1997 MERCURY MARQUIS

1 recalls — 50 complaints

05V086000 Mar 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL, THE REAR BRAKE LINE MAY CHAFE DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN IT AND A FLOOR PAN STIFFENING RIB, AND A BRAKE FLUID LEAK MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND FLOOR PAN STIFFENING RIB. IF CONTACT IS EVIDENT, BUT NO ABRASION OR LEAKS EXIST, THE BRAKE TUBE WILL BE REPOSITIONED TO PRECLUDE FURTHER CONTACT AND POTENTIAL ABRASION. IF INDICATION OF ABRASION OR A LEAK IS EVIDENT, DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BRAKE LINE. THIS CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
43,626 vehicles affected
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR Dec 4, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE DRIVER LOSS STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN UTILITY POLE, BOULDER AND FENCE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURY. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE STRUCTURE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000. THE DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR BOX IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash 1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Mar 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2007. THE DEALER STATED ON THREE OCCASIONS THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE AVAILABLE. MORE RECENTLY, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,045. UPDATE 04-02-08 *BF
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jan 8, 2008
1997 MERCURY MARQUIS WITH CRUISE CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FIXED IN 2007. CONSUMER STATED IT STILL WAS NOT FIXED BY JANUARY 2008. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JUNE OR JULY 2008. *JB
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 16, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT WENT TO HIS LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. HE BELIEVED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS BEING PERFORMED; HOWEVER, HE LATER LEARNED THAT THE SWITCH HAD ONLY BEEN DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2007. HE FELT THIS INFORMATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED EITHER IN THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE OR THE LETTER THAT WAS SENT, IMPLYING THAT THE REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP May 10, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIPE THAT EXTENDS FROM THE FENDER WHERE FUEL IS APPLIED HAS RUSTED OUT. THE FAILURE IS CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT HAS FOUND LARGE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT NEEDED A GAS FILLER PIPE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT PART IS NO LONGER PRODUCED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
Fire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Apr 18, 2007
1997 MOUNTAINEER, ENGINE RACE, COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. USED THE BRAKES BUT ENGINE RACED AND BANGED INTO OUR HOUSE IN ORDER TO STOP. THIS WAS THE FOURTH INCIDENT, IN A MONTH TIME. OTHER INCIDENTS WERE HITTING A CAR IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO STOP. NO ONE WAS HURT, THANK GOODNESS. BUT THIS WAS SCARY. WE WANT TO SELL THE CAR, BUT CAN'T WITH GOOD CONSCIENCE UNTIL WE CAN FIND THE CULPRIT. PLEASE ADVISE OR CONFIRM DIFFICULTY WITH THE CAR. THANKS. *AK
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Jan 14, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. SUSPENSION FRONT WHEEL BEARING. *NM
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING Jan 14, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. SUSPENSION FRONT WHEEL BEARING. *NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Jun 3, 2006
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED, MY 1997 GRAND MARQUIS, LS WAS RUNNING AT NORMAL TEMP. ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHIN A MATTER OF A MINUTE OR TWO, THE TEMP GAUGE MAXED OUT, CAR STARTED SMOKING, ALL COOLANT WAS LOST. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED APPROX A 3-4" CRACK. I WAS STRANDED, HAD TO TOW MY CAR APPROX 134 MILES TO GET HOME. THIS IS A $269.99 PART NOT TO MENTION THE GASKETS, ANTI-FREEZE AND LABOR INVOLVED TO FIX. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE PART AT THE VERY LEAST. *JB
SUSPENSION Mar 29, 2006
FAX LTR FM (OH) OWNER OF 1997 MERCURY MARQUIS EXPERIENCE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS BALL JOINT FAILURE. *TS THE MANIFOLD LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Mar 29, 2006
FAX LTR FM (OH) OWNER OF 1997 MERCURY MARQUIS EXPERIENCE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS BALL JOINT FAILURE. *TS THE MANIFOLD LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Mar 23, 2006
