Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 36 of 233 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports4 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
233 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN 1998 I STARTED HAVING CAR PROBLEMS, A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT FLUID WAS GETTING PAST THE HEAD GASKET. IN JANUARY OF 1999 I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED BY HERITAGE FORD. I RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER THAT SAID THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE 3.8L MOTORS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. & HERITAGE FORD & WA…
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IN 1998 I STARTED HAVING CAR PROBLEMS, A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT FLUID WAS GETTING PAST THE HEAD GASKET. IN JANUARY OF 1999 I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED BY HERITAGE FORD. I RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER THAT SAID THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE 3.8L MOTORS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. & HERITAGE FORD & WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY CAR WASN'T ON THEIR LIST THEY CAN'T HELP ME. THEY HAVE ALREADY ANNOUNCED PUBLICLY THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE SAME MOTOR WE HAD & I FEEL THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE US ALSO,NOT BECAUSE OF THE MODEL OF OUR CAR BUT THE KIND OF MOTOR THEY SOLD US. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE THEY INSTALLED THE NEW MOTOR, & HAVE HAD TO BRING THE CAR BACK AT LEAST 5 TIMES & OF COURSE PAY A BILL EACH TIME, THE CAR STILL SPITS & SPUTTERS IN HOT WEATHER. CAN YOU HELP US??? *AK
NHTSA ODI #719994
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER STILL HAS VEHICLE, REPAIRS ARE BEING MADE, DEALER IS HELPING TO COVER SOME OF COST. *ML
NHTSA ODI #857565
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2000
Tires
THE FOREGOING PAGES ARE INCOMPLETE BUT I COULD NOT RETRIEVE THEM. THE 4 TIRES FAILED AT DIFFERENT TIMES PRIOR TO THE END OF THE LIFE OF THE TIRES. ON TWO OCCASIONS, TWO DIFFERENT TIRES, THE TREAD SEPARATED AND CAME OFF. THE 2ND INCIDENT WAS AFTER DRIVING OVER 200 MILES AT SPEEDS OF UP TO 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE BELT TORE OFF …
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THE FOREGOING PAGES ARE INCOMPLETE BUT I COULD NOT RETRIEVE THEM. THE 4 TIRES FAILED AT DIFFERENT TIMES PRIOR TO THE END OF THE LIFE OF THE TIRES. ON TWO OCCASIONS, TWO DIFFERENT TIRES, THE TREAD SEPARATED AND CAME OFF. THE 2ND INCIDENT WAS AFTER DRIVING OVER 200 MILES AT SPEEDS OF UP TO 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE BELT TORE OFF AND DAMAGED THE REAR PANEL AND SKIRT OF AUTOMOBILE.( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA ODI #718548
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE OIL PUMP FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO LOCK-UP WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY. FORD HAS REDESIGN A NEW ENGINE. *YC
NHTSA ODI #852572
Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
3.8 LITER 6 CYLINDER ENGINE HEADGASKETS FAILED
NHTSA ODI #715292
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
DUE TO THE MELTING OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THE ENGINE IS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851968
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 1999
Seats
DRIVER'S SEAT WILL SHIFT OR MOVE BACK AND FORTH WHEN ACCELERATING, TURNING A CURB OR BRAKING, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849675
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING AND HITTING BUMPS CONSUMER NOTICED SOMETHING HITTING UNDER THE CAR AFTER INSPECTING ,CONSUMER FOUND THAT IT WAS THE GAS TANK HANGING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848857
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
EquipmentVisibility
AIR CONDITIONER IS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES CONSUMER NOT TO BE ABLE TO READ THE TIME. ALSO, DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK. *AK
WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE BLOWER COULD (1) STICK ON "HIGH;" (2) OPERATE ERRATICALLY WITH BLOWER OUTPUT VARYING BETWEEN NO BLOWER AND MAXIMUM BLOWER; OR (3) NOT OPERATE AT ALL DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BLOWER MALFUNCTIONS LIMITING OR STOPPING OUTPUT CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULES WITH MODULES CONTAINING REVISED SOFTWARE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Ford Thunderbird Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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