Have replaced via ford dealer throttle control sensor twice. First repair 2007. Second repair 2014, and now in 2020. I am facing same problem again. Obviously the control system is defective. The problem triggers vehicle limp mode while driving and in park.
Ford Thunderbird won't shift problems
13 of the 2,012 owner complaints about the Ford Thunderbird describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 1994 model year.
- owner complaints
- 13
- worst model year
- 1994
- typical mileage
- 38,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20051
- 20043
- 20032
- 19961
- 19944
- 19931
- 19921
Often reported together
What owners say
The first incident happened on 6/12/12 when the engine started sputtering and missing and then went into a "limp mode" and would only accelerate no more than 15 MPH. After taking it to the shop they determined that the ignition coil on cylinder #8 was bad and replaced it for $270. The second incident happened 9/7/13 and left my wife stranded on the side of the road. After doing research on the internet, I found out that ford had issued a 10 year/100,000 mile extended warranty for all 2003, 2004, and 2005 thunderbirds to replace the defective ignition coils. Ford has recognized that this part is defective and is a safety problem, but since it has not been recalled, and I did not know about the extended warranty, they are charging me $1,200 dollars to replace 7 ignition coils. Looking at the ford thunderbird forums on the internet reveals that this is a common problem and should be recalled so owners can have them replaced, since ford has acknowledged that there is a defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford thunderbird. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the transmission would not shift correctly and exhibited a severe hesitation. The vehicle was driven to a nearby transmission center where the contact was informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
I have a 2004 ford thunderbird. For the second time in the past 8 months, my car went into limp mode unexpectedly while driving. On a 50 mile an hour road, my car suddenly dropped to 20 MPH. I immediately activated my hazard lights, but came very close to getting rear ended. The throttle bodies on these cars evidently go out an alarming rate. This will be the second time I have narrowly avoided being in an accident because of this problem. I had the problem addressed once already, and now it is happening all over again.
2003 thunderbird goes into "limp mode" and the car suddenly will not go above 25mph.... I am told it is a safety feature... But this is not safe if you are driving on the interstate! I am told this time it is a throttle body... Which I have been waiting for over 30 days. Ford does not have parts for their cars.
1. I was accelerating from a stop position and the "wrench icon" came on and the car went on :"limp mode". 2. Has occurred twice, once, a week after they installed a new electronic throttle control. 3. I am afraid the throttle could jam on the major highway that I travel everyday to work. 4. I did a search on this problem and so far I have counted 20 complaints and I stopped searching. 5. This happen on a 2005 ford thunderbird that I just purchased.
When I first purchased my vehicle, I noticed that it would not shift into 4th gear. I am not sure when this problem started since I bought this car used.
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.
Transmission will not go into gear while traveling at highway and neighborhood speeds. Speedometer will race, but will get in gear. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further details.
Transmission does not shift properly between first and third gears which may resultin a crash. Common problem. Please provide further information.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- The park rod assembly contains a park cam with inadequate surface hardness, which could lead to park disengagement or no park engagement when the lever is placed in park.
- Risk
- If park is not engaged and the parking brake is off, avehicle roll-away could result.
- Remedy
- Replace park rod assembly on automatic transmissions.
Recall number 91V048000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Thunderbird won't shift
Which Ford Thunderbird years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1994 (4 complaints), 2004 (3 complaints) and 2003 (2 complaints).
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