55 of the
295 complaints about the 1996 Ford Thunderbird are about the
braking system — 19% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
135,125 miles.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE A LEAK WAS FOUND ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE. THE LINE WAS CORRODED TWO INCHES FROM EITHER SIDE OF A CLIP HOLDING THE BRAKE LINE. NO OTHER CORROSION WAS FOUND ON THE REMAINING BRAKE LINES.
NHTSA complaint #10161682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Castle, DE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE ROTORS ON VEHICLE ARE WARPED. *MR THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED, LEFT AND RIGHT (2 TIMES) AND WERE WARPED AGAIN. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10048182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worthington, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WENT TO PRESS ON BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE.CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED HOSE WAS OFF BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #891941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
4/97 VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT. DEALER ALIGNED FRONT END. 1/98 VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT AND VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER SAYS IT IS A TIRE PROBLEM, ONE TIRE REPLACED. 5/99 VEHICLE STILL PULLS TO RIGHT AND VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND WHILE BRAKING. FRONT ROTORS WARPED AND PADS WORN. ROTORS TURNED AND PADS REPLACED BY GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER. 9/99 VEHICLE PULLING TO RIGHT AND VIBRATING AT SPEED AND DURING BRAKING. FRONT ROTORS WARPED AND PADS WORN AGAIN. DEALER CLAIMS IT IS OWNERS DRIVING STYLE. ROTORS TURNED AND PADS REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. 10/00 VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT AND VIBRATES. ROTORS FEEL WARPED AGAIN. APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO REPAIR. 10/16 TRANSMISSION HAS A SHUDDER IN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION. DEALER SAYS PROBABLY TORQUE CONVERTER. UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME IF THIS WILL BE CONSIDERED AN WARRANTY ITEM OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.
NHTSA complaint #734656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worthington, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING 30MPH & APPLYING THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE THAT STOPPED. HOWEVER, VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS, AND IT REARENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT DUE TO NO BRAKES. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC INDICATED BRAKES WERE GONE. PIN IN THE BRAKES HAD BROKEN WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO BE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #866739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warner Robins, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
REPLACED BRAKES 5 TIMES, ROTORS 3 TIMES, MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN ENGINEERING, UNSAFE AND NO DEALER SATISFACTION.
NHTSA complaint #724379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warner Robins, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
REPLACED BRAKES 5 TIMES, ROTORS 3 TIMES, MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN ENGINEERING, UNSAFE AND NO DEALER SATISFACTION.
NHTSA complaint #724379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Asheville, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
OIL IN MY ENGINE POURED OUT AND ENGINE LOCKED UP WOULD NOT KEEP OIL IN IT. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES TWICE I ONE YEAR BECAUSE OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE THEN FINALLY IT GOT SO BAD HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS ON FRONT END, MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE FOR THE OUTSIDE JUST HAPPEN TO START GOING CRAZY ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON A TRIP TO THE BEACH AND HAS BEEN IN CORRECT EVER SINCE. AND BY THE WAY I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAS BEEN MORE TROUBLE THAN A JOY.
NHTSA complaint #720179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Asheville, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
OIL IN MY ENGINE POURED OUT AND ENGINE LOCKED UP WOULD NOT KEEP OIL IN IT. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES TWICE I ONE YEAR BECAUSE OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE THEN FINALLY IT GOT SO BAD HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS ON FRONT END, MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE FOR THE OUTSIDE JUST HAPPEN TO START GOING CRAZY ONE DAY AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON A TRIP TO THE BEACH AND HAS BEEN IN CORRECT EVER SINCE. AND BY THE WAY I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAS BEEN MORE TROUBLE THAN A JOY.
NHTSA complaint #720179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belle Vista, AR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE ROTORS. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARP. THE CONSUMER HAS HAD THEM REPLACED 4 TIMES ALREADY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #832032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lumberton, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THIS FAILURE WAS FRONT AND REAR DISK BRAKES VIBRATING,,SCAPING NOISE IN FRONT LEFT BRAKE, AND LONG STOPPING DISTANCE, DEALER SOLUTION WAS TO TURN ALL FOUR ROTORS,, CAR IS IN SHOP AGAIN NOW FOR SAME PROBLEM,, THE SOLUTION AGAIN IS TO TURN ROTORS AGAIN,I AM TRING TO GET THEM TO REPLACE ROTORS,BUT THEY WILL NOT
NHTSA complaint #710464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS CONTINUALLY WARP. DEALER HAS REPLACED ROTORS SEVERAL TIMES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #844695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKE ROTORS OVERHEAT AND WARP. THREE TIMES SINCE NEW. SHAKEING STERRING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #709774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irvona, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #781979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Irvona, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING FRONT END VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #781979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evansville, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #543401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Costa Mesa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT ROTORS WARPED.
NHTSA complaint #605104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dumfries, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS KEEP WARPING, AND WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE SHAKES. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED, ALL REPAIR WORK DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #831904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dumfries, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE ROTORS KEEP WARPING, AND WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE SHAKES. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED, ALL REPAIR WORK DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #831904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES ARE WARPING AT STOP SIGN AND WHEN PUSHING ON PEDAL, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #826248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Clarita, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER IS ON THE SECOND SET OF BRAKES AT 8000 MILES . DEALER INDICATED BRAKES AT 4OOO MILES.
NHTSA complaint #825947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edge Water, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP, CONSUMER NOTICED VIBRATIONS IN THE FRONT END. ALSO THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #823908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A NUMBER OF BRAKING PROBLEMS. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL VIRBRATES. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES PADS AND SHOES REPLACED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE. THE ENTIRE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED A MONTH AGO. THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES CONTINUES.
NHTSA complaint #823611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR GREATER THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND SHAKES VIGOROUSLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWAY LEFT TO RIGHT. BEEN IN THE DEALER 8 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED 4 SETS OF TIRES/ROTORS. PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #823328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES FAILED AND CONTRIBUTED TO A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #530927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pacifica, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHENEVER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, A SQUEAKING NOISE IS HEARD. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD SOME OF THE PARTS ON THE BRAKES REPLACED. THE SQUEAKING NOISE IS THERE.
NHTSA complaint #820795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FRONT ABS BRAKES FAILED; ALSO, PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS.
NHTSA complaint #523099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
FRONT ABS BRAKES FAILED; ALSO, PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS.
NHTSA complaint #523099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #524902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES; WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND THE FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP. REPLACED ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS.
NHTSA complaint #818745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.