12th Dec 2005, 16:47

You paid way to much for your manifold repair. Ours was fixed for less than $600.

Yes there was a settlement against ford for this manifolds, but it is still be debated as to what the final settlement will be.

22nd Dec 2005, 10:16

Having just applied (12/20/05) for a refund on my manifold replacement, and having been denied by Ford because of the limited 7 year warranty extension, I wonder if there is a way of getting a refund some other way. If you know of such, please return a message to hughmart3@bellsouth.net.

1st Jan 2006, 08:59

I have a 96 towncar, it has had the manifold replaced (at my expense) the whole issue was handled very poorly, but I have driven it several thousand miles since then. I just returned from driving about 900 miles round trip and while in Missouri I met a fellow that had just received his class action payment on two towncars. I intend to contact my local dealer for my payment on Jan. 2, 2006. I have receipts for manifold and related items, gaskets etc. but paid a local racer to install because I was too busy, and so were the reputable shops in the area. My new manifold has been on about 1 1/2 years now. An aftermarket manifold came available about two weeks later, for about half as much, (I think $298.00) I paid over $600.00 for the manifold alone. I am not sure that you can be turned down for reimbursement, If you own a 1996 to 2000 towncar with a 4.6, and it has been fitted with a replacement manifold, then you are in, (obviously if they replaced the manifold, or someone else has been reimbursed, they won't pay a second time). Wish me luck!, I have a couple of attorneys posted to my favorites that handled the lawsuit in various states, I'll have to go to my mail archives to get their web address. My E-mail is Lindermark@mchsi.com it may take a little wait for me to get back to you, but I will. I was very salty about the way my dealer and ford treated me, but it has been a while, I have calmed down. George in Illinois.

9th May 2006, 08:55

The manifold issue, "FORD MUST PAY". Don't let your local dealer turn you away. Become their best pest! After all, the local dealer is not the one paying for it, Ford is. Mine was paid for, including the labor, the tow and my rent-a-car. I was a REAL PEST. It took some doing, but I got it done. There are class action suits all over the net. JUMP ON ONE! Good Luck.

29th May 2006, 11:43

WARNING ABOUT CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS & ATTORNEYS.

In the future, some swell will be famous for an adage about our time that will go something like: "In early 21st Century America, attorneys were so out of control as a group, it was wise for people on both sides of a dispute to try to avoid resorting to them" and "In..., it was true that in any lawsuit the lawyers always won, all of them"

Individuals always have the right to opt out of Class Action Suits. It may be wise for damaged persons to research their situation carefully and consider opting out. Today, it is outrageously too common for plaintiffs in class action suits to get next to nothing, while the attorneys walk away with a fortune.

Consider taking the proper steps in any consumer complaint. Go through proper action channels yourself with thoughts of an attorney coming very last. Speak to your dealer service department about formally appealing to the Ford Representative for expense relief and go from there. Visit the website of Consumer Activist-talk show host Clark Howard (clarkhoward.com). Listen to his daily show and call him for advice as to the proper action to take. You can do some fun things, without an attorney, with your local small claims court. A $1,000 auto repair fits within the state guidelines of small claims in any state I know of.

I can almost guarantee you one thing: it is highly unlikely you will get any relief by resorting to any class action suit, especially one out of Texas, California, or Michigan, states famous among attorneys and civil courts for being lawsuit capitals of America.

Consider this. Over the past 30 years, the US Senate and US Congress and nearly all state Houses of Representatives have consisted of over 50% attorneys at any given time. Does this fact shed any light for you on why frivolous law suits are out of control?

You could say that lawyers are the most represented people in America, & insurance companies are second most represented.

What state does not require, by penalty of law, that all drivers have private auto insurance? Not a bad deal for lawyers and insurance companies, eh?

--Bruised Quasar.

6th Dec 2007, 08:42

December 6, 2007.

I own a 1998 Lincoln Town Car with 117,000 miles on it. I just paid $900 to repair a cracked intake manifold. I see that the deadline for the Manifold Suit was back in 2006. How can I get in on this? Do I pester the Lincoln Dealer with my receipts? joann.martin@agrecol.com (Wisconsin)

19th Jun 2008, 19:18

I bought a used 1996 Lincoln Town Car in immaculate condition with only 81,000 miles in 2006 from a retired air force officer. I have put only 2,000 miles on it. Last week the plastic manifold cracked and my antifreeze blew all over the engine. The engine overheated and a cylinder went out. I called Ford and they said a class action suit resulted in Ford paying only up to seven years after manufacture, or 2003. They told me I am not covered. I am looking for how to pursue this. I will check this site for ideas from others. Thank you. CKH.

23rd Jul 2008, 22:27

I have never purchased a new automobile. I bought a 1986 Town Car with 48,000 miles on it and was very happy with that car after 8 years of reliable service from it. I traded it for a 1993 Town Car, which I drove for ten years, and was very pleased with it, and recently sold it as it had 203,000 miles on it. I have been looking at newer, used Town Cars, and have recently found concerns involving the plastic intake manifolds. I am concerned about this, as I have been exposed to the problems that GM has had with plastic intake manifolds on the 3800 Series II V-6. I am sorry to find that Ford has made a similar mistake, and compromised the integrity and reputation of a very good engine, as did GM with the 3800, by cheapening it up with plastic parts. I am very disappointed! No wonder Toyota has surpassed both Ford and now GM in global sales of automobiles!

7th Aug 2008, 21:39

In June,2006..I was told by Lincoln dealership that I had a cracked manifold... My car was giving me no problems... I did not believe the mechanic. August 5,2008...I was told by another repair shop that I have a cracked intake manifold. I was not notified about the settlement by the dealership or the lawyers. I contacted my advisor, the service manager at the dealership, to no avail. Then I contacted Ford Customer Service department and was told that a letter was sent to me in July 05. But they have no copy of the letter. The funny thing is the decision was not finalized by the judge until December 16,2005, so Why was the letter sent out in July. I feel that I received no notification concerning the settlement. I have made a call to one of the owners of the dealership. I think my intake manifold should be replaced by Ford. I have been quoted $1300 by Lincoln repair shop and $925 from an independent repair shop. Why such a difference in the prices? I was told that I could continue to drive my vehicle as long as I kept coolant in my over flow container. Something sounds fishy to me. This cracked manifold should be paid for by Ford on all vehicles that have a plastic manifold. Why fix some... Do a total recall and own up to their responsibility. This is my last Lincoln. I have had 3. I was considering purchasing another. I think I will go to Toyota.