1996 Ford Thunderbird Problems & Complaints

AIR BAG FLASHING CODE

WHEN DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHESYSTEM STOPPED WORKING IN MOTION FAILURE OF THE CLOCK SPRING

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.

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.

FIRST MY ENGINE SEEMED TO OVERHEAT A BIT THEN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT WOULD SOUND LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GRINDING ON SOMETHING AND WOULDN'T STOP.. SOUNDED LIKE A BUNCH OF CHAINS IN MY HOOD. BUT THEN ON OCCASIONS THE STUPID THING WOULDN'T SHUT OFF WHEN IT WAS MAKING THE CHAIN SOUND, EVEN WITH MY KEY OUT. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN AND NOW THE THING SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING AND I HAVE NO POWER WHAT SO EVER IN MY VEHICLE. BEFORE WHEN IT FINALLY SHUT OFF IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO SPARK. THEN IT WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE THAT WASN'T COOL. *TR

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

1996 FORD EXPLORER, 4X4. DRIVING IN DESERT WENT OVER A BUMP A LITTLE FAST, WHICH SET OFF MY AIRBAGS. MY RIDER IS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR BROKEN NOSE, CHEEK AND SOME KIND OF SMOKE INHALATION. MY WINDSHIELD IS BROKEN BECAUSE THE BAG HIT THE MIRROR WHICH THEN HIT THE WINDSHIELD. MY STEERING WHEEL IS DESTROYED, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORNS ARE OUT OF SERVICE. BEFORE I COULD DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN I HAD TO CUT THE AIRBAGS OUT. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS! NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR EXCEPT WHAT THE AIRBAGS DID. I WANT THIS ALL FIXED AT FORD'S EXPENSE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 10 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT; RECALLED TIRES, STEERING BARS AND BRAKES (ALL RECALL). *TR

MY 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER DEVELOPED A FAILURE IN THE AIR FLOW SENSOR (PART $330) THAT RESULTED IN VEHICLE STALLS, INCLUDING STOPS ON THE HIGHWAY, THAT NEARLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE REQUIRED REPAIRS EXCEEDED $500. I KNOW FORD HAS A SIMILAR RECALL OUT NOW FOR THE 1997-2003 (/) MODELS). *TR

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

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 BEAR. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE? *TR

TIRE ON 2 CASES BLEW THE TREAD AND BELT, THE LATER OF THE TWO INCIDENCES WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE, AND RESULTED IN TWO INJURIES TO BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER. BOTH NEEDED TO BE HOSPITALIZED.*AK

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

DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CAR ONLY HAS 84,450 MILES ON IT! COST WAS $1002.02 TO REPAIR. WHY IS THE CONSUMER BEING CHARGED FOR THIS COSTLY REPAIR WHEN THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY?*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE A LEAK WAS FOUND ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE. THE LINE WAS CORRODED TWO INCHES FROM EITHER SIDE OF A CLIP HOLDING THE BRAKE LINE. NO OTHER CORROSION WAS FOUND ON THE REMAINING BRAKE LINES.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING FLUID. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, THE REPAIR WERE MADE FOR A FEE. ALSO EVERY 25000 MILES, THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE CHANGED DUE A SMALL LEAK. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIRD, THE EXHAUST AND INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE LEAKING CAUSING A NOXIOUS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH MANIFOLDS, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK DRIPPING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

COMPLIANT IS THAT THROUGH MY INSURANCE PROVIDER I WAS ALERTED TO TWO RECALLS THAT SHOULD BE AT LEAST LOOKED INTO ON MY AUTO. THE FIRST IS THE BLOWER ON THE CLIMATE CONTROL BEGAN TO WORK ERRATICALLY AND NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. MEANING THAT MY DEFROSTING DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE OTHER AND MORE SERIOUS IS THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH STICKS AT SMACKS AGAINST THE PEG AND DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY OR AT ALL, UNLESS THE LATCH IS MANUALLY LIFTED. BOTH OF THESE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER T-BIRDS BUT SOMEHOW MINE SLIPPED THROUGH. VIN IS [XXX]. IF THESE ARE SUCH COMMON PROBLEMS WHY WEREN'T ALL THE T-BIRDS RECALLED? I AM LOOKING AT OVER 600.00 TO REPLACE THESE PARTS. WHICH IS IRRITATING WHEN FORD SHOULD BE FIXING IT'S KNOWN PROBLEMS. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 * JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP PERSONNEL SUGGESTED THE MANIFOLD CRACKED DUE TO THE COMPOSITE PLASTIC USED IN MANUFACTURING. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED WITH AN AFTER MARKET MANIFOLD MADE OF METAL MATERIAL. *NM

I HAD A 96 T-BIRD THAT MY DAUGHTER NOW OWNS. THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD CRACKED LAST SPRING CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. MY SISTER TOWED ME TO HER HOUSE WHERE THE VEHICLE SAT UNTIL I GOT A NEW MANIFOLD FOR ABOUT $289 ONLINE. I INSTALLED IT MYSELF TAKING ME ABOUT 2 DAYS AND DRIVING 45 MILES EACH WAY TWICE TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE. OLD PART WAS DISCARDED. *NM

ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY I EXPIRED A SUDDEN SPIKE IN TEMPERATURE ON MY 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT MY "PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION AND HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY SORT OF CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION FROM FORD. I HEARD ABOUT THE MANIFOLD ISSUE FROM A FELLOW EMPLOYEE. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS FOR THIS FAULTY MANIFOLD WAS $978.00. I FEEL IF THEY KNEW THEY NEEDED TO UPDATE IT WITH AN ALUMINUM MANIFOLD THAN THEY KNEW THE PLASTIC ONES WERE FAULTY.*JB

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THIS PART WAS MADE OUT OF NYLON AND IS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE STATING THAT THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ACTION IN 1996. SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECTIVEPART I THINK IT SHOULD BE COVERED FOR LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. LATER FORD REDISIGNED THE PART USING ALUMINUM INSTEAD OF NYLON. *NM

3.8 CYLINDER HEAD FAILURE

DT: THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPEN'S PROPERLY BUT DOES NOT CLOSE AS IT SHOULD. THE CONSUMER THINKS THE DOOR IS CLOSED CLOSE UNTIL NOTICING THAT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *AK *NM

ON 06/03/2005, A GOVERNMENT OWNED, 1996 FORD BRONCO, WAS OBSERVED ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT HOURS WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE FIRE WAS OBSERVED AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND BURNED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT COULD BE EXTINGUISHED. THE FIRE WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH.

INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED ON 1996 THUNDERBIRD IN 2000. IT IS NOW CRACKED, AND AFTER SPENDING 550.00 TO FIND THAT OUT, THERE IS NOTHING FORD WILL DO EVEN THOUGH IT IS ON CAMPAIGN (97M91). NOW I CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR.

PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE ON A 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD V8. PART FAILURE WAS PRECEDED BY A "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" AND "LOW COOLANT" LIGHT. TURNS OUT THAT FORD HAD PUT OUT "SERVICE BULLETIN" IN 1999 AND FOLLOWED UP ON IT IN 2001 ON THIS ISSUE (97M91) YET THEY NEVER NOTIFIED ANY OWNERS. COST OF REPAIRS FOR THIS PART WILL BE AROUND $1,000 YET FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING WILLINGLY TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. FAILURE OF PART COULD LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IF NOT CORRECTED. *MN

THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE BLOWER WAS INOPERATIVE. THE BLOWER FAILS TO TURN ON SOMETIMES AND IT STICKS ON HIGH AT ALL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

THERE IS A WHITRE CLOUDY FILM ON THE HEADLIGHTS CREATING POOR VISABILITY AT NIGHT.*AK

1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD 4.6L V8 MOTOR FAILURE OF PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. DRIVING HOME UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND CHECK COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. DUAGHTER SAID SHE HAD THOUGHT SHE SMELLED BURNING COOLANT FOR SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND HE POINTED OUT THE CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. SAID THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR. PAID OVER $900.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED WITH UPGRADED PART. TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT RECALL ISSUED BUT EXPIRED ABOUT 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO REPAIR.*AK

COOLANT FUMES/ODOR WAS COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A PRESENT RECALL.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. VEHICLE REVVED EVEN WHILE THE CONSUMER HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE, WENT THROUGH A GUARD RAIL, AND FINALLY STOPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *TC

1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD 4.6L 281CID V8 MOTOR FAILURE OF PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. DRIVING HOME UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND CHECK COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. WIFE SAID SHE HAD THOUGHT SHE SMELLED BURNING COOLANT FOR SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND HE POINTED OUT THE CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. SAID THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR. PAID OVER $800.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED WITH UPGRADED PART. FORD MOTOR CO. HAS BEEN AWARE OF PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND ISSUED A RECALL FOR TAXIS AND POLICE VEHICLES BUT RECALL DOES NOT COVER PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000 MILES.

CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE FAILED, AS A RESULT, DEFROSTER AND DEFOGGER FAILED, CAUSING IMPAIRED VISION. *BF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS STATED IN RECALL 96V-007000, BUT IS NOT INCLUDE IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NM

I WAS TOLD THAT THEIR IS A RECALL ON MY 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD FOR A FAULTY INTAKE COOLING MANIFOLD. CAN YOU PLEASE CONFIRM THIS. I DO NOT SEE IT ON YOUR RECALL LIST. *JB

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO A BODY SHOP. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE DEFROSTER AND DEFOGGER FAILED, CAUSING IMPAIRED VISION. RECALL 96V007000) WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED ON 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD.*MR THE VEHICLE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL. ABOUT ONE YEAR AFTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED THE CONSUMER STARTED SMELLING ANTIFREEZE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT DROPS OF ANTIFREEZE COULD BE SEEN BY THE WATER PUMP AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER IT WAS REPLACED THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO SMELL ANTIFREEZE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE MANIFOLD CRACKED AGAIN AND THAT THE ANTIFREEZE HAD SOAKED THE FIRST TWO CYLINDERS CAUSING THEM TO MISFIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS MANIFOLD. *NM

IN FEBRRUARY 2003, MY 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD 4.6L STARTED SPEWING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS JUST AT MY DRIVEWAY AND PULLED IN. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD I REALIZED IT WAS NOT SMOKE BUT COOLANT THAT WAS BEING SPRAYED ALL OVER THE HOT ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO FRIENDLY FORD IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, AND AFTER SOME DISCUSSION, THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD UNDER A TSB. ON 6-2-04, SOME 16 MONTHS LATER, THE INTAKE IS AGAIN LEAKING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THE PART THEY PUT ON THE CAR IS NOT THE RECOMMENDED PART AS STATED IN A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN FLINT, MICHIGAN,DATED DECEMBER 2001. THE PART WHICH FORD STATES IS THE REPLACEMENT PART IS F6AZ9424AA. THE PART LISTED ON THE REPAIR INVOICE IS F8AZ8424AAA. THE PART ACTUALLY INSTALLED ON THE CAR HAS A PART NUMBER OF AE9424CA. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, DENNIS EICH, AT FRIENDLY FORD ON 6-22-04, WHO STATED THAT THE PART NUMBER DOESN'T MATTER, THEY DON'T NEED TO INSTALL THE PART RECOMMENDED BY FORD IN THE LETTER, AND BECAUSE THE PART IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW THEY WON'T FIX IT CORRECTLY. I UNFORTUNATELY AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM. MY RESEARCH, VIA THE INTERNET, SHOWS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A FULL BLOWN RECALL AND FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLES WITH THE RECOMMENDED PARTS.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD.*MR THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED, FREE OF CHARGE, WITH ANOTHER PLASTIC MANIFOLD DUE TO A RECALL. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AFTER THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED THE CONSUMER STARTED SMELLING ANTI-FREEZE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT MANIFOLD CRACKED AGAIN AND ANTI-FREEZE SOAKED THE FIRST TWO CYLINDERS WHICH CAUSED THEM TO MISFIRE. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK

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.*AK

96 FORD THUNDERBIRD HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHORTINGSMOKING HEADLIGHTS OUT. KEVIN VANOY, ASTORG FORD PARKERSBURG, WV SAYS THIS IS COMMON. HE ORDERED PART SAID MECHANIC SEPARATED WIRES AND ORDERED PARTS. SAID NO MORE PROBLEMS DRIVE AWAY. LIGHTS STILL GO OUT MELTING WIRES. GLEN DETHY CARRIAGE FORD CLARKSVILLE, IN ORDERS PARKERSBURG TO SEND PARTS TO IN, BUT WILL CHARGE $100 EXTRA TO INSTALL, NEITHER DEALER WOULD RUN A HOT WIRE WITH A CABIN SWITH TO LET CUSTONMER SAFELY HAVE LIGHTS. BOTH DEALERS SENT CUSTOMER BACK ON ROAD WITH DANGEROUS LIGHT SWITCH.

