U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Ford THUNDERBIRD: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

34 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

25,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 31 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 34 complaints (26.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	8	23.5%
Transmission and shifting	6	17.6%
Engine operation	3	8.8%
Fuel system concerns	1	2.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Vehicle Speed Control

Engine

Power Train

Air Bags:Side/Window

Electrical System

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Vehicle Speed Control	9
Engine	7
Power Train	5
Air Bags:Side/Window	3
Electrical System	3
Engine And Engine Cooling	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	2
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	2

Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Engine: 7; Power Train: 5; Air Bags:Side/Window: 3; Electrical System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2010

2011

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2020

2021

2004: 2; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 1

Pattern summary

Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10094435 · 2004-09-27 (September 27, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING REAR PASSENGER 'S SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF INADVERTENTLY PASSENGER SUSTAINED BURNS ON BOTH HANDS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A ROCK FROM THE HIGHWAY CAUSED THE AIR BAG PREMATURELY TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS ANSWER WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND OTHER ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10094435 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10095550 · 2004-10-11 (October 11, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN GEAR. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN RESTART THE ENGINE. AFTER DOING THIS THE CAR RAN OK FOR ABOUT 2 MILES THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME WHEN RESTARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. THE DEALER RESET THE COMPUTER. ON 10-09-04 THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE DEALER NOW HAS THE CAR TRYING TO FIND THE TROUBLE. EACH FAILURE CAME WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR A REAR-END COLLISION, BECAUSE THE C…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095550 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10111737 · 2005-03-23 (March 23, 2005)

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHEN YOU STOP IN A HURRY THE FOOT GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. OWNER WENT TO THE DEALER AND ASKED TO HAVE THE BRAKES ADJUSTED. OWNER WAS TOLD THERE IS NO ADJUSTING THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TO CLOSE TOGETHER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE BRAKING. *NM *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 9 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111737 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10119325 · 2005-04-26 (April 26, 2005)

CONCERNS REGARDING 2004 THUNDERBIRD AND THE CHANCE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILING AFTER THE WARRANTY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID FORMULATION THAT, OVER TIME, MAY CAUSE DELAYED/HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BY INITIATING A RECALL TO ADD AN ADDITIVE TO THE FLUID. THE CONSUMER FELLS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOULD BE TOTALLY DRAINED AND REPLACED WITH THE PROPER FLUID. *BF *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10119325 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10127862 · 2005-07-08 (July 8, 2005)

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 PO…

Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127862 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10140599 · 2005-10-24 (October 24, 2005)

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, ALTHOU…

Owner-reported narrative. 16,028 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140599 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10148309 · 2006-01-22 (January 22, 2006)

2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD ACCELERATOR HAS A 1\2 TO 1 SECOND OR MORE DELAY IN ENGINE RESPONSE (DRIVE BY WIRE) WHEN EITHER STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP OR WHEN PASSING OR CHANGING LANES. FORD CLAIMS IT IS BY DESIGN AND WILL NOT ADDRESS THE DELAY. THE LINCOLN LS IS IDENTICAL IN ENGINE AND DRIVE CHAIN AND HAS NO DELAY. THIS DELAY IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP STREET OR EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN GOING TO PASS OR CHANGING LANES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN HELPFUL BUT MUST WAIT FOR FORD TO RESPOND WITH A COMPUTER CHANGE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM B…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148309 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10155918 · 2006-04-23 (April 23, 2006)

I HAVE A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD THAT HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED 3 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 2005. THIS HAPPENED ONCE FORWARD AND TWICE IN REVERSE. ON ALL 3 OCCASIONS I HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE WHILE SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL BEFORE THE REVS WOULD COME DOWN. THE FORWARD ONE WAS THE MOST SCARY SINCE I HAD A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON NOV 11, 2005 BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND. THANK YOU TIM SHIPLEY. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 5,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155918 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

04V330000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust

Reported: 2004-07-08 (July 8, 2004)

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.

Consequence: THE SEAT MAY NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY ON THE POWER SEATS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

