Ford Thunderbird Complaints

2,355 consumer complaints on file.

#720974April 4, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HAVE A V6 3.8 LITER FORD THUNDERBIRD LX WITH A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. BROUGHT THIS CAR USED IN JULY OF 1999 AND IT HAD 63,000 MILES ON IT NOW HAS 68,000 TOOK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE TALKED WITH THE FORD DEALER IN OUR TOWN AND THEY TOLD HIM THERE WERE 3 AUTO WITH SAME PROBLEM ON RECALL THAT WAS A TAURUS,SABLE AND WINDSTAR. CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO SOLD IT TO ME AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD ABOUT OTHER CARS MENTIONED. I CALLED FORD MOTOR TO REPORT PROBLEM THEY TOOK A COMPLAINT AND TOLD ME I HAD TO GO THROUGH A DEALER TO CONTACT A REGIONAL MANAGER. FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTACT A FORD REGIONAL MANAGER. THAT HE HAD GOTTEN A CAR IN HIS DEALERSHIP WITH SAME PROBLEMS AND THAT IT IS BASICALLY JUNK MATERIAL IT WILL HAVE TO BE SALVAGED. THE ONLY HELP WOULD BE TO HAVE A NEW OR USED MOTOR PUT IN THIS AUTO. I AM ON A LIMITED INCOME MY HUSBAND IS DUE TO BE PUT ON A LIVER LIST. AND THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. THIS CAR WAS PAID FOR AND I HAVE HAD IT LESS THAN A 8 MONTHS AND THERE IT SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY A PIECE OF JUNK. IF YOU FIGURE OUT HOW MANY MONTHS I HAVE THIS CAR IT EQUALS TO 750.00 A MONTH TO HAVE OWNED THIS I COULD HAVE PURCHASED A NEW AUTO AND MADE PAYMENTS WITH WHAT I HAD SPENT ON THIS. AND NOW WITH THE REPAIRS IT WILL COST ME MORE THE FORD DEALER SAID THESE CARS ARE KNOWN FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#721018April 4, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
LOSS OF FORWARD DRIVE ON INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ABLE TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER CAR WENT INTO DRIVE BEFORE I STOPPED. PROBLEM CONTINUED TO DO THIS EVERY 40 OR 50 MILES . I HAVE YET TO TAKE IT TO BE REPAIRED. THIS HAS STARTED TO DO THIS AT SPEEDS OF 40-50 MPH AFTER ONLY DRIVING 10-12 MILES *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#859618April 3, 2000
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STEERING WAS STIFF AND THEN LOOSENED UP NOTICEABLY. PROBLEM WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN. CAR WOULD HESITATE AFTER TURNING. WOULD HEAR A GRINDING OR POPPING NOISE WHILE MAKING TURNS. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, NOT ABLE TO HELP. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720938April 3, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET PREMATURE FAILURE. BAY FORD REPLACED HEAD GASKET 2 1/2 MONTHS AND 3,000 MILES AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS WELL MAINTAINED USED VEHICLE FOR OVER BLUE BOOK PRICE. THE DEALER FAILED TO TELL US WHAT WE NOW KNOW TO BE TRUE - ALL FORDS WITH 3.8L ENGINES WITH THE ALUMINUM HEADS ARE SUFFERING FROM THIS PROBLEM, OFTEN LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE AND LARGE BILLS WHICH FORD IS NOT RECOGNIZING WITH THEIR VERY LIMITED EXTENDED WARRANTY. OUR ENGINE SUFFERED MAJOR LOWER END FAILURE WHILE ON A TRIP, ONLY 4 MONTHS AND 3,000 MILES AFTER GASKET REPLACEMENT, WITH 80,000 MILES ON ENGINE. FIVE STAR FORD IN ABERDEEN WASHINGTON RECOMMENDED LONG BLOCK REPLACEMENT AT COST OF $4000. WYNN'S WARRANTY SCREAMED AFTER PAYING BILL OF $1800 FOR HEAD GASKET MONTHS BEFORE. BAY FORD WON'T RECOGNIZE LIABILTY - POINTS TO NO LEMON LAW - AREN'T THEY THE LUCKY ONES - AND WE ARE ALREADY OUT $120 FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE ON HEAD GASKET REPAIR, $175 FOR LOANER CAR WHICH FIVE STAR KINDLY GAVE US AFTER BAY FORD WHO SOLD US THIS WONDER CAR WOULDN'T, PLUS $180 FOR PULLING ENGINE TO BEGIN REPAIR. THIS PLUS NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS, AGGRAVATION, DESTROYED VACATION PLANS, BEING STRANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD WITH 3 YOUNG GIRLS WHO MISSED HOCKEY GAME, AND NOW 3 WEEKS WITHOUT CAR. NOW BAY FORD WANTS CAR TOWED BACK 100 MILES AND TO POSSIBLY PUT A USED ENGINE IN AT WHAT WILL PROBABLY BE MORE COST TO US, ALTHOUGH THEY AND WYNN'S HAVE AGREED TO 'HELP' US OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY FORD IS NOT STANDING BEHIND SUCH A GLARING MANUFACTURERS DEFECT? WHAT HAPPENED TO "QUALITY IS JOB #1?" I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS, AND MECHANICS TELL ME THE THUNDERBIRD 3.8 IS SUFFERING SAME HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AS THE OTHER COVERED MODELS. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN AND I WILL MAKE SURE EVERYONE I KNOW HEARS OF THIS IF FORD DOESN'T STEP FORWARD AND REMEDY THEIR MISTAKE AND STAND BY THEIR CUSTOMERS. WHAT HAPPENED TO RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS, DOESN'T EXIST IN AMERICA ANYMORE? I WOULD LIKE THIS MADE RIGHT ASAP! *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720939April 3, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEDGASKET IS COMPLETELY GONE. FORD REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE A DESIGN PROBLEM IN THE T-BIRD FOR HEADGASKETS EVEN THOUGH THE Y HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN SEVERAL OTHER MODELS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#551669March 30, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED PREMATURELY DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#551674March 30, 2000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
