1996 Ford Thunderbird LX from North America - Comments

The crank position sensor went bad at 54,000 miles. This problem cost me a small fortune in towing and troubleshooting costs. Every time the car wouldn't start I would have it towed to the dealer. Once at the dealership, the car would start right up. The problem wasn't solved until the car's 9th trip to the dealer!

Paint quality on car was "new" when I purchased the car. After three years of routine washing and detailing, paint condition was poor. Most of the factory clear coat had wore off of hood and roof. Paint looked flat/dull.

Took the car in for a routine brake job at 60,000. Repair shop said rotors were warped and needed replaced. Rotors could not be machined and needed to be replaced. New brakes and rotors for front and rear cost $550.00.

Interior of the car was excellent when first purchased. After about three years the airbag cover on the passengers side of vehicle began to warp and miss-shape. Drivers seat cushioning and support is poor on long trips.

The windshield wiper motor went bad at approximately 65,000 miles. The cost to repair was $350.00.

The fuel pump went out at approximately 68,000 miles. First symptom of problem was when the fuel gauge quit working properly. About 6 months later the pump went out on my way to work. The dealer had to remove the exhaust system and drive shaft in order to remove the fuel tank to replace pump. Cost for fuel pump replacement was $750.00.

Car continues to have electrical problems of an unknown nature. Dealers from three different states have not been able to solve problems. Currently the car will sometimes stop running as it is being driven down the road. Car will not restart and must be towed. Dealer can offer no help, only replaces sensors and shrugs off problems.

Overall, I would say that the styling of the car is great. I have had plenty of positive comments on the car and the engine has been super reliable.

The car is continually plagued with electrical problems and no one has been able to find the faults!! I have taken this car in for electrical problems close to 20 times, still no solid answers.

I am glad I came along your page. But the only problems I have had with mine is the front end squeaking (Which I fixed with a can of WD-40), and a minor electrical problem (Maybe only a short so I'm told). It will be fine for a while, and then when you are driving down the road, the battery meter goes up a bit although it's still in NORML range then flutters, and so do the head lights, and interior lights. I took it to a local shop, and they said that the battery and the alternator was fine... What do you think? Contact me at KellysMan51@Excite.com.

My Thunderbird Was purchased with 78k miles, and now after six years and 169K miles the Transmission needs the shift solenoids, but I think I will have a Racing Trans (New, no core needed)

for $1900.00 Plus shipping, a couple of friends and me will mount it. I LOVE THIS CAR I got married in it and My Wife loves it too, I'm sure we'll keep it till we get very old and drive around the town on weekends.

I just purchased a 96 4.6L thunderchicken with 120,000 miles from the original owner and so far I love it, front end made noises going down the road,it was the upper control arms and sway-bar links, cost $215.00 for lifetime replacement parts and I installed them in 3 hours. Ford made a mistake ending the manufacturing of these great cars, people can say whatever bad they want about fords, thank god the average backyard hillbilly can't figure out how to work on them.

I have 97 t-bird. I got it at 48,000. No problems for the first couple years then. At 100,000 the heater core leaked. I replaced it. Had to remove the entire dash. The car is built around the heater core. I replaced this twice. Note to everyone: Don't buy cheap parts.

Now I'm having the same type of odd electrical problems you are having. My car will just not crank. Give it a little time then it cranks. It did this several times. I found a solution..ether. I'd open up the air filter and spray a little down the tube while smeone was cranking it for me. This saved me several times. But now the ether isn't working. From what I'm reading it sounds like the Crank Position sensor. I have to reove the AC Compressor to change out this $25 part. I hope it fixes it else it'll be a PCM.

Bottom line I like the car. I do hate that Ford engineers can't put parts, sensors and parts that are know to fail, in locations that are blocked by major components or without access plates. The way they do things exchanging low dollar parts cost hundreds because of poor design.