*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Air bags
AIR BAG FLASHING CODE
Oct 2, 2002Air bags
WHEN DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHESYSTEM STOPPED WORKING IN MOTION FAILURE OF THE CLOCK SPRING
Aug 19, 2015Engine 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.
Jul 6, 2011 · 60,000 milesEquipment › 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.
Feb 15, 2011 · 123,100 milesStructure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
OPENING DOORS FROM THE INSIDE, LITTLE BY LITTLE, BOTH DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, HAD TO LEAVE WINDOW OR WINDOWS OPEN TO STICK HAND OUT TO OPEN DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. FAILURE OF THESE DOORS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AT SOME POINT IF BATTERY WOULD GIVE OUT WOULD LEAVE US LOCKED IN, BUT FORTUNATELY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN DUE TO US REMEMBERING TO LEAVE AT LEAST ONE WINDOW OPEN. AFTER SOME MINOR REPAIR, FOUND OUT PLASTIC PARTS WORE OUT AND ONLY ONE DOOR CAN BE UNLOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE. *TR
Jul 10, 2007Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD. FORD REPLACED ONCE, FREE OF CHARGE @ 48,523 MILES. CRACKED AGAIN @ APPX. 95,700 MILES. FORD REFUSED TO REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE. REPLACED ONE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD WITH ONE THAT WAS JUST AS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THIS MANIFOLD, IT WAS SO BAD. *JB
Jun 18, 2007 · 95,700 milesEngine and engine cooling1 injury
INTAKE (PLASTIC) CRACKS ;LEAVING FAMILY AND I STRANDED ON 30 MILE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY WITH NO HOUSES OR BUSINESS. TOWED TO STATION AND FIXED RECALLED INTAKE. TAXI COST HOME AND BACK 2 DAYS LATER TO RETRIEVE CAR SOON STARTED HAVING HEATER COIL LEAKS AND OVERHEATING;ANTIFREEZE CAUSING HEADACHES. ALMOST $1000.00 TO REPLACE 30 DOLLAR PART(DASH BOARD AND CONSOLE REMOVED AND AIR CONDITION UNIT DISCONNECTED AND RECHARGED) DEALER TOOK COST OF NEXT 2 REPLACEMENT HEATER COILS AND IT STILL NEEDS 4TH;NO HEAT;STILL LEAKS ANTIFREEZE INSIDE CAR. INTAKE MANIFOLD(PLASTIC) CRACKED AGAIN;OVERHEATED AND BURNT ME THIS TIME ALSO CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TO CAR;VERY COSTLY WHICH I GUESS WE THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO…
Aug 31, 1998 · 20,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
TL* - THE CONTACT WANTED TO HAVE REPAIR DONE TO 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD, HOWEVER SERVICE BULLETIN #97M91, DATED JAN 19, 1998 (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 605621) EXPIRED AND FORD CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS 80000. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT WROTE TO FORD. THE REFUSED TO HONOR THE SERVICE BULLETIN. *AK UPDATED 2/6/2007 - *NM
Oct 30, 2006 · 80,000 miles
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.