MY 93 YEAR OLD AUNT PAID $950.00 TO HAVE THE MANIFOLD REPAIRED 8/6/04 ON HER 1997 MERCURY, AND NOW FORD DOES NOT WANT TO PAY HER, WHAT A BUNCH OF CRAP. MY UNCLE CAME BACK FROM WWII BOUGHT A NEW FORD OR MERCURY EVERY 2-3 YEARS FOR 50 YEARS, WHAT GRATITUDE. I SEE WHY FORD AND GM IS GOING DOWN THE TUBES. IT EXCLUDED CARS THAT WERE MORE THAN 7 YEARS OLD WHEN THEY EXPERIENCED MANIFOLD FAILURE. BASED UPON THAT 7-YEAR PERIOD, WE BELIEVE THAT ALL 1996 AND 1997 CARS ( AND MANY 1998'S ) THAT FAILED IN 2004 - 2005 (APPROX.) OR HAVEN'T YET FAILED, WERE DENIED COVERAGE. THE CONCEPT ADOPTED IN THE SETTLEMENT APPEARED TO BE THAT "CIVILIANS" SHOULD NOT GET WARRANTY COVERAGE LONGER THAN THE 7 YEARS THAT WAS GIVEN TO THOSE CARS COVERED BY THE 1999 OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM. ( ONE OF THE LAWYERS TOLD US THAT THEY SETTLED FOR THE 7-YEAR COVERAGE BECAUSE, DURING A COURT HEARING, THE JUDGE HAD SAID THAT SHE WAS NOT LIKELY TO GRANT COVERAGE LONGER THAN WHAT THE "FLEETS" GOT. )*JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Dec 8, 2005
WHILE ON VACATION THE MANIFOLD IN OUR 1997 MERCURY MARQUIS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Dec 1, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED FLUID WAS LEAKING AROUND HIS HEATER HOSE. AFTER REPLACING THE HOSE SEVERAL TIMES IT WAS STILL LEAKING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE CONTACT MADE A TEMPORARY PATCH FOR THE CRACK. NO OTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - *NM
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Sep 12, 2005
DT: THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SO BADLY THAT IT SLAPPED CONSUMER'S GRANDSON''S FACE. HE HAS A PERMANENT SCAR FROM IT. THE AIR BAGS SMOKED UP EVERYTHING LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ALSO, CONSUMER'S GRAND DAUGHTER WAS RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND HER TEETH PRINT WAS IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT. BOTH OF THE CHILDREN WERE IN THEIR SEAT BELTS. CONSUMER FELT THE SEAT BELTS SHOULD HAVE HELD UP BETTER. THIS HAPPENED ON JUNE 18, 2005. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. *AK
Crash 2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Sep 12, 2005
DT: THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SO BADLY THAT IT SLAPPED CONSUMER'S GRANDSON''S FACE. HE HAS A PERMANENT SCAR FROM IT. THE AIR BAGS SMOKED UP EVERYTHING LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ALSO, CONSUMER'S GRAND DAUGHTER WAS RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND HER TEETH PRINT WAS IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT. BOTH OF THE CHILDREN WERE IN THEIR SEAT BELTS. CONSUMER FELT THE SEAT BELTS SHOULD HAVE HELD UP BETTER. THIS HAPPENED ON JUNE 18, 2005. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. *AK
Crash 2 injured
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER Sep 12, 2005
DT: THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SO BADLY THAT IT SLAPPED CONSUMER'S GRANDSON''S FACE. HE HAS A PERMANENT SCAR FROM IT. THE AIR BAGS SMOKED UP EVERYTHING LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ALSO, CONSUMER'S GRAND DAUGHTER WAS RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND HER TEETH PRINT WAS IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT. BOTH OF THE CHILDREN WERE IN THEIR SEAT BELTS. CONSUMER FELT THE SEAT BELTS SHOULD HAVE HELD UP BETTER. THIS HAPPENED ON JUNE 18, 2005. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. *AK
Crash 2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Aug 1, 2005
CRACK IN PLASTIC EXHAUST MANIFOLD, #2 , ART REPLACED, #3. *NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Jul 25, 2005
MY 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS OVERHEATED AND BLEW STEAM AND ANTIFREEZE THROUGHOUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ON TO WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE A CRACK IN THE WATER JACKET PORTION OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MANIFOLD HAS BEEN REDESIGNED BUT IS NOT COVERED BY A RECALL AND THE REPAIR EXPENSE ($989 PLUS TAX) WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. HE ALSO STATED THAT THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM ON POLICE CARS AND SOME OTHERS IS COVERED. A CALL TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY RENDERED SAME RESULTS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND IT HAS ONLY 60000 MILES. I HAVE THE OLD MANIFOLD.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Jul 11, 2005
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. I STARTED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO TAKE OUT OF PARK. I THEN REFERED TO THE VEHICLE MANUAL AND FOUND OUT THAT IF THIS HAPPENS THEN I SHOULD CHECK THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THEY WERE OUT SO I CHECKED THE FUSE AND IT WAS BLOWN. I REPLACED IT AND THE BRAKES, LIGHTS AND TRANSMISSION WORKED. I DROVE HOME (16 MILES) AND PARKED THE CAR. ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WE PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT NOT UNTIL THE 1/2 THE HOOD WAS MELTED. I CALLED FORD/MERCURY AND THEY TOOK THE INFORMATION. A WEEK LATER I GOT A LETTER STATING THAT MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR A PROGRAM AND THEREFORE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I JUST WANTED TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH OTHER CARS. ALL I GOT FROM FORD WAS THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME.
Fire
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT Mar 8, 2005
(THIS COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL) MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TODAY AROUND 70 MPH OR UNDER ON THE FREEWAY WHEN SHE TURNED A CORNER AND THE CAR FELL DOWN LOW WITH A CLUNG ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. SHE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME, WHERE I AND THE TOW DRIVER SAW THE MOST HORRIFYING SIGHT, THE BALL JOINT JUST CAME APART. THE BALL CAME RIGHT OUT OF THE SOCKET. THE SOCKET SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED SO THE BALL, EVEN IF BADLY WORN WOULD NEVER LEAVE THE SOCKET. I WENT TODAY TO GET 4 BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES FOR HER CAR, AND WHILE TALKING TO A CUSTOMER OF THE PROBLEM HE TOLD ME HIS DAUGHTER ALMOST HAD A BAD ACCIDENT WHEN HIS 1995 COUGARS BALL JOINT ASSEMBLE LET GO. I'M SPEAKING OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE THE BALL JOINT AND THE BOLTS ON THE CAR IF YOU NEED THEM. *AK THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THE CONSUMER MADE THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. *SC *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Feb 3, 2005
THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK WATER AND THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. *BF *SC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Jan 6, 2005
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I HAVE A 1997 MERCURY MARQUIS WITH ELECTRONIC LIGHTS. THEY ARE ALL CONTROLLED WITH A PROCESSOR CALLED AN LCM FOR LIGHT CONTROL MODULE. IT IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE CHEAPER AUTOMATIC DIMMER ON THE DASHBOARD. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT LAST SUMMER, AND THE LENSES TURNED YELLOW. I TRIED NEW BULBS, THAT DID NOT WORK. I CHECKED FUSES AND RELAYS AND ALL WERE FINE. I REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THAT DID NOT WORK. FINALLY THIS FALL I CALLED FORDS TECHNICAL LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A BULLETIN OR RECALL OR A QUICK FIX. ALL I COULD GET OUT OF THEM WAS BRING IT IN. I, THEN DECIDED TO CALL PARTS, AND WAS TOLD THAT TO FIX IT WOULD COST $200.00. NEEDLESS TO SAY I FOUND A WAY TO BYPASS THE COMPUTER, AND WIRED IN A RELAY THAT WAS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY. I SPENT 2 HOURS WET SANDING AND RUBBING OUT THE LENSES TO GET THEM BRIGHT ENOUGH. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. WE HAVE MANY OBSTACLES THAT DEPEND ON BRIGHT LIGHT DRIVING, INCLUDING WILD DEER, AND EDGES OF ROADS LEADING TO LAKES.*AK......$200.00 WAS COST FOR LCM, NO LABOR , PART *F7AB-136788-AA. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL Jan 6, 2005
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I HAVE A 1997 MERCURY MARQUIS WITH ELECTRONIC LIGHTS. THEY ARE ALL CONTROLLED WITH A PROCESSOR CALLED AN LCM FOR LIGHT CONTROL MODULE. IT IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE CHEAPER AUTOMATIC DIMMER ON THE DASHBOARD. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT LAST SUMMER, AND THE LENSES TURNED YELLOW. I TRIED NEW BULBS, THAT DID NOT WORK. I CHECKED FUSES AND RELAYS AND ALL WERE FINE. I REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THAT DID NOT WORK. FINALLY THIS FALL I CALLED FORDS TECHNICAL LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A BULLETIN OR RECALL OR A QUICK FIX. ALL I COULD GET OUT OF THEM WAS BRING IT IN. I, THEN DECIDED TO CALL PARTS, AND WAS TOLD THAT TO FIX IT WOULD COST $200.00. NEEDLESS TO SAY I FOUND A WAY TO BYPASS THE COMPUTER, AND WIRED IN A RELAY THAT WAS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY. I SPENT 2 HOURS WET SANDING AND RUBBING OUT THE LENSES TO GET THEM BRIGHT ENOUGH. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. WE HAVE MANY OBSTACLES THAT DEPEND ON BRIGHT LIGHT DRIVING, INCLUDING WILD DEER, AND EDGES OF ROADS LEADING TO LAKES.*AK......$200.00 WAS COST FOR LCM, NO LABOR , PART *F7AB-136788-AA. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Nov 10, 2004
THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THESE MANIFOLDS. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE PROVIDING ANY ASSISTANCE. THEY CLAIMED THE PART WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *AK *SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Oct 28, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH TEMPERATURE GAUGE REACH ED ITS PEAK , FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE, AND THEY REPLACED THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH A METAL ONE BECAUSE IT HAD BLOWN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER PART WAS REPLACED COOLANT WAS COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. VEHICLE WAS THEN FLAT BEDDED TO ANOTHER GARAGE, AND THEY REINSTALLED THE CYLINDER HEAD, REPAIRED THE TIMING CHAIN, AND REPLACED THE EXHAUST.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Oct 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, CAR BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING THE ABILITY TO STOP AND THERBY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. UPON INVESTIGATION, FOUND BRAKE FLUID WAS SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR. *NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Aug 17, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND LEAKED COOLANT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A CRACKED MANIFOLD. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Aug 13, 2004
COMPLAINT ABOUT ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. *MR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE "PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A STRESS CRACK AND CAUSED LEAKAGE OF ANTIFREEZE INTO THE PLUGS WHICH CAUSED THE DAMAGE. *SC *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Jul 26, 2004
FAILURE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. *MR THE INTAKE MAINIFOLD SPLIT OPEN. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE, DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Jun 29, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE HEAT GAUGE MAXING OUT AND A BUZZING NOISE BEGAN SOUNDING. WHAT APPEARED TO BE SMOKE WAS POURING OUT BETWEEN MY HOOD AND COWLING. I MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR AND LIFTED THE HOOD. ANTIFREEZE SMELL WAS STRONG, WATER WAS SHOOTING INTO MY ALTERNATOR AND THE ENGINE WAS EXCESSIVELY HOT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A RELIABLE GARAGE AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD SPLIT OPEN, BUT THE "SMOKE" WAS ACTUALLY STEAM AND NO FIRE HAD ENSUED. LATER THAT DAY, THE MECHANIC CALLED AND SAID A NEW MANIFOLD WOULD COST ABOUT $400, AND ABOUT ANOTHER $400 IN LABOR. THE FINAL BILL WAS ACTUALLY $820 AND $60 FOR TOWING. UPON NOTIFICATION THAT A NEWLY DESIGNED MANIFOLD WAS NOW BEING SOLD, I BECAME SUSPICIOUS ABOUT WHY FORD WOULD DO THAT. I CHECKED FORD AND WAS TOLD "MY VIN# WAS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL, PERIOD! AFTER CHECKING THIS NHTSA SITE HOWEVER, I FOUND SEVERAL INTERESTING FACTS. THERE WERE ABOUT 300 COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME RUPTURE - I BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE NOT REPORTING THIS PROBLEM WERE SEVERAL TIMES HIGHER. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT ALL 4.6 LITER ENGINES AT LEAST IN 1997 AND 1998 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAD "QUIETLY" AND I SUSPECT "ILLEGALLY" DID A SELECTED RECALL ON FLEET VEHICLES AND POLICE VEHICLES WITHOUT TELLING ANYONE ELSE. WHY WOULD FORD BE ALLOWED TO SELECTIVELY CORRECT AN ENGINEERING DEFECT. IS MY LIFE WORTH ANY LESS THAN A FLEET CAR DRIVER? I CALLED FORDS CONSUMER HOTLINE AT 1-800-392-3673 AND SPOKE WITH A REP NAMED VICKY. SHE HAD THE AUDACITY TO SAY MY VIN# HAD NO RECALL AND SHE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, FURTHERMORE THAT SHE HAD NO ACCESS TO THIS SITE NOR WAS AWARE OF IT. IF EVER A COMPANY NEEDED REPRIMANDED, FORD DOES. *NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Jun 24, 2003
INTAKE MANIFOLD BLEW OUT CAUSING ALL OF THE WATER TO LEAVE THE ENGINE. THIS RESULTED IN ENGINE RUNNING HOT. *MR PH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT Mar 12, 2003
THE PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE.*JB
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM Feb 19, 2003
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WELD TO THE FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING.*JB *TS
TIRES Feb 13, 2003
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED 2 TIRE BLOWS OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE MEDIAN. *JB
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Jan 14, 2003
VEHICLE WAS AT AN IDLE. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BOOM NOISE, THEN SMOKE OR STEAM STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE WAS AS A RESULT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLOWING UP. THE MECHANIC REPLACE THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD WITH A METAL ONE. TS *TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Jul 2, 2002
WHILE IN MOTION, THE BRAKES WENT OUT COMPLETELY. CONSUMER HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE FLEXIBLE STAINLESS STEEL CONNECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT IT MADE SENSE TO REPLACE BOTH LINES. ONE WEEK LATER, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN, SAME PROBLEM AS PREVIOUS. *JG *SCC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM Jun 24, 2002
WHILE DRIVING PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD BROKE. STEAM ,AND ANTI-FREEZE FELL ALL OVER WINDSHIELD, BLOCKING DRIVER'S VISION. *AK
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM Jun 7, 2002
WHILE PULLING INTO THE GARAGE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURE CAUSED THE DOOR FRAME, ARM BUSHING AND JOINT, SPINDLE FRONT WHEEL,FRONT SENSOR ASSEMBLY, FRONT BRAKE SHIELD AND TIRE TO FALL. *YH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM May 31, 2002
INTAKE MANIFOLD (ORG.) WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. SHOP HAD CAR FOR TUNE-UP WHEN MANIFOLD CRACKED.THE NEW MANIFOLD IS MADE WITH METAL WHERE THE OLD ONE CRACKED.FORD HAD RECALL ON SAME SIZE ENGINE BUT MERCURY WILL NOT RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL Jan 29, 2002
CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL FUMES ENTERING INSIDE OF VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. DEALERSHIPWAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY Jul 19, 2001
CAR WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER UNDER WARRANTY NUMEROUS TIMES WITH COMPLAINT OF LOW ANTIFREEZE IN RADIATOR AND THE FAINT SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF CAR, AFTER DRIVING THE CAR. DEALER CLAIMS HE COULD NOT FIND LEAK UNDER WARRANTY, BUT FOUND IT SOON AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD. DEALER SAID PART OF NEW RADIATOR COST WOULD BE COVERED BUT STILL CHARGED $100.00 FOR REPAIR. I RELUCTANTLY HAD TO PAY IT TO GET MY CAR. I HAVE PURCHASED 2 CARS AT THE DEALER AND SO HAS FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. DEALER DID NOT STAND BEHIND WARRANTY TOTALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS PRESENTED AT LEAST TWICE DURING WARRANTY. DEALER DID NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH 3 YEAR FORD WARRANTY IN MY OPINION. DEALER DID NOT REACT TO MY COMPLAINT AFTER THE REPAIR. I WILL NOT BUY OR RECOMMEND PURCHASE OF ANOTHER NEW VEHICLE THERE AGAIN. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS May 30, 2001
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE IN A CLOSED GARAGE CONSUMER COULD SMELL A STRONG FUEL ODOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THAT METAL FUEL LINE RUSTED, AND LEAKED FUEL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL LINES WERE NOT GALVANIZED. *SLC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Sep 5, 2000
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, COULD NOT FIND CAUSE.*AK THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLS BUT STARTS RIGHT UP AGAIN. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *YH
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS Aug 14, 2000
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT WHILE DRIVING DUE TO STEERING POWER HOSE FAILURE. YH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM Aug 8, 2000
RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM BRACKET CAME UNWELDED FROM FRAME CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Apr 19, 2000
FRONT ROTORS WERE DETERIORATING DUE TO CORROSION. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPAIRS WERE BEING DONE AT CONSUMER'S COST. ALSO, ROTORS ARE AVAILABE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. *AK
TIRES Mar 22, 2000
LEFT REAR TIRE FAILED. (MICHELIN P215/70 R15 975) YH
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM May 24, 1999
VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING/ INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Apr 12, 1999
WHEN COASTING WITH GAS PEDAL RELEASED AT 34 MPH, VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DECELERATES/BRAKES PULSE DOWN SHIFTING OCCURS DUE TO TRANSMISSION DESIGN.