1987 Ford Thunderbird Problems & Complaints

DT: THIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE THREE TIMES. IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. CONTACTED FORD, THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER PUT TWO OF THE FIRES OUT, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT ONE OF THE FIRES OUT. ALL FIRES STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS HAPPENED ON JUNE 1, 1996. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF ALL THREE TIMES AND PARKED AND THAT WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE REPAIR SHOP REBUILT THE WIRING ALL THREE TIMES. *AK

THE ELECTRIC WIRES ON THE VEHICLE MELTED AND BURNED. *BF *TC

WHILE PULLLING SEAT BELT OUT TO LOCK IN PLACE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT BECOME LATCHED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ALL OF THE INCIDENTS THAT I HAVE REPORTED IN THIS FORM ARE RELATED! OUR CAR KEPT WANTING TO DIE AT STOPLIGHTS AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT FIXED, BUT, THEY NEVER COULD QUITE GET IT RIGHT. AT 3:30 AM. ON 07/06/2000, I SMELLED SMOKE IN THE HOUSE AND IT AWOKE ME FROM A SOUND SLEEP! I GOT UP TO SEE WERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND IT WAS COMING FROM OUR ATTACHED GARAGE! MY 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD WAS ON FIRE! I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SMOKE INHALATION AND MY WIFE AND STEP-SON WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE FOR THE SAME. WE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE AND EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO OUR HOUSE. WE HAD TO LEAVE OUR HOUSE FOR 4 AND ONE-HALF WEEKS WHILE OUR HOUSE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED AND MY 1984 CHEVY VAN, WHICH WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE CAR, HAD &5,000.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE CONTENTS OF THE GARAGE WERE DISTROYED! WE ARE STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER! ITOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR AND THERE IS NO REASON, BESIDES DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT, THAT THIS TERRIBLE THING COULD HAVE HAPPENED. JESSE STOREY, THE STATE FIRE INSPECTOR, CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE, ACCORDING TO HIM AND ALSO OUR MECHANIC. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELLING THEM OF MY INCIDENT AND SUPPLYING THEM WITH THE V.I.N. AND OTHER INFORMATION AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO RECALL ITEMS ON THAT CAR. FROM WHAT I READ IN THE PAPER RECENTLY, THEY OUT-RIGHT LIED TO ME! A JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA HAS ORDERED FORD TO RECALL 1.7 MILLION VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE LIST OF RECALLS INCLUDES OUR CAR(THUNDERBIRD, 1983-88). I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRUTHFUL WITH ME WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM BY WAY OF E-MAIL! I ALSO FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR LOSES AND ALL OF THE MISERY THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS PUT US THROUGH. I WOULD SETTLE FOR $100,000.00. I FEEL THAT IF THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH APPEARS TO BE THEIR FAULT, WE WOULD NOT OF HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS TO.*A

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF AND THAT THE GAS PEDAL GOES UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN, CONSUMER STATES THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. *SLC

OUR CAR KEPT WANTING TO DIE AT STOPLIGHTS AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT FIXED, BUT, THEY NEVER COULD QUIT GET IT RIGHT. AT 3:30AM ON 07/06/2000 I SMELLED SMOKE IN THE HOUSE AND IT WOKE ME UP FROM A SOUND SLEEP. I GOT UP TO SEE WERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND IT WAS COMING FROM THE GARAGE. MY 1987 THUNDERBIRD WAS ON FIRE! I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SMOKE INHALATION AND MU WIFE AND STEP-SON WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE. WE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE AND EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO OUR HOUSE. WE HAD TO LEAVE OUR HOUSE FOR 4 AND ONE-HALF WEEKS WHILE OUR HOUSE WAS BEING REPAIRED. WE ARE STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER. I TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR AND THERE IS NO REASON BESIDES, DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT, THAT THIS TERRIBLE THING COULD HAVE HAPPENED. JESSE STOREY, THE STATE FIRE INSPECTOR CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND THE THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELLING THEM OF MY INCIDENT AND SUPPLYING THEM WITH THE V.I.N. AND OTHER INFORMATION AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO RECALL ITEMS ON THIS CAR. FROM WHAT I READ IN THE PAPER RECENTLY, THEY OUT-RIGHT LIED TO ME . A JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA HAS ORDERED FORD TO RECALL 1.7 MILLION VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE LIST OF RECALLS INCLUDES OUR CAR(THUNDERBIRD,1983-88). I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRUTHFUL WITH ME WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM BY WAY OF E-MAIL. I ALSO FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR LOSES AND ALL OF THE MISERY THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS PUT US THROUGH. I FEEL THAT IF THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH APPEARS TO BE THEIR FAULT, WE WOULD NOT OF HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS TORTURE MENTALLY AND FINANCIALLY! PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS PLEA FOR HELP SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME CLOSURE ON THIS INCIDENT. THANK YOU, SINCERELY, STEPHEN SCHNUR

ON GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING; VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR REPAIRS AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER DROVE CAR AND BRAKES WERE NOT GOOD. WHEN DRIVING AT ABOUT 50 MILES CAR WOULD SHIMMY BADLY. *AK

CONNECTERS FOR TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES ARE LEAKING DUE TO THE HEAT COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE PLUG THAT GOES TO THE ALTENATOR BEGAN TO MELT AND CAUSED AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

AT 10,000 MILES THE BRAKE PADS GLAZED / ROTORS WARPED / THE REAR CALIPERS LOCKED-UP CAUSING FAILURE. *YC

AFTER DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WERE SUPPOSE TO TURN THEMSELVES OFF. BUT THEY DID NOT. THEN WHEN CONSUMER BEGAN TO DRIVE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. AFTERWARDS, DROVE VEHICLE AGAIN, IT THEN STOPPED AND WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL SHORTED, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO FALL OFF, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A BARN, INJURING THREE PASSENGERS AND KILLING ONE COW.

