121 of the
353 complaints about the 1995 Ford Thunderbird are about the
braking system — 34% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
75,645 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND HIS FOOT SLIPPED FROM THE PEDAL DUE TO THE BRAKE COVER FRACTURING.THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FRONT END OF BOTH VEHICLES WAS DAMAGED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE COVER WAS NOT SECURED PROPERLY AND HE BELIEVED THE PEDAL SHOULD HAVE HAD MORE RUBBER TO PREVENT SLIPPAGE. HE NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10394461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,890 milesMedford, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY THE REAR BRAKES SQUEAKED. THERE WAS AN INTENSE GRINDING NOISE. AT 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION . NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - THE TRIES JUST NEEDED TO NE BALANCED AND ROTATED. THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS WOULD GRIND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #10141775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Torrance, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS CHECKING THE BRAKES, HE TOLD HER THAT TRANSMISSION WAS MALFUNCTIONING. CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL VEHICLE HESITATED AND SHOOK. THEN, MADE A FUNNY NOISE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10046346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Niles, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
ON TWO OCCASIONS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK ENGINE ROARS, CONSUMER WOULD TAP THE ACCELERATOR AND WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR, FEELS AS IF VEHICLE IS PUT IN NEUTRAL. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT SWITCH ASSEMBLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACE 2 O2 SENSORS AND MAF SENSOR. VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT. WHEEL ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. PRFORMED FRONT DISC/ REAR DRUM BRAKE SERVICE. REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AFTER BRAKE JOB DUE TO PULSATION. STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT TIMES, VEHICLE WILL NOT SHUTT OFF. RIGHT DOOR LOCK INOPERATIVE. DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE. CUSTOMER STATES FLUID LEAK AT REAR END. RIGHT AXLE SEAL REPLACED. PASSENGER HEAD REST RATTLES OVER BUMPS. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. CONSUMER STATES NOISE FROM SEAT WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING THERE, DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL. SEAT TRACK COVERS MISING ONE LAYING IN THE REAR FLOOR. SEAT TRACK COVER REINSTALLED. CONSUMER STATS THERE IS A PINGING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION. DEALER SUGGESTED HIGHER FUEL OCTANE. CUSTOMER STATES BRAKE PEDAL SEEMS LOW. BRAKES OK. FRONT END SHIMMIES AT 50 TO 60 MPH. 4 TIRES BALANCED. DOME LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON WHEN DRIVER OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE PULLED UP. TEMPERATURE AND SPEEDOMOTER LIGHT BURNED WAS INOPERATIVE. DEALER REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BULBS. COOLANT LEAK UNDER CAR AND WARNING LIGHT IS ON. DEALER FOUND NO LEAKS AND COOLANT LEVEL LOW. CONSUMER STATES MOTOR WILL ROAR AND SHIFT INTO GEAR. DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP BURNT OUT. HEADLAMP REPLACED. TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN NOT IN OVERDRIVE. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION OIL PAN AND GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #8004997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whiting, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. WHEN AT STOP LIGHT CONSUMER WOULD PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK DEALER STATED IGNITION SYSTEM HAD SHORTED OUT RESULTING IN SPARK PLUGS BEING BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND SPARK PLUGS, CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE STILL PROBLEMS AND NOW THE ENGINE IS MISFIRING, CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS, HOWEVER DEALER INFORMED THAT THIS VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. FAN BELT REPLACED. FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #894352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ohio, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #746297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #738353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waggaman, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE BRAKE ROTORS IN TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, HOWEVER CONTINUES TO HAVE BAD VIBRATION AND SHAKING ON BRAKING, DUE TO POSSIBLE DESIGN DEFECT (THUNDERBIRDS).
