Ford Thunderbird Complaints

2,355 consumer complaints on file.

#10430381October 16, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DRIVING ON A 1,850 MILE TRIP. CAR ENGINE REPEATEDLY SHUT OFF ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM COMPLETE STOP. MOTOR LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PUT CAN IN NEUTRAL AND RE-STARTED. WRENCH LIGHT DE-ILLUMINATED, MOTOR LIGHT STAYED ON. ACCELERATION COULD BARELY BE ATTAINED TO KEEP ENGINE RUNNING UP TO 45 MPH. AFTER THAT SPEED, CAN RAN SOMEWHAT NORMALLY,. ENTERING AN EXPRESSWAY AT VERY LOW SPEED WITH MINIMUM ACCELERATION BECAME THE ONLY WAY TO CONTINUE THE TRIP. VERY DANGEROUS. WENT TO A FORD DEALER ON ROUTE. BECAUSE I WAS FROM OUT OF STATE HE AGREED TO WORK ME IN FOR SERVICE THAT DAY. HOWEVER, AFTER I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM, SERVICE WRITER REFUSED MY REQUEST TO PUT CAR ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. HE AGREED TO CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER ONLY. DEALER WOULD DO NO OTHER WORK. TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE IT SEVERAL DAYS. I TRIED TWO TANKS OF FUEL WITH A STODDARD SOLVENT INJECTOR CLEANER. AT HOME. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM. THE IGNITION COILS AND THROTTLE BODY ARE INDICATED. I HAVE HAD BOTH IGNITION COILS REPLACED.18,000 MILES AGO. REPLACEMENT FOR BOTH WAS NOT FREE. THIS CONDITION IS ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS AND HAS NO LEAD UP SYMPTOMS TO WARN YOU. I HAVE BARELY AVOIDED BEING REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES AS I TRIED TO MAKE IT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY. LOCAL FORD DEALER IS TRYING TO AVOID SCHEDULING MY THUNDERBIRD FOR REPAIRS. A RECALL OF THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS IS NECESSARY. A CHECK OF THE INTERNET WEB SITES INDICATE THIS IS PREDOMINANT WITH ALL THUNDERBIRDS OF THIS VINTAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429371October 10, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
IN THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST I SMELT GAS WHEN I DROVE. AND THE SMELL HAS BECOME STRONGER AND STRONGER. TODAY (10/10/2011) I WENT TO A VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE LEAKING IS ON THE TOP OF FUEL TANK AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED IN THE SHOP. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS VERY DANGEROUS LEAK. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T872_DS478881. THIS CAR MUST BE RECALLED FOR FUEL LEAKING. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428109October 1, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON IT. MY 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD BEGAN HAVING THIS PROBLEM AT 43,700 MILES. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND IT WAS INTERMITTENT. WITHIN THE PAST MONTH (SEPTEMBER, 2011), I HAVE PERSONALLY REPLACED ALL EIGHT PLUGS, BOOTS AND COILS. WHILE DOING THIS I FOUND THREE PLUGS THAT WERE OIL FOULED. AFTER COMPLETING THIS REPAIR THE CAR CONTINUES TO DRIVE ROUGH. THE TACH WILL RACE, THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY OR AT ALL WHILE TRYING TO ENTER A HIGHWAY AND BEHAVES POORLY ON BOTH NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS AND THE HIGHWAY. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE DEALER MAKE THE REPAIRS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, JUST A WEEK BEFORE I REPLACED THE PLUGS, BOOTS AND COILS, I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT THE DEALER. THEY CHANGED THE OIL, ROTATED THE TIRES, REPLACED THE OIL FILTER AND AIR FILTER AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY CHARGED ME $151 FOR THIS. I THINK THAT IS ROBBERY!! WHEN I CHECKED OUT, THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT APPEARS I HAVE A "COIL" PROBLEM. HMMM. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND KNOW THAT FORD WILL NOT ADMIT NOR INCLUDE THE 2002 IN THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM. THIS IS SHAMEFUL! THIS COIL ON BOOT PROBLEM IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND MANY FOLKS CAN BE HURT OR KILLED BECAUSE OF HOW THE CAR BEHAVES WHEN THIS PROBLEM ARISES. