RoadVitals

1996 Ford Thunderbird Steering Problems

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

Data refreshed

Steering 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 Aug 18, 1998
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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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 steering

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

Steering
Filed Aug 18, 1998
3 injuries reported

RACK AND PINION STEERING SHAFT/TIE ROD FAILED AFTER RIGHT FRONT TIRE GLANCED A STANDARD STREET CURB CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AS THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ACROSS FIVE LANES OF TRAFFICE BEFORE COLLIDING WITH OPPOSING TRAFFIC. OWNER HAD RODS TESTED, AND TESTS SHOW NUMEROUS IMPURITIES AND METALLIC FLAWS.

NHTSA ID
540109
Incident
Jul 9, 1998
Steering
Filed Jul 13, 1998
3 injuries reported

RACK AND PINION STREERING ROD/TIE ROD END BROKE WHEN WHEELS CRASHED INTO CURBS.

NHTSA ID
538289
Incident
Jul 9, 1998
Steering
Filed Feb 18, 1998

STEERING WHEEL EXPERIENCES EXTREME VIBRATION.

NHTSA ID
530648
Incident
May 9, 1996
Steering
Filed Nov 21, 1997

WHILE DRIVING ON ANY HIGHWAY AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN A CORNER OR TURN IN ROAD, THE STEERING JUST GOES AWAY; IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE LINKAGE FOR A SPLIT SECOND, BUT THEN IT RETURNS AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER SAID THAT THERE WA SNOTHING WRONG WITH STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ID
523464
Steering
Filed Jul 29, 1997

WHEN MAKING LEFT/RIGHT TURN, STEERING WHEELCOULD TURN, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. VEHICLE NOT TURNING BUT GOES STRAIGHT & THEN STEERING KICKS IN. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
814534
Incident
Jul 4, 1997
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering+1 more
Filed Dec 11, 1996

SPEEDOMETER HEAD REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
512541
Incident
Nov 20, 1996
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 15, 1996

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, ALSO WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING BRAKES TO VIBRATE AND AIR CONDITIONING MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ID
509760
Incident
Oct 11, 1996
Steering
Filed Jan 30, 1996
Crash reported

COMING AROUND A CURB GOING 25-30 MPH CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. LOST CONTROL OF CAR AND HIT A MOUND OF DIRT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAIL

NHTSA ID
978439
Incident
Jan 27, 1996

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 conditioning10Suspension9Airbags9Electrical8Driver assistance8

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .