# 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
> NHTSA complaint `483168` · 2004-07-07 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** THUNDERBIRD
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
- **Miles at failure:** 70,600
## Narrative
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO PAY THE POWER BILL.  I HAD MADE A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN TURNED LEFT UP THE ROAD ABOUT 4/10'S OF A MILE WHEN I PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPACE I NOTICED WHITE STEAM COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.  I OPENED THE HOOD A THE ENGINE WAS COVERED IN ANTIFREEZE. I CALLED FOR A TOW HOPING IT WAS A BLOWN HOSE OR AT WORST A HEAD GASKET. SO I DIDN'T DRIVE IT FURTHER TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE.  THE DEALERSHIP LOOKS AT IT AND SAYS IT IS A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD.  WHICH LEADS TO A $1135 BILL FOR PARTS AND LABOR.  SOME ONLINE RESEARCH BROUGHT A CONCERN...IS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLASTIC? IF SO, WHY!?   *NM
---
*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*