Model year record

1996 Ford Thunderbird

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 295 owner complaints on file.

Ford Thunderbird, 1989–1997 generation
Pictured: the 1989–1997 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V070000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
73,500
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-22
Owners notified
1996-05-15

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V007000

Equipment: appliance: air conditioner

Component
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
10,600
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-16
Owners notified
1996-02-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

BLOWER MALFUNCTIONS LIMITING OR STOPPING OUTPUT CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULES WITH MODULES CONTAINING REVISED SOFTWARE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine2086,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor19—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1578,652 mi
Engine and engine cooling1260,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission11150,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner10123,100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components10—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system983,166 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc9—
Exterior lighting: headlights8—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip8—
Tires: tread/belt8—
Air bags: frontal7—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7—
Suspension: front7—
Unknown or other766,421 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system6—
Tires5—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system5—
Air bags4—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch4—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control3—
Exterior lighting: brake lights3—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings399,100 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3—
Power train3—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch3—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly3—
Structure: body: door3—
Vehicle speed control3—
Visibility: power window devices and controls3—
Electrical system: ignition2—
Electrical system: wiring2—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch269,999 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights2—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter2—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Seats: front assembly: recliner2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2135,125 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2—
Steering2—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2123,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2113,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core220,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element298,413 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1105,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure120,000 mi
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Unknown1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring190,000 mi
Wheels1—

The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Thunderbird model years

All Ford Thunderbird recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.