Engine Problems of Ford Thunderbird

Ford Thunderbird owners have reported 15 problems related to engine (under the engine and engine cooling category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Ford Thunderbird based on all problems reported for the Thunderbird.

1 Engine problem of the 2005 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 11/24/2009

On Nov 24,2009, the throttle body motor failed and caused my 2005 Ford Thunderbird to cut off in traffic. I took the car to metro Ford for repair. They said the part would take several weeks. Metro said I could drive my car until they repair my car because Ford could not provide me with a loaner. I later found out that there are others with the same problem since July 2009. After several promises to no avail, I decided to write several executives. I have not heard from anyone yet. Two days ago, I was almost rear-ended when the car off in traffic. The consumer was told the throttle body and motor assembly needed to be replaced. Updated 04/16/10.

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2 Engine problem of the 2002 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 06/01/2009

2002 Ford Thunderbird coils have problems, they short out, causing power to be lost and shutting down vehicle to only 4 cylinders, if you are on highway, major problem, can't go over 40-45 miles an hour. I have had three coils go out so far, only five months to go, each time it goes out puts person behind wheel in jeopardy, due to lack of power.

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3 Engine problem of the 2002 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 09/26/2008

I am writing today to express grave concerns for my 2002 Ford Thunderbird. It is my understanding that Ford motor company has extended the warranty for model years 2003-2005 for the coil over plug (cop) ignition system, but has chosen to omit the 2002 model year even though a majority of 2002-2005 Thunderbirds were produced in model year 2002. My concern is that many owners of the 2002 model year have experienced cop failures which have rendered their cars virtually inoperable without notice of the impending failure. To take this a step further, imagine driving on a high speed interstate and have the system fail. The car is designed to go into "limp" mode whereby the car cannot go any faster than 25 mph. This is a disastrous accident waiting to happen! not only is this a safety issue, the repairs are costing owners of my 2002 cars in excess of $1,500 where owners of newer models are covered for 10 years/100,000 miles free of charge for the exact same failure. This inequity must seriously be investigated and corrected by the NHTSA!.

4 Engine problem of the 2002 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 09/07/2008

I am writing to hopefully prevent a dangerous and serious situation. I own a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. This particular car and others like it have defective ignition coils which could cause the car(s) to become involved in accidents. The coils are prone to cease functioning at any moment, thus causing the engine to suddenly and rapidly lose power. This is dangerous at best at low speeds, and deadly at highway speeds. The Ford motor company has issued a letter stating that 2003-2005 Thunderbirds can have their coils replaced at no cost to the owner. However, they have failed to include the owners of 2002 models in this action. The result of this is that 2002 owners cannot afford to have their coils replaced due to the expense (between $1500 and $2500). This places thousands of cars on the road that endanger not only their own occupants, but those of other vehicles as well. Since Ford has acknowledged that there is a problem with the coils (the 2002 uses the same as those being replaced for free), I implore you to use whatever influence you might have to rectify this situation. Many potential deaths could be avoided if Ford would simply include the 2002 model Thunderbird in the list of approved vehicles for coil replacement at no cost.

5 Engine problem of the 2002 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 10/29/2004

My wife experienced a complete shut down of our 2002 Thunderbird while making a left turn from a complete stop in front of oncoming traffic. The car "rolled" across the oncoming lane and she put the vehicle in neutral and was able to start the vehicle again. This failure is identical to the circumstances desribed in odi id number: 10014291 dated March 3, 2003.

6 Engine problem of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 08/19/2004

Cracked intake on my 97 t bird.

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7 Engine problem of the 2003 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 10/01/2003

While driving at 55-60 mph the engine started to bog down and slowly died. Had been to dealer numerous times concerning this problem and a transmission. Vehicle had been checked diagnosticians, and was unable to find anything wrong. Dealer had never indicated what was wrong. No repairs were made other than a rebuild of the transmission when first purchased. Problem with the engine dying was intermittent. No repairs were made because they were unable to determine the cause of the problem.

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8 Engine problem of the 2002 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 03/03/2003

Twice my 2002 Thunderbird's engine has stopped while I am driving it. Both times, it occurred as I was making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic in a 55 mph zone. When it quit, I was unable to steer or control the vehicle in any way. I had to put it in park and restart it before I could leave the oncoming lane. Ford has an unpublished oasis special service message 16581 which states: "2000-2002 Lincoln LS & 2002 Thunderbird - intermittent engine quit on decel/stops/turns. Some 2000-2002 Lincoln LS & 2002 Thunderbird vehicles may exhibit an intermittent engine quit condition. The engine quit may occur on deceleration, low speed/parking lot maneuvers or aggressive braking. The condition may not be easily duplicated, typically no dtcs will be present and the engine will start normally after the event. This is under investigation following the quick service fix process. Until root cause is determined, please follow normal pc/ed manual diagnostics and submit edsr's. " my vehicle is in the shop and has been for well over a month. I am currently trying to replace it under oregon's lemon law. I have just started this process and I don't know what the out come will be. But I am worried the consumer is not aware of this defect. Had there been oncoming traffic when I was making this turn in a 55 mph zone, I very well might be been extremely injured or dead, and it would have been chalked up to someone turning left unsafely. Obviously, Ford is aware of the defect, but owners have not been notified of the possibility that their engine may shut down unexpectedly. This has potential for extremely serious consequences.

9 Engine problem of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 05/27/2000

3. 8 liter v6 Ford engine head gasket defect 1997.

10 Engine problem of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 07/01/1998

Rivets failed caused oil pan cover dropped. Yh.

11 Engine problem of the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 11/03/1997

The engine air inlet elbow does not drain properly.

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12 Engine problem of the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 06/29/1996

Motor mounts failed.

13 Engine problem of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird

Failure Date: 01/01/1901

1997 Ford Thunderbird motor died while driving. ** in repository.

14 Engine problem of the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

Engine motor mounts failed.

15 Engine problem of the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

Blown engine due to head gaskets at 58528 miles.



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