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1996 Ford Thunderbird problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Ford Thunderbird is engine and cooling, typically around 80,000 miles. It has 6.9 times the complaints of a typical Thunderbird model year.

Typical year6.9x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
233
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
115
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18-19mpg

The worst 1996 Ford Thunderbird problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

Overheating 11Brake failure 9Stalling 8Headlights 7Fire or smoke 6Loss of power 5Premature wear 5

Recalls 2

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported April 22, 1996 · 73,500 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
The driver's door, when closed only to the secondary latched position, may not sustain a 1,000 pound transverse load.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver door latch.

Recall number 96V070000 · Recall details

Equipment: appliance: air conditionerReported January 16, 1996 · 10,600 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Blower malfunctions limiting or stopping output can adversely affect windshield defrosting and defogging performance increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the semi-automatic temperature control modules with modules containing revised software.

Recall number 96V007000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Ford Thunderbird 115

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 115 bulletins for the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

1996 Ford Thunderbird fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.8L 6‑cylRWD172419
4.6L 8‑cylRWD152318

What 1996 Ford Thunderbird owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 22, 2019 · Airbags · WA

Air bag flashing code

Filed Jan 19, 2016 · Airbags · NY

When driving the air bag light began blinking the horn and cruise control switchesystem stopped working in motion failure of the clock spring

Filed Jul 12, 2011 · Engine · 60,000 miles · OR

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.

Filed May 10, 2011 · 123,100 miles · SC

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 the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 96v007000 (equipment:electrical:air conditioner) was related but the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage 123,100.

Filed Mar 17, 2008 · Body · CA

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.

Filed Aug 3, 2007 · Engine · 95,700 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jul 14, 2007 · Body, Engine · 20,000 miles · NC · 1 injury

Intake (plastic) cracks ;leaving family and I stranded on 30 mile stretch of highway with no houses or business. Towed to station and fixed recalled intake. Taxi cost home and back 2 days later to retrieve car soon started having heater coil leaks and overheating;antifreeze causing headaches. Almost $1000.00 to replace 30 dollar part(dash board and console removed and air condition unit disconnected and recharged) dealer took cost of next 2 replacement heater coils and it still needs 4th;no heat;still leaks antifreeze inside car. Intake manifold(plastic) cracked again;overheated and burnt me this time also causing serious damage to car;very costly which I guess we the consumer will have to bear. How many complaints does it take?

Filed Dec 26, 2006 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NJ

Tl* - the contact wanted to have repair done to 1996 ford thunderbird, however service bulletin #97m91, dated jan 19, 1998 (the federal safety agency 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 -

Filed Sep 13, 2006 · Engine · 84,518 miles · VA

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?

Filed Jul 6, 2006 · Brakes · 135,125 miles · NY

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.

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Compare the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

Other model years

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Questions about the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

Is the 1996 Ford Thunderbird reliable?

Owners have filed 233 complaints about the 1996 Ford Thunderbird, 6.9 times a typical Thunderbird model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Ford Thunderbird?

Engine and cooling, with 65 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is brakes (46).

How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Thunderbird have?

2 recalls, covering latches/locks/linkages and equipment.

What year does the Ford Thunderbird have bad engine?

The Ford Thunderbird model years with the most engine complaints are 1993 (172 complaints), 1996 (65 complaints) and 1994 (61 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford Thunderbird get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Ford Thunderbird range from 18 to 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 24 highway.

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