Ford Thunderbird Complaints

2,355 consumer complaints on file.

#740466February 5, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILURE. FORD IMPLIES THAT HEAD GASKETS SHOULD LAST 100,000 MILES. WILL NOT HONOR ON THUNDERBIRD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879620February 1, 2001
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT LENS COVER HAS BECOME VERY DIMMED OR CLOUDED OVER. THIS MAKES LIGHTING ALMOST NON EXISTENT WHEN IT'S DARK. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, AND CAN NOT SEE ROAD CLEARLY. PROBLEM IS STEADY OR HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT RECALL 99V275 WAS COMPLETE ON VEHICLE , HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, DEALER WILL ONLY DO REPAIR IF CONSUMER PAYS FOR IT. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879436January 31, 2001
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS FLICKED OFF AND ON WHICH CAUSED POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. ALSO, RECALL 99V275000 DEALT WITH SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#559255January 30, 2001
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATION ON DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LOWER QUARTER PANEL, TRIM ON THE PANEL AND AROUND THE WHEEL, FIRESTONE 721 P22575R15, TEN YEARS AGO THE FRONT TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE OF TREAD SEPARATION. *CJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879348January 30, 2001
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AFTER VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM SKIDDING, NOTHING WAS STRUCK/HIT, BOTH AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED ,AND INFORMED CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND HAVE THEM CHECK FOR A MALFUNCTION DEFECT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO CHECK FOR DEFECTS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740027January 27, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879130January 26, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AFTER HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED IT STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALER . TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. *AK THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING INSPECTION MAINTENANCE. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#739782January 22, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE CHECK GAUGES" LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD. I LOOKED AND SAW THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAD GONE UP AS FAR AS IT COULD GO. I BROUGHT IT TO AN AUTO SERVICE CENTER AND HAD IT CHECKED. I WAS TOLD I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. MY CAR ONLY HAS 46,500 ON IT AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. I WAS TOLD THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR THUNDERBIRD AND I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#878679January 22, 2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITHIN IGNITION MODULE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#739704January 21, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS INQUIRY THROUGH NHTSA IS A RESULT OF LITTLE ASSISTANCE FROM FORD MOROR CO. IN REFERENCE TO A DESIGN RELATED DEFECT ON 1995 V6, 3.8 LITER ENGINES. MY PROBLEM DEVELOPED AT 85000 MILES AND UPON INQUIRY WITH FORD FOUND THAT "ONLY" THE 1995 SABLE AND TAURUS WERE INCLUDED IN AN EXISTING RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM RELATED TO HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. FORD SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME WITH MY THUNDERBIRD, BUT IF I CHOSE TO REPAIR IT, I COULD SAVE MY RECEIPTS AND THEY MAY BE ABLE TO ASSIST LATER IF AND ONLY IF THE THUNDERBIRD WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM. THE PRIMARY SYMPTOM OF SUCH A PROBLEM IS THE ILLUMINATION OF A YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT. IN MY CASE, SINCE I DRIVE ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE SINCE ADEQUATE COOLING AND REDUCED ENGINE STRESS OCCURS AT THAT TIME. HENCE I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A MAJOR PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY FORD DID NOT RECORD MY ORIGINAL INQUIRY THROUGH THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SO WHEN FORD FINALLY INCLUDED THE THUNDERBIRD IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOUND ON SABLES AND TAURUSES, I HAD WENT BEYOND THE 100,000 EXTENDED WARRANTY LIMIT. AS A RESULT, THEY NOW CONCLUDE THAT THEY CANNOT ASSIST IN REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. I'M EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED ABOUT THE OUT OF POCKET COST I NOW AM FACED WITH FOR A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE A FORD DESIGN ISSUE. WORSE YET, THE DEALERSHIP IN SPRINGFIELD, OH (WHERE I LIVE), HAS DISASSEMBLED THE ENGINE BLOCK AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS INDEED THE SAME ONE THAT HAS AFFECTED THE 95 SABLE,TAURUS AND NOW THUNDERBIRD. I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE INABILITY OF A CUSTOMER TO PROCEED BEYOND THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE REACHED THROUGH THEIR 800 PHONE NUMBER. EFFORTS TO DISCUSS MY SITUATION TO A MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE REPRESENTATIVE AT PERHAPS A HIGHER LEVEL IN THE COMPANY HAVE BEEN FUTILE. THATS WHY I'VE CONTACTED NHTSA.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#739659January 20, 2001
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN WHICH I STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY 1995 FROD. THE IMPACK SPEED WAS 35 MPH WITH NO BRAKING WHAT SO EVER. NEITHER OF THE TWO AIR BAGS IN MY VEHICLE WORKED. I RECIEVED NECK/BACK INJURIES. ONE PERSON IN THE OTHER VEHICLE DIED AT HOSPITAL. AT WHAT SPEED SHOULD MY AIR BAGS WORKED. THE IMPACT WAS SOLID AND HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE INNER FENDER TO BUCKLE, BUT NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
