1990 FORD Thunderbird Problems & Complaints

1. JUST SUDDENLY STARTED OCCURRING. 2. RE: CAMPAIGN ID # 96V071000, I HAVE AN IGNITION PROBLEM WITH MY 1990 FORD THUNDERBIRD BUT WAS TOLD BY FORD MY VIN DOES NOT APPLY TO RECALL. ALTHOUGH NO FIRE, I BELIEVE THERE IS SOME SORT OF SHORT CIRCUIT IN MY IGNITION SWITCH. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT-BELT WILL, AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES, NOT MOVE INTO POSITION WHEN IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED AND AT THE SAME TIME THE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER NORMALLY BUT WILL NOT START. "EVERY TIME" SEAT BELT DOESN'T WORK, ENGINE WILL NOT START. 3. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS, YET. *JB

ENGINE FIRE

WIRES IN STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK DURING THE FIRE THE CONSUMER SON WAS INJURED. *YH

VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. STOP AND GO IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP WILL PICK IT UP.*AK

IGNITION FAILS TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

WHEN COMING TO A STOP DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WILL LOCK UP WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

REPORTING A SECOND REOCCURRING FAILURE WITH BRAKR MASTER CYINDER, FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT 80,000 MILES, AND AGAIN CURRENTLY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

YOU KNOW MY HUSBAND AND HIS FRIEND HAD NO IDEA ONT HIS CAR THAT THE BRAKES WENT OUT, UNTIL THEY WERE GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE, AND IT WAS TOO LATE. WRECKED INTO A SEMI-TRUCK, THAT GUY IS LUCKY- SO IS MY HUSBAND AND HIS FRIEND. I THINK THIS SGHOULD BE AN ISSUE OF CONCERN. THANKS. *AK

BRAKE MODULE COST $1,400 SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. *AK

PROCEEDING NORTH ON CA HWY 101 NEAR VENTURA. ANTILOCK AND BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATED. ATTEMPTED TO STOP WHILE AT 70 MPH. PEDAL "HARD" CAN WOULD NOT STOP. USED STICK SHIFT GEARS TO BRING VEHICLE SPEED DOWN, USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING CAR TO HALT AT SIDE OF FWY. SHUT OFF IGNITION. RESTARTED VEHICLE THINKING COMPUTER WAS AT FAULT AND NEEDED RESETTING. ANTILOCK AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WENT OUT--VEHICLE COULD BE "STOPPED" BUT SYSTEM WENT OUT PERMANANTLY AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 5 MORE MILES. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER IN THOUSAND OAKS CA ( KEMP) AND INFORMED THAT THE "RELAY BANK" HAD SHORTED OUT. COSTS APPROX. $200.00 TO REPAIR. PROBLEM---ABS DID NOT FUNCTION AT ALL!!! *AK

THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. *NLM

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT CLICK INTO THE LOCKING MECHANISM. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE.*AK THE SEAT BELT FAILED AT LOW MILLAGE AND SHOULD BE DEFECTIVE. THE WAIT TIME TOGET IT REPAIRED WAS ALMOST 5 MONTH AND THE DRIVER COULD NOT BUCKLE UP DURING THAT TIME. *YH

CONSUMER SEAT BELT SLIPS/LOOSE AND DISCONNECTS FROM THE BUCKLE. THIS CAUSES THE CONSUMER TO BE IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED. *AK

SEAT BELTS LOOSEN AND DISCONNECT WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES CONSUMER TO BE IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT GETS JAMMED AND CHOKES DRIVER DUE TO A FAULTY SEAT BELT TRACK MOTOR. OWNER HAD PROBLEM THREE TIMES. *AK

CAR WAS BACKED OUT OF GARAGE. WHILE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE BEGAN RACING WIDE OPEN, WENT ACROSS 2 DRIVEWAYS AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP IT AND WOULD NOT GO OUT OF REVERSE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS IMPACT AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE IN ABOUT 3 SECONDS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE. *AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE THROUGH A GARAGE SMASHING THE WALL. *NLM

CRUISE CONTROL WHEN ENGAGED CAUSES VEHICLE TO INCREASE SPEED. WOULD BE GOING OVER 80MPH AT TIMES. TAPPING BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR FAILED TO DEACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL. FINALLY, MANAGED TO VEER TO SIDE OF ROAD & TURNED VEHICLE OFF. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOCK UP, ENDANGERING VEHICLE & OTHER DRIVERS. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE OR RESOLVE PROBLEM. *AK

UPON ACCELERATING THE GAS PEDAL BECOMES STUCK, DECREASING CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKING.

