Ford Thunderbird Complaints

2,355 consumer complaints on file.

#10127862July 8, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC IN DOWNTOWN BEVERLY HILLS. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN MY CAR JERKED AND RAPIDLY ACELERATED. MY CAR STARTED TO GO FASTER AND FASTER AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK THEY WERE FROZEN. THE CAR WAS GOING SO FAST AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. MY PASSENGER AND MYSELF WERE SCREAMING AND TO AVOID RUNNING OVER PEDESTRIANS I RAN UP A CURB. THIS ACCIDENT WAS SO SEVRE THAT MY CAR HIT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND IT FELL ONTO MY CAR. THERE WERE SEVERAL WITNESSES TO THIS ACCIDENT. THERE WERE SEVERAL POLICE CARS AS WELL AS PARAMEDIC'S AS WELL AS THE NEWS MEDIA. THE CAR WAS SO BADLY DAMAGED THAT THE ENGINERRING COMPANY THAT WAS HIRED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY CANNOT CHECK FOR MECHANICAL FAILURE. I FEEL LUCK TO BE ALIVE.THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS TOTALLY CRUSHED AND COLAPSED. THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE CAR HAD BEEN JERKING HARSHLY FORWARD. I JUST HAD AROUND THE TOWN DRIVING AND I HAD NO WORRY THAT THE CAR HAD ANY TYPE OF MAJOR MECHANICAL FAILURE. I HAD JUST HAD MY CAR SERVICED AND IT ONLY HAD 9,500 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR IT WAS RECALLED. I WAS TOLD BY FORD OF BEVERLY HILLS THAT THE CAR WAS UNREPAIRABLE AND THEY GAVE ME A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. I WAS NEVER TOLD WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I AM YOUNG AND A RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATE. I AM NOT EXPERIENCED IN THESE TYPE OF MATTERS. I CAN'T GET INFORMATION FROM FORD. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. THANK YOU, ELIZABETH LEON
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10127886July 8, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
ENGINE FIRE
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10123834July 8, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DT: THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPEN'S PROPERLY BUT DOES NOT CLOSE AS IT SHOULD. THE CONSUMER THINKS THE DOOR IS CLOSED CLOSE UNTIL NOTICING THAT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124412June 24, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT: AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF. TOOK CAR TO HERTZ, AND THEY SAID IT HAD A SHORT TO GROUND. WAS TOLD THERE WAS A BLOWN FUSE IN THE MODULE. DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT ON RECALL. MANUFACTURER SAID TO CONTACT DEALER.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT REPLACING THE FUSE IN THE MODULE WILL NOT HELP FOR LONG UNLESS WIRING IS REPLACED. *SB *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122223June 20, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FORD 1995 THUNDERBIRD CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS PARKED EARLY IN THE MORNING. NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. *AK THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED FROM THE FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WELL. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE POWER ANTENNA MOTOR HAD NOT WORKED PROPERLY FOR YEARS. TEN DAYS LATER BEFORE THE FIRE, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND THE FUSE WAS REPLACED. THE DOOR LOCK POWER FUNCTION WAS RESTORED AND THE FUSE WAS REPLACED. THE FUSE WAS BEING CHECKED FOR BEING TOO HOT TO TOUCH. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10123771June 1, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 1994 FORD T-BIRD WITH A 5.0 V8 AND AS I AM DRIVING(NOT ACCELERATING, ETC.) THE CAR IT UNEXPECTLY DOWN SHIFTS FOR NO REASON. IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN MORE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN IT IS HOTTER. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO LAKE CITY FORD IN COEUR D'ALENE AT LEAST 4 OR 5 TIMES OVER THE LAST 4 OR 5 YEARS AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT SOME PART "JUST NEEDS CLEANING" THE PROBLEM KEEPS COMING BACK. I FEEL THAT IT IS A DANGER AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10119325April 26, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONCERNS REGARDING 2004 THUNDERBIRD AND THE CHANCE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILING AFTER THE WARRANTY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID FORMULATION THAT, OVER TIME, MAY CAUSE DELAYED/HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BY INITIATING A RECALL TO ADD AN ADDITIVE TO THE FLUID. THE CONSUMER FELLS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOULD BE TOTALLY DRAINED AND REPLACED WITH THE PROPER FLUID. *BF *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118241April 21, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118244April 21, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL, EQUIPMENT