NHTSA complaint #784541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrells Inlet, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
HAD TO REPLACE FRONT ROTORS ON THIS VEHICLE 5 TIMES - SHOULD HAVE DONE IT MORE - I JUST PUT UP WITH THE SHAKING/VIBRATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #724909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peculiar, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
CAR WOULD VIBRATE WHEN CHANGING GEARS OR TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS, PARTICULARLY FROM 3RD-4TH GEARS. VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AT HIGH SPEED WHEN EXCELERATING FOR DECELERATING. BRAKING AT HIGH SPEED CAUSED THE CAR FRONT TO SHAKE AND STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE CAUSE THE CAR TO UNCONTROLLABLE. SUDDEN BRAKING CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT. FAILURE OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MODULE CAUSED THE FAN NOT TO SHUT OFF WHEN INGNITION WAS TURNED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #725221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS WARPED REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 50000 AND BAD AGAIN /EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE . IS THERE A FIX FOR THIS TROUBLE FORD DEALERS ARE NO HELP THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #722985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE SLIDES ON SNOW WHILE USING BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #605612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Surfside Beach, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES SHUTTER ON APPLICATION FIRST TIME DEALER "CUT" THE ROTORS AND TOLD US THEY WHERE A POOR COMPOSITE. WHY HAVE THEY NOT BEEN RECALLED AND WHY WILL FORD NOT REPLACE THEM? I'VE LOOKED AT THE COMPLAINTS WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES
NHTSA complaint #713865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Drum, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS TWICE SINCE OWNING AND NEED TO DO IT AGAIN.THE BRAKES I HAD PUT ON 6 MONTHS AGO ARE NOW CHIPPING. THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS THUNDERBISD FEELS INADEQUATE.SEEING THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE 95 THUNDERBIRD.WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT?
NHTSA complaint #713735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Homewood, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE DEALER BUT THEY CONTINUED TO WARP AND FINALLY MY WARRENTY AND MY PATIENCE ENDED. YOU CAN ONLY LOSE SO MUCH TIME FROM WORK TO REPAIR A CAR. IN ITS FIRST FOUR MONTHS THE DEALER HAD THE CAR AS MUCH AS I DID.
NHTSA complaint #711004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waggaman, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS FAILURE, MAKES ROARING NOISE. YH
NHTSA complaint #782342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenacres, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF OVERDRIVE AND WENT INTO DRIVE. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS SHAKING AND VIBRATING DUE TO WARPED ROTORS. CONSUMER HAD ROTORS REPLACED FOUR TIMES, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #835932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, HOWEVER CAR STILL HAS NO POWER BRAKES AND STALLS AFTER BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN PAINT JOB!
NHTSA complaint #704883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Texas City, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TURNING SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS, DUE TO WARPING.
NHTSA complaint #544425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Texas City, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #544425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pukalani, HI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CAR SLOWS DOWN,BUT WILL NOT STOP. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #835411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stone Mountain, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
THIS VEHICLE HAS RECIEVED MAJOR SERVICE REQUIRING IN EXCESS OF 60 DAYS OF SHOP TIME, FIVE TIMES ALONE FOR THE TRANSMISSION .
NHTSA complaint #703261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dyersburg, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BLOWER MOTOR STICKS ON "HIGH" OR FAILS TO WORK WHEN "AUTO" IS SELECTED ON THE SWITCH -- REF. 1996 T-BIRD RECALL.; WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHEN MOVING FORWARD A POPPING SOUND IS HEARD. NO OBVIOUS BRAKE PROBLEMS EXIST.
NHTSA complaint #702791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duarte, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TORQUE CONVERTER PISTON FAILURE. TOURQUE CONVERTER AND PISTON REPLACED
NHTSA complaint #702379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PAD MATERIAL NOT MATING TO RESPECTIVE SURFACES CAUSING THE ROTORS TO WARP AND DAMAGE RESULTING IN EXTREME VIBRATION.
NHTSA complaint #542801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmith, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ABOUT 4 TIMES, CAUSING SERIOUS VIBRATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#.
NHTSA complaint #831110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlatic Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES ARE MAKING A LOT OF NOISE, AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL A LITTLE OF SMOKE BURNING FROM THE BRAKES. CONSUMER HAS TO REPLACE THE PADS ON THE BRAKES AND THAT FORD HAS TO REPLACE THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #829414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Liverpool, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR