NHTSA Complaint #10192831 — 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA

1997 FORD CROWN VIC TRAVELING EAST OF AUSTIN TX AT POSTED HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH RESULTED IN LOSS OF COOLANT , AND SUBSEQUENTLY MOTOR FUNCTION. TOWED TO AUTHORIZED LINCOLN MERCURY DEALER IN AUSTIN, AND WAS INFORMED BY TOW TRUCK DRIVER THAT THIS WAS VERY COMMON DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL CAR , AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT FORD PEOPLE FOR A RECALL NOTICE. WAS ADVISED BY THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE AT THE 800 TELEPHONE NUMBER PROVIDED IN THE OWNERS MANUEL THAT NO RECALL WAS IN EFFECT HOWEVER, NO COST REPAIR WAS AVAILABLE TO THOSE VEHICLE SEVEN YEARS OR UNDER. A FURTHER PROGRAM THROUGH THE DEALERS MAY ALSO BE AVAILABLE NAMED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMMABILITY THIS HAD RESTRICTION OF EIGHT YEARS AND 80000 MILES. MY CAR DIDN'T QUALIFIED FOR EITHER PROGRAM DUE TO AGE AND MILEAGE EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS METICULOUS BEING TAKEN CARE OF AND WAS UNDER 82000 MILES. UPON COMPLETION OF A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD INSTALLATION AT A COST OF $1029.98 DOLLARS IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AS THE ENGINE MUST HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DUE TO LOSS OF COOLANT AND RESULTANT OVERHEATING. A REPLACEMENT MOTOR WAS QUOTED AT $6000 DOLLARS ON TOP OF THE ALREADY INCURRED $1029.98 DOLLAR EXPENCE. THE CAR WAS JUNK!!! I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND WHY NO RECALL WAS IN EFFECT SINCE FORD KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY HAD MANY SIMILAR REPAIRS IN THEIR SHOP. ALSO INFORMED ALL SIMILAR POLICE MODELS WERE REPAIRED WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS. IF THIS IS SO I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I AM DISCRIMINATED. I WOULD LIKE THE FORD CORPORATION REIMBURSE MY EXPENSES AND/OR GIVE ME A VOUCHER FOR A SUBSTANIAL DISCOUNT ON A NEW FORD VEHICLE. *AK