKING THIS CASE WELL KNOWN. IT SEEMS INDIVIDUALS LIKE MYSELF HAVE FALLEN THROUGH THE CRACKS AND REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE IN THIS MATTER. I AWAIT YOUR REPLY TO MY CONCERNS. THANK YOU. *NM

NHTSA ID

10176994

Incident

Dec 23, 2006

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 1997 GRAND MARQUIS HAS CRACKED LEAKING COOLANT. I AM TOLD MERCURY HAD AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" FOR SUCH FAILURES, BUT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY ITEM AND THE RESULT OF FORD USING INFERIOR PLASTIC FOR THEIR MANIFOLDS IS THERE ANY WAY TO RECOVER THESE COSTS? *NM

NHTSA ID

10173073

Incident

Nov 9, 2006

Mileage

60,320 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ROSE QUICKLY AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. HOT WATER LEAKED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. UPDATED 8/30/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10165024

Incident

Jun 5, 2006

DURING A RECENT TRIP THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED AND THE COOLANT PASSAGE IS NOW ALUM. INSTEAD OF PLASTIC. SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10161496

Incident

Jul 1, 2006

Mileage

58,600 mi

RE: OBJECTION TO PROPOSED SETTLEMENT ON SUSAN CHAMBERLAN ET AL. V. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, CASE NO.[XXX] TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM THE OWNER OF A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, [XXX], THAT EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IN QUESTION. I OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT BECAUSE THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR THE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE THAT IS LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THERE IS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THIS PART. AFTER HAVING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED WE EXPERIENCED ABNORMAL PERFORMANCE, WHICH INCLUDED ABNORMALLY HIGH COOLANT TEMPERATURES DURING A ROAD TRIP, WHICH CAUSED US TO HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED FROM OUT OF THE AREA TO THE LOCAL MERCURY DEALER. THEY DISCOVERED NO PROBLEM WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, BUT THE HEADS AND BLOCK HAD WARPED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE REQUIRING A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN UNDER WARRANTY THEN THE TOTAL COST OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. FOR THIS REASON THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF JUST RETROACTIVELY PROVIDING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE MANIFOLD ALONE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. IF THE VEHICLE WARRANTY HAD BEEN IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE THEN ALL REPAIR COSTS WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. AS A RESULT OF POOR ENGINEERING, DESIGN, AND LACK OF NOTIFICATION OF THE DEFECT BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY IT HAS COST ME $6082.00, NOT INCLUDING THE AGGRAVATION, TOWING, AND OTHER FEES ASSOCIATED WITH FORD'S NEGLIGENCE. PLEASE ADVISE ME HOW I CAN GET THE REIMBURSEMENT I DESERVE. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

10155414

Incident

Apr 7, 2004

Mileage

40,000 mi

RE-FORD INTAKE MANIFOLDS: THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS FAILED ON 12/23/05. ONLY THEN DID I LEARN OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FORD JUST LOST. MY CAR IS OUTSIDE THE ARBITRARY 7 YEAR LIMIT AND THEREFORE IT COST ME $711.12 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I WAS ON THE ROAD TRAVELING FROM GEORGETOWN TEXAS TO PHOENIX FOR CHRISTMAS. THE PART IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. FORD KNEW THAT. IT REPLACED ALL MANIFOLDS, EVEN THOSE THAT HAD NOT FAILED YET, ON SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES AS FAR BACK AS 2002. I THINK MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. I THINK FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. THERE MUST BE MANY OTHERS IN MY SITUATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10147992

Incident

Dec 23, 2005

DROVE APPROX. SIX MILES FROM HOME TO CHRISTMAS EVE. CHURCH SERVICE WITH FAMILY. WHEN ARRIVED, STEAM AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM FRONT GRILLE, AND AROUND ENGINE HOOD. THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO START ON FIRE. ALSO MAKING A HISSING AND GURGLING NOISE. WAS QUITE AN "EVENT" IN THE PARKING LOT! HAD INSPECTED TWO DAYS LATER (AFTER CHRISTMAS) AND FOUND FRONT INTAKE MANIFOLD (PLASTIC?) PASSAGE CRACKED AND LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT ONTO TOP OF ENGINE BLOCK. ALSO COOLING FAN WAS BLOWING LEAKING COOLANT OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE, ENTIRE TOP OF ENGINE. NO COOLANT LEFT IN COOLANT RESERVOIR AND NO COOLANT FLOW THROUGH ENGINE; DUE TO AIR BUBBLE / LOSS OF VACUUM? I NOW HEAR MERCURY HAS A "SECRET RECALL" ADMITTING THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AND REPAIRING VEHICLES LESS THAN SEVER YEARS OLD FOR FREE, ALSO HAVE READ THAT "FLEET" VEHICLES ARE BEING REPAIRED FOR FREE, BUT DENYING OWNER ASSISTANCE TO SAME VEHICLE, ENGINE AND INTAKE MANIFOLD TYPE TO "OLDER" MODELS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10146162

Incident

Dec 24, 2005

Mileage

90,800 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED TWICE. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS IN 2001, AND THE SECOND FAILURE WAS IN 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON BOTH OCCASIONS WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *AK THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2001, AND IN 2005 HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND PAY TO HAVE IT INSTALLED AT LINCOLN MERCURY IN CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE. WHEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED, ANTIFREEZE LEAKED ALL OVER THE ENGINE. AFTER IT WAS FIXED, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID

10145199

Incident

Dec 9, 2005

Mileage

130,000 mi

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING GRAND MARQUIS POSSIBLE COOLANT SEEPAGE AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CROSS-OVER. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER HE NEVER NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN BULLETIN *JB

NHTSA ID

10145385

Incident

Dec 1, 2005

DT: THE CALLER SAID VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED MANIFOLD. WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH STEAM STARTED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. HE PULLED OVER AND HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A GARAGE. HE HAD THE GARAGE REPLACE THE MANIFOLD. DEALER WILL NOT HELP WITH PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10137582

Incident

Aug 22, 2005

Mileage

80,072 mi