1996 Ford Thunderbird

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Defect. CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Defect. WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."

Risk. THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.

Defect. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE BLOWER COULD (1) STICK ON "HIGH;" (2) OPERATE ERRATICALLY WITH BLOWER OUTPUT VARYING BETWEEN NO BLOWER AND MAXIMUM BLOWER; OR (3) NOT OPERATE AT ALL DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE.

Risk. BLOWER MALFUNCTIONS LIMITING OR STOPPING OUTPUT CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULES WITH MODULES CONTAINING REVISED SOFTWARE.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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