RoadVitals

2003 Ford Thunderbird Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
33
Latest Jun 28, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Mar 28, 2003

What this page shows

Our database holds 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Ford Thunderbird. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 33 · page 1 of 2

Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jun 28, 2026

Rattle in my front end E code for transmission

NHTSA ID
11747063
Incident
Jun 25, 2026
Suspension
Filed Aug 10, 2018

BASICALLY, ALL SUSPENSION RUSTED OUT, INCLUDING BOTH FRONT SUSPENSIONS, SPINDLE RODS, SWAY BAR, OUTER TIE RODS, BOTH REAR TIE ROD LINKS, REAR LOWER AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS , FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMS, REAR SHOCKS. ALL THE WORK WAS PERFORMED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A UNIQUE PROBLEM TO THIS VEHICLE. DRIVING THE VEHICLE MADE SQUEEKY NOISES ALL THE TIME!

NHTSA ID
11119267
Incident
Jul 29, 2015
Mileage
46,713 mi
Filed Aug 11, 2016

WHEN I OPEN THE VEHICLE DOOR AT NIGHT OTHER VEHICLE DRIVERS CAN NOT SEE MY OPENED VEHICLE DOOR WHEN I ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE EVEN WITH A REFLECTOR OR LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE DOOR BECAUSE IT IS BLOCKED WHEN ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE BY MY BODY. I APPLIED HIGHLY REFLECTIVE TAPE TO THE LOWER FLANGE OF THE VEHICLE DOOR AND ALSO WAS GRANTED A UNITED STATES PATENT NO. 9,308,859 UNDER THE TITLE MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR HAVING REFLECTIVE LUMINANT COMPONENT ON LOWER INTERIOR EDGE. THE ADVANCEMENT ALLOWS OVER TWO THIRDS OF ANY VEHICLE DOOR TO BE SEEN AT NIGHT BY OTHER VEHICLE DRIVERS AND WILL REDUCE IN MY ESTIMATION ONE LIFE LOST PER NIGHT PER TEN MILLION VEHICLES OR GLOBALLY 35,000 LIVES A YEAR. I WOULD LIKE MY ADVANCEMENT TO BECOME A NEW FMVSS WITH CAUSE AND ENCOURAGE ACCOUNTABILITY AT NHTSA TO RESPOND TO MY GENUINE CONCERNS. PLEASE ADVISE OF WHAT ASSISTANCE YOUR AGENCY CAN PROVIDE ME WITH THE VALIDATED NEW KNOWLEDGE IN VISUAL VEHICLE ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE THAT I PROVIDE THAT IS NOW BEING APPLIED.

NHTSA ID
10895199
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Mileage
14,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 21, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID
10887555
Incident
May 30, 2016
Mileage
160,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 23, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE PRODUCED DUE TO THE FAILURE OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ID
10837735
Incident
Sep 1, 2015
Mileage
48,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 30, 2015

I'VE OWNED MY 2003 THUNDERBIRD SINCE IT WAS NEW. IT NOW HAS 65000 MILES AND IS DRIVEN ONLY 2000 MILES A YEAR, OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS. DURING THIS PERIOD, I HAVE HAD ALL 8 COILS REPLACED, ONE AT A TIME. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITHIN THE FIRST 1000 MILES. GENERALLY IT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, BEING ON THE FREEWAY OR ON LOCAL STREETS. THE ENGINE STARTS TO MISFIRE AND NOT FUNCTION. AFTER THE 3RD OR SO INCIDENT, I WAS INFORMED THAT FORD RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND WOULD HONOR THE REPAIR. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THIS, KNOWING OF THE PROBLEM, THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE ALL AT THE SAME TIME. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE WHEN THE COIL MALFUNCTIONED, THIS NOW HAS OCCURRED 8 TIMES. NOW MY MOTOR HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WHEN THE COIL MALFUNCTIONS THE CORRESPONDING CYLINDER ALSO IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. AGAIN, THE CAR ONLY HAS 65000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN MISTREATED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IS ALMOST $10,000. THIS MOTOR IS A JAGUAR PRODUCTION 3.9 MODEL. DONE WHEN FORD HAD A BRIEF RELATION WITH JAGUAR. TO SAY THE LEAST, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD AND THEIR LACK OF TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. BY THE WAY, WHEN THEY REPLACE THE MOTOR, THE OLD COILS WILL BE REINSTALLED ON THE REBUILT ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
10787251
Incident
Oct 1, 2015
Mileage
65,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED AND HESITATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN TWO MANUFACTURER RECALLS THAT EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10672401
Incident
Oct 15, 2011
Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2014

CAR SPUTTERED AND MISFIRED CAUSING PARTIAL POWER LOSS AND SPEED LOSS. PROBLEM IS IGNITION COILS. HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE A TOTAL OF THREE DURING TWO SIMILAR EVENTS. TWO DEALERS FAILED TO INFORM ME OF EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10650991
Incident
Jun 11, 2013
Mileage
34,958 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 2, 2014

