Ford Thunderbird misfire problems

Filed Sep 27, 2021 · Engine · 40,526 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact approached a stop sign and the vehicle stopped as needed; however, after the contact depressed on the accelerator pedal, the vehicle began to misfire and shuddered for several minutes. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the failure was related to TSB 05-16-2 (moisture build up on the plugs and on the cylinder) that caused the vehicle to misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,526.

Filed May 11, 2017 · Engine · 31,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford thunderbird. While driving 60 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle began idling roughly. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store where the employee found that cylinders 3, 4, and 7 were misfiring, as well as a random misfire. The contact opened the spark plug well and opened the coil pack. The contact discovered that the spark plug and coil pack were covered in oil. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact later spoke to a dealer who stated that they would come pick up the vehicle if the contact decided to have it serviced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they could not assist since there was no recall. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.

Filed May 4, 2017 · Engine · NJ

2004 ford thunderbird. Consumer writes in regards to defective ignition coils causes engine to mis-fire, dealership replaced defective coils under extended one-time warranty repair. Consumer states engine mis-fire still exists. *smd the consumer stated the engine misfired due to defective ignition coils. Two coils were replaced under warranty. The dealer would not replace any other coils that had not experienced any failure. The failure recurred. The check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be driven. Updated 05/4/2017

Filed Nov 23, 2015 · Engine · 30,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford thunderbird. While driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle began to drive abnormally while the misfired warning light illuminated. The contact could not describe the failure in great detail. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket and coil pack failed and need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired twice, but the failure was persistent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Oct 30, 2015 · Engine · 65,000 miles · TX

I've owned my 2003 thunderbird since it was new. It now has 65000 miles and is driven only 2000 miles a year, over the last 5 years. During this period, I have had all 8 coils replaced, one at a time. The first time was within the first 1000 miles. Generally it occurs while driving in traffic, being on the freeway or on local streets. The engine starts to misfire and not function. After the 3rd or so incident, I was informed that ford recognized the problem and would honor the repair. The only problem with this, knowing of the problem, they refused to replace all at the same time. In other words, they would only replace when the coil malfunctioned, this now has occurred 8 times. Now my motor has failed and needs to be replaced. My understanding is that when the coil malfunctions the corresponding cylinder also is not functioning properly. Again, the car only has 65000 miles and has never been mistreated. The cost to replace the engine is almost $10,000. This motor is a jaguar production 3.9 model. Done when ford had a brief relation with jaguar. To say the least, I am very disappointed with ford and their lack of taking responsibility. By the way, when they replace the motor, the old coils will be reinstalled on the rebuilt engine.

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 Sep 12, 2014 · Engine · 34,200 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford thunderbird. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition coils were misfiring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,200.

Filed Sep 8, 2014 · Engine · 10,200 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford thunderbird. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle sputtered and misfired, and a warning light illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 10,200.

Filed Jul 16, 2014 · Engine · 43,237 miles · PA

Re:2002 ford thunderbird at 43,237 miles the engine suddenly began running rough and misfiring.the passenger area immediately began to fill with exhaust fumes. The check engine light illuminated but did not flash to indicate a serious problem. Upon letting the top down the vehicle was slowly driven to a nearby ford dealership. The cylinder eight coil and spark plug were replaced which seemed to solve the problem. At 45,280 miles the same situation occurred and the cylinder six coil and spark plug were replaced. At 47,459 miles the same thing occurred yet again and cylinder coils two and three were replaced as well as four spark plugs. Despite the cost involved in the necessary repair work and the fact that all of the above incidents occurred well within the mileage of an extended warranty I maintained through ford motor company, the company advised that the time limit on my extended warranty had expired and the company is not willing to replace the remaining cylinder coils and spark plugs. I do not know if there have been carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of the passenger area filling with exhaust fumes when the engine begins running rough. I do know however that when an engine begins misfiring, raw gasoline pours into the combustion system and could cause a fire, I also know that carbon monoxide if not detected quickly can be fatal to human beings. I do not believe the above incidents are necessarily a warranty issue. They are however a health and safety issue. This problem appears to be systemic in nature and related to design problems of the 3.9l v8 engine utilized in the 2002 ford thunderbird. I recommend that ford motor company recall the 2002 ford thunderbird and replace all coils and spark plugs with reliable parts as I have been advised by a ford service employee that the replacement coils sometimes fail and must be replaced a second time.

Filed Aug 22, 2013 · Engine · 30,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford thunderbird. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the engine misfired and lost throttle response without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the coil over plug assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 36,000. The VIN was not available.