Ford Thunderbird Complaints

2,355 consumer complaints on file.

#10080637July 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1997 FORD THUNDER BIRD WITH THE 4.6 ENGINE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS CRACKED . I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THIS IS A RECALLED PART ON SOME CARS BUT IT SEEMS MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE ORIGINAL REPAIR PART IS NOT AVAILABLE ANY LONG DO TO THE FLAW. SINCE THIS IS THE CASE IT WOUD SEEM TO ME ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080486July 7, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO PAY THE POWER BILL. I HAD MADE A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN TURNED LEFT UP THE ROAD ABOUT 4/10'S OF A MILE WHEN I PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPACE I NOTICED WHITE STEAM COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I OPENED THE HOOD A THE ENGINE WAS COVERED IN ANTIFREEZE. I CALLED FOR A TOW HOPING IT WAS A BLOWN HOSE OR AT WORST A HEAD GASKET. SO I DIDN'T DRIVE IT FURTHER TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. THE DEALERSHIP LOOKS AT IT AND SAYS IT IS A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. WHICH LEADS TO A $1135 BILL FOR PARTS AND LABOR. SOME ONLINE RESEARCH BROUGHT A CONCERN...IS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLASTIC? IF SO, WHY!? *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081373July 6, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEAD LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. DEALER STATED THEATHEAD LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079862June 23, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE MANIFOLD WOULD ONLY BE REPLACED UPON FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN LOSING ANTIFREEZE. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, HE WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE MANIFOLD FINALLY FAILED AND WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE OPEN RECALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT DUE TO A BAD SENSOR. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079865June 23, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD.*MR THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED, FREE OF CHARGE, WITH ANOTHER PLASTIC MANIFOLD DUE TO A RECALL. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AFTER THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED THE CONSUMER STARTED SMELLING ANTI-FREEZE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT MANIFOLD CRACKED AGAIN AND ANTI-FREEZE SOAKED THE FIRST TWO CYLINDERS WHICH CAUSED THEM TO MISFIRE. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10078713June 23, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
IN FEBRRUARY 2003, MY 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD 4.6L STARTED SPEWING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS JUST AT MY DRIVEWAY AND PULLED IN. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD I REALIZED IT WAS NOT SMOKE BUT COOLANT THAT WAS BEING SPRAYED ALL OVER THE HOT ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO FRIENDLY FORD IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, AND AFTER SOME DISCUSSION, THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD UNDER A TSB. ON 6-2-04, SOME 16 MONTHS LATER, THE INTAKE IS AGAIN LEAKING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THE PART THEY PUT ON THE CAR IS NOT THE RECOMMENDED PART AS STATED IN A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN FLINT, MICHIGAN,DATED DECEMBER 2001. THE PART WHICH FORD STATES IS THE REPLACEMENT PART IS F6AZ9424AA. THE PART LISTED ON THE REPAIR INVOICE IS F8AZ8424AAA. THE PART ACTUALLY INSTALLED ON THE CAR HAS A PART NUMBER OF AE9424CA. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, DENNIS EICH, AT FRIENDLY FORD ON 6-22-04, WHO STATED THAT THE PART NUMBER DOESN'T MATTER, THEY DON'T NEED TO INSTALL THE PART RECOMMENDED BY FORD IN THE LETTER, AND BECAUSE THE PART IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW THEY WON'T FIX IT CORRECTLY. I UNFORTUNATELY AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM. MY RESEARCH, VIA THE INTERNET, SHOWS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A FULL BLOWN RECALL AND FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLES WITH THE RECOMMENDED PARTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079573June 21, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING. THIS WAS DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION RECALL 96V071000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079581June 21, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10076246June 15, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION RECALL 96V071000, BUT THE VEHICLE'S VIN DIDN'T INCLUDE THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION BUT THE PROBLEM FAILURE RECURRED. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075303June 13, 2004
