499 of the 3,081 complaints filed about the Ford Thunderbird are about the braking system — 16% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.
499
Complaints
16%
Share of all complaints
27
Crashes
3
Fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE VIN# NOT LISTED ON DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS/ROTORS RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
NHTSA complaint #10898835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST ON SUPER COUPE. PEDAL BECAME HARD TO PRESS. BOTH BRAKE AND ABS ANNUNCIATORS ILLUMINATING. TROUBLESHOOTING INDICATES BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH FAILING TO SIGNAL PUMP TO CHARGE SYSTEM OR ACCUMULATOR HAS FAILED. MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS SYSTEM ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THUS 24 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10724856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,533.
NHTSA complaint #10556362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION AND NO POWER BRAKES AT ALL REALLY HARD PEDAL HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET IT TO STOP THIS HAPPENED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THIS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STOP I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE FORD.COM SAID NO RECALLS FOR MY CAR AND IT COST $1500 TO FIX .
NHTSA complaint #10473290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL HE COASTED ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. UPON EXAMINATION, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO RUBBER COATING OVER THE STEEL BRAKE LINES WHICH LED TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 197,000.
NHTSA complaint #10352686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. ALL BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND LEAKING, AREA NEXT TO BRAKE LINES ARE NOT RUSTED. BRAKE LINES PRONE TO RUST. ALL BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10352611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS & WHEEL SPEED SENSOR DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HAD MECHANIC INSPECT CAUSES AND DIAGNOSE USING ABS FAULT CODES. VEHICLE REQUIRED A NEW ABS BRAKE / WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT ON LEFT FRONT HUB ASSY. FORD DOES NOT SELL THIS PART INDIVIDUALLY ONLY AS AN ASSEMBLY CONSISTING OF MAJOR BRAKE AND SUSPENSION DETAILS AS A UNIT. THIS COST IS @ $580. MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A HUB UNIT FROM NAPA AUTO PARTS @ $236.17. WITH ONLY 21,696 MILES TOTAL THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO PRE-MATURELY AND PARTS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THIS AS A DETAIL OF AN ASSEMBLY NOT A WHOLE ASSEMBLY CONSISTING OF UN-NEEDED PARTS DIRECTLY FROM FORD. IS THERE A NOTICE REGARDING THIS ITEM?
NHTSA complaint #10242426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A NOISE AS THOUGH THE WHEEL WAS GOING TO COME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CALIPER, BRAKE SHOE AND ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10173327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A NOISE AS THOUGH THE WHEEL WAS GOING TO COME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CALIPER, BRAKE SHOE AND ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10173327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A NOISE AS THOUGH THE WHEEL WAS GOING TO COME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CALIPER, BRAKE SHOE AND ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10173327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHEN YOU STOP IN A HURRY THE FOOT GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. OWNER WENT TO THE DEALER AND ASKED TO HAVE THE BRAKES ADJUSTED. OWNER WAS TOLD THERE IS NO ADJUSTING THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TO CLOSE TOGETHER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE BRAKING. *NM
NHTSA complaint #10111737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. FRONT RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER CAME OFF AND LOCKED UP WHEEL AND SLID MY CAR SIDEWAYS WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. 2003, FORD, THUNDERBIRD ON THE DAY OF DELIVERY WITH 300 MILES ON THE CAR CALIPER BOLT FELL OUT, AND WHEN BRAKES APPLIED THE CALIPER TURNED UP INTO THE WHEEL, AND JAMMED WHEEL. AT 6:30 PM. MOVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT LANE, AND APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. ORIGINAL SPEED WAS BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. RELEASED BRAKES, AND HEARD A CLUNG UNDER THE CAR AS IF WE RAN OVER SOMETHING. IMMEDIATELY LOOKED BACK, BUT SAW NOTHING IN THE ROAD. CONTINUED TO PARKING LOT, APPLIED BRAKES, AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAR SLID TO AN ANGLED STOP, RELEASED BRAKES ,AND ROLLED FORWARD WITH VERY STRONG CLANKING NOISE. WE CONTINUED INTO THE PARKING LOT. MY WIFE CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR FRONT RIGHT CALIPER BOLTS, AND WHEEL WAS REPLACED. THE PROPER CALIPER BOLT WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF REPLACEMENT. SERVICE USED BOLT THEY COULD FIND. 1 FAILURE, NO ONE HURT, NO POLICE REPORT, JUST VERY LUCKY.*AK THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10106796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES ABRUPTLY THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10105416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING20 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A LOUD STREAKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10076092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NO REPAIRS YET...HAHA..JUST WEAK BRAKES,BAD PAINT AND WIERD SPEED CONTROL...LOOK TO THE CRUISE CONTROL..TO MUCH ELECTRIONICS IN THIS CAR MAN!
NHTSA complaint #10071355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED.
NHTSA complaint #10059567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.