I WAS AN ORIGINAL VICTIM OF FORD 3.8 HEAD GASKET FAILURE. I HAD THE WORK DONE PRIOR TO THE LETTER THEY SENT. I HAD GOTTEN REIMBURSED. MY CAR HAS APPROX 120.000 AND THE HEAD GASKETS HAVE GONE AGAIN. I AM TERMINALLY ILL AND HAVE A DAUGHTER GETTING READY FOR COLLEGE AND CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING FOR FORDS ORG. DEFECTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111737March 23, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHEN YOU STOP IN A HURRY THE FOOT GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. OWNER WENT TO THE DEALER AND ASKED TO HAVE THE BRAKES ADJUSTED. OWNER WAS TOLD THERE IS NO ADJUSTING THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TO CLOSE TOGETHER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE BRAKING. *NM *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114317March 19, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL LEAK FROM FUEL TANK WHEN FULL . DANGEROUS , COULD CAUSE A FIRE . AUTO IS PARKED IN A GARAGE INSIDE OF MY HOUSE . UNABLE TO FILL TANK BECAUSE OF CONDITION . FORD WILL NOT REPAIR . AROUND 45,000 MILES , NEVER IN ACCIDENT & FUEL SYSTEM NEVER WORKED ON . I THINK THIS IS VERY NEGLIGENT ON FORD'S PART .*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115359March 17, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, THEN WATER SPILLED FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115033March 11, 2005
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR WHILE DRIVING, AND THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER. VEHICLE FLIPPED INTO A DITCH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED ANDS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.*AK THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT WHILE PARKED OFF THE ROAD. UPDATED 02/28/06
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10106796March 8, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. FRONT RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER CAME OFF AND LOCKED UP WHEEL AND SLID MY CAR SIDEWAYS WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. 2003, FORD, THUNDERBIRD ON THE DAY OF DELIVERY WITH 300 MILES ON THE CAR CALIPER BOLT FELL OUT, AND WHEN BRAKES APPLIED THE CALIPER TURNED UP INTO THE WHEEL, AND JAMMED WHEEL. AT 6:30 PM. MOVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT LANE, AND APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. ORIGINAL SPEED WAS BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. RELEASED BRAKES, AND HEARD A CLUNG UNDER THE CAR AS IF WE RAN OVER SOMETHING. IMMEDIATELY LOOKED BACK, BUT SAW NOTHING IN THE ROAD. CONTINUED TO PARKING LOT, APPLIED BRAKES, AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAR SLID TO AN ANGLED STOP, RELEASED BRAKES ,AND ROLLED FORWARD WITH VERY STRONG CLANKING NOISE. WE CONTINUED INTO THE PARKING LOT. MY WIFE CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR FRONT RIGHT CALIPER BOLTS, AND WHEEL WAS REPLACED. THE PROPER CALIPER BOLT WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF REPLACEMENT. SERVICE USED BOLT THEY COULD FIND. 1 FAILURE, NO ONE HURT, NO POLICE REPORT, JUST VERY LUCKY.*AK THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114872March 7, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
UNSAFE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IN CONSUMER'S 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD. *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113496March 4, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH A LOUD SNAP CAME FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO BE ABLE TO TURN LEFT, AND THEN ENDED UP CRASHING WITH THE GUARD RAIL. THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10108837February 18, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK TIRES SPIN AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF RUBBER. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111718February 17, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE BLOWER WAS INOPERATIVE. THE BLOWER FAILS TO TURN ON SOMETIMES AND IT STICKS ON HIGH AT ALL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105416February 16, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES ABRUPTLY THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110579February 15, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK. ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, THE SEAT BELT STAYS IN A POSITION THAT APPEARS TO BE EFFECTIVE, BUT IT DOES NOT GO ALL THE WAY BACK. IT ALSO NO LONGER MOVES FORWARD WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE SEAT BELT WORKS MOST OF THE TIME. HOWEVER, IT OCCASIONALLY GETS STUCK IN A POSITION WHERE IT HAS MOVED FORWARD WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED BUT IT WON'T MOVE BACK TO ITS CORRECT POSITION. I READ IN THE CAR MANUAL THAT THERE IS A KNOB THAT CAN BE TURNED IN ORDER TO GET THE SEAT BELT TO GO BACK ALL THE WAY. I'VE TRIED THIS MANY TIMES; IT WORKED AT FIRST, BUT DOESN'T ANY MORE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Thunderbird