1
#739662January 20, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN 2000 , SUPPOSE TO STOP COOLANT LEAK, BUT MECHANIC NOW REPORTS THE PROBLEM IS HEAD GASKET, COMMON TO FORD'S 3.8 V6. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#559009January 16, 2001
TIRES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS, STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
PIRELLI TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 55000 MILES AND ARE WORN AFTER 40000 MILES. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#739459January 16, 2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALL OF THE INCIDENTS THAT I HAVE REPORTED IN THIS FORM ARE RELATED! OUR CAR KEPT WANTING TO DIE AT STOPLIGHTS AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT FIXED, BUT, THEY NEVER COULD QUITE GET IT RIGHT. AT 3:30 AM. ON 07/06/2000, I SMELLED SMOKE IN THE HOUSE AND IT AWOKE ME FROM A SOUND SLEEP! I GOT UP TO SEE WERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND IT WAS COMING FROM OUR ATTACHED GARAGE! MY 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD WAS ON FIRE! I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SMOKE INHALATION AND MY WIFE AND STEP-SON WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE FOR THE SAME. WE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE AND EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO OUR HOUSE. WE HAD TO LEAVE OUR HOUSE FOR 4 AND ONE-HALF WEEKS WHILE OUR HOUSE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED AND MY 1984 CHEVY VAN, WHICH WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE CAR, HAD &5,000.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE CONTENTS OF THE GARAGE WERE DISTROYED! WE ARE STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER! ITOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR AND THERE IS NO REASON, BESIDES DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT, THAT THIS TERRIBLE THING COULD HAVE HAPPENED. JESSE STOREY, THE STATE FIRE INSPECTOR, CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE, ACCORDING TO HIM AND ALSO OUR MECHANIC. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELLING THEM OF MY INCIDENT AND SUPPLYING THEM WITH THE V.I.N. AND OTHER INFORMATION AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO RECALL ITEMS ON THAT CAR. FROM WHAT I READ IN THE PAPER RECENTLY, THEY OUT-RIGHT LIED TO ME! A JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA HAS ORDERED FORD TO RECALL 1.7 MILLION VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE LIST OF RECALLS INCLUDES OUR CAR(THUNDERBIRD, 1983-88). I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRUTHFUL WITH ME WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM BY WAY OF E-MAIL! I ALSO FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR LOSES AND ALL OF THE MISERY THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS PUT US THROUGH. I WOULD SETTLE FOR $100,000.00. I FEEL THAT IF THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH APPEARS TO BE THEIR FAULT, WE WOULD NOT OF HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS TO.*A
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#878204January 16, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
20 MINUTES AFTER PARKING VEHICLE EXPLODED, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#558918January 11, 2001
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TWO OUT OF FOUR FIRESTONE TIRES (P215/70R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#877844January 10, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. REPLACEMENT ONLY LASTED ABOUT 1 YEAR, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO, ENGINE WILL BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#558878January 9, 2001
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
OWNER NOT SATISFIED WITH CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR RECALL CAMPAIGNS (99V-275 & 97V-159), DOES NOT WANT TO LEAVE VEHICLE ALL DAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF HEADLIGHT SWITCH (99V-257),VEHICLE TAKEN TO THREE DEALERSHIPS, CONSUMER EXPERIENCING HEADLIGHT FAILURE, DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO CORRECT RECALL 97V-159. *CJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#739011January 8, 2001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR YESTERDAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST STARTED ACCELERATING BY ITSELF . IT WENT FROM 10 MPH TO 70 MPH WITHOUT ME EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. I FINALLY PUSHED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF. EVEN THOUGH I WAS APPLYING ON THE BRAKE IT DID NOT WANT TO STOP. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL GARAGE AND HE CALLED ME TODAY TO TELL ME IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY LEVER GROMMET . I DID A SEACH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT PART. RECALL # 93B31. HOWEVER IT WAS NOT INCLUDED ON MY CAR BECAUSE THE LADY AT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID IT WAS VEHICLE SPECIFIC. DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT TO ME. SAME CAR , SAME PART, SAME PROBLEM , CAN CAUSE A HUGE ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY FATALITIES COULD ARISE FROM THIS DEFECT AND SHE SAID SORRY , CAN'T HELP YA. FORD WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBLITY FOR THIS . PLEASE RESPOND TO ME AND LET ME KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#877658January 8, 2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
WHILE PULLING OFF FROM A TOLL POLL FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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