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4.7

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,346 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Ford Thunderbird miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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1996 Ford Thunderbird Owner Comments

problem #7

Apr 242004

Thunderbird 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Albion, IN, USA

problem #6

Jul 152003

Thunderbird

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,421 miles
Intake manifold is cracked and leaking engine coolant. I have not had the vehicle repaired due to the cost. I searched the internet for recalls on this and found the tsb# 97M91. I called Ford and spoke with philomena, id #3157 and was told this was an extended warranty and that they had notified me in writing in February 98. Found the letter on the internet in a pdf file dated May 1998. So, according to Ford, they notified me a few months before they were notified"???? I never received any recall notice or any information on this. I'm sure if I would have, I would have taken it to the dealership to get it corrected (who wouldn't"). my warranty on this ending Feb. 17, 2003==was told I was 6 months too late to get it covered under warranty. Is there something I can do about this - or am I out of $675.80?

- Hanover, PA, USA

problem #5

May 042001

(reported on)

Thunderbird

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine check light was illuminating on dashboard. Contacted dealer, dealer has determined that head gasket was leaking fluids onto oxygen sensor, causing engine check light to illuminate. Also, note head gasket needed to be replaced.

- Soddy Daisy, TN, USA

problem #4

Jul 121999

Thunderbird

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine check light on, dealer replaced mass air flow sensor. Returned to dealer 4 times for gas mileage down 10-20%, low idle and stalls, poor driveability - Ford and dealer state car is normal - all data from purchase date available - clearly shows negative change at time of part replacement

- Ridgecrest, CA, USA

problem #3

Jun 031999

Thunderbird

  • miles
Oil gauge pressure varies, brought in twice during warranty, they replaced engine due to slapping rod, got car back oil pressure on gauge still varies high & low.

- Marquette, MI, USA

problem #2

May 241998

Thunderbird

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Driving vehicle when it started leaking coolant. No overheating. Vehicle towed home. Next day at dealer & intake manifold repaired due to a crack. Vehicle started to get worse. Vehicle died. Engine check light came on. Moisture on spark plugs & ignition wires.

- Canoga Park, CA, USA

problem #1

Oct 251996

Thunderbird

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine light failed.

- Compton, CA, USA

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