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1993 Ford Thunderbird engine complaints

Page 3 of 7: complaints 41 to 70 of 172, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1993 Ford Thunderbird engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Mar 20, 2001 · Engine · NJ

Loss of coolant and engine check light would come on. Vehicle taken to dealer, and informed of a head gasket failure on it 3.8l v6 engine, and it was not cover under a manufacturer's extended warranty. *ak

Filed Mar 6, 2001 · Engine · CA

Vehicle was blowing white smoke out of back of vehicle due to a leaky head gasket, allowing coolant to leak onto engine. Dealer replaced gasket and milled down head.

Filed Feb 20, 2001 · Engine · OH

Ford refuses to address this issue.so much for "a consumer driven company". No safety defect mentioned.

Filed Feb 9, 2001 · Engine · FL

My 3.8l engine's cylinder head gaskets failed. Ford has conceded that this is a problem and has issued recalls for the same engine 1994 and up, but mine is a 1993 and has the same engine. I have been on several web sites where many people who 1993 3.8l engines have had the same problem. Its apparent that the problem resides in 1993 engines too but ford has yet to issue a recall for 1993 engines and they should. Repairs for this problem cost me over $2000 at my local ford dealer.

Filed Feb 5, 2001 · Engine · CT

While vehicle was still park in driveway engine started shaking. Consumer took vehicle for a test, and white smoke was coming from pipe, and anti-freeze smell was felt inside of vehicle then, dealer stated that engine had a blown head gasket. *ak the manufacturer had recalled other vehicles with this defect but declined to fix the consumer's vehicle.

Filed Feb 5, 2001 · Engine · MA

Head gasket failure. Ford implies that head gaskets should last 100,000 miles. Will not honor on thunderbird.

Filed Jan 16, 2001 · Body, Brakes · CA

Pirelli tires were replaced at 55000 miles and are worn after 40000 miles.

Filed Jan 10, 2001 · Engine · DE

Head gasket failed and was replaced. Replacement only lasted about 1 year, needs to be replaced again. Also, engine will be replaced.

Filed Jan 3, 2001 · Engine · VA

A recall for premature failure of head gaskets has been inititated for the 94 and 95 models. A simple look at your own database plus my experience indicates the head gasket problem is much wider than just these two model years.

Filed Dec 18, 2000 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

Would like a refund of $1619.01 for head gasket repair. Would like volt meter and cruiz control fixed.

Filed Dec 17, 2000 · Engine · MI

Head gaskets were over tightened on assemebly line,1994 and later were recalled.

Filed Dec 13, 2000 · Engine · MS

Problem with engine hesitation/ loss of coolant and overheating when driving. Vehicle taken to an independent repair shop, and informed consumer that 3.8l engine experienced a head gasket failure. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under an extended warranty. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

Filed Dec 12, 2000 · Engine · NY

94+up 3.8's repaired for free but not 93 and down! Same engine why not same solution?

Filed Dec 7, 2000 · Engine · NY

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Dec 5, 2000 · Engine · PA

Consumer was traveling at regular speed and vehicle stalled. Cooliant was running very low. She took vehicle to the dealership, they said that head gasket broke.

Filed Dec 1, 2000 · Engine · TN

I brought the car used with approximatly 73,000 mi. After putting on only about 10,000 miles the crankshaft snapped. Furtherer investigation revieled a previous blown head gasket repair. Coolant contamination of the crankcase when a head gasket blows often times results in damage to the crankshaft and subsequent failure. I've contacted ford and they are playing dumb. The 1993 thunderbird sc 3.8 liter engine is the exactly the same engine as in the 1994, 1995 thunderbirds. What gives? I'm bummed that ford is not doing the right thing.

Filed Nov 30, 2000 · Engine · FL

Head gasket failed at around 95,000 miles paid repair shop $1700+ to replain the heads and replace the gasket. Recently found out this is an ongoing problem with this 3.8l engine and ford will not fix it. Problem still not fixed engine still running poorly and coolent levels still droping. White cloud of smoke when engine is started.

Filed Nov 28, 2000 · Engine · OH

Head gaskets failed.

Filed Nov 24, 2000 · Engine · NH

Gaskets were leaking behind the timing chain cover due to cracked heads, this caused vehicle to overheat. Consumer stated that white smoke was blowing out the exhaust.

Filed Nov 11, 2000 · Engine · OH

Blown head gasket not covered since ford won't cover 1993 model...oly the 1994 and newer.

Filed Nov 6, 2000 · Engine · CA

Two years ago, my son and I were almost killed when we were driving in 55 MPH traffic in the mira mesa area of san diego, and my 1993 ford t-bird engine failed due to defective engine gaskets--the exact symptoms described in ford recall #00m10. Fortunately, we were able to get our car over to the side of the road and no one was hurt.

Filed Oct 23, 2000 · Engine · CA

Vehilce stops while driving as if the ignition has been turned off, no studder, not rough ride it just turns off and when it starts rough like firing order is incorrect then idles with a slight miss every 5-10 seconds. Nlm

Filed Oct 13, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Ignition switch shorted out causing turn signals to be inoperable, rear window defroster to be inoperable, temperature contol unit to be inoperable, and the alternator was unable to charge the battery. Coolant gauge stays at cold, dealer replaced thermostat due to improper installation.

Filed Oct 12, 2000 · Engine · NY

Damaged during assembly

Filed Oct 12, 2000 · Engine · NJ

Head gasket and noise in bottom of engine, running rough with check guage light coming on and overheating,this happened while on the freeway immedialtely got off and took it over to rice and holman the next day.

Filed Oct 10, 2000 · Engine · MI

Vehicle stalls/overheats, engine check light comes on. Dealer will not repair at consumers cost because recall that was found for the problem was towards a later model.*ak the head gasket is blown. Heavy white smoke comes from exhaust pipe and vehicle overheats.

Filed Oct 10, 2000 · Engine · KY

This is the second ford vehicle with 3.8l that we have owned. Both vehicles suffered from the same problem of premature head gasket failure. The first vehicle was a 1993 mercury sable with the 3.8l engine. Every mechanic I have talked to knows that these head gaskets fail at or about 60,000 miles. Is ford going to do any thing about it? It has costed us 2000.00 now between the two vehicles.

Filed Oct 8, 2000 · Engine · WA

Blown headgasket,damaged engine required replacement of engine. Why doesn't ford play fair?

Filed Sep 29, 2000 · Engine · MO

It seems like ford has a problem with all of there 3.8l engins and needs to do somthing about this if they want to keep happy customers.

Filed Sep 29, 2000 · Engine · IN

Engine overheating since 36797 miles dealer examined, same problem 36813 miles dealer examined again 41803 again cooling system problems with overheating. Said that head gasket failure and that ford was having problems with head gasket bolts and needed to replace all bolts on head gasket or new head gasket would fail. Ford motor company was no help and upset with dealer also. Recent recalls of 1994 vehicles with same engine with same problems are also frustrating. Why do they not look at number of failures of this engine and include them in the recall if they experience this problem.

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