# 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
> NHTSA complaint `531662` · 2005-04-21 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** THUNDERBIRD
- **Year:** 1996
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
- **Miles at failure:** 81,335
- **Speed:** 65 mph
## Narrative
PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE ON A 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD V8.   PART FAILURE WAS PRECEDED BY A "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" AND "LOW COOLANT" LIGHT.   TURNS OUT THAT FORD HAD PUT OUT "SERVICE BULLETIN" IN 1999 AND FOLLOWED UP ON IT IN 2001 ON THIS ISSUE (97M91) YET THEY NEVER NOTIFIED ANY OWNERS.   COST OF REPAIRS FOR THIS PART WILL BE AROUND $1,000 YET FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING WILLINGLY TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION.   FAILURE OF PART COULD LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IF NOT CORRECTED.  *MN
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*