Ford Thunderbird jerking problems

Filed Oct 7, 2008 · Acceleration · 63,000 miles · OR

I have a 1994 ford thunderbird that the cruise control continuously lurches or lunges while engaged. I can no trust it so I must shut the cruise control off in order to prevent a possible accident. This started sometime ago and continues to this date.

Filed Jul 31, 2007 · Electrical, Engine · 51,000 miles · AL

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford thunderbird. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle jerked forward and the contact heard a popping noise coming from the engine. The dealer stated that a coil and a spark plug were defective and they made the replacement. Approximately three weeks later, while driving 70 MPH, the failure recurred. The dealer stated that a coil and a spark plug were defective and they made the repair once again. The current mileage was 52,705 and failure mileage was 51,000. The consumer stated the vehicle has 8 coils, one for each cylinder/spark plug two of the coils have failed. Updated 09/05/07.

Filed Oct 24, 2005 · Acceleration · 16,028 miles · IL · crash

On august 19, 2004 I was parking my 2004 t-bird in the parking lot at work. My foot was on the brake. As I eased in, I realized I wanted to edge forward an inch or two so I slowly began to release my foot from the brake and without warning the car lurched forward hitting the curb and flew forward 4-5 feet while I was putting extreme pressure on the brake pedal. It finally stopped as the car actually hit the company signage. The front end was damaged to the tune of ------. Not understanding how it happened, I chalked it up to human error, although I knew I had not touched the gas pedal. October 5, 2005. I am slowly pulling into my garage in the same 2004 t-bird. As I approach the curb and a 5 foot deep cement stoop, I need to edge in another 1 to 2 inches to clear the garage door. As I gingerly begin to release the pressure on my brake, the vehicle lurches forward hitting the curb and flying forward into an upright freezer in the garage on the stoop- 5 feet from where the car usually is parked. The force is so great that the freezer is t-boned and pushed into the finished wall of the garage, which in turn rearranges the cabinet in the powder room in the living quarters of my home. The counter top/sink combo is shattered. The event was most disturbing and frightening. The car was towed to the dealer service dept. Of willowbrook ford in willowbrook, il. After examination and finding no mechanical defects it was transferred to the body shop where I was informed over the phone that nothing was found mechanically wrong and they couldn't reproduce the incident. The insurance had approved payment for body repairs and so it was fixed. The car has been returned to me completely repaired, but I am never going to drive it again. A t-bird enthusiast website www.thunderbirdnest.com also relates similar stories of horror. Perhaps ford will do something once someone is maimed or killed.

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Electrical · 9,500 miles · CA · crash · 2 injuries

I was driving in very heavy traffic in downtown beverly hills. I was stopped at a traffic light and when the light turned green my car jerked and rapidly acelerated. My car started to go faster and faster and the brakes would not work they were frozen. The car was going so fast and it would not stop. My passenger and myself were screaming and to avoid running over pedestrians I ran up a curb. This accident was so sevre that my car hit a traffic light and it fell onto my car. There were several witnesses to this accident. There were several police cars as well as paramedic's as well as the news media. The car was so badly damaged that the enginerring company that was hired by my insurance company cannot check for mechanical failure. I feel luck to be alive.the entire front end of the car is totally crushed and colapsed. The day of the accident the car had been jerking harshly forward. I just had around the town driving and I had no worry that the car had any type of major mechanical failure. I had just had my car serviced and it only had 9,500 miles. Shortly after I purchased the car it was recalled. I was told by ford of beverly hills that the car was unrepairable and they gave me a brand new vehicle. I was never told what the problem was. I am young and a recent college graduate. I am not experienced in these type of matters. I can't get information from ford. Can you help me with this matter. Thank you, elizabeth leon

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · CA

Engine - makes a moaning noise and raises the idle. As a result, the care wants to accelerate, even without pressure to the accelerator. Paint - paint oxidized on all skyward facing surfaces. Spots of rust have developed. Power lock - driver's side power lock makes a noise, but does not move the lock transmission - doesn't shift when it is supposed to, and when it does, it is very jerky.

Filed Jan 12, 2004 · Steering · CA

Loss of power steering when making left turns. (sometimes rite turns too). Causing steering wheel to jerk severely to the left or rite.

Filed Oct 17, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 115,000 miles · AZ

Consumer had problems with vehicle jerking forward while at stop lights. The vehicle eventually would not start. The vehicle was checked by three certified mechanics. The consumer was informed that the engine head gaskets wore out. Vehicle was repaired. *ak the vehicle also experienced problems with it's power window's, air conditioner and transmission.

Filed Mar 5, 2002 · Acceleration, Brakes · OH

On two occasions in heavy traffic vehicle suddenly lurched forward. Dealer was notified. *ak engine roars, consumer would tap the accelerator and would go to the floor, feels as if vehicle is put in neutral. Dealer replaced transmission gear shift switch assembly. Check engine light came on intermittently. Dealer replace 2 o2 sensors and maf sensor. Vehicle pulls to right. Wheel alignment performed. Steering wheel shimmy when applying brakes. Prformed front disc/ rear drum brake service. Replaced front rotors after brake job due to pulsation. Steering column had to be replaced. At times, vehicle will not shutt off. Right door lock inoperative. Dealer can not duplicate. Customer states fluid leak at rear end. Right axle seal replaced. Passenger head rest rattles over bumps. Dealer could not duplicate. Consumer states noise from seat when no one is sitting there, dealer states this is normal. Seat track covers mising one laying in the rear floor. Seat track cover reinstalled. Consumer stats there is a pinging noise upon acceleration. Dealer suggested higher fuel octane. Customer states brake pedal seems low. Brakes ok. Front end shimmies at 50 to 60 MPH. 4 tires balanced. Dome light will not come on when driver outside door handle pulled up. Temperature and speedomoter light burned was inoperative. Dealer replaced instrument cluster bulbs. Coolant leak under car and warning light is on. Dealer found no leaks and coolant level low. Consumer states motor will roar and shift into gear. Driver side headlamp burnt out. Headlamp replaced. Transmission slips when not in overdrive. Dealer replaced transmission oil pan and gasket.

Filed Feb 24, 2002 · Steering, Transmission · TX

Transmission slips out of gear and jerks the car around and the steering has a lot of slack in it about an inch.

Filed Mar 20, 2001 · Transmission · OK

Transmission lurches, engine sounds like it will stall, rpms go up, but vehicle will not accelerate.