THE CONSUMER'S 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD COMPLETELY BROKE DOWN DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND THE CONSUMER WASN'T GIVEN PRIOR WARNING THAT THIS EXISTED. THE DEFECTIVE PART WAS ON THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE DATES OF MAY 1996 AND FEBRUARY 2004. THE MANIFOLD WAS FOUND CRACKED. FORD MOTOR ISSUED PROGRAM #97M91 IN RE TO VEHICLES BUILT WITH THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

HEAD GASKETS FAILED RUINING MY CYLINDERS AS WELL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN. BARELY GOT THE CAR HOME WITH A CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR ALMOST 1 AND A HALF MONTHS, AND I STILL OWE 5900 DOLLARS ON IT. I HAVE TO RIDE MY BIKE TO WORK OVER 3 MILES EACH WAY AND RENT A CAR FOR THE WEEKENDS COSTING ME A FORTUNE. I BELIEVE THEY NEED TO PAY FOR MY ENGINE TO BE REBUILT ESPECIALLY AFTER READING ALL THE ARTICLES OF HOW THE 3.8 LITRE V6 ENGINE HAS FAILED CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND FORD HAS KNOWN IT. I LOVE FORDS AND HAVE NEVER DROVE ANYTHING ELSE. I AM IN A SERIOUS BIND AND NEED HELP FOR SOMETHING THAT FAILED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND I HOPE FORD GETS THE MESSAGE. DEREK HAUGH

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?

IN OCTOBER OF 1998 VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK WHEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS REPLACED, THE OLD STYLE IS USED WHICH IS WHY THE CONSUMER BELIEVES IT FAILS AGAIN. CONSUMER FEELS FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE HIM THE COST OF REPAIRS. *PH

CRACKED PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT CAUSED A MAJOR COOLANT LEAK. *LA

MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD CURRENTLY SITTING IN MY 1996 THUNDERBIRD 4.6L ALTHOUGH I CAN FIND ONLY A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER REGARDING RECALLS; CLASS ACTION SUITS; AND FREE OF CHARGE REPLACEMENTS; I AM VERY INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT IF THERE IS ACTUALLY ANYTHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING AND TO FILE MY COMPLAINT AND/OR JOIN ANY OTHER CONSUMER WHO IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ON ANY CLASS ACTION SUIT.*AK

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING GAS. AN INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE FUEL RAIL. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED BEHIND THE ALTERNATOR LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE ALL OVER THE PLACE. CONSUMER FOUND A TSB REGARDING THE PROBLEM. *LA THE CONSUMER FELT THAT FORD SHOULD CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE PART(S) UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS FIXED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD BEEN REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS AND MAY BE ON IT'S THIRD. (THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL) *SC *JB

PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE ROTORS ON VEHICLE ARE WARPED. *MR THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED, LEFT AND RIGHT (2 TIMES) AND WERE WARPED AGAIN. *SCC *JB

DEFECTIVE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL CONCERNING DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD. FORD SAYS IT'S NOT COVERED. I PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD -- THE LINK BELOW SHOWS OVER 250 OTHER CONSUMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. HTTP://WWW.PUBLIC.FOTKI.COM/TRSI/FORD_INTAKE_RECALL/ *LA

THE 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD'S HEAD GASKET BLEW AND TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. IT HAS BEEN USING WATER SINCE WE BOUGHT IT FROM THE DEALER. *LA

PLASTIC FUEL PRESSURE LINE FROM THE FUEL TANK TO THE HARD LINE RUPTURED FROM RUBBING THE FLOOR PAN. ALSO FOUND THE HARD LINE CHAFING ON THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE ROCKER PANEL WHERE IT CHANGES DIRECTION TO THE FUEL TANK. *LA

THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY KEEPS MELTING. OCTOBER 2000 26,000 MILES FIRST NOTICED MY THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HAD MELTED THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING THE LIGHT SOCKETS, WAS TOLD THEN THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AFTER MUCH ARGUING AND WRITING THE BBB FORD FINALLY AGREED TO REPLACE IT AT NO COST TO ME. NOW 2003 AT 32,800 MILES ASSEMBLY IS MELTED AGAIN, AGAIN I WAS INFORMED THAT FORD WILL NOT REPLACE IT THE COST IS MINE. I SAID THEN AND I STILL BELIEVE THIS A PRODUCT DEFECT ON FORDS PART. I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE PART, APART WHICH IS THE SAME PART THAT IS IN THERE NOW AND WILL MELT AGAIN IN A YEAR OR TWO AND I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. THE LINK BELOW SHOWS PICTURES OF A FORD THUNDERBIRDS THIRD BRAKE LIGHT DAMAGE AFTER THE ASSEMBLY AND WIRE HARRNESS HAS MELTED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FIRE HAZARD.W.MN12PERFORMANCE.COM/MN12HOWTO/3RD_BRAKE_LIGHT/3RD_BRAKELIGHT.HTML. *AK

FORD RECALL NOT HONORED - INTAKE MANIFOLD HTTP://WWW.BIGCLASSACTION.COM/CLASS_ACTION/FORD_MANIFOLD.HTML UPON ACCELERATION, SMOKE CAME OUT OF UNDER HOOD & I BELIEVE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT ALL HAPPENED SO QUICKLY. MADE IT TO THE NEAREST LOT, WHERE I COULD PULL OFF THE ROAD. ALL COOLANT LEAKED OUT. HAD TO CALL FOR TOW. MECHANIC DID COOLANT PRESSURE TEST, AND SHOWED ONLY LEAK WAS AT BACK OF ENGINE. HAD TO PULL TRANSMISSION TO GET TO IT. WATER POUTING OUT BACK OF ENGINE BUT NO FREEZE PLUG BLOWN, TRACED BACKWARD TO INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACK THAT NEVER SHOWED UP ON INTIAL PRESSURE TESTING. I WAS CHARGED OVER $750. FOR REPAIRS. CALLED DEALER TO CHECK ON WARRANTY (EXPIRED 1200 MILES EARLIER) AND RECALLS. SAID THERE WERE NONE. JUST RECENTLY DISCOVERED THE RECALL AT AN AUTOZONE WEBSITE, AND CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT IT. HE SAID TO SEND IN ORIGINAL RECEIPT & FORD WOULD REIMBURSE. THEY GAVE ME THE RUNAROUND, AND FINALLY SAID THE CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE I SHOULD'VE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALER/SERVICE. SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED, & I KNEW OF NO RECALL, I SAW NO REASON TO SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY FORD MECHANICS CHARGE, SO I WENT WITH THE OTHER PRIVATE MECHANIC. FORD'S ARGUMENT IS THAT I SHOULD'VE GONE TO FORD MECHANIC, AND MINE IS THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME OF THE RECALL, ESPECIALLY WHEN I ASKED THEM. AT LEAST THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR SOMETHING THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2000, RECALL WAS IN 1999. DEALER OR SOMEONE SHOULD'VE NOTIFIED ME OF THE RECALL.*AK

AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS PERFORMED THE DEFECT RECURRED ( RECALL # 99B29 ). THE COOLANT SYSTEM RAN WARMER THAN NORMAL, BUT DIDN'T BOIL OVER OR OUT AND ONLY LEAKED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF. *NLM *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR AT AN IDLE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A POWER SERGE OR LOSS OF POWER (TSB 870197). *NLM RPMS JUMPED FROM 500 TO 1100 AT IDLE. *TT *JB

HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER HAS FAILED. RELATED RECALL 96V007000; CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

ENGINE SURGE AT IDLE AND LOSS OF POWER/ PROBLEMS WITH OIL AND INTAKE MANIFOLD CROSSOVER. *MR PH

VEHICLE STALLED AND MADE A WEIRD NOISE. DUE TO OIL PUMP BEING DEFECTED. NOW THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TT

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HINGE MALFUNCTIONED WHICH MADE THE DOOR INOPERATIVE. *NLM

MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH CONTROLLING (FLASHER, WIPER, DIMMER/BRIGHT LIGHT AND WIDOW WIPERS) IS DEFECTIVE. MY 1995 COUGAR (SISTER TO A T-BIRD) ALSO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM NOT SURE WHAT YOU WANT FOR THEM. IF IT MEANS IS THE PART ORIGINAL. THE ANSWER IS YES. WHY ASK THIS UNDER VEHICLE? SHOULD IT BE UNDER EQUIPMENT? COULD YOU CHECK ON MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WITH MY 95 COUGAR AND SEE IF IT IS ANSWERED CORRECTLY? ALL PARTS WERE ORIGINAL ON THAT VEHICLE ALSO. *JB

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE COLLIDES WITH GARAGE DOOR. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

THE PLASTIC PART OF THE FUEL LINE (LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL) RUBS ON THE UNDERBODY OF THE CAR CAUSING A SUDDEN LARGE FUEL LEAK. THESE PLASTIC LINES ARE A PART OF THE METAL FUEL LINES AND ARE LOCATED ON EACH END OF THE METAL LINES. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF GAS SMELL PRIOR TO THE LARGE LEAK. I HAVE THE PART. I NOTIICE YOU HAVE AN IDENTICAL COMPLAINT (ODI:754600).

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. PLACED GEAR IN REVERSE WITH FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, IN REVERSE, CRASHING INTO CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. CONSUMER TURNED OFF IGNITION, RESTARTED CAR AND PLACED GEAR IN DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD. VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AGAIN CRASHING INTO FORWARD WALL OF GARAGE. INCIDENT CAUSED OVER $7000 IN DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND $4000 DAMAGE TO CONSUMER'S HOME. VEHICLE'S ENGINE HAD PREVIOUSLY SURGED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER INSPECTED WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MANUAL DOOR LATCHES WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

WHEN TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITION AND SETTING THE BLOWER ON HIGH, THE A/C WOULD NOT TURN OFF. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

WHILE AT A STOP INTAKE MANIFOLD BLEWOUT WITH NO WARNING, AND STARTED TO LEAK. CONSUMER STATED THAT EARLIER WHILE AT A STOP SAME THING HAPPENED. INTAKE MANIFOLD BLEWOUT, AND STARTED TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

CONSUMER STATES HEAD GASKET FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACED, CONSUMER ASKED FORD TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY LIKE THEY DID WITH THE 1994 AND 1995 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, HOWEVER FORD DECLINED. *SLC

BLOWN HEAD GASKET--ENGINE COOLANT LEAKS--AS THESE ENGINES HAVE A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF BEING DEFECTIVE

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF. *AK CONSUMER STATED IT WAS THE FRONT BALL JOINT THAT CAUSED THAT WHEEL TO COME OFF. *YH

WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING INSIDE OF STEERING COLUMN. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER. RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. *AK FIRESTONE FR680 P215/70R15 AND DOT #W2M31PN266. *YH

WITHOUT WARNING, AND AT SPEED, HIGH BEAM HEADLAMPS FAILED LEAVING NO FORWARD VISIBILITY. PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE COLUMN MOUNTED MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH TO CORRECT THE SAME PROBLEM. SUSPECT DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW WITH SWITCH. *AK

THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL RUBS ON THE UNDERBODY OF THE CAR CAUSING A LARGE FUEL LEAK. THESE PLASIC LINES CONNECT THE METAL LINES FROM THE UNDERBODY TO THE FUEL TANK. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER THUNDERBIRDS HAVING THIS PROBLEM FROM THE YAHOO THUNDERBIRD CLUB. I HAVE PICTURES I CAN EMAIL TO YOU IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. *AK

TRANSMISSION SLIPS AT TAKEOFF, CAUSING CAR TO STOP IN LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *AK

THE VEHICLE STALLS DURING RAIN STORMS, CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER CAUSES LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING, CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *YH

THE VEHICLE STALLS DURING RAIN STORMS, CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER CAUSES LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING, CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *YH

CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER SOMETIMES BLOWS ERRACTICALLY ON HIGH, AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T BLOW AT ALL. THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCUSSED IN RECALL 96V007000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 95S32. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER REGARDING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT COMPLETELY OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. ALSO, AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART, VEHICLE WILL RESTARTEASILY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

HEAD GASKETS FAILED ON 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD 3.8 LITER, V6 ENGINE. CAR UNDER 5 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. FORD WOULD NOT COVER FULL COST OF REPAIR EVEN THOUGH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE SAME ENGINE/SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER MODELS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WENT TO PRESS ON BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE.CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED HOSE WAS OFF BRAKES. *AK

SHIFT INTERLOCK ENGAGED - TOTAL LOSS OF USE. SHIFT INTERLOCK REQUIRES BYPASS BY TURNING IGNITION TO JUST BEFORE ACC COMES ON, SHIFTING TO NETRUAL, AND STARTING CAR. IF YOU SHIFT TO PARK REQUIRES YOU START PROCESS AGAIN. LOSS OF HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LAMP AND BOTH TAIL LIGHTS. HIGH MOUNT BULBS REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE TAIL LAMP LIGHTS, TO NO AVAIL.*AK

THE FRONT SPRINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND BREAK THUS COLLASPSING THE STRUTS AND MAKING THE VEHICLE HARD TO HANDLE. THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFILD COOLANT CHANNEL WALLS ARE TO THIN AND TEND TO BLOW-OUT. FINALLY, THE BACKLIT REAR REFLECTOR TENDS TO BURNOUT TO OFTER FOR A INTEGRATED PART. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE REFLECTOR IS AN INTEGRATED PART OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE COST OF REPLACEMENT IS PROHIBITIVE SO THE REFLCTOR REMAINS BURNED OUT ON MANY OF THE OTHER T-BIRDS I SEE ON THE ROAD CAUSING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE'S VISIBILITY. THE ILUMENATOR IN THE REFLECTOR SHOULD BE SERVICABLE. *AK