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE FAILURE OF A FIRESTONE FR410, P215/70R15 97S, DOT HYME 41A 159. NO ROAD HAZARD. RF TIRE EXPLODED. 32-35 PSI CHECKED 7 DAYS PRIOR. FIRESTONE INVESTIGATION CLAIMS PUNCTURE CAUSED FAILURE. PUNCTURE OCCURRED FROM TIRE MATERIAL WHEN STOPPING.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10076092June 10, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING20 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A LOUD STREAKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10073541May 12, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE FAILED TO START. CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, AND THEN RESTARTED IT. DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED SOLENOID SWITCH INSIDE THE IGNITION DUE TO A BURNT OUT WIRE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071859April 29, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS. CONSUMER HAS TO PUT COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE EVERY 2 TO 3 DAYS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10061601April 29, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE SIGNAL LIGHT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, THEN SMOKE CLEARED, BUT THE DRIVER HAD TO HOLD THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH WHILE DRIVING. *AK *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10067851April 26, 2004
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR HAS APPARENTLY HAD A RECALL ON THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR 7 YEARS. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR OVER 2 YEARS, BUT HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ON THIS DEFECT. WHILE DRIVING THE CARE APX. 60 MILES FROM MY HOME, MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE LEFT STRANDED WHEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD STARTED FOUNTAINING WATER AND ANTIFREEZE ALL OVER MY ENGINE. THE CRACK IS BIG ENOUGH THAT NO LIQUID WOULD STAY IN THE CAR, AND I COULD NOT BABY IT HOME. IT TOOK AN ENTIRE DAY STRANDED IN A STRANGE CITY TO FIND SOMEONE WHO WOULD HAUL THE CAR ALL THE WAY TO MY HOME. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT HONOR RECALL BECAUSE IT EXPIRED 4 MONTHS PRIOR TO INCIDENT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10067538April 20, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
96 FORD THUNDERBIRD HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHORTINGSMOKING HEADLIGHTS OUT. KEVIN VANOY, ASTORG FORD PARKERSBURG, WV SAYS THIS IS COMMON. HE ORDERED PART SAID MECHANIC SEPARATED WIRES AND ORDERED PARTS. SAID NO MORE PROBLEMS DRIVE AWAY. LIGHTS STILL GO OUT MELTING WIRES. GLEN DETHY CARRIAGE FORD CLARKSVILLE, IN ORDERS PARKERSBURG TO SEND PARTS TO IN, BUT WILL CHARGE $100 EXTRA TO INSTALL, NEITHER DEALER WOULD RUN A HOT WIRE WITH A CABIN SWITH TO LET CUSTONMER SAFELY HAVE LIGHTS. BOTH DEALERS SENT CUSTOMER BACK ON ROAD WITH DANGEROUS LIGHT SWITCH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10066846April 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10065521April 5, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064363April 1, 2004
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN A PARKING LOT NEAR BELLEVIEW & QUEBEC DRIVING AT 5MPH. CAR TAKEN TO COURTESY FORD IN LITTLETON CO. MAR 31/04. SERVICE ADVISER, TIM, STATED WARRANTY WON'T FIX BECAUSE THEY FOUND YELLOW PAINT ADHERING TO THE DRIVER SIDE CROSS MEMBER. THIS SCRAPE OCCURRED AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE FACT DUE TO A HIGH SPEED BUMP AT THEIR LOCATION, PAINTED "YELLOW" IN COLOR. TIM ADVISED A FORD REPRESENTATIVE THAT SPEED BUMP IS NOT YELLOW. WE HAVE TAKEN PHOTO'S SHOWING SPEED BUMP IS "YELLOW".*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066880March 31, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CONSUMER'S 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD COMPLETELY BROKE DOWN DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND THE CONSUMER WASN'T GIVEN PRIOR WARNING THAT THIS EXISTED. THE DEFECTIVE PART WAS ON THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE DATES OF MAY 1996 AND FEBRUARY 2004. THE MANIFOLD WAS FOUND CRACKED. FORD MOTOR ISSUED PROGRAM #97M91 IN RE TO VEHICLES BUILT WITH THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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