Are there any problems with the Ford Thunderbird?

Check out our Ford Thunderbird overview to see the most problematic years, worst problems and most recently reported complaints with the Thunderbird.

When did Ford stop making the T Bird?

Ford kills the T-Bird–and not on a Friday: Ford announced today it would cease production of its much-hyped Thunderbird in the “2005 or 2006 model year,”according to an AP report on MSNBC.

What are the problems with a 1957 Ford TBIRD?

I have a 1957 Ford TBird with Fordomatic and 312 engine. Two problems: 1.Engine turns over with starter, but not by hand. Plugs removed and fan belt very tight. Belt slips when turning fan and will not turn engine over. Must remove fan to put wrench on crankshaft bolt, and have not done this. No go in neutral or park. What am I missing?

Is the new Ford Thunderbird a retro car?

The new Thunderbird is a good example of retrofuturism in car design. While it evokes the classic Thunderbird, it also possesses a very contemporary and individual identity. “It’s not retro,” insists Mays. “While the Thunderbird concept is loaded with heritage cues, it is a decidedly modern machine.”

What are the most common Ford Thunderbird problems?

Tap the to learn more about the most common Ford Thunderbird problems. The engine may stall when the engine is warmed up. The AC compressor may seize resulting in loss of cold air from the AC vents. There have been some issues reported with the electric sliding doors. Ignition switch failure may cause the car to stall or fail to start.

Ford kills the T-Bird–and not on a Friday: Ford announced today it would cease production of its much-hyped Thunderbird in the “2005 or 2006 model year,”according to an AP report on MSNBC.

What are the problems with my 2005 T Bird?

I’ve been taken back with my 2005 because of the number of electrical issues that have developed. (1) tilt steering’s up/down gone; (2) steering wheel’s radio control switches gone mad; (3) seats heater switches; (4) rear window defogger.

Tidwell’s past experience as an ASE-certified mechanic has been helpful in addressing the SC’s trouble spots, and he has written an online Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe Buyer’s Guide. Not surprisingly, the SC’s electronics, now decades old, are among those trouble spots.

What should I do about my 1989 Thunderbird?

Like Kreisz, Tidwell recommends joining the Super Coupe Club of America (SCCoA) and its active member forums for information and technical support. He also recommends getting a copy of the factory service manual and the Electrical and Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual. Even routine maintenance can cause headaches—and bruised hands.

What kind of engine did the Ford Thunderbird have?

Its 3.8-liter V-6, an offshoot of Ford’s Windsor small-block V-8, used a Roots-type Eaton supercharger, intercooler and computer-controlled distributorless ignition. With 12-psi maximum boost, output was 210 hp at 4000 rpm and 315 lb-ft of torque at 2600 rpm.

Where is tail of the Dragon Ford Thunderbird?

A big Ford Thunderbird might not be your first choice for driving eastern Tennessee’s Tail of the Dragon. The mountainous, 11-mile stretch of U.S. 129 throws more than 300 snaking curves at sports car drivers and motorcycle riders who come to “tame” it. Some don’t go home.

What was the acceleration time of a Ford Thunderbird?

An electronically controlled 4R70W 4-speed automatic transmission replaced the AOD automatic transmission in all instances where it was previously used in the Thunderbird. Car and Driver reviewed the 4.6 L V8 and it managed a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 8.1 seconds and a quarter-mile being completed in 16.3 seconds at 87 mph (140 km/h).

What kind of transmission does a Ford Thunderbird have?

The Super Coupe could be had with a Mazda-derived, M5R2 5-speed manual transmission or an AOD 4-speed automatic transmission (or 4r70w for 1994/1995 models). The Thunderbird Super Coupe was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 1989, which Ford proudly advertised.

What did the Ford Thunderbird look like in 1996?

For 1996, the Thunderbird was offered only as an LX model. The hood, headlamps and bumper fascias were once again redesigned. The front fascia received a honeycomb mesh grille, with a revised Thunderbird emblem placed in the center. The headlamps were changed to crystal clear lenses with fluted inner reflector housings.

What makes the SVE Thunderbird different from other Thunderbirds?

Unique to the SVE Thunderbird relative to other Thunderbirds were 17-inch, five spoke Cobra R wheels, larger dual exhaust tips, a different lower section of the front fascia with fog lights]

Is the Ford Thunderbird covered by the TSB?

While COP issues can occur with all 2002-2005 Thunderbirds, the 2002 was not covered by the Ford TSB, or ‘Technical Service Bulletin” alerting owners and dealers to the problem. 2003 Thunderbirds were given extended factory coverage to 10 years / 100,000 miles.

What happens when an ignition coil fails on a Thunderbird?

When an ignition coil fails, it can lead to serious engine problems, including misfiring, rough idling, diminished acceleration, and poor engine performance. How do I know if I have a COP problem?

When does a cop fail on a Thunderbird?

COP issues tend to appear on Thunderbirds with 20,000-30,000 or more miles, however, they can fail at any time depending on the age and mileage of the car. Some Thunderbird owners have driver 50,000 miles or more without a COP failure, while others have experienced problems with as few as 15,000 miles on their cars.

What was the horsepower of a 2004 Ford Thunderbird?