34 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

91.2%Usable mileage31 / 34 records

100.0%Valid incident date34 / 34 records

100.0%Valid filing date34 / 34 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates34 / 34 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2002	2003	2004	2005
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	119.8% ODI 10013562 · 73,000 mi HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 73,000 ON MY 1991 TBIRD WITH THE 3.8 V6. LOOKS LIKE FORD IS TRYING TO COVER THIS UP! *NLM Look up ODI 10013562 at NHTSA ↗	2212.0% ODI 531298 HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL IN TRAFFIC. Look up ODI 531298 at NHTSA ↗	12329.1% ODI 10006154 · 67,000 mi ENGINE HEAD GASKETBLEWOUT, CAUSING AND ENGINE TO LEAK. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. PH. *AK Look up ODI 10006154 at NHTSA ↗	4013.3% ODI 10008313 · 63,237 mi ENGINE FAILURE AT 63000 MILES. FRONT SEAL FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT INTO ENGINE. CAR WAS METICULOUSLY CARED FOR, AND DRIVEN CAREFULLY. *JB Look up ODI 10008313 at NHTSA ↗	2810.7% ODI 10014211 · 74,000 mi BY NOW IT IS QUITE APPARENT OF THE NOTORIOUS FORD 3.8L HEAD GASKET FAILURE ISSUE. WELL, JUST TO KEEP PEOPLE UP TO DATE ON FORD'S BUSINESS PRACTICES. MY WIFE BOUGHT A 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD IN NOV 1995. (I MUST FIRST START OFF BY SAYING THAT I AM THE COMPUTER LITERATE ONE, THAT IS WHY I AM COMPLAINING, AND I AM THE ONE WHO WILL BE FORCED TO FIX/PAY FOR THE HEAD GASKETS IN HER THUNDERBIRD). TODAY IS APRIL 9TH 2003, I AM BEGINNING TO NOTICE SYMPTOMS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR (LOSING COOLANT, ERRATIC TEMPERATURE CHANGES) WHICH WOULD INDICATE A B… Look up ODI 10014211 at NHTSA ↗	208.6% ODI 10021760 · 86,000 mi VEHICLE STALLED AND MADE A WEIRD NOISE. DUE TO OIL PUMP BEING DEFECTED. NOW THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TT Look up ODI 10021760 at NHTSA ↗	105.9% ODI 10022442 THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK AND THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED. *JB Look up ODI 10022442 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1010.8% ODI 10014291 · 10 mi TWICE MY 2002 THUNDERBIRD'S ENGINE HAS STOPPED WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. BOTH TIMES, IT OCCURRED AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN A 55 MPH ZONE. WHEN IT QUIT, I WAS UNABLE TO STEER OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE IN ANY WAY. I HAD TO PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART IT BEFORE I COULD LEAVE THE ONCOMING LANE. FORD HAS AN UNPUBLISHED OASIS SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE 16581 WHICH STATES: "2000-2002 LINCOLN LS & 2002 THUNDERBIRD - INTERMITTENT ENGINE QUIT ON DECEL/STOPS/TURNS. SOME 2000-2002 LINCOLN LS & 2002 THUNDERBIRD VEHICLES MAY EXH… Look up ODI 10014291 at NHTSA ↗	13.0% ODI 10130105 · 6,000 mi DT: WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED TO BOG DOWN AND SLOWLY DIED. HAD BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM AND A TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED DIAGNOSTICIANS, AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. DEALER HAD NEVER INDICATED WHAT WAS WRONG. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE OTHER THAN A REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN FIRST PURCHASED. PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE DYING WAS INTERMITTENT. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AK NM Look up ODI 10130105 at NHTSA ↗	25.9% ODI 10095550 · 4,000 mi WHILE DRIVING A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN GEAR. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN RESTART THE ENGINE. AFTER DOING THIS THE CAR RAN OK FOR ABOUT 2 MILES THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME WHEN RESTARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. THE DEALER RESET THE COMPUTER. ON 10-09-04 THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE DEALER NOW HAS THE CAR TRYING TO FIND THE TROUBLE. EACH FAILURE CAME WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR A REAR-END COLLISION, BECAUSE THE C… Look up ODI 10095550 at NHTSA ↗	13.7% ODI 10314167 · 35,471 mi ON NOV 24,2009, THE THROTTLE BODY MOTOR FAILED AND CAUSED MY 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD TO CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE CAR TO METRO FORD FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID THE PART WOULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS. METRO SAID I COULD DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL THEY REPAIR MY CAR BECAUSE FORD COULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE JULY 2009. AFTER SEVERAL PROMISES TO NO AVAIL, I DECIDED TO WRITE SEVERAL EXECUTIVES. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE YET. TWO DAYS AGO, I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED WHEN THE CAR OFF IN TRAFFI… Look up ODI 10314167 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	21.8% ODI 484694 TRANSMISSION FAILED, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK Look up ODI 484694 at NHTSA ↗	52.7% ODI 563622 VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF PARK KNOCKING CONSUMER OVER AND RUNNING OVER HER ANKLE/LEG. Look up ODI 563622 at NHTSA ↗	61.4% ODI 480530 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *AK Look up ODI 480530 at NHTSA ↗	6622.0% ODI 10048796 · 45,000 mi I NOTICED IMMEDIATLY AFTER BUYING THIS CAR THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED THAT WAS 11/98 IT TOOK SEVERAL CALLS TO THE DEALER AND A COARSE OF A YEAR FOR THEM TO FINALLY FIX IT. SECOND TIME I BROUGHT IN TO SHOP REPLACED WHOLE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS 12/99. NOW IN 6/03 THE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SLIP AGAIN. ALSO HAD RECALL LETTER ABOUT HEAD GASKETS, FORD REFUSED TO WORK WITH ME ON REPLACEMENTS, HAD TO BE REPLACED OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. PRIVATE DEALER LIED ABOUT CONDITION OF VEHICLE, IT HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN I BOUGHT IT. FORD MADE NO ATT… Look up ODI 10048796 at NHTSA ↗	2710.3% ODI 10039096 · 75,000 mi I HAVE A 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD WITH A V8 ENGINE AND AUTO TRANS. IT DOWN SHIFTS RANDOMLY WITH THE OVERDRIVE ON OR OFF. *JB Look up ODI 10039096 at NHTSA ↗	114.7% ODI 10041483 · 150,000 mi THE 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD'S HEAD GASKET BLEW AND TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. IT HAS BEEN USING WATER SINCE WE BOUGHT IT FROM THE DEALER. *LA Look up ODI 10041483 at NHTSA ↗	105.9% ODI 10020735 · 71,568 mi I BOUGHT MY 1997 THUNDERBIRD 4-15-2003 W/70000 MILES, AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS PAGE I CAN ONLY RELATE TO 2 OF THEM, THE VIBERATION IN THE TRANSMISSION ON UPSHIFT,AND THE FRONT END SHAKING ABOVE 50 MPH.BUT I'M SO GLAD. *AK I BOUGHT A 2 YR.EXTENTED WARRENTY,BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE I'M IN FOR SOME PROBLENS. I CAN BE CONTACTED AT [email removed] Look up ODI 10020735 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	39.1% ODI 10038992 MY TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH SHIFTING. LIGHTS FLASHED ON DASHBOARD. *JB Look up ODI 10038992 at NHTSA ↗	25.9% ODI 10119325 CONCERNS REGARDING 2004 THUNDERBIRD AND THE CHANCE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILING AFTER THE WARRANTY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.MR THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID FORMULATION THAT, OVER TIME, MAY CAUSE DELAYED/HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BY INITIATING A RECALL TO ADD AN ADDITIVE TO THE FLUID. THE CONSUMER FELLS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOULD BE TOTALLY DRAINED AND REPLACED WITH THE PROPER FLUID. BF *NM Look up ODI 10119325 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	65.4% ODI 485151 SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURY. *SKD Look up ODI 485151 at NHTSA ↗	42.2% ODI 526808 GAS PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR DUE TO THROTTLE CABLE FAILURE. Look up ODI 526808 at NHTSA ↗	81.9% ODI 536923 RUNAWAY ENGINE/SUDDEN ACCELERATION. Look up ODI 536923 at NHTSA ↗	217.0% ODI 10132882 DT: THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THERE WAS ODOMETER FRAUD. WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT SHOWED 91,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HE GOT A CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED THAT IN 9-20-99 IT SHOWED 118,090 WHEN TAKEN TO THE TN DMV. ALSO, THE REPORT SHOWED ON 4-20-00 THAT THERE WAS 125,035 MILES ON A SERVICE RECORD. ANOTHER RECORD INDICATED THAT IT HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE TN DMV BUT THE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE HIGH MILEAGE . THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM AN INDEPENDEN… Look up ODI 10132882 at NHTSA ↗	103.8% ODI 10513854 · 65,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT CRASHED AGAINST A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY, A FRACTURED STERNUM AND A FRACTURED COLLARBONE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE HEART CAGE, A KIDNEY AND INTERNAL BLEEDING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS LATER INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CAUSE… Look up ODI 10513854 at NHTSA ↗	31.3% ODI 10004156 CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE COLLIDES WITH GARAGE DOOR. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS Look up ODI 10004156 at NHTSA ↗	105.9% ODI 10015785 · 50,000 mi THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. JB TS Look up ODI 10015785 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 872560 WHEN DECLINING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED IT CAUSED VEHICLE TO INCREASE ITS SPEED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NORMAL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK Look up ODI 872560 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10065521 WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DUPLICATE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM Look up ODI 10065521 at NHTSA ↗	88.6% ODI 10108837 · 25,500 mi WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK TIRES SPIN AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF RUBBER. JB THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NM Look up ODI 10108837 at NHTSA ↗	39.1% ODI 10059567 · 11,000 mi WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK Look up ODI 10059567 at NHTSA ↗	926.5% ODI 10140599 · 16,028 mi 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, ALTHOU… Look up ODI 10140599 at NHTSA ↗	414.8% ODI 10314167 · 35,471 mi ON NOV 24,2009, THE THROTTLE BODY MOTOR FAILED AND CAUSED MY 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD TO CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE CAR TO METRO FORD FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID THE PART WOULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS. METRO SAID I COULD DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL THEY REPAIR MY CAR BECAUSE FORD COULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE JULY 2009. AFTER SEVERAL PROMISES TO NO AVAIL, I DECIDED TO WRITE SEVERAL EXECUTIVES. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE YET. TWO DAYS AGO, I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED WHEN THE CAR OFF IN TRAFFI… Look up ODI 10314167 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	65.4% ODI 804423 DRIVER EXPERIENCES A TOTAL LOSS OF ABS BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK Look up ODI 804423 at NHTSA ↗	116.0% ODI 522284 BRAKE WARNING LAMP CAME ON AND DRIVER EXPERIENCED LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. Look up ODI 522284 at NHTSA ↗	61.4% ODI 10076092 WHILE DRIVING20 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A LOUD STREAKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. *AK Look up ODI 10076092 at NHTSA ↗	165.3% ODI 708839 WE PURCHASED A USED 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD, FROM A DEALER, WITH 49,000 MILES ON IT AND WE ARE WONDERING IF THERE WERE EVER ANY RECALL OR REPAIR CAMPAIGNS ON THAT YEAR AND MODEL? PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY AND WHAT THEY ENTAIL. WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE CARE OF. SEVERAL THINGS WILL HAPPEN. 1. ONE SITUATION IS AT ENGINE START-UP THE ANTI-LOCK LIGHT DOES NOT GO OUT, AS IT SHOULD. 2. ANOTHER SITUATION IS THAT THE LIGHT GOES OUT THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO, THEN WHILE DRIVING … Look up ODI 708839 at NHTSA ↗	166.1% ODI 10046346 CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS CHECKING THE BRAKES, HE TOLD HER THAT TRANSMISSION WAS MALFUNCTIONING. CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL VEHICLE HESITATED AND SHOOK. THEN, MADE A FUNNY NOISE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON TRANSMISSION. *AK Look up ODI 10046346 at NHTSA ↗	83.4% ODI 519450 ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING VIBRATION. Look up ODI 519450 at NHTSA ↗	74.1% ODI 10131043 DT: THE CONSUMER STATED A YEAR AGO WA SINVOLVED IN 2 REAR END COLLISIONS WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH. THIS HAPPENED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT IT WAS NOT LOOKED AT, THEY INSTEAD TRIED TO SELL CONSUMER ANOTHER VEHICLE. PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT CONSUMER'S OWN EXPENSE AT ANOTHER MECHANIC. DEALERSHIP STATED THEY KNEW THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTED. . THE MANUFACTURER TOLD HE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT LOOK AT THE VEHIC… Look up ODI 10131043 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	26.1% ODI 10014673 · 27,000 mi THE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP WHEN A TURN WAS MADE, ALSO THE ABS DID NOT WORK. *JB Look up ODI 10014673 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor	43.6% ODI 515421 DISC BRAKE ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHAKE UPON BRAKING. *AK Look up ODI 515421 at NHTSA ↗	42.2% ODI 480612 REPLACED RIGHT/LEFT SPINDLE. Look up ODI 480612 at NHTSA ↗	133.1% ODI 480530 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *AK Look up ODI 480530 at NHTSA ↗	175.7% ODI 484526 INTERMITTENT SURGING WHILE IN DRIVE/COMING TO A STOP. Look up ODI 484526 at NHTSA ↗	3914.9% ODI 505782 FAN MOTOR REPLACED 3 TIMES. *AK Look up ODI 505782 at NHTSA ↗	198.2% ODI 10048182 PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE ROTORS ON VEHICLE ARE WARPED. MR THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED, LEFT AND RIGHT (2 TIMES) AND WERE WARPED AGAIN. SCC *JB Look up ODI 10048182 at NHTSA ↗	21.2% ODI 564201 NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE BRAKING EFFECTS CAUSED BY WARPED ROTORS. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM AT NO COST, HOWEVER 12 MONTHS LATER ROTORS WERE WARPED AGAIN, CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING WARPED ROTOR PROBLEMS. *JG Look up ODI 564201 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.0% ODI 10173327 · 14,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A NOISE AS THOUGH THE WHEEL WAS GOING TO COME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CALIPER, BRAKE SHOE AND ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/2006 - NM Look up ODI 10173327 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting:Headlights	76.3% ODI 10000441 · 165,000 mi HEADLIGHT FAILURE INTERMITTENT OPERATION. TS Look up ODI 10000441 at NHTSA ↗	2111.4% ODI 10003283 MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. THEY DO THIS ALL THE TIME. Look up ODI 10003283 at NHTSA ↗	4410.4% ODI 10027212 CONSUMER STATES THAT HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK Look up ODI 10027212 at NHTSA ↗	10.3% ODI 10020013 THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED THEN WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. *NLM Look up ODI 10020013 at NHTSA ↗	62.3% ODI 715023 THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC LENS AND HALOGNE LIGHT BULBS, THE PLASTIC LENS CRACKS DEVELOPING A SPIDER WEB EFFECT AND ALLOWS CONDENSATION TO ENTER DRAMATICALLY REDUCING VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. NLM SLC JB Look up ODI 715023 at NHTSA ↗	73.0% ODI 10102226 THERE IS A WHITRE CLOUDY FILM ON THE HEADLIGHTS CREATING POOR VISABILITY AT NIGHT.*AK Look up ODI 10102226 at NHTSA ↗	10.6% ODI 10135141 · 52,244 mi HEADLIGHT LENSES ON 1997 THUNDERBIRD CLOUD OVER DUE TO WEATHERING AND LIMIT AMOUNT OF LIGHT EMITTED. NIGHT VISION AND OBJECT ILLUMINATION IS SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED. VIGOROUS POLISHING TEMPORARILY REMOVES HAZE, BUT IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT THE CONDITION RETURNS MORE QUICKLY. I RECENTLY HAD TO SWERVE INTO A LARGE POT HOLE TO AVOID A CITY RECYCLE CAN THAT HAD OVERTURNED AND, BEING DARK GREEN, IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. I DAMAGED MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL. *AK Look up ODI 10135141 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	22.2% ODI 10145968 · 34,000 mi THE HEADLIGHT BRACKETS ON THE 2002 THUNDERBIRD CRACK AT THE REAR, WHERE THE HEADLIGHT ATTACHES TO THE FRAME WITH A BOLT. ALSO CRACKS IN THE ENTIRE REAR BODY OF THE HEADLIGHT... DESIGN WAS CHANGED IN 2003, FORD WILL ONLY REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, AFTER WARRANTY FORD WILL NOT REPLACE OR ADMIT THIS IS A PROBLEM... THERE ARE OVER 280 MESSAGES AT WWW.THUNDERBIRDNEST.COM RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. *JB Look up ODI 10145968 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	10.9% ODI 718286 $2250.00 REPAIR BILL ON KNOWN PRODUCT PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK Look up ODI 718286 at NHTSA ↗	42.2% ODI 515147 ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. Look up ODI 515147 at NHTSA ↗	368.5% ODI 10039391 · 58,075 mi HEAD GASKET FAILED IN A CAR WITH 58,000 MILES. FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THE DESIGN DEFECT IN THE 3.8 LITER V6 AND THE INTERNET IS FULL OF SITES DOCUMENTING HORROR STORIES ABOUT THESE ENGINES. Look up ODI 10039391 at NHTSA ↗	93.0% ODI 10044226 · 115,000 mi 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. NLM Look up ODI 10044226 at NHTSA ↗	51.9% ODI 502737 DASHBOARD RATTLE. *SD Look up ODI 502737 at NHTSA ↗	62.6% ODI 507489 PCM CHIP PROBLEM CAUSED ENGINE TO CUT OUT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. Look up ODI 507489 at NHTSA ↗	53.0% ODI 605913 GOODYEAR TIRES NOISY AND DO NOT PROVIDE A COMFORTABLE RIDE. NLM Look up ODI 605913 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	11.1% ODI 10215711 · 64,000 mi THIS IS A DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW ADDRESSED ON 2003 MODEL, BUT LEFT OUT 2002. THE PROBLEM STATED BY--VEHICLE NOT STARTING AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND GOT WORSE ON 1/11/2008. THE ENGINE VALVE COVERS WARPS ALLOWING OIL TO SEEP INTO COIL/SPARK PLUG CAVITIES SHORTING-OUT THE COILS, FOULING SPARK PLUGS. RIGHT NOW I HAVE A $2000.00 REPAIR BILL AND FORD FAILED TO RECOGNIZED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN AVOIDED BY INSPECTING THE COIL/SPARK PLUG CAVITIES FOR EVIDENCE OF OIL. IF OIL PRESENT, TO RESEAL/REPLACE VALVE C… Look up ODI 10215711 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.9% ODI 10193156 · 55,000 mi WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. Look up ODI 10193156 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch	43.6% ODI 504097 IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED TWICE, FIRST TIME CAUSING FIRE. *DSH Look up ODI 504097 at NHTSA ↗	63.3% ODI 10073541 WHILE PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE FAILED TO START. CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, AND THEN RESTARTED IT. DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED SOLENOID SWITCH INSIDE THE IGNITION DUE TO A BURNT OUT WIRE. *AK Look up ODI 10073541 at NHTSA ↗	102.4% ODI 505177 VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK Look up ODI 505177 at NHTSA ↗	10.3% ODI 563174 FIRE DEVELOPED FROM THE THUNDERBIRD WHICH WAS SITTING IN THE CARPORT ATTACHED TO THE HOUSE, THE FIRE ADVANCED FROM THE CAR TO THE HOUSE AND KILLED BOTH THE CONSUMERS WIFE AND HER FATHER, CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT FIRE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH.*YD Look up ODI 563174 at NHTSA ↗	20.8% ODI 756337 AFTER STARTING MY CAR AT 5:30 AM TO PROCEED TO WORK THE KEY FELT A BIT STRANGE AFTER I STARTED THE CAR. UPON DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY I DREW MY ATTENTION BACK TO THE KEY AND FELT THAT IT WAS SPINNING FREELY, AND COULD BE REMOVED, AS THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, ( THE START POSITION APPEARED TO WORK OK). I HAD NO WAY I COULD TURN THE CAR OFF. A TECHNITIAN ON THE 800 PHONE LINE TO FORD SUGGESTED I HIT THE FUEL SHUT OFF IN THE TRUNK ONCE I REACHED MY LOCATION. THIS WOULD SIMULATE A CRASH AND SHUT OFF THE FUEL. I ELECTED TO PULL A LARG… Look up ODI 756337 at NHTSA ↗	10.4% ODI 895018 WHEN DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT COMPLETELY OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. ALSO, AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART, VEHICLE WILL RESTARTEASILY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK Look up ODI 895018 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Vehicle Speed Control	5,400–25,000 mi	15,000 mi	9	ODI 10140599 · 16,028 mi 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, ALTHOU… Look up ODI 10140599 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10148309 · 100 mi 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD ACCELERATOR HAS A 1\2 TO 1 SECOND OR MORE DELAY IN ENGINE RESPONSE (DRIVE BY WIRE) WHEN EITHER STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP OR WHEN PASSING OR CHANGING LANES. FORD CLAIMS IT IS BY DESIGN AND WILL NOT ADDRESS THE DELAY. THE LINCOLN LS IS IDENTICAL IN ENGINE AND DRIVE CHAIN AND HAS NO DELAY. THIS DELAY IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP STREET OR EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN GOING TO PASS OR CHANGING LANES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN HELPFUL BUT MUST WAIT FOR FORD TO RESPOND WITH A COMPUTER CHANGE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM B… Look up ODI 10148309 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10155918 · 5,400 mi I HAVE A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD THAT HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED 3 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 2005. THIS HAPPENED ONCE FORWARD AND TWICE IN REVERSE. ON ALL 3 OCCASIONS I HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE WHILE SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL BEFORE THE REVS WOULD COME DOWN. THE FORWARD ONE WAS THE MOST SCARY SINCE I HAD A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON NOV 11, 2005 BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND. THANK YOU TIM SHIPLEY. *JB Look up ODI 10155918 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	33,398–55,132 mi	37,363 mi	6	ODI 10523307 · 97,512 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE E DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE MISFIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO IGNITION COILS THAT FAILED. THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED OIL ON SEVERAL CYLINDERS IN THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,512. Look up ODI 10523307 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10536775 · 30,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10536775 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10632883 · 34,200 mi 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. Look up ODI 10632883 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	35,000–60,000 mi	55,000 mi	5	ODI 10505203 · 55,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10505203 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10596855 · 25,000 mi COMING OFF I-5 FREEWAY IN WEST WASHINTONG STATE. STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT AND THEN MOVED INTO LEFT TURN LANE BUT CAR KEPT PICKING UP SPEED, APPLIED BRAKES (HARD) SLOWING DOWN BUT AUTO NOT WANTING TO STOP. APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE, CAR SLOWED DOWN MORE, COULD HEAR ENGINE RACING AND FEEL IT STILL WANTING TO GO. SLIPPED CAR INTO NEUTRAL ON THE AUTO TRANSMISION, NOW FORWARD PROGRESS SLOWING DOWN GREATLY BUT STILL HIT REAR OF CAR IN FRONT OF ME. FORD IN BODY REPAIR SHOP SO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE TO FORD TO EXAM FOR ANY DEFECT(S). I ONLY USE MY … Look up ODI 10596855 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10650850 · 83,000 mi AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WAS PARKING BY A WOODED AREA, AND WAS PROPELLED ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS INTO THE BUSHES IN THE WOODS (BARELY MISSING A TREE) BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. NOT CERTAIN IF THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE OF MY BRAKING, OR BECAUSE THE THICK BUSHES WOULD NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO TRAVEL ANY FURTHER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THIS WAS NOT A "DRIVER ERROR" SITUATION AND AM V… Look up ODI 10650850 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Side/Window	Too few reports