RoadVitals

1996 Ford Thunderbird Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Apr 11, 2006
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 233 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Ford Thunderbird submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Apr 11, 2006

COMPLIANT IS THAT THROUGH MY INSURANCE PROVIDER I WAS ALERTED TO TWO RECALLS THAT SHOULD BE AT LEAST LOOKED INTO ON MY AUTO. THE FIRST IS THE BLOWER ON THE CLIMATE CONTROL BEGAN TO WORK ERRATICALLY AND NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. MEANING THAT MY DEFROSTING DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE OTHER AND MORE SERIOUS IS THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH STICKS AT SMACKS AGAINST THE PEG AND DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY OR AT ALL, UNLESS THE LATCH IS MANUALLY LIFTED. BOTH OF THESE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER T-BIRDS BUT SOMEHOW MINE SLIPPED THROUGH. VIN IS [XXX]. IF THESE ARE SUCH COMMON PROBLEMS WHY WEREN'T ALL THE T-BIRDS RECALLED? I AM LOOKING AT OVER 600.00 TO REPLACE THESE PARTS. WHICH IS IRRITATING WHEN FORD SHOULD BE FIXING IT'S KNOWN PROBLEMS. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 * JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10155041
Incident
Apr 4, 2006
Electrical
Filed Aug 23, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
895018
Incident
Jul 22, 2001
Electrical
Filed Jul 14, 2000
Fire reported

AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE THEN PARKED IT AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A TECHNICIAN TOLD CONSUMER THAT FIRE STARTED BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL WIRING SHORTING OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
865444
Incident
Jul 12, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jul 2, 1998
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND THE TOLL TRUCK BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE OWNER'S HOUSE. VEHICLE SAT FOR 13 HOURS. AFTER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. OWNER COULD NOT TELL FROM WHERE THE FIRE CAME FROM BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE. SHE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE WIRE IN THE CONSOLE AREA FROM WHERE THE POWER WINDOWS ARE OPERATED. OWNER DID NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE WIRES BECAME HOT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF FOR 13 HOURS, ENOUGH TIME FOR VEHICLE TO COOL OFF. THIS IS THE THIRD NUMBER THAT OWNER GAVE TO CONTACT HER, THE NUMBER IS 734-485-5839. *AK

NHTSA ID
824939
Incident
Jul 1, 1998
Electrical
Filed Sep 19, 1997

ALTERNATOR FAILED.

NHTSA ID
605013
Incident
Jun 1, 1996
Electrical
Filed Feb 20, 1997

SPARK PLUG FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA ID
602565
Electrical
Filed Apr 1, 1996

VEHICLE STALLS OUT AFTER BEING STOPPED AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE. *AK

NHTSA ID
982161
Electrical
Filed Nov 7, 1995

ASSOCIATED W/MOISTURE, VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT REPEATEDLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ID
974849

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Engine65Brakes48Visibility20Transmission16Fuel system14Tires & wheels13Exterior lighting11Body & structure10Heating & air conditioning10Suspension9Airbags9Steering8Driver assistance8

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .