Model year record

1996 Ford Thunderbird

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

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.

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.