BLOWN ENGINE DUE TO HEAD GASKETS AT 58528 MILES. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL (96V070000) FOR DOOR LATCH. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

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. *AK

OIL PUMP FAILURE. *AK

HEADLIGHT LENSES CLOUD UP, WHICH REDUCES LIGHT BEAMS. *JB

SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 1999, I HAVE REPORTED TO FORD MOTOR AND BUDGET CAR SALES THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BRAKES JAM, VEHICLE GOES BACKWARD AND JERKS FORWARD WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC. FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND BUDGET AUTO SALES SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL "SOMETHING HAPPENS" THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP AND I IMPLORE SOMEONE TO ASSIST ME IN GETTING THESE DEFECTS CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.*AK

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE (1996 FORD SABLE) I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS..THE CAR SHUTS OFF AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH, WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, OR ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBEM TO NHTSA, THE DEALER, FORD MOTOR CO. AND THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER, THE DEALER SAYS HE CAN NOT FIX IT UNTIL IT DUPLICATES WHILE HE HAS IT...AGAIN HE SAYS "WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS" , I ASKED IF HE WERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED HE SAID UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S WHAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN IN ORDER TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. I FIND THIS TO BE A LUDICRUOUS ANSWER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO CORRECT THESE DEFECTS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD, TOOK VEHICLE DEALER WHO FOUND MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN 2000 , SUPPOSE TO STOP COOLANT LEAK, BUT MECHANIC NOW REPORTS THE PROBLEM IS HEAD GASKET, COMMON TO FORD'S 3.8 V6. *AK

TWO ORIGINAL TIRES SEPARATED ONE MONTH APART, I REPLACED THE ORIGINALS WITH A NEW SET OF FOUR OF THE SAME MODEL AND SIZE, ONE OF THESE HAS NOW SEPARATED, 3 OF 8 TIRES HAVE GONE BAD. THE TIRE AIR PRESSURE WAS MAINTAINED PROPERLY, PERIODIC ROTATION AND BALANCE AND TWO ALIGNMENTS WERE PERFORMED WITH THE LATEST SET.. I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION AND A RECALL, THE REGIONAL ASST. MGR. (PETE SHEPARD @ 480-443-0606) WILL NOT REFUND EVEN A PRO-RATED PORTION OF MY MONEY. I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE A COMPLETE NEW SET OF TIRES FROM ANOTHER MFG. TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *AK (DOT NUMBER: WLM3F6H169 TIRESIZE: 215/70R-15)

FIRESTONE TIRE (P215 70 R15) EXPERIENED TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC

THE HEAD LIGHT LENSES ON THE VEHICLE ARE CLOUDING UP, THE PLASTIC USED FOR THE LENSES IS DEFECTIVE. *MJS

THE HEAD LIGHT LENSES ON THE VEHICLE ARE CLOUDING UP, THE PLASTIC USED FOR THE LENSES IS DEFECTIVE. *MJS

HEAD GASKET LEAKING - CAR JUST TURNED 4 - FORD REFUSES TO COVER UNDER RECALL. *AK

THERE WAS RECALL 96V07000/ DOOR LOCKS AND LATCHES. CONSUMER HAD DOOR LOCKS AND LATCES REPLACED, AND CHARGED CONSUMER BECAUSE OF VIN NOT BEING INCLUDED. *AK

BOTH REAR TIRES DEVELOPED BUBBLES, BROKEN BELTS AND FAILED AT THE SAME TIME.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )

THIS M/V HAS BEEN WORKED ON AT LEAST 15-20 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE BEGINING CAR WAS TAKEN TO SULLIVAN BROS WHILE UNDER WARRENTIE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. SINCE 7-2000 THIS CAR WAS AT TWO DEALERS AND THE COST CLOSE TO $800,00 CAR STILL HAS SAME PROBLEMS. STALLS THE PAST WEEK THIS CAR HAS ALMOST BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS AS THE CAR HAS STALLED WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN INTO ON COMING LANES. CAR STALLS AND EVERY THING GOES DEAD. SINCE AUGUST THE CAR HAS BEEN WORKED ON AT SHIRETOWN FORD INC 147 SAMOSET ST PLYMOUTH MA #02360 STILL WAITING FOR PHONECALL TO BRING CAR BACK AGAIN WHAT CAN I DO. *AK

4/97 VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT. DEALER ALIGNED FRONT END. 1/98 VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT AND VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER SAYS IT IS A TIRE PROBLEM, ONE TIRE REPLACED. 5/99 VEHICLE STILL PULLS TO RIGHT AND VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND WHILE BRAKING. FRONT ROTORS WARPED AND PADS WORN. ROTORS TURNED AND PADS REPLACED BY GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER. 9/99 VEHICLE PULLING TO RIGHT AND VIBRATING AT SPEED AND DURING BRAKING. FRONT ROTORS WARPED AND PADS WORN AGAIN. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS OWNERS DRIVING STYLE. ROTORS TURNED AND PADS REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. 10/00 VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT AND VIBRATES. ROTORS FEEL WARPED AGAIN. APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO REPAIR. 10/16 TRANSMISSION HAS A SHUDDER IN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION. DEALER SAYS PROBABLY TORQUE CONVERTER. UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME IF THIS WILL BE CONSIDERED AN WARRANTY ITEM OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.

PIECE OF TREAD THROWN FROM CAR, FOLLOWED BY TREAD SEPARATION. ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED. INDEPENDENT DEALER HAS POSSESSION UNTIL RECALL DETERMINATION IS MADE.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )

THE LEFT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE TREAD WAS TORN FROM THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER HAD STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY WHICH RESULTED IN A SEVERAL CAR COLLISION, DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS KILLED WHEN SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND ALERT TRAFFIC. (ACCIDENT VICTIM WRITING IN) *MJS

THERE IS ABOUT A 4 TO 5 INCH LONG GAP ON THE OUTER EDGE OF THE TREAD AREA WHERE IT HAS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. I HAVE CALLED THE FIRESTONE HOTLINE NUMBER, BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO BECAUSE MY TIRE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I WOULD REPLACE THE TIRE, BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO DO THAT. I AM ON A TIGHT BUDGET. FIRESTONE SAYS THEIR NUMBER 1 CONCERN IS CUSTOMER SAFETY. I DON'T THINK IT IS, OR THEY WOULD HAVE ALREADY REPLACED MY TIRE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2M3 TIRESIZE: P215/70R15)

CONSUMER HAD FOUND OUT AFTER INSPECTING TIRES THAT A TREAD STARTED TO SEPARATE, WHERE THERE WAS A ROTATION FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR. FIRESTONE FR 680 P215/70 R15. *AK

THIS CAR IS NOT OUR PRIMARY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. WE WERE TRAVELLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY WITH IDEAL CONDITIONS ON M-69 20 MILES EAST OF PERRY AT 65 MPH WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE DISINTREGATED DOWN TO THE RIM. LUCKILY WE KEPT CONTROL OF THE CAR AND USED THE SMALL DONUT TO GET TO PERRY TO BUY A TIRE.( DOT NUMBER: W2M3 IPM TIRE SIZE: P215/70R15 )

THE ASSEMBLY FOR THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HAS MELTED AND NOW YOU CANNOT GET THE BULBS OUT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED (@ $100.00) NOT COVERD UNDER THE EX-WARRENTY, TALKED WITH ANOTHER FORD MACHANIC AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THAT ASSEMBLY ON THE THUNDERBIRD AND FORD DOESNOT INTEND TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. CUSTOMERS PROBLEM. DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME.