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. TECHNICIAN STATED ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

REPLACED DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK

I DID NOT KNOW WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT THIS; I HAVE ANGERED A VIGILANTE GROUP. THE GROUP, WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE THE KLAN, ARE DRIVING THEIR OPEN BED PICKUP TRUCKS IN FRONT OF ME WITH OPEN CONTAINERS OF SOMETHING, I SUSPECT TO BE A CANCER CAUSING PESTICIDE. IT IS PLUGGING UP MY AIR FILTERS, WHICH I HAVE SAVED. I WANT YOU TO TAKE THIS COMPLAINT SERIOUSLY AND TEST THE AIR FILTERS TO DETERMINE THE AGENT THAT IS BEING USED TO ACCOST ME. IT WON'T COST YOU VERY MUCH AND IT COULD POINT OUT A PROBLEM THAT COULD SAVE MANY LIVES. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

3.8 V6 HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. LOSING WATER. FORD IS HAVING MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS. I AM TOLD BY DEALER FORD WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT HELP WITH REPAIR COST. *AK

SPEEDOMETER FAILS CONSTANTLY CAUSING DRIVER TO BE UNAWARE OF WHAT SPEED THEY ARE TRAVELING AT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH HAVE OR HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM UP TO THE YEAR 1994 FROM THE YEAR 1989. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

TRANSMISSION IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE OUTPUT OF THE ENGINE.

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN TRANSMISSION SLIPPED; A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE IN BETWEEN AUTOMATIC CLUTCH BROKE OFF, COULD NOT ENGAGE TO SHIFT TRANSMISSION; IF RUNNING TOO LONG GEARS WILL BURN OUT. TOOK TO TRANSMISSION MECHANIC. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, AND INTERMITTENTLY CUT ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHEN CONSUMER TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS, AFTER FIVE MINUTES THEY STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF TO THE UNCOMING TRAFFIC. *AK

HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND HARNESS ASSEMBLY FAILED.

HEADLIGHTS DO NOT OPERERATE PROPERLY, THE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED A FAULTY SWITCH. REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *AK

HEADLIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY, DEALER HAD REPLACED MULTI-PURPOSE FUNCTION SWITCH; MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR HER. *AK

The contact owns a 1990 Ford Thunderbird equipped with Goodyear Tire, Tire Line: Viva 3 A/S, Tire Size: 250/70/R15, DOT Number: PJ34KB1R0219. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she became aware that the rear driver’s side tire was shaking abnormally. The contact took the vehicle to the Walmart where the tires were purchased and was informed that there were blisters on each tire and the tires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

TIRE FAILURE OF A FIRESTONE FR410, P215/70R15 97S, DOT HYME 41A 159. NO ROAD HAZARD. RF TIRE EXPLODED. 32-35 PSI CHECKED 7 DAYS PRIOR. FIRESTONE INVESTIGATION CLAIMS PUNCTURE CAUSED FAILURE. PUNCTURE OCCURRED FROM TIRE MATERIAL WHEN STOPPING.*AK

CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL 00T-005 CONSUMER WENT TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED, IN A CONVERSATION WITH DEALERSHIP CONSUMER WAS ADVISED AT THAT TIME THERE WAS SOME DISCREPANCY REGARDING THE TIRE SIZES THAT WERE BEING REPLACED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR SIZE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION, HOWEVER CONSUMER DID REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES. *JB

FIRESTONE TIRE TREADS SEPARATED PREMATURELY.

