Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Ford Thunderbird
Ford Thunderbird Models:
Ford Thunderbird Problems
Check Engine Light and Engine Misfire
The valve cover gaskets may leak oil into the spark plug wells, shorting out the spark plugs, causing a misfire, and illuminating the Check Engine Light. Commonly the spark plugs and ignition coils or wires will require replacement, along with resealing the valve cover to correct this concern.
Coolant Loss, Engine Overheating, White Smoke From Exhaust
White smoke coming from the exhaust could indicate that a head gasket has blown or there is a cracked cylinder head. Our technicians tell us that removal and inspection of the cylinder heads will be required to confirm a crack is present.
Extended Warranty on Ford Ignition Coils
There may be an extended warranty on the ignition coils - see your Ford Dealer for more information-Thanks John B for this information!
Coolant Leak From Intake Manifold
The composite (plastic) intake manifold may crack near the thermostat housing and cause a coolant leak. Ford released an updated manifold that was reinforced to prevent a recurrence. No recall was issued for this problem but Ford did extend the warranty to seven years on some models from the date of purchase.
Revised ignition coil available with improved water and oil sealing
Water or oil may enter into the ignition coil cover and the spark plug bore, causing a misfire and illuminating the Check Engine Light. A coil with improved water and oil sealing is available and should be installed.
Ford Thunderbird Recalls (Recent)
Ford Thunderbird Recall 02V169000
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CONTACTED THE SEAT RECLINER DURING A 35 MPH NCAP FULL-FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST.
Learn more »Ford Recalls 2004 Taurus, Thunderbird, and Mercury Sable Models for Seat Weld Issue
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Ford has recalled certain 2004 Taurus, Thunderbird, and Mercury Sable vehicles due to an inadequate weld on the front seats. In a collision, the seat may not perform as designed, which could result in injury. Dealers will replace the upper support assembly on the power seats.
Learn more »Ford Thunderbird Recall 99V275000
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND WHICH MAY BE PRECEDED BY FLICKERING OR BLINKING AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING.
Learn more »Ford Thunderbird Recall 97V159000
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WEST VIRGINIA. MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Learn more »Fuel Tank May Crack
RepairPal Expert Overview:
On 56 vehicles, the fuel tank may have an area with a thin wall and may crack creating the potential for a fuel leak, fuel odor, and the check engine light may come on. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge. The Ford recall number s 05S29.
Learn more »Ford Thunderbird Questions and Answers
where is a wiper motor located in a 1990 thunderbird SC
location of diagnostic plugs
the darn questionaire won't let me put in the actual year it is an..
1983 Thunderbird...It has been sitting for a year I have put in three "top grade gas" with fuel injection/carb. cleaner...sti...
my 60 tbird, hard top, 352ci, with a/c needs a heater core. the a/c feature requires that the replacement core be EXACTLY the same configuration as the original. my car is torn apart until i can...
i need a heater core for 1960 tbird with a/c. and a 352ci
do you know anywhere i can get one?
Ford Thunderbird Stories
We purchased this 1994 T-Bird from the original owner in 2001 and it had about 60,000 miles on it and was in beautiful condition. The engine is the 3.8 V-6, and only full synthetic oil was used in the car since new. My wife drove it until 2009 when she got a new car. At that time it had just under 100,000 miles on it. I started using it as my part time commute car for work and put another 5,000 miles on it. Over years, the car ran great, and other than routine maintenance, we had no problems. A couple of years before my wife stopped driving it, however, we noticed that it was losing coolant, but there were no apparent leaks. When we had it checked out, the mechanic flushed and pressure tested the system and indicated that there were no problems. He neglected to tell me that these cars are known for head gasket failure. A little over a year ago the check engine light started coming on intermittently, the heat stopped working and the coolant loss problem continued. I stopped driving it, and several months ago when I started it up, it begain spewing white smoke. I am told that the head gasket needs to be replaced, and I understand that this could be quite expensive, since I can't do it myself. This is unfortunate, since I really enjoyed driving this car, and this is the only major problem we have had with it.
i have a 1997 ford thunderbird but when i buy parts its gotta be for a 96 tbird. but my cars a 1997 makes no sense made a few trips to autozone with parts for a 97 and not fit .. anyways its a great car i just put brakes on it but my rotors are so messed up when im goin like 65 and i gotta make a sudden stop it shakes like u wouldnt believe .but all 4 wheels are all disc brakes is there anyway that i can put my back rotors on my front ?? does anyone know .if u can doit or not but other than that i love it i got the 4.6 V8 and i get like 28mpg.. its awesome the interior is a lil messed up but it was like that when i got it.. its the fastest on race day!!!!
I've never been a real fan of Ford until I gambled and bought my 1996 v-8....this is absolutely the best car I've ever owned, powerful, quiet, a smooth ride, and stylish good looks - the only fault I can find is the cup holders are positioned awkwardly
Beautiful Car. It is fun to drive. I am greatly disappointed with the air conditioner. They say it needs a new compressor. It has 32,000 miles on it.
What a Great Car, 204,000 miles on the clock. I bought the car in 1999 with 25,000 miles on it, since then I've replace the Heater Core, and the drivers side door mechanism. I don't know how much more dependable a car can be! 1995 T-Bird LX 4.6L