WHILE PARKED IN PARKING LOT NEXT TO RESTAURANT, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE; ELECTRICAL FIRE; WHOLE FRONT END BURNED UP; ALL WIRES BURNED. *AK

WHEN PUTTING THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL IN THE DOWN POSITION, THE ELECTRICAL POWER IS DISCONNECTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION KEY ALSO GETS WARM, AND THE POWER WILL GO OFF AND ON IF WIGGLING THE KEY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN THE ON POSITION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE REAR BRAKES REMAIN ENGAGED. DEALER CAN'T FIX PROBLEM. DEALER NOTED POSSIBLE CAUSE BRAKE CALIPERS. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED.

WHENEVER THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED ON, IT WOULD CAUSE THE ABS BRAKES TO FAIL. THERE IS NO POWER IN ABS BRAKES. *AK

THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH PLASTIC CONNECTOR TO THE POWER SYSTEM MELTED, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. HEAT CONTROL. PROBLEM OCCURRED 3 TIMES. RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH FOR 88 THUNDERBIRD FOR THE SAME IGNITION PART AS THIS VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. (NEW JERSEY ACCIDENT REPORT)

T.P.S. SWITCH FAILURE WHICH THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON (NO.87-25-7 DATE :8712). THIS FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AND CAUSE ACCIDENT.

OWNER PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THERE WAS A INVESTIGATION PE-88097, BUT THAT INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. *AK

ENGINE: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN BODY MOUNTS BROKE AND ENGINE COLLAPSED. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND RAN INTO A FIELD. HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. *AK

#EA90-005, CAME HOME/PARKED CAR, THAT NIGHT AND THE NEXT MORNING THE FRONT SEAT CONSOLE WAS ON FIRE . *AK

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN A/C ACCUMULATOR BURNED OUT CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT, CAUSING CRUISE CONTROL/TURN SIGNALS TO SHORT OUT.

FUEL PUMPS CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF.

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.

INTERMITTENT STALLING.

WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON, FUSES BLOW, CAUSING INSTRUMENTS ON DASHBOARD TO BECOME INOPERABLE.

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE I THE ALTERNATOR CABLE. *AK

VEHICLE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACE TWICE, DUE TO FAILURE, NOW PART IS ON BACK ORDER.

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TWO TIMES, UNABLE TO GET REPLACEMENT DUE TO BACK ORDER.

THE CAR HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE (3) TIMES IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE IT WAS PARKED. *AK *JB

FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHTS, THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHT. *AK

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE.

IGNITION SWITCH STICKS. *SD

COMPUTER FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/ACCIDENT. *SD

CRUISE CONTROL VALVE FAILURE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE ALTHOUGH BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *SD

FIRE STARTED UNDERHOOD WHILE DRIVING, PARKED VEHICLE, STARTED SMOKING, SUBSEQUENTLY CAME ENGULFED WITH FLAMES, CAUSED BY ALTERNATOR'S CONNECTORS. *AK

SHORT IN IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING WIRING UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN TO OVERHEAT/MELT. *AK

THE RACK FOR THE RACK AND PINON STEERING BROKE AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

EXPERIENCED ON TWO OCCAISION ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES, WHEN ALTERNATOR SHORTS DUE TO PLUG WITHIN ALTERNATOR GETTING HOT, ALTERNATORS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES*AK *JB

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSED THE WIRES IN THE STEERING COLUMN TO BURN OUT, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

AFTER PARKING, MOMENTS LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FIRE DEPT. SUSPECT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS CULPRIT. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH LOOSE, CAUSING FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN. *DSH

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE, ELECTRICAL WIRE AROUND STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

AFTERMARKET BRAKE FLUID HAS DAMAGED BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE, BRAND NAME IS SUPERIOR, DISTRIBUTED BY DPI IN CHICAGO, IL 60632. TT

AFTERMARKET BRAKE FLUID HAS DAMAGED BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE, BRAND NAME IS SUPERIOR, DISTRIBUTED BY DPI IN CHICAGO, IL 60632. TT

CONSUMER HAD PARKED IT CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER COMES ON ANYTIME . TT

DRIVERS SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED. *DSH

DRIVER'S BUCKET SEAT BELT DOES NOT HOLD WHEN ENGAGED BELT INTO LATCH. TT

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAS BROKEN, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. TT

# EA95-021 THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LOCK . TT

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO STAY LATCHED. *AW

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. TT

AUTO CAUGHT FIRE-AFTER BEING DRIVEN ABOUT 1/2 MILE. TT

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE . TT

SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT HOLD. TT

#AE95-21 THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE COME LOOSE WHEN DRIVING . TT

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE COMES LOOSE SEAT BELT DON'T TIGHTEN UP RETRACTOR FELL OUT OF TRACK . TT

AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT A MILE AND HALF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURN. TT

WHILE DRIVING ONE EVENING NOTICED HEAD LIGHT ACTING PECULIAR. BEFORE SOMEONE COULD LOOK, FIRE STARTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

MICHELIN TIRE SIDEWALLS CRACK, CAUSING AIR TO ESCAPE/TIRE TO FAIL. *SKD

CAN'T SEE 10 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHT COVER. TT

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO FASTEN/LATCH. *AK

LEFT FRONT ENGINE MOUNT FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO RAISE AND JAM ACCELERATOR LINKAGE INTO FULL THROTTLE POSITION, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SKD