CABLE HOLDING SPARE TIRE IN PLACE BROKE, CAUSING SPARE TO FALL OFF/ACCIDENT . (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *DH

FUEL LEAK FROM FUEL TANK WHEN FULL . DANGEROUS , COULD CAUSE A FIRE . AUTO IS PARKED IN A GARAGE INSIDE OF MY HOUSE . UNABLE TO FILL TANK BECAUSE OF CONDITION . FORD WILL NOT REPAIR . AROUND 45,000 MILES , NEVER IN ACCIDENT & FUEL SYSTEM NEVER WORKED ON . I THINK THIS IS VERY NEGLIGENT ON FORD'S PART .*AK

FUEL LEAKS FROM TANK WHEN FULL.

WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN HIT DIVIDER LEFT SIDE. CAR ALSO HIT RIGHT/FRONT THEN STOPPED AND WAS HIT IN REAR. FUEL CUTOFF SYSTEM DID NOT CUT OFF WHILE INVOLVED IN CRASH. *AK

FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *SD

PLASTIC GAS TANK IS COMING APART AT THE SEAMS FORD OFFERS NO HELP. TT

THROTTLE STICKS AND CAUSES BRAKES NOTTO WORK. DRIVER HAS TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. *AK

BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ALSO, THROTTLE WAS STUCK ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. OCCURRED DURING VERY IN COLD TEMPERATURES. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

DURING MINOR COLLISION VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED DUE TO DIFFERENCE IN BUMPER HEIGHTS.

THE DRIVERS DOOR WHEN OPENED DROPS ABOUT 1/2 INCH DUE TO HINGES NOT BEING STURDY ENOUGH FOR WEIGHT OF DOOR AND MAD EIT HARD TO CLOSE PROPERLY. *AK

SUBSTANCE THAT SEALS BACK WINDOW IS MELTING/DROPPING ONTO BACK SEAT.

HEATER REPLACED. *AK

SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN.

BINDING OF THE SHORT RACK CAUSING STEERING TO LOCK OFF. TT

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED. *AK

A/C PULLEY MISALIGNED, CAUSING ENGINE HESITATION. *AW

[XXX] NEED YOUR HELP HER CAR WAS STOLEN AND NOT RETURNED WITNESS [XXX][XXX] AND WITNESS ABS ORDER[XXX] LOCATION CAMPUS POLICE FSU SBA BUILDING 1(910)672-1726 MORE INFORMATION ROBERT HASSELL CAMPUS POLICE CAR WAS PARKED AND LOCKED STUDENT[XXX] CAR WAS TAKEN NOT RETURNED ASKING FOR CAR RECALL [XXX] [XXX] TO START PROCESS VICTIM[XXX] IS WAITING FOR SETTLEMENT AT [XXX] OR [XXX] THANKS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH ON DRY FLAT ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND KEPT THE VEHICLE FROM FURTHER ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE PULLED OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE COOL DOWN FOR AN HOUR, AND THEN DROVE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A NHTSA RECALL#96V071000 REGARDING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT MANY FUSES HAVE BLOWN OUT DUE TO THIS IGNITION PROBLEM, AND SOMETIMES A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKING TURNS TO EITHER SIDE.

YOUR ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED IN RESOLVING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM WITH A DANGEROUS AND CLAIMED UNREPAIRABLE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS 1990 FORD THUNDERBIRD SUPER COUPE VIN#[XXX]. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH AN ABS BRAKING SYSTEM THAT IS DANGEROUS UPON FAILURE. THIS ABS SYSTEM UPON FAILURE RESULTS IN THE "COMPLETE" LOSS OF BRAKING ON THIS VEHICLE AND POSES A SERIOUS THREAT OF INJURY TO UNSUSPECTING OCCUPANTS OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE EARLY TEVIS II ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN DESCRIBED BY FORD BRAKE TECHNICIANS AS THE "WORST" BRAKING SYSTEM EVER INSTALLED ON A VEHICLE TO REPAIR. UNLIKE OTHER ABS BRAKING SYSTEMS, WHICH ALLOW A VEHICLE'S HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM TO CONTINUE TO FUNCTION WITH A FAILURE IN THE ABS PORTION OF THE SYSTEM, THIS VEHICLE'S "ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS" WITH THE LOSS OF ITS ABS COMPONENT. FORD WAS APPARENTLY AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND APPARENT DANGER, BECAUSE THIS SYSTEM WAS UPGRADED ONLY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3-YEARS OF PRODUCTION. I HAVE SPENT OVER $2,000.00 OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS ON THIS BRAKING SYSTEM. I INITIALLY TOOK IT TO A PEARSON'S FORD IN SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA IN 2001 FOR BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIR AND UPON RECEIVING THE VEHICLE FROM DEALER, I EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMING ON PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UPON PEARSON FORD'S RECOMMENDATION UNTIL I EXPERIENCED A FULL SYSTEM FAILURE. THEODORE ROBBINS FORD OF COSTA MESA CALIFORNIA HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIRS AND THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED AFTER EACH REPAIR. THEY STILL HAVE THE VEHICLE. FORD STATES THEY NO LONGER SUPPORT THIS BRAKE SYSTEM AND DID NOT SEE A NEED TO ISSUE ANY ALERTS OR RECALLS ON THIS SYSTEM, WHICH DISCONTINUED. YOUR ASSISTANCE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