It was rated at 252 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque compared with 281 horsepower and 287 pound-feet for the Jag mill-all of this to eliminate any possibility of Jag buyers thinking their elegant new cats were propelled by something as plebeian as a mere Ford engine. The two engines have diverged further in recent revisions.

When did Ford Thunderbird come out in car and driver?

We may earn money from the links on this page. A little more thunder, a little too late. From the August 2003 issue of Car and Driver. The auto industry has a vast pharmacopeia of nostrums formulated to cure sales anemia, but our favorite continues to be a massive shot of vitamin HP.

What’s the average speed of a Ford Thunderbird?

(With the optional 91-pound hardtop attached, that ’02 car hit 60 in 7.0 seconds.) The vitamin-HP-enriched ’03 Bird covers the quarter-mile in 15 seconds flat at 95 mph, versus 15.2 at 94 for the ’02 version, and hits 100 mph in 16.8 seconds compared with 17.4.

What’s the price of a new Ford Thunderbird?

A couple other noteworthy updates: The ’03 Bird has a modestly revised instrument panel, with analog gauges that look more conventional-and hence less wispy in daylight driving-than the previous readouts. And there’s also the option ($130) of a Select Shift version of the car’s standard five-speed automatic transmission.

When did the Ford Thunderbird SC come out?

Ford built about 58,000 Thunderbird SCs; 1990 was the best sales year at just under 22,000. Kreisz’s ’92 SC, which he bought in 1994 as a daily driver and later modified for higher performance, is one of three he owns.

What was the price of a 1989 Ford Thunderbird?

A 200-hp 5.0-liter V-8 option arrived for 1991, replaced in ’94 by Ford’s 4.6-liter OHC V-8. Ford threw everything it had at the SC, which started at $20,000 in 1989 (that’s about $41k today).

When did the Ford Thunderbird Forum Club start?

Welcome to the Ford Thunderbird forum club! Since 2001 our Thunderbird club’s discussion forum community has been a top resource for all model year Thunderbird enthusiasts from vintage Thunderbirds to retro T-birds. Our T-bird group is free and only takes 30 seconds to secure your handle.

Why does my Ford Thunderbird door sag when I open it?

One of the most common issues with the 1989 through 1997 Ford Thunderbird and Mercury Cougar cars is the doors sag over time. The doors are long and they’re heavy so over time, the bushings and pins get worn out and cause the doors to drop or sag down when opened.

How big is a full size Ford bolt pattern?

10 X 225 ~ 10 X 7.25 ~ 4 X 100 ~ 4 X 108 ~ 4 X 4.5 ~ 5 X 108 ~ 5 X 127 ~ 5 X 135 ~ 5 X 4.5 ~ 5 X 5.5 ~ 6 X 135 ~ 6 X 5.5 ~ 7 X 150 ~ 8 X 170 ~ 8 X 200 ~ 8 X 225 ~ 8 X 275 ~ 8 X 6.5 ~ All FORD Bolt Pattern (s) 1957-64 FORD CUSTOM, ETC. 1965-72 FORD FULL SIZE (CUSTOM, GALAXIE,T-BIRD,ETC.) 1957-64 FORD FULL SIZE (GALAXIE, CUSTOM,ETC.)

Can a Dorman 38445 striker fit a T-Bird?

NOTE: It has come to my attention that the Dorman 38445 strikers may only fit 1989-1993 T-Birds / Cougars. It would be interesting if someone with a 94-97 car could verify. If you would rather use Ford bushings and hinge pins, those part numbers are D9ZZ-6643030-AA for the pins and D9OZ-6522841-C for the bushings.

What was the last year Ford Thunderbird was made?

Later reports show that the very last T-bird was indeed, a Platinum Silver Thunderbird. It is in the hands of a member of the Ford family in Maine. This last car was fitted with a commemorative dash trim saying that it was the last Thunderbird built. Later update: This Thunderbird era ended July 1, 2005.

What was the year of the 1990 Thunderbird?

He also has a 16,000-mile 1990 Thunderbird 35th Anniversary Edition with a five-speed and a 1995 five-speed model with 105,000 miles. His Anniversary car was part of a special Thunderbird display at Carlisle in 2015.

What was the horsepower of a 1989 Ford Thunderbird?

(Numerous upgrades boosted output to 230 hp and 330 lb.-ft. in the ’94–95 model) The standard five-speed manual transmission came from Mazda; a Ford four-speed automatic overdrive was optional. A stock SC could do 0–60 in 7.5 seconds and the quarter-mile in the mid-15s at about 90 mph, impressive for a two-ton car in the mid 1990s.

What causes a 2002 Thunderbird to go limp?

These TSBs applied to 2003-2005 Thunderbirds, but not the 2002. Defective COPs can cause a variety of problems and symptoms including stalling, rough idling, poor or choppy acceleration and loss of power causing the car to go into ‘limp’ mode.

What was the top speed of a 1989 Thunderbird?

A stock SC could do 0–60 in 7.5 seconds and the quarter-mile in the mid-15s at about 90 mph, impressive for a two-ton car in the mid 1990s. Top speed was about 140 mph. Road & Track wrote, “… the 3.8 puts power to the rear wheels with the smoothness of a monster electric motor.”

Are there any problems with the Ford Thunderbird?