71 of the 426 complaints about the 1994 Ford Thunderbird are about the engine — 17% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 90,500 miles.
71
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING AT A STEADY 60 MPH WHEN A SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY AND FOUND A BLOWN HEAD GASKET TO BE THE PROBLEM. CAR HAS 101,000 MILES. CONTRARY TO MANY OTHERS, THIS IS A 4.6 V8.
NHTSA complaint #10142743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS AN ORIGINAL VICTIM OF FORD 3.8 HEAD GASKET FAILURE. I HAD THE WORK DONE PRIOR TO THE LETTER THEY SENT. I HAD GOTTEN REIMBURSED. MY CAR HAS APPROX 120.000 AND THE HEAD GASKETS HAVE GONE AGAIN. I AM TERMINALLY ILL AND HAVE A DAUGHTER GETTING READY FOR COLLEGE AND CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING FOR FORDS ORG. DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #10118244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE - MAKES A MOANING NOISE AND RAISES THE IDLE. AS A RESULT, THE CARE WANTS TO ACCELERATE, EVEN WITHOUT PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR. PAINT - PAINT OXIDIZED ON ALL SKYWARD FACING SURFACES. SPOTS OF RUST HAVE DEVELOPED. POWER LOCK - DRIVER'S SIDE POWER LOCK MAKES A NOISE, BUT DOES NOT MOVE THE LOCK TRANSMISSION - DOESN'T SHIFT WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO, AND WHEN IT DOES, IT IS VERY JERKY.
NHTSA complaint #10068811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE JERKING FORWARD WHILE AT STOP LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY THREE CERTIFIED MECHANICS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WORE OUT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH IT'S POWER WINDOW'S, AIR CONDITIONER AND TRANSMISSION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10044226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL OUT. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLES HEAD GASKET FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE FAILURE AT 63000 MILES. FRONT SEAL FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT INTO ENGINE. CAR WAS METICULOUSLY CARED FOR, AND DRIVEN CAREFULLY.
NHTSA complaint #10008313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER EXPEREINCED PROBLEMS WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOING FROM COLD TO HOT INSTANTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKET WAS THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER FEELS FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #567805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKETS SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM AT 66,000 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR.
NHTSA complaint #767566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKETS NEED REPLACED AND EVERYONE IS TELLING US THERE IS A RECALL, EXCEPT THE DEALERSHIP. IS THERE A RECALL OR ANY OTHER OWNER NOTIFICATION.
NHTSA complaint #763185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
TEMPERATURE GUAGE GOES TO HOT, WHILE A/C IS ON OR IDLING, DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE FOR COOLANT FAN.
NHTSA complaint #785579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON 8-YR-OLD CAR WITH 45,000 MILES (WARRANTY LIMITED TO 7YRS OR 100,000 MI). MAJOR DEFECT DESIGN FLAW ADMITTED BY FORD. NOW REFUSES TO COVER COSTS OF REPAIR.*AK.
NHTSA complaint #761622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #756105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #754827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PREMATURE WEAR OF HEAD GASKETS. MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON HEAD GASKETS; HOWEVER, CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION.
NHTSA complaint #899288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
TEMPERATURE GUAGE GOES TO HOT, WHILE A/C IS ON OR IDLING, DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE FOR COOLANT FAN.
NHTSA complaint #785579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN PREMATURE.
NHTSA complaint #750656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AAA DIAGNOSIC AND FOUND OUT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER WHO SAID I WAS NOT COVERED SINCE THE CAR HAS 103,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AS PER FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. IT HAS HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND HAS NEVER OVERHEATED. I HAVE ALL MAINTANENCE RECORDS SHOWING DILIGANT MAINTENENCE PRACTICES. THE HEADGASKET BLEW FROM DEFECT, YET FORD REFUSES TO COVER IT, FIRST STATING THE MILEAGE LIMIT AND THEN FURTHER STATING THAT, SINCE I WAS NOT THE ORGINIAL OWNER AND SINCE PRIOR REPAIR WORK HAD NOT BEEN DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP I WOULD NOT BE COVERED ANYWAY. FURTHERMORE THEY STATED THAT IF I HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO REPLACE THE GASKETS, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE FIXED GASKETS THAT WERE NOT YET BLOWN. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SPEAK WITH ANYONE ABOVE PHONE REPRESENTATIVE OR SERVICE MANAGER. THE REGIONAL MANAGER (TARA OLSEN) WAS SUPPOSED TO EXPLAIN THE COMPANY'S REASONING BEHIND THEIR REFUSAL AND DISCUSS MY CONCERNS WITH ME YET SHE HAS YET TO RETURN MY CALLS AND HER DIRECT NUMBER IS "NOT ACCESSABLE TO THE PUBLIC." THE REPRESENTATIVE I SPOKE TO AT FORD HEADQUARTERS (DUNCAN ALDERSON) REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE BEYOND A BLANKET REFUSAL, AND INSTEAD OF BEING TRANSFERED TO HIGHER-UPS, I WAS TRANSFERED TO SECURITY. I WOULD HAVE BEEN WILLING TO SPLIT THE COST WITH FORD IF THEY WOULD HAVE DEALT WITH ME REASONABLY, BUT THEY REFUSED TO DISCUSS OR NEGOTIATE A FLAW THAT THEY HAVE ADMITTED IS THEIR FAULT. INSTEAD THEY INSIST ON SETTING ARBITRARY CUT-OFF TIMES THAT THEY CANNOT OR WILL NOT JUSTIFY AND THAT WILL MOST LIKELY NOT BE MET BY MOST OF THE FORDS IN QUESTION. THEY WILL NOT SUPPLY STATISTICS ON THE PROJECTED LIFE EXPECTANCY OF NON-DEFECTIVE HEADGASKETS OR TRANSMISSIONS (ANOTHER SERIOUS PROBLEM) NOR WILL THEY DOCUMENT IN WRITTING ANY OF THEIR PHONE REFUSALS TO HONOR THE RECALL. I HAVE