The contact owns a 2005 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH over a speed bump, the contact heard a loud grinding noise with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fuel leaking from the fuel tank with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with no warning illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,118.
Ford Thunderbird fuel leak problems
29 of the 2,012 owner complaints about the Ford Thunderbird describe fuel leak, most of them for the 1992 model year.
- owner complaints
- 29
- worst model year
- 1992
- typical mileage
- 89,000
By model year
- 20054
- 20041
- 19974
- 19964
- 19952
- 19943
- 19932
- 19926
- 19911
- 19902
Often reported together
Fuel smell 4Check engine light 3Fuel pump 2Stalling 1Grinding brakes 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford thunderbird. The contact stated that while inside the vehicle, an abnormal odor appeared as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed the oil and noticed fuel leaking from the fuel tank. The contact mentioned that the failure was currently still being experienced. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact mentioned the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v113000 (fuel system, gasoline) as a possible solution to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford thunderbird. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a crack in the fuel system and a vapor fuel leak. As a result, the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v113000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 11,000. Updated 08/22/16*lj updated 08/30/16*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford thunderbird. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact smelled "raw" fuel in the vehicle. The contact noticed fuel leaked all over the garage at home and the check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that fuel was leaking around the seam of the fuel tank cover. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 91,000.
When I inserted the key to start the car, the battery (located in the trunk) exploded. It sounded like a gun shot inside the car, the battery was blown open at both ends and the battery fluid was thrown around the trunk cavity where the spare tire is also housed. A service tech advised me that a spark was necessary to ignite the sulfuric gas leaking from the battery. No one has been able to identify the source of the spark.
In the middle of august I smelt gas when I drove. And the smell has become stronger and stronger. Today (10/10/2011) I went to a vehicle repair shop and was told the leaking is on the top of fuel tank and could not be repaired in the shop. I checked online and found many people have experienced this very dangerous leak. Please click the link: http://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-t872_ds478881. This car must be recalled for fuel leaking.
Fuel leak from fuel tank when full . Dangerous , could cause a fire . Auto is parked in a garage inside of my house . Unable to fill tank because of condition . Ford will not repair . Around 45,000 miles , never in accident & fuel system never worked on . I think this is very negligent on ford's part .
1)1992 ford thunderbird VIN [xxx], fuel line chaffed against floor pan causing a pin hole resulting in fuel leakage (exactly as in nhsa id: 97v159000 issued 09/17/1997). 2) fuel line leaked strong odor and exteam fire danger. 3)john's repair 189 e. 2nd s. Soda springs, id replaced fuel line 10/20/03 $292.66. Contacted ford at 800‑392‑3673, 07/28/2004, they stated this VIN had no outstanding recalls, they couldn't cross check the federal safety agency id # to ford's recall number and ford wouldn't reimburse me for repair.*ak updated 07/25/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
The consumer noticed the fuel line was leaking gas. An independent shop replaced the fuel rail. Dealer notified. Please provide further information.
A leaking fuel line on my 1997 ford thunderbird, (v6 engine), with 113000 miles on the car. I had the car towed to a ford dealer who suggested replacing completely both fuel lines, because there seemed to be corrosion, so that was done at a cost to me of $548. As far as I know this car has never been in any accidents, although I bought the car used a few years ago. Luckily I noticed fuel leaking from the fuel line, and then had the car towed by aaa to the ford dealer. So no fire occurred. The car being just 6 years old, I am surprised that there would be a leaking fuel line. Apparently corrosion resulted in the fuel line leaking underneath the car near the gas tank.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel tank may have a localized thin wall section in the lower half of the tank. The fuel tank may crack creating a potential for a fuel leak and fuel odor. The "service engine soon" indicator may illuminate.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge. The recall began on april 4, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673, lincoln at 1‑800‑521‑4140.
Recall number 05V113000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, district of columbia, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maryland, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, wisconsin, and west virginia. Movement of the fuel lines causes the nylon fuel line jumper to chafe against the floor pan. This wear can cause a pin hole in the fuel line resulting in fuel leakage.
- Risk
- This fuel leakage results in dampness and fuel odor, and if an ignition source was present, a fire could result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a plastic convolute covering around the fuel lines. If the lines show a leak, the lines will be replaced first.
Recall number 97V159000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Thunderbird fuel leak
Which Ford Thunderbird years have fuel leak problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1992 (6 complaints), 1996 (4 complaints) and 1997 (4 complaints).
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