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT FORD CORPORATE TO ATTEMPT TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON SAID "WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT WITH THIS MODEL". WELL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN ADMISSION OF GUILT TO ME. I AM HOPING THAT PERHAPS YOU CAN ASSIST ALL OF US WHO OWN 2002 T-BIRDS GET JUSTICE FROM FORD AND HAVE THEM ADMIT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND FIX IT! EXTEND OUR WARRANTIES BEFORE ANOTHER OWNER HAS AN ACCIDENT OR DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE 1000S OF US! I'VE OWNED SEVEN FORDS AND NEVER HAVE I HAD AN ISSUE OR TREATMENT LIKE THIS BEFORE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10426916September 23, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COIL AND PLUG FAILURE IN TRAFFIC - MY CAR EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT STALLING IN TRAFFIC AND MISFIRING ON THE HIGHWAY.LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO START THE FORD CAR AND MOVE ME AND THE FORD CAR OUT OF HARMS WAY.FORD RECOGNIZES THE ISSUE WITH THE 2003 AND IN MAY OF 2008 FORD COVERED THE 2004 AND 2005 THUNDERBIRDS BUT IS IGNORING THE 2002. I HAD TWO OF THE EIGHT COIL ON PLUG ASSEMBLES REPLACED AND I AM CONCERNED THAT ANY ONE OF THE NEXT SIX WILL AGAIN FAIL ON THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421583August 26, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2002 FORD T-BIRD WITH APPROX 60K MILIES, ORIGINAL OWNER. I'VE HAD THREE COILS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. ON 25 AUG 2011, WHILE DIVING IN THE FAST LANE (THREE LANES) AT APPROX 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO MUSCLE THE CAR INTO THE BREAK DOWN LANE AND STOP. THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT ISSUE AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416703August 2, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HAD THE VEHICLE TUNED-UP. AFTER A FEW DRIVEN MILES THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS LIT. THE PROBLEM "DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG HIGH RESISTANCE" CAUSES "A POOR CONNECTION WHERE THE CLOCKSPRING CONNECT INTO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS." COST TO REPLACE/REPAIR $681. THIS IS A DEFECT SAFETY PRODUCT. FORD REFUSED TO PAY STATING, "THERE IS NO EXTENDED COVERAGE OR RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE." THERE ARE NOT "SUFFICIENT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS" REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT DEALING WITH A SAFETY ISSUE WITH FORD REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE AS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416705August 2, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENATL PANEL FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG HAD A HIGH RESISTANCE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF UPDATED 2/22/12 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413447July 18, 2011
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412445July 15, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL SPARK PLUG. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE YET NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412142July 13, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM WRITING TODAY TO EXPRESS GRAVE CONCERNS FOR MY 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR MODEL YEARS 2003-2005 FOR THE COIL OVER PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEM, BUT HAS CHOSEN TO OMIT THE 2002 MODEL YEAR EVEN THOUGH A MAJORITY OF 2002-2005 THUNDERBIRDS WERE PRODUCED IN MODEL YEAR 2002. MY CONCERN IS THAT MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002 MODEL YEAR HAVE EXPERIENCED COP FAILURES WHICH HAVE RENDERED THEIR CARS VIRTUALLY INOPERABLE WITHOUT NOTICE OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. TO TAKE THIS A STEP FURTHER, IMAGINE DRIVING ON A HIGH SPEED INTERSTATE AND HAVE THE SYSTEM FAIL. THE CAR IS DESIGNED TO GO INTO "LIMP" MODE WHEREBY THE CAR CANNOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 25 MPH. THIS IS A DISASTEROUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN! NOT ONLY IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT THE REPAIRS ARE COSTING OWNERS OF MY 2002 CARS IN EXCESS OF $1,500 WHERE OWNERS OF NEWER MODELS ARE COVERED FOR 10 YEARS/100,000 MILES FREE OF CHARGE FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THIS INEQUITY MUST SERIOUSLY BE INVESTIGATED AND CORRECTED BY THE NHTSA! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10411985July 12, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED AN ABNORMALLY STRONG COOLANT ODOR. THE CONTACT THEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE ANTIFREEZE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD FAILED. THE INTACT MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO SPILL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410350July 3, 2011
STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD CRACKED SPILLING OUT ALL MY COOLANT AND CAUSING MY ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE COVERD BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THIS HAPPEND WHILE DRIVING DOWN GRATIOT AVE. IN ROSEVILLE MI AT 40 MILES PER HOUR WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING, THIS FAILURE HAPPEND 7/3/2011 SATURDAY OVER THE FORTH OF JULY WEEKEND, WHERE I COULDN'T GET IT TO A OPEN FORD DEALERSHIP, NOW I CONNOT USE MY VEHICAL FOR WORK MONDAY 7/4/2011. WILL THIS REPAIR BE COVERD BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406163June 13, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION COIL WAS FAILING. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MIS-FIRE AND SPORADICALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS NOT COVERED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10404034June 1, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 400 MILES. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,079. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,676. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 09/19/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399756May 10, 2011
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED THE FAN BLOWER STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE HEAT OR DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED. THE FUNCTIONS WOULD ALSO OPERATE ERRATICALLY CAUSING THE FAN BLOWER TO GO FROM HIGH TO LOW ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V007000 (EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AIR CONDITIONER) WAS RELATED BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 123,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10396048April 15, 2011
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SIDE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED ABNORMALLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THE DOOR WAS REMOVED BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 05/25/11 *BF THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE INJURED BOX. UPDATED 06/06/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10394461April 6, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND HIS FOOT SLIPPED FROM THE PEDAL DUE TO THE BRAKE COVER FRACTURING.THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FRONT END OF BOTH VEHICLES WAS DAMAGED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE COVER WAS NOT SECURED PROPERLY AND HE BELIEVED THE PEDAL SHOULD HAVE HAD MORE RUBBER TO PREVENT SLIPPAGE. HE NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375010January 6, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,405. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ UPDATED 04/28/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369511December 7, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,476.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360144October 12, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NO PARTICULAR EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE, JUST MILEAGE (ABOUT 35K). PROBLEM IS IGNITION MISFIRES - NOT CONSISTENT AT ALL BUT CAUSES NEARLY COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, STUMBLING, PARTICULARLY ON ACCELERATION (ON RAMPS, PASSING, ETC.). THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT - AT TIMES CAUSES LOSS OF POWER, ENGINE STALLS AND SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY, AT OTHER TIMES CAUSES INABILITY TO ACCELERATE OR EVEN HOLD CONSTANT SPEED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM EXCEPT HAVING MISFIRE CODES CLEARED FROM TIME TO TIME (WHEN CAR RUNS LONG ENOUGH TO GET TO A SERVICE STATION). FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED IDENTICAL PROBLEM FOR IDENTICAL ENGINE IN 2003-2005 THUNDERBIRD AND LINCOLN LS, AND COVERS COST OF FULL REPAIR(CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 07M07). FORD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON 2003-2005 VEHICLES TO COVER REPAIR (REPLACE CAM COVER GASKETS, SPARK PLUGS AND COILS ON PLUGS), BUT FOR SOME REASON DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2002 MODELS. COMPLAINT HAS BEEN REGISTERED WITH FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER, BUT THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T EXTEND WARRANTY TO 2002 MODELS AND THEY CAN'T COMMUNICATE COMPLAINT TO ENGINEERING OR MANAGEMENT STAFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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