no report yet
Doors: latch
Risk. THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.
1996 Ford ThunderbirdProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 233 owner complaints about the 1996 Ford Thunderbird, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 22, 2019. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1996 Ford Thunderbird has problems
233 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
65Engine and engine cooling2 crash/fire/injury
46Service brakes, hydraulic2 crash/fire/injury
21Power train1 crash/fire/injury
20Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
14Exterior lighting
14Fuel system, gasoline
13Tires
10Equipment
10Structure
5510 other systems16 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 65 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 46 | 2 |
| Power train | 21 | 1 |
| Visibility | 20 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 14 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 14 | 1 |
| Tires | 13 | 1 |
| Equipment | 10 | 0 |
| Structure | 10 | 1 |
| 10 other systems | 55 | 16 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1996 Ford Thunderbird recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Appliance: air conditioner
Risk. BLOWER MALFUNCTIONS LIMITING OR STOPPING OUTPUT CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do engine and engine cooling problems start?
79kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 24 engine and engine cooling complaints. 79% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 15% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
1under 30k miles19under 100k miles5100k miles or more
Best & worst years
1996 vs. every other Thunderbird year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Thunderbird median. How we score
'67'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'02'03'04'05
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1996 Ford Thunderbird safety ratings
1996 Ford Thunderbird 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Thunderbird owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED AN ABNORMALLY STRONG COOLANT ODOR. THE CONTACT THEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE ANTIFREEZE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD FAILED. THE INTACT MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO SPILL. THE…
DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD. FORD REPLACED ONCE, FREE OF CHARGE @ 48,523 MILES. CRACKED AGAIN @ APPX. 95,700 MILES. FORD REFUSED TO REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE. REPLACED ONE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD WITH ONE THAT WAS JUST AS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THIS MANIFOLD, IT WAS SO BAD. *JB
INTAKE (PLASTIC) CRACKS;LEAVING FAMILY AND I STRANDED ON 30 MILE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY WITH NO HOUSES OR BUSINESS. TOWED TO STATION AND FIXED RECALLED INTAKE. TAXI COST HOME AND BACK 2 DAYS LATER TO RETRIEVE CAR SOON STARTED HAVING HEATER COIL LEAKS AND OVERHEATING;ANTIFREEZE CAUSING HEADACHES. ALMOST…
Own a 1996 Thunderbird?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.