1996 Ford Thunderbird LX from North America - Comments

Check engine light came on at 8K miles -- it was a misfire on startup which was a recall.

I love this car. The engine is silky smooth, and yet has a wonderful V-8 roar on full acceleration. While she's flying up to speed, you're coddled in the very comfortable interior. This car's handling is excellent.

Where else can you get a RWD V8 powered big coupe for so little money? (This car cost $14000 when I got it August '98 with 6000 miles on it.)

I highly recommend this car.

I just wanted to say thank you. I just bought a 1996 Thunder bird a month ago. I purchased it from a friend and the car only has 65,000 miles on it. (Him and I usually average about 280 days a year deployed). He has had a chronic problem with the check engine light. I'm pretty sure the dealership has worked on it several times to include a Catalytic converter change. Every time the light illuminates after about 50 miles. I will now take it back to the Ford dealership and remind them on the recall. If it hasn't been accomplished to the car, they should do it then free of charge. Other than that, the car runs and drives outstanding! I'll either live with the light or cut the wire to the bulb! He did not buy the car new, so, I don't think he has any idea about the recall. thank you again.

Griff7809@yahoo.com.

You will want to be careful cutting the wires to the check engine light, in some states where inspections, smog checks etc are performed, they will make the check engine light come on on purpose then fail you if it doesn't pass.

I bought my 1996 thunderbird in 2001 with 55,000 miles on it for $6,100 and I had it for a week then it started to shift poorly I had the transmission sucked of the old fluid and new put in and I have put almost 50,000 more miles on it and the transmission shifts clean. My check engine light came on and it was the fuel vapor sensor canister for the gas tank. It is just another usless sensor. But a good way to hide that light is to put a picture of someone in front of it.

I own a 1996 Thunderbird and just love it. It was not new when I bought it, got it from a nice older man. It had 23,000 miles on it and I have been driving it for 5 years and haven't really had a problem. Mine is Champagne with the ground effects, no sun roof though. I agree about the light.. I put a picture of Toby Keith in front of mine! The only major thing I can think of that has went wrong is my gas needle sticks and has been stuck in the full position for a year now. I have to go by mileage, but wouldn't trade it for a thing! Nice website!

I bought my 1996 Thunderbird new, and had the transmission replaced at 59,000 miles due to delay between gears. From that time on eht check engine light has been and hesitates due to running too rich. The cats made a little noise from time to time, they finally gave out and clogged the exhaust so car would not start. I have since cut holes in them and in addition to the car running better than it has in 8 years the current transmission had the same delay problem and it is now gone. The cats must have been bad from the beginning, the car now has 128,000 miles on it and has has the typical 3.8 head gasket that had to be replaced at 90,000 miles- but dealer would not cover due to age.

Badnews_bird@yahoo.com.

Another solution to an always-on check engine light is a small strip of black electrical tape.

I am very glad to see that I am not the only T'Bird owner that has a love for the vehicle, I bought my 1996 in 1999 with no less than 87k miles on it used it for work for a couple of years putting close to 350miles a week, the car looks great even after two years of that, it's a pretty pearl color my wife and I got married in it. It has trouble with the shift solenoids on the tranny (which I'll have changed very soon) Engine now shivers (head gaskets will have to be changed) but the ride is still comfy and great at turns, I'll never change this car, ever.

Oh yes the Engine light well of course a Photo of My Wife takes care of that.

I have a 1996 Thunderbird LX. The problem I have is that there is up to a 10 second delay in starting the engine after the ignition is turned. Any ideas?