ONE OF THE 4 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE REAR SUSPENSION TO THE VEHICLE FELL OUT OF THE CAR. THE BOLT FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND POSSIBLY OVER TORQUING AT THE FACTORY. SEVERE CORROSION INSIDE THE POCKET THAT HOUSES THIS BOLT. FORD DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED AND IS AT LEAST 10 HOURS LABOR AND IS CONCERNED THE REMAINING 3 BOLTS MAY BE CORRODED AS WELL. THEY ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE FRAME RAIL ON THE BODY MAY BE AFFECTED. THIS HAS BEEN A SOUTH FLORIDA CAR ITS ENTIRE LIFE AND HAS BEEN GARAGED ITS WHOLE LIFE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT OR SNOW AND HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN IN RAIN ON LIMITED OCCASIONS. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE REAR SUSPENSION COULD FALL OUT OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640755
Incident
Oct 2, 2014
Mileage
52,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Sep 27, 2014

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES UNINTENDED ENGINE ACCELERATION WHEN STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT OR PLACING THE CAR IN PARK. MOTOR HIT OVER 3500 RPM WHILE PARKING BEFORE I COULD SHUT DOWN THE IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639514
Incident
Sep 27, 2014
Mileage
102,292 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 15, 2014

I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AT FULL THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE SHUT ITSELF OFF. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND CONTINUED TO MY DESTINATION. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND IT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT. SOMETIMES THE LIMP HOME LIGHT (WRENCH) COMES ON. I MUST TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON TO MAKE THE CAR WORK. I HAVE HAD ALL 8 COILS REPLACED AND THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT STILL OCCURS TODAY. I CHECKED THE CODES AND IT DID SAY IT WAS A FORCED SHUT DOWN. I UNFORTUNATELY DO NOT REMEMBER THE CODE NUMBER. *JS

NHTSA ID
10598417
Incident
Jul 10, 2012
Mileage
48,200 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 28, 2014

WHILE MAKING A U-TURN IN A CULD-E-SAC AT 5 MPH, THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. I CAN ONLY REACH A SPEED OF 40 MPH NOW. I AM AFRAID TO TURN THE CAR OFF UNTIL I GET HOME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10575444
Incident
Mar 28, 2014
Mileage
37,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2013

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10543072
Incident
Jun 12, 2012
Mileage
17,738 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 25, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AFTER EACH FAILURE TO HAVE THE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,850.

NHTSA ID
10467659
Incident
Jul 1, 2010
Mileage
44,850 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 16, 2011

DRIVING ON A 1,850 MILE TRIP. CAR ENGINE REPEATEDLY SHUT OFF ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM COMPLETE STOP. MOTOR LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PUT CAN IN NEUTRAL AND RE-STARTED. WRENCH LIGHT DE-ILLUMINATED, MOTOR LIGHT STAYED ON. ACCELERATION COULD BARELY BE ATTAINED TO KEEP ENGINE RUNNING UP TO 45 MPH. AFTER THAT SPEED, CAN RAN SOMEWHAT NORMALLY,. ENTERING AN EXPRESSWAY AT VERY LOW SPEED WITH MINIMUM ACCELERATION BECAME THE ONLY WAY TO CONTINUE THE TRIP. VERY DANGEROUS. WENT TO A FORD DEALER ON ROUTE. BECAUSE I WAS FROM OUT OF STATE HE AGREED TO WORK ME IN FOR SERVICE THAT DAY. HOWEVER, AFTER I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM, SERVICE WRITER REFUSED MY REQUEST TO PUT CAR ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. HE AGREED TO CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER ONLY. DEALER WOULD DO NO OTHER WORK. TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE IT SEVERAL DAYS. I TRIED TWO TANKS OF FUEL WITH A STODDARD SOLVENT INJECTOR CLEANER. AT HOME. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM. THE IGNITION COILS AND THROTTLE BODY ARE INDICATED. I HAVE HAD BOTH IGNITION COILS REPLACED.18,000 MILES AGO. REPLACEMENT FOR BOTH WAS NOT FREE. THIS CONDITION IS ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS AND HAS NO LEAD UP SYMPTOMS TO WARN YOU. I HAVE BARELY AVOIDED BEING REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES AS I TRIED TO MAKE IT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY. LOCAL FORD DEALER IS TRYING TO AVOID SCHEDULING MY THUNDERBIRD FOR REPAIRS. A RECALL OF THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS IS NECESSARY. A CHECK OF THE INTERNET WEB SITES INDICATE THIS IS PREDOMINANT WITH ALL THUNDERBIRDS OF THIS VINTAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10430381
Incident
Oct 11, 2011
Mileage
54,240 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 12, 2010

THE CAR DE-POWERS AND WILL NOT GO ABOVE 20-25 MPH. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON. THEY WILL STAY ON FOR AWHILE AND GO OFF AND ON BY THEMSELVES. THIS HAPPENS IN TRAFFIC AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. MY DAUGHTER NEARLY GOT PLOWED OVER TRYING TO GET OFF THE ROAD. SHE CALLED MY SCARED TO DEATH. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. NO WET OR SLICK PAVEMENT, ON A DRY SUNNY DAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10325013
Incident
Mar 15, 2010
Mileage
65,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 14, 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10319593
Incident
Feb 9, 2010
Mileage
36,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 25, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN STEERING OR TURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED ,AND HAS THE REPAIR ORDER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2006, AND THE FAILURE BEGAN IN DECEMBER 2006. *AK

NHTSA ID
10180717
Incident
Dec 18, 2006
Mileage
13,999 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 13, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10173327
Incident
Nov 13, 2006
Mileage
14,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON A DRY, SMOOTH INTERSTATE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A COLLISION OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IN FLORIDA DETERMINED A COUPLE OF HAIRLINE RUSTED PLACES LOCATED ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WERE TO BLAME FOR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF AN IMPACT. THERE WERE NO AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10169378
Incident
Sep 22, 2006
Mileage
38,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 25, 2006

2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD HAD SPARK PLUGS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO 5 MPH WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED, AND NUMEROUS ENGINE PROBLEMS. *KB WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER FOUND CRACKS AND A TEAR AROUND THE WEATHER STRIP AND SEAL. THE A/C CONTROL HEAD ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE RADIO HAD TO BE SENT OUT FOR REPAIRS. THE ALARM WOULD SOUND ON ITS OWN. THE LIGHT LOCATED ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WOULD NOT GO OUT. THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10164742
Incident
Jul 3, 2006
Electrical
Filed Dec 2, 2005

A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN IT DOES NO OTHER ELECTRICAL PARTS WILL OPERATE. FOR INSTANCE IF YOU HAVE A WINDOW DOWN YOU CAN'T ROLL IT UP OR THE HEATER WON'T WORK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. WE'VE HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AS WELL AS OVERLAYING ELECTRICAL WIRES AND NONE OF THIS HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. ON ONE OCCASION THEY HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH, PUT APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES ON IT AND STILL COULDN'T FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEM. OUR CONCERN IS THAT WHEN THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND NOTHING ELSE ELECTRICAL WORKS WHAT IF YOU NEEDED, SAY, THE DEFROSTER TO COME ON AND IT WOULDN'T IT COULD POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM! THE DATE IN THE INCIDENT BOX IS JUST AN APPROXIMATION THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE WE'VE OWNED THE CAR. THANK YOU. *NM

NHTSA ID
10144228
Incident
May 2, 2003
Mileage
1,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 14, 2005

THE VEHICLES REAREND (DIFFERENTIAL) DEVELOPS A HOWLING NOISE, NOTICABLE AT 40+ MPH. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE REAREND ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASSIONS. THE NOISE IS STARTING TO OCCUR AGAIN, IF REPLACED THIS WOULD BE THE FOURTH REAREND.

NHTSA ID
10139735
Incident
Oct 14, 2005
Mileage
8,525 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Aug 26, 2005

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

NHTSA ID
10130105
Incident
Oct 1, 2003
Mileage
6,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 8, 2005

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. FRONT RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER CAME OFF AND LOCKED UP WHEEL AND SLID MY CAR SIDEWAYS WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. 2003, FORD, THUNDERBIRD ON THE DAY OF DELIVERY WITH 300 MILES ON THE CAR CALIPER BOLT FELL OUT, AND WHEN BRAKES APPLIED THE CALIPER TURNED UP INTO THE WHEEL, AND JAMMED WHEEL. AT 6:30 PM. MOVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT LANE, AND APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. ORIGINAL SPEED WAS BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. RELEASED BRAKES, AND HEARD A CLUNG UNDER THE CAR AS IF WE RAN OVER SOMETHING. IMMEDIATELY LOOKED BACK, BUT SAW NOTHING IN THE ROAD. CONTINUED TO PARKING LOT, APPLIED BRAKES, AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAR SLID TO AN ANGLED STOP, RELEASED BRAKES ,AND ROLLED FORWARD WITH VERY STRONG CLANKING NOISE. WE CONTINUED INTO THE PARKING LOT. MY WIFE CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR FRONT RIGHT CALIPER BOLTS, AND WHEEL WAS REPLACED. THE PROPER CALIPER BOLT WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF REPLACEMENT. SERVICE USED BOLT THEY COULD FIND. 1 FAILURE, NO ONE HURT, NO POLICE REPORT, JUST VERY LUCKY.*AK THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *TC

NHTSA ID
10106796
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Mileage
300 mi

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