NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Switch
523.8%
Gasoline
419.0%
Ignition
419.0%
Interior/Under Dash
314.3%
Automatic Transmission
29.5%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
14.8%
Fuel Injection System
14.8%
Latch
14.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1995peak 4Apr 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1984 Ford Thunderbird
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE89039Opened 9 Feb 1989Closed 13 Jun 1989PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
SUMMARY:THE SPRING UNDER INVESTIGATION CAUSES THE LATCHING PAWL TOENGAGE THE TEETH OF THE RATCHET WHEREBY THE PARKING BRAKE IS RETAINEDIN THE APPLIED POSITION.IF THE SPRING FAILS, THE PEDAL FOLLOWS THEOPERATORS FOOT BACK UP INTO THE RELEASED POSITION.FORD STATES THAT IT ISSUED THE BULLETIN IN ORDER TO INFORM DEALERSTHAT THE SPRING WAS NEWLY AVAILABLE AS A SEPARATE PART.PREVIOUSLY,IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL ASSEMBLY INORDER TO OBTAIN A NEW SPRING.SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE SPRING WILL NOT CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TOSUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY RELEASE AND SINCE THERE...
EA86010Opened 26 Mar 1986Closed 28 Jul 1989SEATS
SEATBACK FAILURE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD BELIEVES THAT THE AL-LEGED DEFECT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ANDRECALLED ABOUT 195,732 1984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986.ANALYSIS: VEHICLES POTENTIALLY INVOLVED INCLUDE TEMPO/TOPAZ, ESCORT/LYNX/EXP, MUSTANG/CAPRI, LTD/MARQUIS, AND THUNDERBIRD/COUGAR.FORD SOLD ABOUT 110,000 REPLACEMENT MIO BOLTS, MAINLY FOR 1983 AND 1984MODELS. LOW CLAMPING FORCE APPEARS TO BE A LARGE PART OF THE PROBLEM.FORD INCREASED THE TORQUE REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED THE USE OF A MANUALTORQUE TOOL IN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER 1985 PRODUCTION CHANGES. 1...
Recalls on the 1984 Ford Thunderbird
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
83V134000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 198311437,431 units in Canada
THE UPPER TORSO RESTRAINT D-RING WHICH ATTACHES THE SHOULDER BELT TO THE B PILLAR, UNDER CERTAIN TEST CONDITIONS, SEPARATED FROM ITS ANCHORAGE, AND MAY NOT COMPLY WITH CMVSS 210 - BELT ANCHORAGE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Lorain, OH1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ON TURNPIKE, THE HOOD FLEW UP, STRIKING AND SHATTERING THE SUN ROOF GLASS, THE POLICE OFFICER INSPECTED THE HOOD LATCH AND IT APPEARED TO BE OLD, WHICH POSSIBLY MALFUNTIONED, CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-90-356)
NHTSA complaint #562275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Barbara, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLED, WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEATER RUNNING, IT ENDED UP CATCHING ON FIRE, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ENGINE PROBLEM FAILURE DUE TO WET WEATHER CONDITION. VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL OR WOULD NOT START, ALSO VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND AIR FILTER CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #826921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ENGINE PROBLEM FAILURE DUE TO WET WEATHER CONDITION. VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL OR WOULD NOT START, ALSO VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND AIR FILTER CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #826921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, DEFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redmond, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF 5 HOURS, UNDER THE DASH FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #800424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 111,948 milesPinedale, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR STALLS AFTER IT WARMS UP.RUNS WELL WHILE DRIVING WHEN CAMING TO A STOP CALL STALLS AND CAUSES CAR TO NOT HAVE POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING WITCH MAY CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10069318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,948 milesPinedale, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR STALLS AFTER IT WARMS UP.RUNS WELL WHILE DRIVING WHEN CAMING TO A STOP CALL STALLS AND CAUSES CAR TO NOT HAVE POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING WITCH MAY CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10069318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
WHEELS
THE SPOKES HAVE COME LOOSE CAUSING THE WHEELS TO WOBBLE WHICH COULD CAUSE A WHEEL COLLAPSE. DT
NHTSA complaint #769867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lorain, OH1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ON TURNPIKE, THE HOOD FLEW UP, STRIKING AND SHATTERING THE SUN ROOF GLASS, THE POLICE OFFICER INSPECTED THE HOOD LATCH AND IT APPEARED TO BE OLD, WHICH POSSIBLY MALFUNTIONED, CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-90-356)
NHTSA complaint #562275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Barbara, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLED, WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEATER RUNNING, IT ENDED UP CATCHING ON FIRE, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE DRIVE GEAR ON THE DISTRIBUTOR SHAFT IS CUT IN THE WRONG DIRECTION TO MATCH THE GEAR ON THE CRANKSHAFT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #783877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. HAS HAPPENED WHILE MAKING TURNS ONTO AND OFF ON/OFF RAMPS. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF STALLING. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THAT CAUSE WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE & HAD IT REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #872724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plantation, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR I HAVE HAD DOZENS OF STALLING INCEDENTS BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND AT STOP LIGHTS.I HAVE HAD IT AT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. SAWGRASS FORD IN FLORIDA TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS I'M HAVING AND THE GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $1040.00 TO FIX THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHY IT STALLS ALL THE TIME. I READ AN ARTICLE FROM CALIFORNIA THAT NAMES THE TFI MODULE AS THE PROBABLE CAUSE. FORD HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM WITH CARS MADE FROM 1983 TO 1995. A RECALL ORDER SHOULD BE GIVING TO FORD FOR THESE CARS IN ORDER TO FIX THESE CARS. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS.TOO CLOSE AND I AM AFRAID THAT MY LUCK MAY NOT HOLD OUT MUCH LONGER. THE LAW OF AVERAGES IS GETTING CLOSE. PLEASE HELP US IF YOU CAN..
NHTSA complaint #731862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLS DUE TO IGNITION MODULE OVERHEATING FROM ENGINE HEAT. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Syracuse, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR STALLING, THE RESET THE IDLE SO HIGH THAT WHEN IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE OR DRIVING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD ACCELERATE BY IT SELF. I ALSO HAD A LAWYER CONTACT FORD AND NEVER RECEIVED REPLIES. I TRADED THE CAR IN AND RECEIVED ALMOST NOTHING FOR IT BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS ALMOST BLOWN BECAUSE OF THE IDLE BEING SET SO HIGH. I ALSO RENTED A CAR IN CA THAT WAS A 85 THUNDERBIRD THAT STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN 10/85.
NHTSA complaint #712029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ENGINE PROBLEM FAILURE DUE TO WET WEATHER CONDITION. VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL OR WOULD NOT START, ALSO VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND AIR FILTER CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #826921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ENGINE PROBLEM FAILURE DUE TO WET WEATHER CONDITION. VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL OR WOULD NOT START, ALSO VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND AIR FILTER CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #826921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Loui, MN
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH, VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. DRIVER LOSS CONTROL, SPUN AND VEHICLE TO REST IN THE MEDIAN. DEALER INSPECTION FOUND NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #541695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spotsvania, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE FLEXIBLE LINE THAT CONNECTS METAL TUBING TO BRAKES BLEW APART. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HAD NO INDICATION OR WARNING IT WOULD HAPPEN. HAD NO BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #822317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS AND CUTS OFF. OWNER HAS HAD THE VC MODULATOR VALVE REPLACED TWO TIMES. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #816544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, DEFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conroe, TX
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRONT CLIP BROKE OFF.
NHTSA complaint #509809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redmond, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF 5 HOURS, UNDER THE DASH FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #800424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Fayette, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING STEERING COLUMN TO SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #505882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AUTO WAS PARKED IN GARAGE AND AUTO STARTED TO BURN, NO ONE INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #985360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Falkville, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #504284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE, MELTING THE DASHBOARD AREA.
NHTSA complaint #983885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE, MELTING THE DASHBOARD AREA.
NHTSA complaint #983885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Franciso, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #983912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Franciso, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #983912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.