BOTH CYLINDER HEADS AND INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED CAUSING COOLANT LIGHT TO COME ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720783March 30, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY HEAD GASKETS BLEW AT 80,000 MILES. FORD HAS HAS A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE. THEY RERFUSE TO RECALL MY 1993 THUNDERBIRD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720784March 30, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE WHICH ALSO CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE OIL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720790March 30, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED ON MY THUNDERBIRD WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED - THE CAR EMITTED A HUGE CLOUD OF VAPOR, OBSCURING THE ROAD BEHIND ME AND CAUSING ME TO IMMEDIATELY LOSE POWER. FORD HAS DECLINED TO COVER THE REPAIR COST, EVEN THOUGHT THE EXACT SAME ENGINE IN A TAURUS OR WINDSTAR VAN IS COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTLY PROGRAM FOR EXHIBITING THE SAME FAILURE. THIS DEFECT CAN PRESENT A SAFETY ISSUE, BY OBSCURING THE VISIBILITY OF CARS FOLLOWING AND CAUSING THE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER IN MY VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720809March 30, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THIS FAILURE IS KNOWN BY FORD, AND RECALLS OF OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS ENGINE HAVE BEEN DONE. BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#859428March 30, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
HEADLIGHTS COME ON/OFF. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#859477March 30, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DEFECTIVE 3.8 LITER ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE CYLINDER. THIS ENGINE IS RECALLED IN OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT THE THUNDERBIRD. OWNER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720740March 29, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DESPITE HAVING REGULAR SERVICE AS FORD MANUAL DETAILS, ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED OCT 23,1999 AT 65,975 MILES. I HAD NO WARNING OF ANYTHING WRONG UNTIL THAT SATURDAY MORNING WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO THE GROCERY AND WHITE SMOKE STARTED POURING FROM MY TAILPIPE. I WAS LESS THAN 1 MILE FROM HOME, SO I RETURNED. LIQUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $1100.00. I HAVE CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER WHO TOLD ME TO CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER HOTLINE. I HAVE DONE THAT SEVERAL TIMES BUT HAVE NOT BEEN HELPED. I HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF FORD MOTOR DATED MARCH 8, 2000 BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY AS OF MARCH 29. FORD HAS ADMITTED PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE ON THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, BUT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME HE HAS HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS ON REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES SUCH AS MY CAR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#859304March 28, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET CRACKED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. FORD HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON VARIOUS MODELS. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED TWICE, AND OWNER WAS TOLD THAT HIS CAR WASN'T COVERED BECAUSE IT HAD A DIFFERENT COOLANT SYSTEM, AND BECAUSE THERE WEREN'T A LARGE ENOUGH AMOUNT OF STATISTICAL OCCURENCES REPORTED OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILING IN THIS MODEL FOR A RECALL. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#859333March 28, 2000
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
A PART WITHIN THE SEAT LATCH ASSEMBLY BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO RELEASE FROM THE UPRIGHT POSITION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720719March 28, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME, IN A YR-1/2 THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#551572March 27, 2000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
RECALL WORK PERFORMED FOR THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, PRIOR TO REPAIR THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE ANY FAILURES, AFTER REPAIR OF THE RECALL COMPONENT VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHTS DUE TO A FAULTY MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. *MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#551564March 27, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
HEAD GASKETS FAILED. YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#720651March 27, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH SQUEALING FRONT DISC BRAKES. FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO BE DOING MOST OF THE BRAKING. REPLACED CALIPERS TWICE, DISC PADS SEVERAL TIMES, REBUILT REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS, REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER. REQURES A LOT OF PEDAL BEFORE BRAKES SEEM TO START TAKING EFFECT - MANUALLY ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, SEEMED TO HELP PROBLEM WITH PEDAL TRAVEL, PEDAL TRAVEL PROBLEM RETURNED, READJUSTED REAR BRAKES AND PEDAL TRAVEL IMPROVED AGAIN. SQUEELING FRONT DISC BRAKES CONTINUE. IS THERE ANY HISTORY OF THIS WITH POSSIBLE CORRECTIVE ACTION? *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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