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 pump problems
14 of the 2,012 owner complaints about the Ford Thunderbird describe fuel pump failure, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 30,500
By model year
- 20052
- 20024
- 19951
- 19942
- 19921
- 19913
- 19901
Often reported together
Stalling 3Fuel smell 2Fuel leak 2Won't start 1Transmission failure 1Shudder 1Loss of power 1Check engine light 1
What owners say
1st had to have 8 coils replaced ,2002 not covered on recall, but 2003 and after were. Yesterday had to have it towed to a ford dealer, car would not start. After a diagnosis, found the fuel pump needed replaced and fuel filter. The cost was $1500.00. There were 4 other t-birds there plus mine with the same problem. What next? Do I need a tow truck to follow me all the time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford thunderbird. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was restarted, but completely shut down. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, but the exact cause of the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The failure recurred and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed and the fuel pressure was replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the rear module and fuel pump were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,168. Updated 11/17/16*lj
While driving at 35 MPH on state route 179 my vehicle started running rough than stalled completely making it difficult to steer and stop the vehicle. I had it towed to a repair shop where they replaced the fuel pump. When the engine stalled, it was in a curve and I barely was able to keep from going off the roadway. I shudder to think of what would have happened at higher speed.
Vehicle stalls and wont restart unless you put in a new 15 amp fuse for the fuel pump circuit. Fuel pump is failing. This is a known product problem on the forums and ford has not announced a recall. I called ford and they said sorry nothing we can do.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford thunderbird. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who stated that the fuel pump caused the failure to occur. The fuel pump was replaced. The failure occurred again after driving approximately 400 miles. The fuel pump was replaced a second time. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the parts were unavailable. The current mileage was 28,079. The failure mileage was 27,676. Updated 07/08/11 *bf updated 09/19/11
In the u.s. Military stationed in europe. Fuel pump and relay malfunctioned. While installing new fuel pump and relay, the ford technician found the wiring harness providing current to the pump was improperly installed or was a faulty design. It had chaffed through the harness casing exposing the charred and melted wires inside. Subsequent chaffing of inner wires caused a short in the circuit and melting of the wires themselves. Due to the proximity of the short, an explosion could occur if fuel vapors are present. The technician was surprised it had not exploded. This vehicle has a current recall for other fuel system defects. A combination of the 2 could be deadly if the owner in unaware of either problem area. I have and will retain the harness for further investigation if needed.
After all the problems that I have experienced with my ford thunderbird, I now refuse to purchase another ford car and I would never recommend a ford vehicle to anyone. Between the power window failures, transmission failure, air compressor failure, batter failure, fuel pump failure, throttle failure, etc... I could keep going on how much trouble it has put me through and waste of money that this car has cost me. I am completely dissatisfied. I wanted to purchase an american made vehicle for certain aspects of knowing I am helping out the us(job wise), but my views have since changed. Besides the fact that I refuse to buy another ford car, I realize that quality and safety are not ford's strength and may leave to purchase a foreign car to which I may find some happiness. It has gotten to the point where the car is in the shop ever other week. If it's not one problem, it is another. I am truly fed up. And by the way, I know for a fact that I am not the only person with these problems. I know others, who through bad experiences also refuse to buy ford vehicles.
The fuel pump has been replaced 2x since the beginning to july 1998. The when you fill the tank it is as if someone has turned on a fauced directly underneath the vehicle and gasoline just pours out. Gasoline fumes are always present in the vehicle. We have been to 3 mechanics and all have claimed that it is faulty fuel pump but the vehicle continues to leak gasoline. The problem started before the 60,000 warranty ran out but we weren't able to take it to the dealership because we were on vaction at the time. As soon as we returned we took the vehicle to the ford dealership and they claimed it wasn't covered because we were 1100 miles over the warranty. The vehicle is still leaking gasoline and fumes are always present . Any assistance would be appreciated since we are at a loss as to who to turn to. This is a problem that nobody has been able to fix but $1200 later we still have an unsafe vehicle. *ak( dot number: )
Fuel pump assembly failed on two occasions, resulting in leakage and fumes.
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 pump
Which Ford Thunderbird years have fuel pump failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (4 complaints), 1991 (3 complaints) and 1994 (2 complaints).
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