Ford Thunderbird loss of power problems

Filed Jan 20, 2017 · Engine · 33,130 miles · MA

Vehicle unexpectedly lost power upon mild acceleration on a city street and developed a rough, skipping and hesitant idle upon warm up. We immediately brought the car in for evaluation at the sarat ford dealership in agawam, ma. They diagnosed the dreaded thunderbird coil on plug failure in this vehicle at only 33,165 total miles. Being that this car is now over ten years old, I was told that the fomoco extended warranty (10 years and 100,000 miles) on this vehicle, for this very same problem, does not apply. What is extremely aggravating and really maddening with this is that they grossly over charged me for the parts. Much more than what ford charges on their own parts website for both the 8 spark plugs and the 8 coil components. Rather than trying to help a customer get through this unexpected and expensive mechanical failure (...which they are fully aware of and should help cover) they decide to allow their dealers to price gouge. I have all paperwork from the repair.

Filed Sep 29, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 44,168 miles · TN

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

Filed Oct 29, 2014 · Engine · 34,958 miles · MO

Car sputtered and misfired causing partial power loss and speed loss. Problem is ignition coils. Have now had to replace a total of three during two similar events. Two dealers failed to inform me of extended warranty on this known problem.

Filed Feb 23, 2012 · Engine · 4,500 miles · TX

This is a copy of a thunderbirdnest.com forum members complaint, which there are several others reporting the same condition. I could not say it better so im using it. This could be real scary in heavy traffic, especially on the highways. I am writing to hopefully prevent a dangerous and serious situation. I own a 2002 ford thunderbird. This particular car and others like it have defective ignition coils which could cause the car(s) to become involved in accidents. The coils are prone to cease functioning at any moment, thus causing the engine to suddenly and rapidly lose power. This is dangerous at best at low speeds, and deadly at highway speeds. The ford motor company has issued a letter stating that 2003-2005 thunderbirds can have their coils replaced at no cost to the owner. However, they have failed to include the owners of 2002 models in this action. The result of this is that 2002 owners cannot afford to have their coils replaced due to the expense (between $1500 and $2500). This places thousands of cars on the road that endanger not only their own occupants, but those of other vehicles as well. Since ford has acknowledged that there is a problem with the coils (the 2002 uses the same as those being replaced for free), I implore you to use whatever influence you might have to rectify this situation. Many potential deaths could be avoided if ford would simply include the 2002 model thunderbird in the list of approved vehicles for coil replacement at no cost. I personally own a 2002 ford thunderbird myself and only have approx. 4,500 miles on it. This week I started my vehicle and experienced this same issue with the vehicle miss-firing. I also have a check engine light coming on. I immediately had it checked and the test detected the #5 cylinder is misfiring. My vehicle has never seen rain or snow. Why can't we get ford to do something?

Filed Oct 12, 2010 · Engine · 35,000 miles · FL

No particular events leading to failure, just mileage (about 35k). Problem is ignition misfires - not consistent at all but causes nearly complete loss of power, stumbling, particularly on acceleration (on ramps, passing, etc.). The problem is intermittent - at times causes loss of power, engine stalls and shuts down completely, at other times causes inability to accelerate or even hold constant speed. Nothing has been done to correct problem except having misfire codes cleared from time to time (when car runs long enough to get to a service station). Ford has acknowledged identical problem for identical engine in 2003-2005 thunderbird and lincoln ls, and covers cost of full repair(customer satisfaction program 07m07). Ford extended the warranty on 2003-2005 vehicles to cover repair (replace cam cover gaskets, spark plugs and coils on plugs), but for some reason did not include the 2002 models. Complaint has been registered with ford customer relationship center, but they claim they can't extend warranty to 2002 models and they can't communicate complaint to engineering or management staff.

Filed Aug 5, 2009 · Acceleration, Airbags · 26,000 miles · GA

The most recent problem started in june 2009 when the airbag indicator light came on for no reason and wouldn't go off (is it working or not? Safety issue?) then within a matter of weeks everything on the steering column controls quit working or went berserk. The cruise controls suddenly went haywire accelerating when any button was pushed now they don't work at all (safety issue). A car pulled out in front of me, I slammed on the brakes and laid on the horn and nothing!!! A terrible crash was missed by literally inches( safety issue)...30 minutes later the horn worked. The next day I tried about 30 times and I got it to beep twice. The radio/cd controls sometimes work and sometimes don't. Change from radio to cd and suddenly the volume is blasting (shocked enough for it to be a safety issue). I was told over the phone it is a clock spring issue and the estimate was $450!!!!! In addition my 2002 thunderbird was purchased jan 2,2003. It was one of the last cars off of the line before the 2002 model switch to 2003. I have had the same coil on plug issues that were recalled on 2003's, yet dealer would do nothing for me.it started only 2,000 mls out of initial warranty. I have replaced 3 of the coils/gasket cover and now the 4th coil is bad with gasket leaking. The design is unchanged from 2002 to 2003, why not fix mine? Twice I have lost power when accelerating and the car hesitated or stalled in middle of driving. If you don't consider that a safety issue then try pulling out in atlanta traffic and see what you think. In addition now the passenger side auto door latch won't work. This is by far the worst car I have ever had in my life. I had purchased three prior ford vehicles at the same dealership and they would do nothing for me. I never had the first complaint on any other ford vehicles.... Now the dealer has gone out of business...... Please I am begging you see if you can get these issues fixed I have poured enough money into this car and it isn't fair!