MODUAL FIRST FAILED SEP 00. CAR LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AT 60 MPH. CAR WAS PARKED FROM SEP 00 TO 26 JULY 01 WHILE FORD GOT PART. NEW MODUEL WAS INSTALLED 26 JULY 01 AND FAILED 8 AUG 01 AGAIN AT 60 MPH WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. FORD DEALER IS NOW LOOKING FOR A NEW ONE. PART WAS LISTED AT $100.00 AT TIME OF SEP 00 FAILURE. MODUAL OBTAINED IN JUL 01 THAT FAILED IN AUG 01 COST $306.00

VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY 4 DAYS. IT CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPT DISTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. INDICATION OF FIRE ORIGIN WAS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH FIXED WIRES. CONTACTED FORD. INDICATED RECALL WAS SENT OUT. BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SKIPPING & MISSING. TOOK TO SERVICE DEPT & INFORMED HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN & WATER LEAKED INTO CYLINDER. NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THUNDERBIRD ABOUT HEAD GASKETS. *AK

THE HEADLIGHT COVER JUST FELL OFF SOME WHERE. THE HEAD GASKETS -- WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE FORD STORE AND THEY FIXED THEM FOR US UNDER OUR WARRANTY BUT THEY ARE BLOW AGAIN LESS THAN 6 MONTHES LATER. *AK

AFTER ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY FORD THUNDERBIRD, I NOW REFUSE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD CAR AND I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A FORD VEHICLE TO ANYONE. BETWEEN THE POWER WINDOW FAILURES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, AIR COMPRESSOR FAILURE, BATTER FAILURE, FUEL PUMP FAILURE, THROTTLE FAILURE, ETC... I COULD KEEP GOING ON HOW MUCH TROUBLE IT HAS PUT ME THROUGH AND WASTE OF MONEY THAT THIS CAR HAS COST ME. I AM COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED. I WANTED TO PURCHASE AN AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE FOR CERTAIN ASPECTS OF KNOWING I AM HELPING OUT THE US(JOB WISE), BUT MY VIEWS HAVE SINCE CHANGED. BESIDES THE FACT THAT I REFUSE TO BUY ANOTHER FORD CAR, I REALIZE THAT QUALITY AND SAFETY ARE NOT FORD'S STRENGTH AND MAY LEAVE TO PURCHASE A FOREIGN CAR TO WHICH I MAY FIND SOME HAPPINESS. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP EVER OTHER WEEK. IF IT'S NOT ONE PROBLEM, IT IS ANOTHER. I AM TRULY FED UP. AND BY THE WAY, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I KNOW OTHERS, WHO THROUGH BAD EXPERIENCES ALSO REFUSE TO BUY FORD VEHICLES. *AK

NO SUMMARY INCLUDED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE USES EXTREME AMOUNTS OF GAS TO RUN, RESET GAS FEEDER, HOWEVER IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH AND HANDLE FAILED.

ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDER THE DASH FIRE, WIRING HARNESS , VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF 40 MIN. TT THE CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE WAS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE AUTHOMATIC SEAT BELT HARNESS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MALFUNCTIONED. *YH

AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE DURING FRONTAL COLLISION; REARENDED ANOTHER SLOWLY MOVING VEHICLE; FRONT END WENT UNDER BUMPER. TT