11 of the 295 complaints about the 1996 Ford Thunderbird are about the steering — 4% of everything reported for this model year.
11
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
RACK AND PINION STEERING SHAFT/TIE ROD FAILED AFTER RIGHT FRONT TIRE GLANCED A STANDARD STREET CURB CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AS THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ACROSS FIVE LANES OF TRAFFICE BEFORE COLLIDING WITH OPPOSING TRAFFIC. OWNER HAD RODS TESTED, AND TESTS SHOW NUMEROUS IMPURITIES AND METALLIC FLAWS.
NHTSA complaint #540109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
RACK AND PINION STEERING SHAFT/TIE ROD FAILED AFTER RIGHT FRONT TIRE GLANCED A STANDARD STREET CURB CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AS THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ACROSS FIVE LANES OF TRAFFICE BEFORE COLLIDING WITH OPPOSING TRAFFIC. OWNER HAD RODS TESTED, AND TESTS SHOW NUMEROUS IMPURITIES AND METALLIC FLAWS.
NHTSA complaint #540109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STREERING ROD/TIE ROD END BROKE WHEN WHEELS CRASHED INTO CURBS.
NHTSA complaint #538289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
RACK AND PINION STREERING ROD/TIE ROD END BROKE WHEN WHEELS CRASHED INTO CURBS.
NHTSA complaint #538289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL EXPERIENCES EXTREME VIBRATION.
NHTSA complaint #530648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING ON ANY HIGHWAY AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN A CORNER OR TURN IN ROAD, THE STEERING JUST GOES AWAY; IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE LINKAGE FOR A SPLIT SECOND, BUT THEN IT RETURNS AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER SAID THAT THERE WA SNOTHING WRONG WITH STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #523464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHEN MAKING LEFT/RIGHT TURN, STEERING WHEELCOULD TURN, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. VEHICLE NOT TURNING BUT GOES STRAIGHT & THEN STEERING KICKS IN. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #814534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK AT LOW SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #512541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CROOKED STEERING WHEEL REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #512541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, ALSO WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING BRAKES TO VIBRATE AND AIR CONDITIONING MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #509760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
COMING AROUND A CURB GOING 25-30 MPH CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND HIT A MOUND OF DIRT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAIL
NHTSA complaint #978439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.