Filed Jun 1, 2009 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · NJ

I am writing to hopefully prevent a dangerous and serious situation. I own a 2002 ford thunderbird. This particular car and others like it have defective ignition coils which could cause the car(s) to become involved in accidents. The coils are prone to cease functioning at any moment, thus causing the engine to suddenly and rapidly lose power. This is dangerous at best at low speeds, and deadly at highway speeds. The ford motor company has issued a letter stating that 2003-2005 thunderbirds can have their coils replaced at no cost to the owner. However, they have failed to include the owners of 2002 models in this action. The result of this is that 2002 owners cannot afford to have their coils replaced due to the expense (between $1500 and $2500). This places thousands of cars on the road that endanger not only their own occupants, but those of other vehicles as well. Since ford has acknowledged that there is a problem with the coils (the 2002 uses the same as those being replaced for free), I implore you to use whatever influence you might have to rectify this situation. Many potential deaths could be avoided if ford would simply include the 2002 model thunderbird in the list of approved vehicles for coil replacement at no cost. *tr --------------------

Filed Feb 25, 2009 · Electrical · VA

I am writing regarding a potentially serious and dangerous situation. I own a 2002 ford thunderbird -- an otherwise great car that I have learned has a significant design flaw. I have learned that this particular car and others like it (for example, model years 2003 through 2005) have defective ignition coils which could cause the car(s) to become involved in accidents. The coils are prone to cease functioning at any moment, thus causing the engine to suddenly and rapidly lose power. This is dangerous at best at low speeds, and deadly at highway speeds! The ford motor company has issued a letter stating that 2003-2005 thunderbirds can have their coils replaced at no cost to the owner. However, they have failed to include the owners of 2002 models in this action. Yet the 2002 model uses the same equipment as the 2003 through 2005 model years, and more 2002 models were sold than those of the subsequent years. The result of this? 2002 model owners cannot afford to have their coils replaced due to the expense (between $1500 and $2500). This places thousands of cars on the road that endanger not only their own occupants, but those of other vehicles as well. Since ford has acknowledged that there is a problem with the coils (the 2002 uses the same as those being replaced for free), I implore you to use whatever influence you might have to rectify this situation. Many potential deaths could be avoided if ford would simply include the 2002 model thunderbird in the list of approved vehicles for coil replacement at no cost. Thanks in advance!

Filed Sep 26, 2008 · Engine · CA

I am writing to hopefully prevent a dangerous and serious situation. I own a 2002 ford thunderbird. This particular car and others like it have defective ignition coils which could cause the car(s) to become involved in accidents. The coils are prone to cease functioning at any moment, thus causing the engine to suddenly and rapidly lose power. This is dangerous at best at low speeds, and deadly at highway speeds. The ford motor company has issued a letter stating that 2003-2005 thunderbirds can have their coils replaced at no cost to the owner. However, they have failed to include the owners of 2002 models in this action. The result of this is that 2002 owners cannot afford to have their coils replaced due to the expense (between $1500 and $2500). This places thousands of cars on the road that endanger not only their own occupants, but those of other vehicles as well. Since ford has acknowledged that there is a problem with the coils (the 2002 uses the same as those being replaced for free), I implore you to use whatever influence you might have to rectify this situation. Many potential deaths could be avoided if ford would simply include the 2002 model thunderbird in the list of approved vehicles for coil replacement at no cost.

Filed Sep 7, 2008 · Engine · IN

This is a copy of a forum members complaint. I could not say it better so I'm using it. I have not had the problem yet. But this could be real scary in heavy traffic, especially on the highways. I am writing to hopefully prevent a dangerous and serious situation. I own a 2002 ford thunderbird. This particular car and others like it have defective ignition coils which could cause the car(s) to become involved in accidents. The coils are prone to cease functioning at any moment, thus causing the engine to suddenly and rapidly lose power. This is dangerous at best at low speeds, and deadly at highway speeds. The ford motor company has issued a letter stating that 2003-2005 thunderbirds can have their coils replaced at no cost to the owner. However, they have failed to include the owners of 2002 models in this action. The result of this is that 2002 owners cannot afford to have their coils replaced due to the expense (between $1500 and $2500). This places thousands of cars on the road that endanger not only their own occupants, but those of other vehicles as well. Since ford has acknowledged that there is a problem with the coils (the 2002 uses the same as those being replaced for free), I implore you to use whatever influence you might have to rectify this situation. Many potential deaths could be avoided if ford would simply include the 2002 model thunderbird in the list of approved vehicles for coil replacement at no cost.