1996 Ford Thunderbird: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 233 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 233 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“When driving the air bag light began blinking the horn and cruise control switchesystem stopped working in motion failure of the clock spring”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2015
“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 vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 60,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford thunderbird. While driving approximately 25 mph with the air conditioner activated the fan blower stopped functioning. The contact stated the failure also occurred when the heat or defroster was activated. The functions would also operate erratically causing the fan blower to go from high to low on its own. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that NHTSA recall campaign id number: 96v007000 (equipment:electrical:air conditioner) was related but the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage 123,100.”Owner report · Equipment · Feb 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Opening doors from the inside, little by little, both doors failed to open from the inside, had to leave window or windows open to stick hand out to open door from the outside. Failure of these doors to function properly at some point if battery would give out would leave us locked in, but fortunately that did not happen due to us remembering to leave at least one window open. After some minor repair, found out plastic parts wore out and only one door can be unlocked from the outside. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2007
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2007
“Tl* - the contact wanted to have repair done to 1996 ford thunderbird, however service bulletin #97m91, dated jan 19, 1998 (NHTSA item number: 605621) expired and ford charged for the repairs. The mileage at the time of the failure was 80000. The contact said that the service bulletin was for the intake manifold. The contact wrote to ford. The refused to honor the service bulletin. *ak updated 2/6/2007 - *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2006
“Defective intake manifold on 1996 ford thunderbird. The car only has 84,450 miles on it! Cost was $1002.02 to repair. Why is the consumer being charged for this costly repair when this is a known defective part from the ford motor company?*jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated, while traveling at 30 mph the brakes failed while pressure was applied to the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to a service dealer, where a leak was found on the driver's side front hydraulic brake line. The line was corroded two inches from either side of a clip holding the brake line. No other corrosion was found on the remaining brake lines.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the intake manifold cracked and caused the vehicle to overheat without prior warning. The vehicle was seen by an independent repair shop. The repair shop personnel suggested the manifold cracked due to the composite plastic used in manufacturing. The manifold was replaced with an after market manifold made of metal material. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2005
“Intake manifold cracked. This part was made out of nylon and is a known defective part installed at the factory. Ford motor company refused to reimburse stating that there was a customer satisfaction action in 1996. Since the problem was due to a known defectivepart I think it should be covered for life of the vehicle. Later ford redisigned the part using aluminum instead of nylon. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULES WITH MODULES CONTAINING REVISED SOFTWARE.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1996 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Thunderbird by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Ford Thunderbird reliable?
NHTSA has 233 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Ford Thunderbird. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Thunderbird problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,259 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Ford Thunderbird have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.