1984 FORD THUNDERBIRD

1 recalls, 33 complaints - 19 TSBs

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Defect Description

THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.

530,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Complaint Statistics

33 total complaints 1 crashes 9 fires 2 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH	5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH	3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER	1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM	1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING	1

Incident date: Feb 15, 2003

CAR STALLS AFTER IT WARMS UP.RUNS WELL WHILE DRIVING WHEN CAMING TO A STOP CALL STALLS AND CAUSES CAR TO NOT HAVE POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING WITCH MAY CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT.

Incident date: Feb 15, 2003

CAR STALLS AFTER IT WARMS UP.RUNS WELL WHILE DRIVING WHEN CAMING TO A STOP CALL STALLS AND CAUSES CAR TO NOT HAVE POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING WITCH MAY CAUSE A VERY BAD ACCIDENT.

THE SPOKES HAVE COME LOOSE CAUSING THE WHEELS TO WOBBLE WHICH COULD CAUSE A WHEEL COLLAPSE. DT

Incident date: Jun 20, 2001

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING ON TURNPIKE, THE HOOD FLEW UP, STRIKING AND SHATTERING THE SUN ROOF GLASS, THE POLICE OFFICER INSPECTED THE HOOD LATCH AND IT APPEARED TO BE OLD, WHICH POSSIBLY MALFUNTIONED, CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-90-356)*JB

1 injured

VEHICLE STALLED, WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEATER RUNNING, IT ENDED UP CATCHING ON FIRE, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC

Fire

THE DRIVE GEAR ON THE DISTRIBUTOR SHAFT IS CUT IN THE WRONG DIRECTION TO MATCH THE GEAR ON THE CRANKSHAFT. NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. HAS HAPPENED WHILE MAKING TURNS ONTO AND OFF ON/OFF RAMPS. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF STALLING. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THAT CAUSE WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE & HAD IT REPLACED.*AK

SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR I HAVE HAD DOZENS OF STALLING INCEDENTS BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND AT STOP LIGHTS.I HAVE HAD IT AT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. SAWGRASS FORD IN FLORIDA TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS I'M HAVING AND THE GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $1... Read more

VEHICLE STALLS DUE TO IGNITION MODULE OVERHEATING FROM ENGINE HEAT. *MJS

Incident date: Nov 8, 1984

AFTER TAKING CAR TO DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR STALLING, THE RESET THE IDLE SO HIGH THAT WHEN IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE OR DRIVING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD ACCELERATE BY IT SELF. I ALSO HAD A LAWYER CONTACT FORD AND NEVER RECEIVED REPLIES. I TRADED THE CAR IN AND RECEIVED ALMOST... Read more

Incident date: Aug 15, 1998

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ENGINE PROBLEM FAILURE DUE TO WET WEATHER CONDITION. VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL OR WOULD NOT START, ALSO VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND AIR FILTER CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Aug 15, 1998

Fire

Incident date: Sep 18, 1998

WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH, VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. DRIVER LOSS CONTROL, SPUN AND VEHICLE TO REST IN THE MEDIAN. DEALER INSPECTION FOUND NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS.

Incident date: Aug 23, 1997

WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE FLEXIBLE LINE THAT CONNECTS METAL TUBING TO BRAKES BLEW APART. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HAD NO INDICATION OR WARNING IT WOULD HAPPEN. HAD NO BRAKES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS AND CUTS OFF. OWNER HAS HAD THE VC MODULATOR VALVE REPLACED TWO TIMES. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

Incident date: Jun 1, 1992

VEHICLE FIRE.

Fire

FRONT CLIP BROKE OFF. *AK

Incident date: Jul 21, 1996

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF 5 HOURS, UNDER THE DASH FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Jun 7, 1995

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING STEERING COLUMN TO SMOKE. *DH

AUTO WAS PARKED IN GARAGE AND AUTO STARTED TO BURN, NO ONE INJURED. *AK

Incident date: Aug 1, 1995

WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH

Fire

Incident date: Apr 15, 1996

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAILS. *AK

Incident date: Apr 2, 1996

DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE, MELTING THE DASHBOARD AREA. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Apr 15, 1996

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAILS. *AK

Incident date: Apr 2, 1996

DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE, MELTING THE DASHBOARD AREA. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Feb 19, 1996

TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY SMOKE DEVELOPED AROUND THE IGNITION, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE. *AK

Fire

PURCHASED CAR USED WITH A WARRANTY ON TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER IS ON THE SECOND TRANSMISSION.PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

Incident date: Dec 4, 1995

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT FAILURE ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. TT

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Feb 9, 1995

SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME APART. *AW

Incident date: Apr 21, 1995

DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE, CAUSING DRIVER TO FALL INTO BACK SEAT. *TW

Incident date: Apr 21, 1995

VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF.

Incident date: Apr 21, 1995

VEHICLE STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1984 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd	16.0	20.0	18.0	Regular	$3,400
2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd	17.0	24.0	19.0	Regular	$3,250
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 3-spd	16.0	20.0	17.0	Regular	$3,600
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd	17.0	23.0	19.0	Regular	$3,250
5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd	15.0	22.0	17.0	Regular	$3,600
2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd	16.0	20.0	18.0	Regular	$3,400
2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd	17.0	23.0	19.0	Regular	$3,250
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 3-spd	16.0	20.0	18.0	Regular	$3,400
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd	17.0	22.0	19.0	Regular	$3,250
5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd	14.0	20.0	16.0	Regular	$3,850

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1984 FORD THUNDERBIRD

19 manufacturer communications from 13 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	3
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	3
103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER	2
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	2
036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	1
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	1
131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD	1
190000 TIRES	1

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

103600 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC

190000 TIRES

INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW

131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW

036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. IF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE IS USED TO LUBRICATE ANY PAR

034420 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS

UNKNOWN

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

UNKNOWN

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

UNKNOWN

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

UNKNOWN

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

UNKNOWN

113100 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID

UNKNOWN

138800 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

UNKNOWN

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, FORD THUNDERBIRD

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1992

HEADLIGHT SWITCH

SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN INTERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT CAN OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLING OPERATION.

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1992

HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER

HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN ITERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREALER THAT MAY OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLIGHT OPERATION

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1992

FUEL LINE JUMPER

TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE ALLEGED FUEL LINE FAILURES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL GEOGRAPHIC REGION AND IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED NATIONALLY

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1992

REAR FUEL LINE INTERFERENCE

THE REAR FUEL TUBE BUNDLE MAY ABRADE AND FAIL IN THE VICINITY OF THE FUEL TANK.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1987

FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES