Ford Thunderbird 1985

Model Thunderbird made in 1985 by Ford got 15 consumer complains, 1 investigation there is 1 recall as well as 19 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system, engine and engine cooling and fuel system, other. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system, engine and engine cooling and equipment. The car had one investigation (seats). There was one recall concerning service brakes, hydraulic . The car has 3 modeles with engines 2.3l, 3.8l and 5.0l.

Model 1985

Engine [L]CylindersTransmissionDriveEstimate MPG (city/highway/combined)Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined)FuelFuel costClassRelease date
( 2.3L) 4Automatic, 3 gearsRWD18/21/1920/27/22Regular$ 986484 830
( 2.3L) 4Manual, 5 gearsRWD19/26/2121/33/25Regular$ 892484 920
( 3.8L) 6Lockup/automatic, 3 gearsRWD19/22/2021/28/24Regular$ 938484 820
( 3.8L) 6Lockup/automatic, 4 gearsRWD18/25/2120/32/24Regular$ 89248410 2
( 5.0L) 8Lockup/automatic, 4 gearsRWD16/24/1918/30/22Regular$ 986484 815
( 2.3L) 4Automatic, 3 gearsRWD18/21/1920/27/22Regular$ 986484 830
( 2.3L) 4Manual, 5 gearsRWD19/26/2221/34/25Regular$ 853484 920
( 3.8L) 6Lockup/automatic, 3 gearsRWD18/22/2020/28/23Regular$ 938484 821
( 3.8L) 6Lockup/automatic, 4 gearsRWD19/25/2121/32/25Regular$ 892484 830
( 5.0L) 8Lockup/automatic, 4 gearsRWD16/24/1918/30/22Regular$ 986484 815

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER
85V025000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 01/01/1985 to 01/01/1985V (Vehicle)3508MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY03/11/198503/20/1985
Defect SummaryBrake master cylinders may have improperly anodized internal surfaces causing accelerated wear of a piston seal. consequence of defect: one portion of the split brake system would become ineffective resulting in increased stopping distance which may cause an accident. driver would be warned by increased pedal travel and the brake warning light.
Consequence Summary
Corrective SummaryMaster cylinders built on january 9, 1985 will be replaced.
NotesVehicle description: passenger cars. system: brake master cylinder.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
9922210/18/19996089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt02/11/2000
9624611/18/199650905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements. *tw06/17/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
987404/13/1998601343A new silicone gasket and sealant. *yc07/24/1998
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER
9919609/20/19996090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems. *tt03/08/2000
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
9915207/26/1999608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt01/05/2001
001501/10/2000612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs06/06/2000
988804/27/1998601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc07/10/1998
9751103/03/199751945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts. *jd07/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
00231011/13/2000616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt03/05/2001
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
9624911/18/199650908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
96261212/16/199650997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
9521210/01/199546478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes is no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. if petroleum-based grease is used to lubricate any par04/25/1996
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
985A1303/18/1998601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes is no longer acceptable. *yc06/17/1998
956203/01/199539900Roughness concern during brake application. *tw11/01/1995
BC889995040104/01/19953010700Unknown11/01/1995
TIRES
985204/13/1998601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance. *yc07/17/1998
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
0115708/06/2001623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *slc10/31/2001
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - HEATER CORE
0115608/06/2001623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc10/31/2001
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD
9622110/21/199650940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film. *tw06/17/1997

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
SEATS
EA86010FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/26/198607/28/1989SEATBACK FAILURE86V082000
 There is no summary currently available

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
207/08/1995
 Ignition module system failure caused the shut off of gasoline flow immediately with no chance of restart. *yh
07/01/2001105/01/1994
 My first complaint is about the ignition switch in the steering column. while atempting to pull into traffic my vehicle completely died as if i had turned off the key. luckily i was able to coast to the side of the road and just barely avoided being hit. the car would not restart unless i jiggled the key. i called a ford dealer and they said my car was not covered under the recall but the told me how to fix the problem. i replaced the switch and the car is running fine now. however it took a long time to remove the switch due to the fact that it had melted to the wiring harness. i still have the part in my possession. my other complaint is regarding the stator pick-up assembly under the base of the distributor cap. not once but twice i have had to replace this assembly due the fact that it had melted and fell apart. in this instance my family was with me at a very dangerous intersection where it took me roughly 20 minutes to get the car to refire enough to move it out of harms way. all the car would do is start up run enough to roll it a little more forward. i attempted to push the car but because of the traffic i gave up rather than being struck by another vehicle. again i called ford and they informed me that my car was not covered under the recall for this particular part. what i would like to know is if there is some organization that might be able to help me or perhaps you could provide me with information as to what legal group i might be able to contact.*ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
1
 Ignition switch intermittently fails and blows fuses.
03/20/1997106/01/1993
 Ignition switch fire.
 The ignition caught on fire and burned, all the wire had to be replaced. *ak
04/22/19962
 Ignition switch fire. *sd
01/01/1995
 Vehicle was parked in driveway, under the hood fire, electrical short. *ak
04/01/1996
 When vehicle is first started, smelled of wiring burning for a period of 10 minutes, electrical short. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
05/01/199404/01/1994
 Car was parked and caught on fire. *ak
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
 Gas line leaks at the top of the gas tank. *yc
SEATS
11/24/1997101/20/1985
 Seatback failed due to a bolt disconnecting. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
01/01/19861
 Brakes don't hold. *dsh
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER
08/10/19920
 Master cylinder failed twice, prior to recall. (85v025000) *dsh
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
12/14/19981
 Had parked vehicle & left for awhile. returned to vehicle & entered. started vehicle & was moving when vehicle suddenly accelerated & took off for no reason. foot on brakes at time. vehicle hit 2 parked vehicles & a fence. driver was injured. *ak