[skyducker]

Hey guys,

I thought you would like to know I recieved my mailer for the Class Action Lawsuit against Ford Motor Company in regards to the 1998-2001 plastic intake manifold problems. A related article is below:

Bloomberg News

Ford Motor Co., the second-biggest U.S. automaker, lost a court appeal that sought to keep a lawsuit over an allegedly defective engine part from proceeding as a group claim on behalf of about 100,000 people.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco rejected Ford's argument that a trial judge in Oakland improperly decided that the plaintiffs could sue as a class.

Ford had sought appeals court review before the case goes to trial, arguing that certification of a class action created "tremendous pressure" to settle. The suit seeks more than $100 million in damages and attorneys' fees.

"Although the district court was succinct, it provided detailed, substantive examples of the common issues," the appeals court's decision said. "Requiring the district court to expand its analysis would produce nothing more than a lengthy explanation of the obvious."

The appeals court's decision to not review the certification order was based on "its view that appeals before trial are strongly disfavored," Ford spokeswoman Kathleen Vokes said. "If necessary, Ford will again ask the 9th Circuit to review the trial court's order after trial," she said.

The suit claims Ford installed plastic intake manifolds that were prone to cracking and causing coolant leaks on its 1996 to 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Car and Ford Crown Victoria cars, as well as 2002 Explorers and 1998 to 2001 Mustangs. Ford stopped using the manifolds in 2002.

Ford shares fell 11 cents to $11.33 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Anyone else in here recieve the mailer also? What do you think?

[skyducker]

I need to add some more information to the note above:

1. You must be a California resident.
2. http://www.lrolaw.com/manifolds The link to proper information.

SD

[01Steeda]

Plaintiffs, on behalf of the Class, seek compensation based on nondisclosure in violation of the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act. Specifically, Plaintiffs claim that Ford failed to disclose to Class Members that the plastic intake manifolds have a risk of premature failure

I am not trying to bash anyone, but some of these lawsuits are just silly. Premature failure? so does every other plastic part on every car manufactured. Don't get me wrong i think the intakes of these cars were not really thought out, but sheesh.

[nl mex stang]

Can money be expected, or what? Also, will this put you on "bad terms" with FoMoCo?

[skyducker]

Originally Posted by 01Steeda

I am not trying to bash anyone, but some of these lawsuits are just silly. Premature failure? so does every other plastic part on every car manufactured. Don't get me wrong i think the intakes of these cars were not really thought out, but sheesh.

I would have thought the same thing if my 1996 stang didn't break the intake. Luckily this is one of the years Ford covered but was at the tail end of the offer to fix them. I and probably a lot of other people on this board pay close attention to what happens in the engine bay, but most people out there probably would notice their intake leaking coolant until they overheated.

Don't get me wrong, I love my car and wouldn't trade it for anything but when a company produces a vital part of an engine that breaks well before the engine life is over, they should have to fix it. I think Ford will settle out of court and replace the manifolds that break and possibly pay back the people that have already had to replace their manifolds.

Another thing, Right now I have (1) oil leaking head because of the lack of quality control at the engine plant. Ford knows about it, they released a TSB but no active recall because it doesn't pose a threat to blowing the head gasket. I have two great choices, fix it at my cost or let it leak until I buy a new motor 50,000 miles down the line. Nothing like, pulling up to a stop light to flirt or race and a nice little smoke trail comes from under your car when the oil hits that cat' converter. :thumbsup

SD

[skyducker]

Originally Posted by nl mex stang

Can money be expected, or what?

Don't know until Ford settles or it goes to court.

Originally Posted by nl mex stang

Also, will this put you on "bad terms" with FoMoCo?

They probably wouldn't be happy to shell out their money to you or fix your manifold, but I don't see how they could really hold it against you in the future. I doubt seriously that they would not sell a car to you or keep you from buying parts.

[enorbit3]

u know, this sounds very tempting, but my manifold is fine and i would rather ford keep the cash to bring the lightning back....dont want to be part of that whole frivolous group....as long as my intake is cool, i have no problem and dont want anything from Ford except quality vehicles.....if anyone has had to replace this part, then its cool for them to get some $$ back from Ford....i just hope that no one is signing up to get a hand out from the blue oval....
.02

[BlueStreak03]

The only thing that gets me about this whole thing is it's limited to Cali residents only. So in only 1 state of the country, and they are seeking 100 million. I can't help but wonder how much each person is going to get and what the lawyers' cut is going to be. We should kill all the lawyers at a pace of 10 a day and see where that gets us.

[98fortysix]

I got that notice in the mail to, i think your right it's not fair that it only benefits cali residents. I got lucky i am from cali, but i think the manifold is fine i haven't had any problems with mine

[2005LegendLime]

My '96 Mustang GT has had the intake manifold fail twice - both times it was replaced by Ford under warranty. 50k miles or so on the 3rd intake, crossing my fingers that this one might actually survice 100k miles of use!

Also - I'm wondering why the '96-'97 Mustangs don't show up on this list.