Car stalled at stop sign - mechanic says air intake tube needs to be replaced?

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Had car serviced a few wks ago - general oil change and tire rotation/balance. Loud noice afterwards especially when on the freeway - steering shakes when applying brakes - stalled at stop sign - started after letting it sit - clock had stopped indicating the time it sat - drove 175 miles after starting again and took to same mechanic who generally services it - discovered that the air intake tube had lots of cracks and now ordered the part. Does this happen normally?