44 of the 353 complaints about the 1995 Ford Thunderbird are about the transmission — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 87,500 miles.
44
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE OWNER WENT INSIDE OF THE STORE BUT WHEN HE RETURNED THE VEHICLE HAD GONE COMPLETELY ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF A VEHICLE. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNATTENED AND IN PARK. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10091465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD WITH A V8 ENGINE AND AUTO TRANS. IT DOWN SHIFTS RANDOMLY WITH THE OVERDRIVE ON OR OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10039096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT WHEN I TOOK IT BACK IN FOR THEM TO CHECK IT. I HAVE PURCHASED A USED TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE THE FAILED ON. I WILL CALL YOU NEXT WEEK AND GIVE YOU YHE NAME OF THE DEALER THAT IS LOCATED IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
NHTSA complaint #746316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS COMMON BECAUSE ODOMETER WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. *AK
NHTSA complaint #888962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FAILURE OF MANUFACTURES INSTALLED SOFT BUSHING, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR, SEAL LEAK, WITH PRESSURE LOSS AND LOSS OF TORQUE. WITHOUT TORQUE YOU LOSE DRIVE POWER THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IN SLOW OR FAST MOVING TRAFFIC THAT COULD HAVE KILLED OR INJURED MY FAMILY MEMBERS OR OTHERS.
NHTSA complaint #742195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION KICKING INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CONSTANTLY.
NHTSA complaint #731220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, THEN RETURNS TO NORMAL CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #870658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
FORD SAYS, REAR WHEEL DRIVE ARE NOT COVERED. WHY IT'S THE SAME 3.8L IN THE OTHERS!
NHTSA complaint #722073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS IN SLOW ACCELERATION 0-35. TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACEMENT REPLACEMENT FIXED, BUT THEN STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #722656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO LOWER GEAR UNEXPECTEDLY, AND FREE WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #861723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FIRST PROBLEM WAS A SHUDDER IN THE TRANSMISSION OCCURRING AROUND 40MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. KNOWN TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. FORD REPAIRED BY CHANGING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FLUID TYPE WITH NEW TYPE FLUID. ADDITIONALLY THEY MODIFIED THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT DESIGN BY ADDING A TRANSMISSION COOLER. CONTACTED FORD REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH ZERO RESPONSE. IF THEY KNOW THE WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO ALTER THEIR OWN DESIGN, WHY DO THEY NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. ONLY TEMPORARY FIX. TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING ONLY 10 MONTHS AFTER FIRST REPAIR RESULTING IN THE NEED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ON A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES. TOTAL COST FOR THESE TWO REPAIRS WAS $1,880.00. FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO SOME DEGREE. TOO MANY CONSUMERS ARE LEFT TO PAY HIGH REPAIR BILLS FOR FORD'S POOR DESIGNS AND ENGINEERING.
NHTSA complaint #720197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
FIRST PROBLEM WAS A SHUDDER IN THE TRANSMISSION OCCURRING AROUND 40MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. KNOWN TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. FORD REPAIRED BY CHANGING ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FLUID TYPE WITH NEW TYPE FLUID. ADDITIONALLY THEY MODIFIED THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT DESIGN BY ADDING A TRANSMISSION COOLER. CONTACTED FORD REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH ZERO RESPONSE. IF THEY KNOW THE WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO ALTER THEIR OWN DESIGN, WHY DO THEY NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. ONLY TEMPORARY FIX. TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING ONLY 10 MONTHS AFTER FIRST REPAIR RESULTING IN THE NEED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ON A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES. TOTAL COST FOR THESE TWO REPAIRS WAS $1,880.00. FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO SOME DEGREE. TOO MANY CONSUMERS ARE LEFT TO PAY HIGH REPAIR BILLS FOR FORD'S POOR DESIGNS AND ENGINEERING.
NHTSA complaint #720197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
98 SERVICED WITH TRANMISSION. TUNE UP NOT COVER UNDER WARRTANTY NOW HAVING SAME PROBLEM. SHUTTERS AT 25. 35, 45, MILES PER HOUR. TALKED TO OTHER OWERS OF SAME TYPE OF CAR THEY ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. NO RECALL IS LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #718032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE ACCELERATING TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO NEUTRAL UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #854626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING FROM 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. ALSO SLUGGISH/SHUDDERS
NHTSA complaint #712957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
WHEN BACKING THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT WARNING DRIVESHAFT SNAPS AND MAKES CLUNKING SOUND. DRIVESHAFT COULD BRAKE AND COME APART. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE SINCE DRIVESHAFT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE FUEL TANK.
NHTSA complaint #844403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION JUMPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FIRST WAS JUMPING IN AND OUT OF OVERDRIVE, AFTER JUMPS OUT OF OVERDRIVE WILL JUMP OUT OF GEAR. IF NOT IN OVERDRIVE JUMPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR
NHTSA complaint #706323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TORQUE CONVERTER PISTON FAILURE. TOURQUE CONVERTER AND PISTON REPLACED
NHTSA complaint #702379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SHUDDER AT SHIFT POINTS INTO THIRD AND OVERDRIVE WITH NORMAL ACCELERATION; ALSO, WITH AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE TURNS 4,500 RPM BEFORE SHIFTING INTO SECOND.
NHTSA complaint #781394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #537129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER THE CONNECTION TO THE STARTER CAME APART. FLUID LEAKED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AFTER THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #530852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE.
NHTSA complaint #524963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION IS SLUGGISH AND CONTINUOUSLY SHUDDERS.
NHTSA complaint #523330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #526541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.