for a range	18,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10181431 · 16,000 mi TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55-60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WITH DRY ROAD CONDITIONS AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG, WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE SEAT, DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER, AND AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE ,THE FORD DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS COLLISION DAMAGE TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, AND WERE TOLD THEY NEEDED TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE CONT… Look up ODI 10181431 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10396048 · 20,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SIDE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED ABNORMALLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THE DOOR WAS REMOVED BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 05/25/11 *BF THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE INJURED BOX. UPDATED 06/06/11 Look up ODI 10396048 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	60,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10127862 · 9,500 mi 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 PO… Look up ODI 10127862 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10650850 · 83,000 mi AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WAS PARKING BY A WOODED AREA, AND WAS PROPELLED ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS INTO THE BUSHES IN THE WOODS (BARELY MISSING A TREE) BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. NOT CERTAIN IF THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE OF MY BRAKING, OR BECAUSE THE THICK BUSHES WOULD NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO TRAVEL ANY FURTHER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THIS WAS NOT A "DRIVER ERROR" SITUATION AND AM V… Look up ODI 10650850 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10712474 · 60,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE FILTER, THE REAR MODULE, THE VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALVE, THE VENT SOLENOID AND THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. Look up ODI 10712474 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	12,250 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10412445 · 6,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL SPARK PLUG. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE YET NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. Look up ODI 10412445 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10440568 · 18,500 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD MISFIRE AND LOSE THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE LATER STALLED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MISFIRE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY ENGINE COIL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE COIL BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500. UPDATED 01/18/12*LJ Look up ODI 10440568 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	26,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10095550 · 4,000 mi WHILE DRIVING A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN GEAR. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN RESTART THE ENGINE. AFTER DOING THIS THE CAR RAN OK FOR ABOUT 2 MILES THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME WHEN RESTARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. THE DEALER RESET THE COMPUTER. ON 10-09-04 THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE DEALER NOW HAS THE CAR TRYING TO FIND THE TROUBLE. EACH FAILURE CAME WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR A REAR-END COLLISION, BECAUSE THE C… Look up ODI 10095550 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10214046 · 48,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SCREECHING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,000. Look up ODI 10214046 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	4,225 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10201124 · 4,225 mi 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD WAS LEFT RUNNING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. WE THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS JUST ROLLING. DID NOT REALIZE DURING THAT SPLIT SECOND THAT THE CAR HAD ENGAGED IN REVERSE ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE DOOR HIT A PERSON STANDING BEHIND THE OPEN DOOR KNOCKING HIM TO THE GROUND. VEHICLE CONTINUED IN REVERSE WITH DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN, STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY BEFORE DRIVING INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION ON THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED AT ABOUT 2000 MILES. THERE IS ONLY 4200 MILES … Look up ODI 10201124 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2004: 8 complaints · 2005: 3 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2004	3	6	8
2005	0	3	3