I HAD 2 NEW TIRES FAIL IN 2 YEARS. BOTH TIMES, THE STEEL BELTS BROKE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO NOTICE THEM, AND HAD THEM REPLACED. I EVEN ASKED IF THEY HAD SOME TYPE OF RECALL BACK IN 1998, WHEN THE 2ND TIRE FAILED. I WISH THIS TO BE KNOW THAT THE TYPE OF TIRES I CURRENTLY HAVE DO SEEM TO FAIL MORE THEN NORMAL.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/70R15 )

WHILE DRIVING 30MPH & APPLYING THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE THAT STOPPED. HOWEVER, VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS, AND IT REARENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT DUE TO NO BRAKES. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC INDICATED BRAKES WERE GONE. PIN IN THE BRAKES HAD BROKEN WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO BE INOPERATIVE. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH SLIPPING TRANSMISSION. *AK

AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE THEN PARKED IT AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A TECHNICIAN TOLD CONSUMER THAT FIRE STARTED BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORTING OUT. *AK

REPLACED BRAKES 5 TIMES, ROTORS 3 TIMES, MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN ENGINEERING, UNSAFE AND NO DEALER SATISFACTION. *AK

THE CONNECTOR THAT THE BULBS PLUG INTO FOR THE THRID BRAKE LIGHT ON THE BACK DASH IS ALL MELTED AND BROWN ON BOTH SIDES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML

TSB 97M91, REPLACED ALREADY 11/14/98, LEFT MYSELF AND DAUGHTER STRANDED IN MIDDLE OF DESERT. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO COVER COSTS OF LOSS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

PULLED UP TO A GAS STATION PUMP AND ALMOST CAMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. REAR WHEELS WERE SPINNING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE FROM REVVING, CONSUMER PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. CONTACTEDTHE DEALER, AND DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE IS A LEMON. ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL AND MAKING NOISE. DEALERSHIP TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE CRANKSHAFT INSIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THE TIRES HAD TO BE CHANGED EVERY THREE MONTHS BECAUSE TREADS ON TIRES WORE OUT. *AK

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

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 65- 70 MPH VEHICLE WILL SHAKE AND VIBRATE . DRIVER CAN FEEL IT IN STEERING AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. DEALER CANNOT FIX DEFECT, AND CLAIMS THAT IS HOW VEHICLE IS DESIGNED. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILED PREMATURELY DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. NLM

BOTH CYLINDER HEADS AND INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED CAUSING COOLANT LIGHT TO COME ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. NLM

OIL IN MY ENGINE POURED OUT AND ENGINE LOCKED UP WOULD NOT KEEP OIL IN IT. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES TWICE I ONE YEAR BECAUSE OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE THEN FINALLY IT GOT SO BAD HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS ON FRONT END, MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE FOR THE OUTSIDE JUST HAPPEN TO START GOING CRAZY ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON A TRIP TO THE BEACH AND HAS BEEN IN CORRECT EVER SINCE. AND BY THE WAY I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAS BEEN MORE TROUBLE THAN A JOY. *AK

IN 1998 I STARTED HAVING CAR PROBLEMS, A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT FLUID WAS GETTING PAST THE HEAD GASKET. IN JANUARY OF 1999 I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED BY HERITAGE FORD. I RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER THAT SAID THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE 3.8L MOTORS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. & HERITAGE FORD & WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY CAR WASN'T ON THEIR LIST THEY CAN'T HELP ME. THEY HAVE ALREADY ANNOUNCED PUBLICLY THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE SAME MOTOR WE HAD & I FEEL THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE US ALSO,NOT BECAUSE OF THE MODEL OF OUR CAR BUT THE KIND OF MOTOR THEY SOLD US. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE THEY INSTALLED THE NEW MOTOR, & HAVE HAD TO BRING THE CAR BACK AT LEAST 5 TIMES & OF COURSE PAY A BILL EACH TIME, THE CAR STILL SPITS & SPUTTERS IN HOT WEATHER. CAN YOU HELP US??? *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER STILL HAS VEHICLE, REPAIRS ARE BEING MADE, DEALER IS HELPING TO COVER SOME OF COST. *ML

THE FOREGOING PAGES ARE INCOMPLETE BUT I COULD NOT RETRIEVE THEM. THE 4 TIRES FAILED AT DIFFERENT TIMES PRIOR TO THE END OF THE LIFE OF THE TIRES. ON TWO OCCASIONS, TWO DIFFERENT TIRES, THE TREAD SEPARATED AND CAME OFF. THE 2ND INCIDENT WAS AFTER DRIVING OVER 200 MILES AT SPEEDS OF UP TO 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE BELT TORE OFF AND DAMAGED THE REAR PANEL AND SKIRT OF AUTOMOBILE.( DOT NUMBER: )

THE OIL PUMP FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO LOCK-UP WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY. FORD HAS REDESIGN A NEW ENGINE. *YC

3.8 LITER 6 CYLINDER ENGINE HEADGASKETS FAILED

DUE TO THE MELTING OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THE ENGINE IS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

DRIVER'S SEAT WILL SHIFT OR MOVE BACK AND FORTH WHEN ACCELERATING, TURNING A CURB OR BRAKING, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND HITTING BUMPS CONSUMER NOTICED SOMETHING HITTING UNDER THE CAR AFTER INSPECTING ,CONSUMER FOUND THAT IT WAS THE GAS TANK HANGING. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER IS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES CONSUMER NOT TO BE ABLE TO READ THE TIME. ALSO, DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING GEAR CHANGING PROBLEMS. MJS

WIPERS OCCASIONALLY FAIL TO OPERATE WHEN SET TO INTERMITTENT SETTINGS.

AFTER PUTTING GAS INTO THE VEHICLE A STRONG SMELL OF GAS LEAKS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. DEALER CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION. *AK

TRANSMISSION HESITATION STARTED AT 1,671 MILES, FINAL REPAIR AT 26,069 OF THE FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. MJS

THIS FAILURE WAS FRONT AND REAR DISK BRAKES VIBRATING,,SCAPING NOISE IN FRONT LEFT BRAKE, AND LONG STOPPING DISTANCE, DEALER SOLUTION WAS TO TURN ALL FOUR ROTORS,, CAR IS IN SHOP AGAIN NOW FOR SAME PROBLEM,, THE SOLUTION AGAIN IS TO TURN ROTORS AGAIN,I AM TRING TO GET THEM TO REPLACE ROTORS,BUT THEY WILL NOT

THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LAMP LOCATED ON THE TRUNK HAS EXPERIENCED SOME SORT OF INTERNAL SEPARATION THAT CANNOT BE FIXED WITHOUT REPLACEMENT. THE SYMPTOM IS THAT THE TAILIGHT IS DIMMER AND NOT AS BRIGHT AS THE ONE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THIS CONDITION IS SPECIFIC TO THE LATE 90'S THUNDERBIRDS WITH NEON TAILLAMPS, AND I HAVE SEEN IT OCCUR ON EITHER SIDE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD REGARDING THE MATTER, AND THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN FIXING MY PROBLEM WITHOUT ME SHELLING OUT SOME MONEY FOR A NEW ASSEMBLY. CLEARLY, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.

BRAKE ROTORS CONTINUALLY WARP. DEALER HAS REPLACED ROTORS SEVERAL TIMES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *YC

BRAKE ROTORS OVERHEAT AND WARP. THREE TIMES SINCE NEW. SHAKEING STERRING WHEEL.

REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD AND MIRROR. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL BUSTED.CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED. MJS

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. *AK

A WHITE CLOUDY FILM IS FORMING IN THE HEADLIGHTS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

LEAKED COOLANT DUE TO CRACK IN MANIFOLD,,DID NOT SIGNIFY OVERHEATING. *AK

CONSUMER WAS STANDING OUTSIDE PUMPING GAS WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. AFTER A FEW SECONDS VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS, CONSUMER RAN BEHIND CAR JUMPED INTO DRIVER'S SIDE AND BEGAN TRYING TO APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A LIGHT POLE. *AK

ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF POWER ON THE INTERSTATE.

CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING A NO START CONDITION AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING. MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED TH SENSORS TWICE. PROBLEM IS STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

VEHICLE WAS HIT ON LEFT MIDDLE AND WAS BUMPED INTO SOMEONE ON THE RIGHT AT ABOUT 20MPH, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT CAME LOOSE. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW. *AK

WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

BRAKES FAILED.

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE ROTORS. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARP. THE CONSUMER HAS HAD THEM REPLACED 4 TIMES ALREADY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS KEEP WARPING, AND WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE SHAKES. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED, ALL REPAIR WORK DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD BROKE AND ALL THE ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE BADLY. WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED.

SUNROOF GASKET HAS SPLIT AFTER ONLY 2 1/2 YEARS.

VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY SHUTTERS ON ACCELERATION AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER.

TRANMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE AT 62000 MILES OF WEAR. VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO MOVE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR ULESS COST IS TO CONSUMER. *AK

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. *AK

RACK AND PINION STEERING SHAFT/TIE ROD FAILED AFTER RIGHT FRONT TIRE GLANCED A STANDARD STREET CURB CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AS THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ACROSS FIVE LANES OF TRAFFICE BEFORE COLLIDING WITH OPPOSING TRAFFIC. OWNER HAD RODS TESTED, AND TESTS SHOW NUMEROUS IMPURITIES AND METALLIC FLAWS.

RACK AND PINION STEERING SHAFT/TIE ROD FAILED AFTER RIGHT FRONT TIRE GLANCED A STANDARD STREET CURB CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AS THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ACROSS FIVE LANES OF TRAFFICE BEFORE COLLIDING WITH OPPOSING TRAFFIC. OWNER HAD RODS TESTED, AND TESTS SHOW NUMEROUS IMPURITIES AND METALLIC FLAWS.

BRAKES ARE WARPING AT STOP SIGN AND WHEN PUSHING ON PEDAL, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER IS ON THE SECOND SET OF BRAKES AT 8000 MILES . DEALER INDICATED BRAKES AT 4OOO MILES. *AK

RACK AND PINION STREERING ROD/TIE ROD END BROKE WHEN WHEELS CRASHED INTO CURBS.

THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND THE TOLL TRUCK BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE OWNER'S HOUSE. VEHICLE SAT FOR 13 HOURS. AFTER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. OWNER COULD NOT TELL FROM WHERE THE FIRE CAME FROM BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE. SHE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE WIRE IN THE CONSOLE AREA FROM WHERE THE POWER WINDOWS ARE OPERATED. OWNER DID NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE WIRES BECAME HOT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF FOR 13 HOURS, ENOUGH TIME FOR VEHICLE TO COOL OFF. THIS IS THE THIRD NUMBER THAT OWNER GAVE TO CONTACT HER, THE NUMBER IS 734-485-5839. *AK

WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP, CONSUMER NOTICED VIBRATIONS IN THE FRONT END. ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A NUMBER OF BRAKING PROBLEMS. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL VIRBRATES. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES PADS AND SHOES REPLACED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE. THE ENTIRE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED A MONTH AGO. THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES CONTINUES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR GREATER THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND SHAKES VIGOROUSLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWAY LEFT TO RIGHT. BEEN IN THE DEALER 8 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED 4 SETS OF TIRES/ROTORS. PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, AND IT ALSO VIBRATES AT LOW SPEED WHEN BRAKING. ON WARM DAYS, WHEN STARTING AND STOPPING IN TRAFFIC ONE CAN SMELL RAW GASOLINE INSIDE AND AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, BUT THERE ARE NO LEAKS IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT LOCKS AND WILL NOT RELEASE UNTIL YOU UNHOOK AND LET IT RETRACT COMPLETELY.

ON THE AIR INTAKE WATER COMES IN AND IF THE DRIVER PUSHES THE ACCELERATOR TOO HARD THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. *AK

STEERING WHEEL EXPERIENCES EXTREME VIBRATION.

BRAKES FAILED AND CONTRIBUTED TO A COLLISION.

TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH ACCIDENT OCCURRED, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. LOCATION OF I MPACT NOT GIVEN. *AK

THE ENGINE AIR INLET ELBOW DOES NOT DRAIN PROPERLY.

THE ENGINE AIR INLET ELBOW DOES NOT DRAIN PROPERLY.

SEAT BELT DOES NOT RELEASE PROPERLY.

WHENEVER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, A SQUEAKING NOISE IS HEARD. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD SOME OF THE PARTS ON THE BRAKES REPLACED. THE SQUEAKING NOISE IS THERE. *AK

FRONT ABS BRAKES FAILED; ALSO, PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON ANY HIGHWAY AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN A CORNER OR TURN IN ROAD, THE STEERING JUST GOES AWAY; IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE LINKAGE FOR A SPLIT SECOND, BUT THEN IT RETURNS AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER SAID THAT THERE WA SNOTHING WRONG WITH STEERING. *AK

WHILE GOING 40MPH, WOULD EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. HAD TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER & INFORMED THAT ITS A PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS IN THUNDERBIRDS SOMETIMES. CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM OF VIBRATION. *AK

ABS BRAKES; WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND THE FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP. REPLACED ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN NOISE.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN NOISE.

STEERING COLUMN FAILED.

WATER WAS GETTING INTO AIR CLEANER.

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.

DRIVERS WINDOW FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.

FRONT ROTORS WARPED.

WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. *AK

POWER WINDOWS FAILED.

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED.

ALTERNATOR FAILED.

SENSOR SYSTEM FAILED.

SOLENOID FAILED.

THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD LIGHTS IS INFERIOR TO PREVIOUS MODELS, THERE IS LESS VISIBILITY WITH THE 1996 MODEL. THE DRIVER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY.

SUNVISOR HITS DRIVER IN HEAD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST.

DOOR HINGE FAILED.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED.

AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED.

FUEL GAUGE FAILED.

ENGINE LIGHT FAILED.

SPEEDOMETER FAILED.

DRIVER'S DOOR GLASS VIBRATES.

MILDEW SMELL COMING FROM A/C SYSTEM.

TRANSMISSION FAILED FOUR TIMES.

WHEN MAKING LEFT/RIGHT TURN, STEERING WHEELCOULD TURN, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. VEHICLE NOT TURNING BUT GOES STRAIGHT & THEN STEERING KICKS IN. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING VIBRATION.

FACTORY INSTALLED PUSH-ROD, BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MASTER CYLINDER, WAS NOT THE PROPER PART (IT WAS TOO LONG). THE RESULT OF THIS ERROR HAS CAUSED FAILURE TO THE ABS SYSTEM.

WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.

BRAKES; UPON DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO BRAKES. APPLIED EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKES WHICH SLOWED DOWN A LITTLE THE VEHICLE, BUT NOT LIKE IT SHOULD. THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE IS IN FOR REPAIR. *AK

SUNROOF GUIDE FAILED.

HEATER/DEFROSTER CONTROL SWITCH FAILED, DRIVER COULD NOT SEE, HAD TO STOP VEHICLE IN MIDDLE OF STREET.

VEHICLE HAS CONSTANT DRIFT/PULL TO THE RIGHT, CREATING TIRES THAT BECOME FEATHERES, THUS MAKING VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *AK

NOISE FROM FRONT BRAKES WHEN STOPPING.

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON.

BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED.

REAR END DIFFERENTIAL FAILED.

POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED.

NO DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGERS AIRBAG DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY.

DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT.

REAR LEFT SHOULDER HARNESS FAILS TO BUCKLE PROPERLY IN THE LATCHING MECHANISN. HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT AIR BAG IS A SAFETY HAZARD, WANTS AIRBAG DISONNECTED.

BRAKES GRIND/NOISY, REPLACED THREE TIMES.

TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER FAILED.

SPARK PLUG FAILED TWICE.

ON THREE OCCASIONS WHEN ENGAGING BRAKE THE THROTTLE WAS INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED TOO.

REAR END IS TO LIGHT, CAUSING LOSS OF TRACTION ON TURNS AND ON SMALL BUMPS AT ANY SPEED.

MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED.

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.

BRAKE PADS FAILED.

AIR CONDITIONER FAN SWITCH DEFECTIVE.

BRAKES FAILED.

ENGINE IDLE PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES SHOOK; ALSO THE ROTORS FELT LIKE THEY WERE TURNING. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN A CRASH THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG PUNCTURED THE OCCUPANT'S LUNGS. *AK

BRAKES FAILED 4 TIMES.

DRIVE SHAFT VIBRATION.

REAR RIGHT WHEEL CAME OFF.

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED.

DOORS FIT LOOSELY.

HEAD LIGHTS ARE NOT STABLE REQUIRED CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT.

HAD ROTORS REPLACED THREE TIMES BECAUSE OF WARPING. QUALIFIED FOR LEMON LAW. *AK

REAR END NOISE PRESENT, REPLACED REAR SUSPENSION AND NOISE CONTINUED.

WAS HIT IN RIGHT FRONT TIRE THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. WILL EXPLAIN . *AK

BRAKE ROTORS OVERHEATED, CAUSING ROTORS TO WARP.

SPEEDOMETER HEAD REPLACED.

BRAKES LOCK UP.

BRAKE PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED, NOT REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP DUE TO INABILITY TO OBTAIN PARTS.

BRAKE ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED NOT REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP DUE TO INABILITY TO OBTAIN PARTS.

POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK AT LOW SPEEDS.

CROOKED STEERING WHEEL REPLACED.

ODOMETER NOT WORKING.

SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ARE NOT WORKING.

DEFROSTER NOT WORKING.

BRAKE PEDAL SINKS BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LEVEL, CAUSING DRIVER TO PUSH DOWN ON ACCELERATOR.

TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE FRONT END VIBRATES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. *AK

WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION AT STOP LIGHT, FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL, SUDDENLY PEDAL TRAVELED TO FLOOR, WAS ABLE TO PUMP UP ONCE PEDAL, BUT, BRAKES WENT BACK DOWN.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, ALSO WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING BRAKES TO VIBRATE AND AIR CONDITIONING MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND THE FUEL SWITCH IN THE TRUNK DID NOT WORK AFTER THE COLLISION , THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START BACK UP AFTER THE COLLISION AND THER DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT. *AK

DRIVE SHAFT VIBRATES.

ENGINE HOOD STRUTS ARE TOO WEAK TO KEEP HOOD IN OPEN POSITION/ HOOD CAME DOWN ON DRIVER'S BACK. *AK

TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, ALSO IS NOISY. *AK

DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, DESIGN OF ENGINE ALLOWS WATER TO SATURATE THE AIR FILTER, CAUSING ENGINE TO CUT OUT.

PCM CHIP PROBLEM CAUSED ENGINE TO CUT OUT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON.

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED. *SD

REAR WINDSHIELD DISCOLORED, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *SD

HEATER FAILED. *SD

VEHICLE STALLS OUT AFTER BEING STOPPED AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE. *AK

COMING AROUND A CURB GOING 25-30 MPH CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND HIT A MOUND OF DIRT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAIL

ASSOCIATED W/MOISTURE, VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT REPEATEDLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT