NHTSA Complaint #10052588 — 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD

1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD WITH A 4.6 LITER OHC ENGINE THAT HAS A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE ENGINE HAS 81,000 MILES AND THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LEAKED ANTIFREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE REPLACEMENT PART COSTS $541.00 FROM THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, AND THE LABOR TO REPLACE WILL COST AROUND $550. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC EXCEPT FOR THE PART THAT IS CRACKED (THERMOSTAT HOUSING) WHICH IS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM. FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND HAS HAD A RECALL ON ON CERTAIN MODEL 4.6L ENGINES. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS INFORMED BY FORD TODAY THAT MY 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD WITH A 4.6L ENGINE IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THE ENGINEERS AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAVE NOT INCLUDED THE SERIAL NUMBER (VIN) FOR MY THUNDERBIRD IN THEIR RECALLS. SURPRISINGLY, THE PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE IN MY CAR AND WILL COST OVER $1000 TO REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR RECALL/WARRANTY PROGRAM. THIS PART IS THE EXACT SAME PART THAT IS INSTALLED IN ALL OF THE OTHER VEHICLES THAT ARE ALLOWED A REPLACEMENT/RECALL. DUE TO MY ROTTEN LUCK, MY CAR'S VIN HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED UNFORTUNATELY. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS REPLACED THE PLASTIC THERMOSTAT HOUSING WITH ALUMINUM, IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT SOMEONE AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECOGNIZES A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING A RESOURCE TO EXPOSE THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS. WES HARDIN. *AK