78 of the 3,081 complaints filed about the Ford Thunderbird are about the suspension — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.
78
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
SUSPENSION
Rattle in my front end E code for transmission
NHTSA complaint #11747063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
BASICALLY, ALL SUSPENSION RUSTED OUT, INCLUDING BOTH FRONT SUSPENSIONS, SPINDLE RODS, SWAY BAR, OUTER TIE RODS, BOTH REAR TIE ROD LINKS, REAR LOWER AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS , FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMS, REAR SHOCKS. ALL THE WORK WAS PERFORMED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A UNIQUE PROBLEM TO THIS VEHICLE. DRIVING THE VEHICLE MADE SQUEEKY NOISES ALL THE TIME!
NHTSA complaint #11119267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A OIL CHANGE THE DEALER WROTE UP A LIST OF PROBLEMS NEED TO REPAIR ON THIS CAR .THIS CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE AND DRIVEN WEEKLY IT ONLY HAS 30,600 MILES ON IT. I THINK IT WILL COST ME 2500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS CAR. I NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE WITH A CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10895573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
ONE OF THE 4 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE REAR SUSPENSION TO THE VEHICLE FELL OUT OF THE CAR. THE BOLT FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND POSSIBLY OVER TORQUING AT THE FACTORY. SEVERE CORROSION INSIDE THE POCKET THAT HOUSES THIS BOLT. FORD DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED AND IS AT LEAST 10 HOURS LABOR AND IS CONCERNED THE REMAINING 3 BOLTS MAY BE CORRODED AS WELL. THEY ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE FRAME RAIL ON THE BODY MAY BE AFFECTED. THIS HAS BEEN A SOUTH FLORIDA CAR ITS ENTIRE LIFE AND HAS BEEN GARAGED ITS WHOLE LIFE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT OR SNOW AND HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN IN RAIN ON LIMITED OCCASIONS. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE REAR SUSPENSION COULD FALL OUT OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10640755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,730. ..UPDATED 08-07-13
NHTSA complaint #10513403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURE,, FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE BOTH BROKEN NEAR BASE OF SPRING.
NHTSA complaint #10352615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURE,, FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE BOTH BROKEN NEAR BASE OF SPRING.
NHTSA complaint #10352615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH MY AUTOMOBILE THAT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. ALL THE BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT END ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY. HE SAYS THE EXCESSIVE WEAR IS A RESULT OF THE DUST SEALS DISINTEGRATING ALLOWING DIRT AND WATER TO ENTER THE BALL JOINTS. HE INDICATED THAT THIS IS PROBABLY A RESULT OF THE USE OF INAPPROPRIATE OR DEFECTIVE MATERIALS FOR THE SEALS. I AM GOING TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED. I WILL ASK THE MECHANIC TO KEEP THE OLD PARTS FOR ME.
NHTSA complaint #10172453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PERFORMING GENERAL MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE PLASTIC SEALS ON ALL FOUR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE SEALS ON THE STABILIZER BAR WERE FRACTURED AND DETERIORATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10170731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PERFORMING GENERAL MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE PLASTIC SEALS ON ALL FOUR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE SEALS ON THE STABILIZER BAR WERE FRACTURED AND DETERIORATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10170731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PERFORMING GENERAL MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE PLASTIC SEALS ON ALL FOUR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE SEALS ON THE STABILIZER BAR WERE FRACTURED AND DETERIORATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10170731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCES BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE FOUND TO BE BROKEN. BOTH SPRINGS WERE BROKEN IN THE SAME MANNER AND LOCATION. THE CAR ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT!
NHTSA complaint #10141336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN! MY 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD IS NOT LISTED WHY? I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE SMOG STUFF EVERY YEAR I PAY A LOT OF MONEY. WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE HOT OUTSIDE OVER 90 THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE ENGINE, OR WHEN I GO UP A LONG HILL AND MY CAR OVERHEATS THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE ENGINE AND IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT AN OXYGEN SENSOR OR OTHER SMOG RELATED ITEMS THAT ALWAYS COST $300 TO $650 I AM GOING B BROKE BEING ON A FIXED INCOME. FORD CAN'T FIX MY FRONT END VIBRATION I HAD ALL ALIGNMENTS DONE WHEEL BALANCING 4 TIMES NOTHING HELPS. MY STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES ALSO. PLEASE HELP! MANFRED GAUER .
NHTSA complaint #10130641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH A LOUD SNAP CAME FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO BE ABLE TO TURN LEFT, AND THEN ENDED UP CRASHING WITH THE GUARD RAIL. THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10113496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. CAR IS IN MINT CONDITION ND NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10086998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. CAR IS IN MINT CONDITION ND NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10086998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER LOST THE CONTROL, WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10063574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. *AK THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN MOTION. THE REPAIR DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD EXPECT THIS AT 70K MILES. FORD HAD NOT RESPONDED TO THE CONSUMER. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10040248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I BOUGHT MY 1997 THUNDERBIRD 4-15-2003 W/70000 MILES, AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS PAGE I CAN ONLY RELATE TO 2 OF THEM, THE VIBERATION IN THE TRANSMISSION ON UPSHIFT,AND THE FRONT END SHAKING ABOVE 50 MPH.BUT I'M SO GLAD. *AK I BOUGHT A 2 YR.EXTENTED WARRENTY,BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE I'M IN FOR SOME PROBLENS. I CAN BE CONTACTED AT TBIRD97@INTERGATE.COM
NHTSA complaint #10020735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FORD SPRINGS I OWNED AN ESCORT AND AM ON THE SECOND SET OF SPRINGS AND JUST BOUGHT A 92 THUNDERBIRD AND BOTH FRONT SPRINGS ARE BAD THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A TOPAZ I HAD TO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH FORD AND THERE SPRINGS LATELY I'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT ON THIS SEEMS LIKE WHEN THE CARS GET UP TO 75000 MILES. EVER HEARD OF FLATS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM PLEASE LOOK INTO IT THANK YOU. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10020531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.