1994 Ford Thunderbird LX review from North America
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Air conditioner cycle switch failed, compresser failed.
Loses coolant - suspect head gasket problem that so many of these 3.8 motors have. $$$ to fix.
Glove box latch broken.
Seat headrests rattle noisily.
Both headlamp assemblies have bad seals allowing water to enter, and erode chromed plastic reflector coating inside the housing.
Rear suspension noisy.
General comments?
I loved the car, but the minor defects, along with the major problem of the head gaskets would prevent me from ever buying another of this model. And for pete's sake everyone, stay away from any Ford with the 3.8 Liter V6. The EPIDEMIC head gasket problem with this engine goes back a few years from what I have learned, and Ford has not done much to remedy the situation with it's customers. Some models (Windstar, Continental, Sable, Taurus) were repaired free of charge under a hidden recall program, but others (T-Bird, Mustang) with the same engine, and same problem were left out of the recall. And the customers left out in the cold. All models were limited to 60,000 miles to qualify for the recall, but by now, most of the 94 models (which is where the recall started in the range of model years) will have exceeded that figure by now, so like me at 68,000 and just now learning of this problem, and the recall, and having a non-qualifying vehicle, have no choice but to pay the extremely expensive repair bill to fix it. $1200 to $2300.
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Engine and transmission | 3.8 V6 |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 5/10 |
| Comfort marks | 9/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 3/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5/10 |
| Date of Entry | 17th January, 1999 |