PAID FOR REPAIRS AND NOW LOOK FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #749697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FORD KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM, AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS AND/OR 100,000 MILES. THEY "CLAIM" THEY SENT ME A NOTICE IN APRIL OF 2,000, AND I KNOW I NEVER RECEIVED IT! NOW, THEY ARE SAYING THAT IT'S OUTSIDE COVERAGE, AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. REQUESTING YOU INVESTIGATE OTHER CLAIMS ON THIS AND SINCE IT'S WIDESPREAD WITH THIS VEHICLE TYPE, CONSIDER RECALLING THE T-BIRD FOR THE FAULTY HEAD GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #747473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED. CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY. SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKETS BUT IT WAS ONLY UP TO 100000 MILES OR 7 YEARS WAS NOT COVERED ANY MORE. I DO BELEIVE THE PROBLEM HAD STARTED SOME TIME AGO AS THE MOTOR KEPT USEING ANTIFREEZE. I THOUGHT THE RADIATOR HAD A SLOW LEEK BUT NOW I REALIZE IT WAS PROBABLY PUSHING THE ANTIFREEZE OUT THE OVERFLOW WHEN THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING. SO BEING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKETS I DO FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE HELP ON AT LEAST SOME IF NOT ALL OF THE REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #746392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3.8 LITER ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE WARRANTY ENDED AND REPAIR WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COVERED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #889906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE PREMATURELY FAILED CAUSING REPLACEMENT: ROTORS, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND SENDING UNIT, THERMOSTAT & GASKET, INSTRUMENT PANEL, POWER STEERING PUMP, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, PISTON, TRANSHAFT, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, INTAKE MANIFOLD, SERPENTINE BELT AND NOW THE HEADGASKETS ARE BLOWN
NHTSA complaint #745330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE PREMATURELY FAILED CAUSING REPLACEMENT: ROTORS, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND SENDING UNIT, THERMOSTAT & GASKET, INSTRUMENT PANEL, POWER STEERING PUMP, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, PISTON, TRANSHAFT, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, INTAKE MANIFOLD, SERPENTINE BELT AND NOW THE HEADGASKETS ARE BLOWN
NHTSA complaint #745330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE PREMATURELY FAILED CAUSING REPLACEMENT: ROTORS, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND SENDING UNIT, THERMOSTAT & GASKET, INSTRUMENT PANEL, POWER STEERING PUMP, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, PISTON, TRANSHAFT, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, INTAKE MANIFOLD, SERPENTINE BELT AND NOW THE HEADGASKETS ARE BLOWN
NHTSA complaint #745330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE BLOWN DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE, HAD TO REPLACE THE PULLEY THAT BROKE OFF RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER.
NHTSA complaint #785371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE HAD SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF HOOD. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A PRIVATE COMPANY. HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWEN OUT.
NHTSA complaint #884990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT 56000M HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED, AT 91000 HEAD GASKET OR INTAKE GASKET BLEW HAD TO BE REPLACED, UNDERSTAND THAT OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES HAVE HAD RECALL ON HEAD GASKETS BUT WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT MY MODEL NOT INCLUDED IN THESE RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #741841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (60MPH), ENGINE'CHECK GAUGES' LIGHT WENT ON - TEMP GAUGE WAS RISING AND WENT PASSED THE RED ZONE. THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE HEATER WAS BLOWING COLD AIR. AFTER EXAMINATIONS I BLEW A HEAD GASKET. NOW I LEARN THAT THERE WAS A FORD PROGRAM EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE HEAD GASKET TO 7 YEARS/100,000 MILES - INITIATED APRIL, 2000. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE PROGRAM AND HAVE JUST EXCEEDED THE 100,000 MILES. FORD IS UNWILLING TO ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND I WAS NOT ALERTED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND WITH 3 REPS AT THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND HAVE REC'D MUCH CONTRADICTORY INFORMATION REGARD THE LOGISTICS OF THE CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION BULLETINS AND THE DETAIL OF THE PROGRAM. IM SORRY TO SAY THAT ALTHOUGH I WOULD NEVER BUY A FOREIGN CAR, MY NEXT CAR WILL NOT BE A FORD.
NHTSA complaint #740946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (60MPH), ENGINE'CHECK GAUGES' LIGHT WENT ON - TEMP GAUGE WAS RISING AND WENT PASSED THE RED ZONE. THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE HEATER WAS BLOWING COLD AIR. AFTER EXAMINATIONS I BLEW A HEAD GASKET. NOW I LEARN THAT THERE WAS A FORD PROGRAM EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE HEAD GASKET TO 7 YEARS/100,000 MILES - INITIATED APRIL, 2000. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE PROGRAM AND HAVE JUST EXCEEDED THE 100,000 MILES. FORD IS UNWILLING TO ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND I WAS NOT ALERTED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND WITH 3 REPS AT THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND HAVE REC'D MUCH CONTRADICTORY INFORMATION REGARD THE LOGISTICS OF THE CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION BULLETINS AND THE DETAIL OF THE PROGRAM. IM SORRY TO SAY THAT ALTHOUGH I WOULD NEVER BUY A FOREIGN CAR, MY NEXT CAR WILL NOT BE A FORD.
NHTSA complaint #740946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.