11 of the
228 complaints about the 1997 Ford Thunderbird are about the
throttle and cruise control — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
65,500 miles.
F
11
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
1090.9%
Cables
19.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Ford Thunderbird year
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED A YEAR AGO WA SINVOLVED IN 2 REAR END COLLISIONS WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH. THIS HAPPENED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT IT WAS NOT LOOKED AT, THEY INSTEAD TRIED TO SELL CONSUMER ANOTHER VEHICLE. PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT CONSUMER'S OWN EXPENSE AT ANOTHER MECHANIC. DEALERSHIP STATED THEY KNEW THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTED. . THE MANUFACTURER TOLD HE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED,IT WOULD DRAG BETWEEN GEARS. IN THE LAST YEAR, NOTICED SURGING. HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO STOP, AND ANOTHER TIMEHAD TO PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKEON. THERE WERE NO POLICE REPORTS TAKEN, THERE WASNO DAMAGE OR INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #10131043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesColton, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO THE MAXIMUM SPEED. CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS OCCURRED. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. VEHICLE STOPPED AND ROLLED INTO THE GATE. THE GARAGE HAD A 33 FEET LONG SKID MARK ON THE GROUND. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10075958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesMarina, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10015785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wynnewood, PACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING VEHICLE AND HAD COME TO A STOP IN THE PARKING SPOT WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB, AND CRASHED INTO A METAL BENCH.
NHTSA complaint #757179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kenesaw, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1. PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE - COVERED BY GENERAL RECALL 97M91, ALTHOUGH SIMILAR PLASTIC ENGINEERING IS APPLIED TO BOTH VALVE COVERS BUT IS NOT IS NOT COVERED BY RECALL. THE FORD SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT THE HEATER CORE WILL BLOW SOON TOO. 2. THE BRAKES/ROTORS HAVE BEEN A CHRONIC PROBLEM - THIS IS MY 2ND THUNDERBIRD - BOTH CARS HAD THE SAME TYPE PROBLEMS. I HAVE REPLACED ROTORS, BRAKE PADS REPEATEDLY WITHOUT SOLVING THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS SEVERE FRONT END VIBRATION WHICH IS MAKES THE CAR UNENJOYABLE AND DANGEROUS. I HAVE CHANGED TIRE SIZES AND BRANDS 4 TIMES. THE CONSUMER REPORTS RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE ON THIS CAR CAUSES ME TO BE AFRAID OF IT. 3. THE CRUISE CONTROL DEFECT WAS ALSO DANGEROUTS, BUT IT WAS REPAIRED SATISFACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #754545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warrensburg, MO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
AS CONSUMER STARTED TO PULL OUT AND ACCELERATE TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO POWER, CONSUMER THEN ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 40 MPH WHICH GOT HIM TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE, WHERE A MECHANIC SHOWED CONCUMER THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BREAK ABOUT 4-6 INCHES FROM THE CONNECTOR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHIN THE PROTECTIVE CONDUIT.
NHTSA complaint #785481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chatt, TN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL TOOK OVER VEHICLE,AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #884820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lansing, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UNSAFE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION/STEERING SHAKES CONSISTANTLY.
NHTSA complaint #733282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monterey Park, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IDLE CONTROLLER CAUSE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO 20MPH ON ITS OWN WITHOUT DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR, HAVE TO PRESS BRAKE HARD TO KEEP VEHICLE STILL, HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #731885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Coast, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO FORCE VEHICLE IN PARK AND AVOID A CRASH. DEALER UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #830356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
REAR TIRE LOSES CONTACT WITH ROAD SURFACE WHEN PARKING CAR IN CERTAIN AREAS, ALSO WILL ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY IF WHEEL IS OFF ROAD AND MAKES CONTACT W/CURB.
NHTSA complaint #781076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.