[stangliter04]

Info on the Chamberlan v. Ford Settlement

this was taken from the FAQ section of this site, http://www.fordmanifoldsettlement.com/
if you can take advantage of this case and need more info click on the link above. (hope this helps )

1. What is this lawsuit about?

The Class Vehicles were equipped with an engine that contained an air intake manifold made entirely from a nylon-composite material. The plaintiffs in these class action lawsuits allege that the coolant crossover passage of these intake manifolds may crack, resulting in coolant leakage, and that Ford violated state law because it failed to disclose this fact to consumers who bought Class Vehicles. Ford denies these allegations and any wrongdoing.



2. What vehicles are included in this Proposed Class Action Settlement?

This Proposed Class Action Settlement involves certain Ford Motor vehicles, specifically those with a 4 point 6 Liter, 2-valve V-8 engine that were originally equipped with an all nylon-composite air intake manifold. These vehicles include:

Mercury Grand Marquis model year 1996 through 2001

Lincoln Town Car model year 1996 through 2001

Ford Crown Victoria model year 1996 through 2001

Mercury Cougar model year 1997 manufactured after June 24, 1997

Ford Thunderbird model year 1997 manufactured after June 24, 1997

Ford Mustang model year 1997 manufactured after June 24, 1997

Certain Ford Mustangs model year 1998 through 2001

Certain Ford Explorers model year 2002
For more information on the List of Class Vehicles, please click here.



3. What are settlement benefits for class members?

Ford will provide to Settlement Class Members a retroactive extended vehicle warranty to cover fatigue cracks in the all-composite intake manifold Class Vehicles, resulting in coolant leaks at the crossover coolant passage. The coverage for this extended warranty is for seven years from the start date (which means the initial vehicle sale date) without a mileage limitation. Within the covered period, if Settlement Class Members experience this condition, Ford will pay for a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealer to verify the condition and replace, at no cost to the vehicle owner, any such all-composite intake manifold.

Ford will also pay for its dealers to reimburse Settlement Class Members for the actual amounts paid by them before the Effective Date to have the all-composite intake manifold replaced as a result of fatigue cracks leading to coolant leaks at the crossover coolant passage. To be eligible for reimbursement, you must seek reimbursement from a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealer within 90 days after the Settlement becomes final.

To obtain reimbursement, you must present an original receipt for the repair or a photocopy or duplicate thereof. If you paid to replace your intake manifold, but you do not have your original receipt and your vehicle was sold less than seven years ago, you may take your vehicle to a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealer for inspection. You must bring the Notice to the dealer within 90 days after the Settlement becomes final, signed under the penalty of perjury, stating that you paid to replace an intake manifold that had cracked at the coolant crossover passage, resulting in a coolant leak. The dealer will also inspect your vehicle to confirm that the original manifold was replaced. In that event, you will be entitled to receive reimbursement of a pre-set amount for the estimated costs of replacing your manifold.




4. Do I have to participate in this case or class action – can I exclude myself?

Anyone who wishes to be excluded from the Settlement Class must submit a personally signed written Request for Exclusion by sending it to Chamberlan Ford Settlement Administrator, Post Office Box 6177, Novato, California 94948-6177. Anyone submitting a Request for Exclusion must:

1. Set forth their full name and current address
2. Identify the model and model year of their Class Vehicle(s) and the approximate date of purchase or lease
3. Whether the class member requesting the exclusion still owns the class vehicle
4. Specifically state their desire to be excluded from the Settlement Class
5. Provide the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of their Class Vehicle(s)
6. Mail the request with a postmark no later than September 27, 2005


5. What happens if I opt out or exclude myself from the settlement?

If you exclude yourself from the Class, you:

1. Will not be permitted to participate in the Settlement described in this Notice, if it is approved.
2. Will not benefit from or be bound by a final judgment rendered in this Class Action.
3. May, if you wish, pursue on your own behalf whatever legal rights you may have.

Please refer to the Notice of Proposed Settlement regarding exclusion requests.



6. What happens if I remain a class member?

If you wish to remain a Class Member, do not send an exclusion letter. As a Class Member you will be bound by all proceedings, order and judgments of the Court pertaining to the Settlement Class pursuant to the Settlement Agreement.



7. Can I object to the proposed Settlement Agreement and what is the deadline for objecting to the settlement?

Any Settlement Class Member who wishes to object to the proposed Settlement must send a written objection to:

Chamberlan versus Ford Settlement Administrator
Post Office Box 6177
Novato, California 94948-6177.

All objections must also be served on counsel for Plaintiffs:

Michael Ram and Heather Mills
Levy, Ram & Olson LLP
636 Front Street, Fourth Floor
San Francisco, California 94111-1913

And on counsel for Ford:

Michael Tubach and Randall Edwards
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
275 Battery Street, 26th Floor
San Francisco, California 94111-3305



Settlement Class Members wishing to object to the proposed Settlement must:

1. Provide their full name, current address and telephone number
2. Identify the model and model year of their Class Vehicle(s)
3. Provide the Vehicle Identification Number of their Class Vehicle(s)
4. Set forth a statement of the potion(s) the objector wishes to assert, including the factual
and legal grounds for the position.
5. Provide copies of any other documents that the objector wishes to submit in support of their position.
6. Mail the objection with a postmark no later than September 27, 2005.



8. When will this proposed settlement be considered for approval by the Court?

The Court has scheduled a final approval hearing with respect to the settlement on October 7, 2005 at 10:00 am at the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, located at 1301 Clay Street, Suite 400S, Oakland, California. This Hearing may be continued or rescheduled by the Court without further notice. You can check the website for a possible change in the date



9. What is the deadline for requesting reimbursement?

To be eligible for reimbursement, you must seek reimbursement from a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealer within 90 days after the Settlement becomes final.

To find out if the Proposed Settlement is approved and when the Proposed Settlement becomes final, please return to this website for more information after October 7, 2005.