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2004	32	0	2
2005	27	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Vehicle Speed Control	Engine	Power Train	Air Bags:Side/Window	Electrical System	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Vehicle Speed Control	—	0	2 ODI 10596855 · 25,000 mi COMING OFF I-5 FREEWAY IN WEST WASHINTONG STATE. STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT AND THEN MOVED INTO LEFT TURN LANE BUT CAR KEPT PICKING UP SPEED, APPLIED BRAKES (HARD) SLOWING DOWN BUT AUTO NOT WANTING TO STOP. APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE, CAR SLOWED DOWN MORE, COULD HEAR ENGINE RACING AND FEEL IT STILL WANTING TO GO. SLIPPED CAR INTO NEUTRAL ON THE AUTO TRANSMISION, NOW FORWARD PROGRESS SLOWING DOWN GREATLY BUT STILL HIT REAR OF CAR IN FRONT OF ME. FORD IN BODY REPAIR SHOP SO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE TO FORD TO EXAM FOR ANY DEFECT(S). I ONLY USE MY … Look up ODI 10596855 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10650850 · 83,000 mi AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WAS PARKING BY A WOODED AREA, AND WAS PROPELLED ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS INTO THE BUSHES IN THE WOODS (BARELY MISSING A TREE) BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. NOT CERTAIN IF THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE OF MY BRAKING, OR BECAUSE THE THICK BUSHES WOULD NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO TRAVEL ANY FURTHER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THIS WAS NOT A "DRIVER ERROR" SITUATION AND AM V… Look up ODI 10650850 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10650850 · 83,000 mi AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WAS PARKING BY A WOODED AREA, AND WAS PROPELLED ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS INTO THE BUSHES IN THE WOODS (BARELY MISSING A TREE) BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. NOT CERTAIN IF THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE OF MY BRAKING, OR BECAUSE THE THICK BUSHES WOULD NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO TRAVEL ANY FURTHER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THIS WAS NOT A "DRIVER ERROR" SITUATION AND AM V… Look up ODI 10650850 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Engine	0	—	1 ODI 10712474 · 60,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE FILTER, THE REAR MODULE, THE VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALVE, THE VENT SOLENOID AND THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. Look up ODI 10712474 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10712474 · 60,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE FILTER, THE REAR MODULE, THE VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALVE, THE VENT SOLENOID AND THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. Look up ODI 10712474 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Power Train	2 ODI 10596855 · 25,000 mi COMING OFF I-5 FREEWAY IN WEST WASHINTONG STATE. STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT AND THEN MOVED INTO LEFT TURN LANE BUT CAR KEPT PICKING UP SPEED, APPLIED BRAKES (HARD) SLOWING DOWN BUT AUTO NOT WANTING TO STOP. APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE, CAR SLOWED DOWN MORE, COULD HEAR ENGINE RACING AND FEEL IT STILL WANTING TO GO. SLIPPED CAR INTO NEUTRAL ON THE AUTO TRANSMISION, NOW FORWARD PROGRESS SLOWING DOWN GREATLY BUT STILL HIT REAR OF CAR IN FRONT OF ME. FORD IN BODY REPAIR SHOP SO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE TO FORD TO EXAM FOR ANY DEFECT(S). I ONLY USE MY … Look up ODI 10596855 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10650850 · 83,000 mi AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WAS PARKING BY A WOODED AREA, AND WAS PROPELLED ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS INTO THE BUSHES IN THE WOODS (BARELY MISSING A TREE) BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. NOT CERTAIN IF THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE OF MY BRAKING, OR BECAUSE THE THICK BUSHES WOULD NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO TRAVEL ANY FURTHER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THIS WAS NOT A "DRIVER ERROR" SITUATION AND AM V… Look up ODI 10650850 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10712474 · 60,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE FILTER, THE REAR MODULE, THE VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALVE, THE VENT SOLENOID AND THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. Look up ODI 10712474 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	2 ODI 10650850 · 83,000 mi AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WAS PARKING BY A WOODED AREA, AND WAS PROPELLED ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS INTO THE BUSHES IN THE WOODS (BARELY MISSING A TREE) BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. NOT CERTAIN IF THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE OF MY BRAKING, OR BECAUSE THE THICK BUSHES WOULD NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO TRAVEL ANY FURTHER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THIS WAS NOT A "DRIVER ERROR" SITUATION AND AM V… Look up ODI 10650850 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10712474 · 60,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE FILTER, THE REAR MODULE, THE VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALVE, THE VENT SOLENOID AND THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. Look up ODI 10712474 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Air Bags:Side/Window	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 10650850 · 83,000 mi AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WAS PARKING BY A WOODED AREA, AND WAS PROPELLED ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS INTO THE BUSHES IN THE WOODS (BARELY MISSING A TREE) BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. NOT CERTAIN IF THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE OF MY BRAKING, OR BECAUSE THE THICK BUSHES WOULD NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO TRAVEL ANY FURTHER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THIS WAS NOT A "DRIVER ERROR" SITUATION AND AM V… Look up ODI 10650850 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10712474 · 60,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE FILTER, THE REAR MODULE, THE VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALVE, THE VENT SOLENOID AND THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. Look up ODI 10712474 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10650850 · 83,000 mi AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WAS PARKING BY A WOODED AREA, AND WAS PROPELLED ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS INTO THE BUSHES IN THE WOODS (BARELY MISSING A TREE) BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. NOT CERTAIN IF THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE OF MY BRAKING, OR BECAUSE THE THICK BUSHES WOULD NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO TRAVEL ANY FURTHER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THIS WAS NOT A "DRIVER ERROR" SITUATION AND AM V… Look up ODI 10650850 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10712474 · 60,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE FILTER, THE REAR MODULE, THE VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALVE, THE VENT SOLENOID AND THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. Look up ODI 10712474 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

5 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

4 mentions · 11.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 33,665 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10440568 · 18,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD MISFIRE AND LOSE THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE LATER STALLED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MISFIRE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY ENGINE COIL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE COIL BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500. UPDATED 01/18/12*LJ

Look up ODI 10440568 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10632883 · 34,200 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10632883 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10712474 · 60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE FILTER, THE REAR MODULE, THE VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALVE, THE VENT SOLENOID AND THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Look up ODI 10712474 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

4 mentions · 11.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 34,200 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10095550 · 4,000 mi

Look up ODI 10095550 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10632883 · 34,200 mi

Look up ODI 10632883 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10905373

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…

Look up ODI 10905373 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 8,019 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10111737 · 9 mi

Look up ODI 10111737 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10140599 · 16,028 mi

Look up ODI 10140599 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 5.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 12,764 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10127862 · 9,500 mi

Look up ODI 10127862 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10140599 · 16,028 mi

Look up ODI 10140599 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 2.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 89,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11351417 · 89,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL ODOR APPEARED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE OIL AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CURRENTLY STILL BEING EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V113000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAIL…

Look up ODI 11351417 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b