Had head gasket, crankshaft, and rod bearings replaced at 67,000 and 68,000 miles, and at 83,000 both are shot again.
1993 Ford Thunderbird engine complaints
Page 4 of 7: complaints 71 to 100 of 172, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Head gaskets failed,head lights failed,A/C failed,throttle cable failed,thermostat failed,clutch fan failed,tape player never worked
Ford has admitted they have a problem with the head gasket in their 3.8l engine, but are only replacing those in cars 1994 or newer. Calls to ford stated they won't cover this even though it is the same engine, has less then 100,000 miles, because it is in a 1993 vehicle. Their excuse was they havn't received enough complaints from owners of 1993 vehicles. Request to talk to someone in management in customer service was denied by a supervisor. This could have been a serious problem, as steam blocked my vision when the head gasket blew.
Steam coming from tailpipe. My mechanic knew the promlem immediately, says it's common on ford 3.8l. Gasket made of shoddy material. Funny,I like t-birds, my second one.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Head gaskets failed prematurely, seems to be a common problem even privious to 1994 3.8l's
Vehicle experienced a lost of power and white smoke coming out of tail pipe; vehicle taken to independence repairs shop and informed of a head gasket failure and vehicle was not cover under mfr's extends warranty. Please provide any further details.
Car has had upper engine rebuilt, car stalls while driving with no warning, computer read no date when tested. Car makes growling sound when brakes are applied. Brake system has been checked, diferential fluid has been replaced as suggested by manufacturer.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Head gasket failure w/ 3.8 l engine!
Why would a 1993 thunderbird with less than 40,000 miles have it head gaskets burn out so early? I have always brought the car back to the dealer for it's annual upkeep. Oil always changed, tires rotated. I though I was buying a car that would last me for a long time and 7 years into it I'm doing major repairs to the engine? That is not right! I could have put that money down as a good down payment on another car!!! I would like my money back and I have all my receipts to prove all this. Where or who do I speak with to get some action done?
Head gaskets blown @38000, main bearing failed 1 month later, head gasket failed again @95000
Upon starting, white cloud of smoke emitted from exhaust, engine running rough, engine temp. Gauge rose quickly. Test revealed blown head gasket.
Was told this was not covered back in early 2000, would like to know if it is now covered. This vehicles engine was fords mistake, they should stand behind it.
Head gasket failure at 57,446 miles 3.8l engine engulfed is white smoke. Between 57.446 mile and 58,346 all kinds of electrical problems, e.e. Mirror switch, door locks, odometer, tripometer, window swithches. Third time for door locks. All ford motor says is they will document the complaint.
Blown head gasket, engine spewed white smoke via tailpipe. Engine won't fire nor start.
Engine failure due to gaskets, replaced multi-function switch several times as well as fuel line, electrical systems malfunction in the power mirrors and the power locks, illumination controls as well as motor in drivers side door , seatbelts will not engage and signals for seatbelt to be worn , seatbelt alarm will not shut off until this problem is solved.coolent system failure at point of engine failure , decrease in compression and white smoke from hood, levels read very hot!!.
Check engine light came on, both gasket were blown.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
This vehicle first had a head gasket failure in 1997 w/only 85002 miles on it. It was not under warranty (75000 mi), so ford made me pay (total: $1135.36). In january 2000 after 50,000 additional miles the same problem occurred. I can not afford to fix the vehicle, nor will ford. I have seen on your site that a class action suit is pending for this specific problem although my vehicle was not mentioned. How do I go about getting my money back and have ford fix my vehicle? I am angry, frustrated, and tired of walking to work.
While driving on the highway white smoke came from under the hood, and consumer was not able to see. Consumer was told that is was a blown head gasket. *ak
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Newer vehicles with similar engines have had warranty extensions to cover this repair. Why is this make/model with same engine not being covered?
Headgasket blew, causing visibililty problem.ford refuses to include thunderbirds in its headgasket recall.
Blown head gaskets two times. 1st time at 57k - 2nd time at 105k.
3.8l engine failure, ford will not compensate due to my vehicle being a 1993, even though this is an acknowledged desigin defect in the 3.8l engines.
Cold start, loud banging noise, smoke coming from tailpipe, antifreeze leaking, due to bad head gasket.
Same 3.8 engine in other year and model of vehicle has been covered under extended warranty by ford. Possible reimbursement for 1993 ford thunderbird ??
Blown engine head gasket - requiring multiple componet replacement & pressure testing.
Experienced head gasket failure on 3.8l ford engine. Repair cost $917. The same problem occurred on a previously owned 1988 thunderbird with the same engine and approximately the same mileage. A year ago my son had the same failure on his 1995 ford mustang and has since received notice that ford has extended the warranty for this year and model and that the cost of repairs will be reimbursed. If ford admits to the problem in the 1994 model years and younger, why wouldn't the same be true of earlier models with the same engine? I was informed by my mechanic that repaired engines on both my thunderbirds that he had repaired a number of other out-of-warranty fords with the same problem. The extended warranty that ford is offering is 7 yrs. Or 100,000 miles. My 1993 would have fallen in this category if ford had admitted the problem back in april of 1998 when it was repaired. I feel that ford should stand behind all 3.8l complaints.
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