1997 Ford Thunderbird

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/28/2000· TIRES

  LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAD NOTICED AN UNUSAL SOUND BEGINNING THE PREVIOUS DAY, BUT COULDN'T DETERMINE WHAT IT WAS. THE NOISE DISSAPEARED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILED TIRE WAS CHANGED, WHICH WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE A DEFECT MORE LIKELY THAN A ROAD HAZARD. FAILURE INDICATED BY CATASPROHIC OUTTER SIDEWALL RUPTURE ADJACENT TO TREAD EDGE. TREAD SHOWED SEPARATION IN VICINITY RUNNING ABOUT TEN INCHES ALONG CIRCUMFERENCE. WILL KEEP TIRE ON HAND FOR ANYONE WHO MIGHT WANT TO SEE IT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2M3IPN237 TIRESIZE: P21570R15)

• 12/23/2005· POWER TRAIN

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FLOOR SHIFTER WAS STICKING IN PARK WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. IT TOOK FIVE TO TEN MINUTES TO MOVE THE SHIFTER INTO OTHER GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER SAID THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A JUNK YARD TO LOCATE ANOTHER SHIFTER. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

• 12/20/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE

  DUE TO THE LOCATION OF CUP HOLDERS SPILLAGE FROM CUPS GET INTO GEAR SHIFT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT DUE TO DESIGN AND LOCATION OF THE CUP HOLDER ANY SPILL OF LIQUIDS GETS INTO THE GEAR SHIFT AREA CAUSING THE GEAR SHIFT TO GET HARD AND ALSO, HARD TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. ENGINE LEAKS OIL DUE TO ROCKER ARM COVER FAILURE. *YH

• 12/16/1998· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash

  WIFE HAD A COLLISION W/NISSEN PICKUP, DOING 40 MPH, ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT END DAMAGE BUT THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE NISSEN PICK DESTROYED. I'M ATTACKING FORD FOR THIS. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW CANN'T MOVE HIS NECK DUE TO HE HIT THE WINDSHEILD, HIS SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD HIM AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE.

• 12/15/1998· VISIBILITY

  WINDSHIELD WASHER SPRAYS TO THE REAR WINDOW, FORD DEALERS CAN'T FIX. *ML

• 12/10/2001· STRUCTURE

  I FIXED THIS ONCE WITH GLUE AND REPLACED. THE ACTUATOR BROKE THE DOOR AGAIN. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM CONSIDERING IF WILL MAKE WINDOW DEFROSTER NON FUNCTIONAL. *AK

• 12/08/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD MOTOR DIED WHILE DRIVING.*MR ***NOT IN REPOSITORY. *NM

• 12/04/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES GOT STIFF. WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE TIE RODS SNAPPED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHICH FOUND A CRACK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MASTER CYLINDER ALONG WITH OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH

• 11/30/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  A LEAKING FUEL LINE ON MY 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD, (V6 ENGINE), WITH 113000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALER WHO SUGGESTED REPLACING COMPLETELY BOTH FUEL LINES, BECAUSE THERE SEEMED TO BE CORROSION, SO THAT WAS DONE AT A COST TO ME OF $548. AS FAR AS I KNOW THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, ALTHOUGH I BOUGHT THE CAR USED A FEW YEARS AGO. LUCKILY I NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE, AND THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED BY AAA TO THE FORD DEALER. SO NO FIRE OCCURRED. THE CAR BEING JUST 6 YEARS OLD, I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE WOULD BE A LEAKING FUEL LINE. APPARENTLY CORROSION RESULTED IN THE FUEL LINE LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE CAR NEAR THE GAS TANK. *AK

• 11/28/2000· TIRES

  THE FIRESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED RECALL (00T-005). *MJS

• 11/27/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I PURCHASED THIS 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD LX SPORT AS A USED VEHICLE IN OCT. 2002. I NOTICED THAT DURING THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LEAK A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF COOLANT ONTO MY DRIVEWAY BUT I COULD NEVER SEE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. SOMETIMES IT WOULD GO FOR DAYS WITHOUT LEAKING AND THEN ONE DAY THERE WOULD BE OVER A QUART OF COOLANT ON THE DRIVEWAY. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO A SHOP THAT PUT THE CAR ON A LIFT TO LOOK FOR THE LEAK BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ONE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND ADD COOLANT EVERY TIME THE "LOW COOLANT" LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH PANEL. IN MAY 2005 I WAS ON THE 91 FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING THE "LOW COOLANT" LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TEMP CAME UP QUICKLY SO I TRIED TO CHANGE LANES TO THE RIGHT TO EXIT THE FREEWAY AND THE BACK OF THE CAR BROKE LOOSE AND I ALMOST TURNED SIDEWAYS. I FOUND OUT LATER THAT THE REAR TIRES AND WHEEL WELLS WERE SOAKED IN COOLANT. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I FOUND OUT THAT MY INTERMITTENT LEAK THAT NO ONE COULD FIND WAS MY INTAKE MANIFOLD AT THE BASE OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. I WENT TO RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA FORD AND ASKED ABOUT RECALLS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD EXPIRED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. THE CAR NOW SITS PARKED UNREPAIRED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY ALMOST TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS TO CORRECT FORDS ENGINEERING BLUNDER. *JB

• 11/27/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ABS BRAKE LIGHT GO ON AND OFF WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, CAUSING A FLASHING OF THE LIGHTS. *AK

• 11/20/1999· STEERING

  THE SHUDDER IN THE STEERING IS BAD WHEN BRAKING FROM HIGHER SPEEDS AND CAUSES LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PRE-LOAD SPRING IN THE RACK AS PER FORD'S TSB DID NOT WORK TO CORRECT THE SHUDDERING.*ET

• 11/20/1999· SUSPENSION

  STEERING SHUDDERS, DEALER AND FORD ENGINEER CAN'T FIX AFTER 7 ATTEMPTS. FORD SHOULD BE SLAPPED FOR THIS. THEY HAVE STOPPED TRYING TO FIX IT AND WILL NOT REFUND MY MONEY FOR THIS PIECE OF IGNORANTLY DESIGNED JUNK. *AK

• 11/19/1999· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS

  NO SUMMARY

• 11/18/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT. CAR RUN HOT. PREVIOUSLY ENGINE MANIFOLD CRACKED. AT THAT TIME(OCTOBER 99), ENGINE RAN HOT AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. THEY REPLACED THE MANIFOLD AND THEN THE RADIATOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE ENGINE IS NOW RUNNING HARDER AND THE NOISE LEVEL IS HIGHER. I FEAR THAT WITH THE CAR OVERHEATING SO MANY TIMES PERMANENT DAMAGE MAY HAVE BEEN DONE TO THE ENGINE HEADS. THE CAR IS ALMOST OUT OF WARRANTY AND I FEAR I MAY GET STUCK WITH AN ENGINE REPAIR JOB AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. *AK

• 11/16/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 11/15/2003· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE HOOD OF MY CAR INADVERTENTLY COMES OPENS. IT DOES NOT COME COMPLETELY OPEN BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY LATCH. I AM VERY CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE IT IS SECURELY CLOSED AFTER I OPEN IT. I BELIEVE THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THE HOOD SHOULD COME ALL THE WAY UP WHILE I AM DRIVING. *LA

• 11/15/2000· SUSPENSION

  FRONT BALL JOINT POPPED OUT OF SOCKET WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS REPLACED CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT TWICE, AND PROBLEM REOCCURRED.*AK THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED COMPLETLY AND THE REAR LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. TENSION ARM BUSHING AND LOWER CONTROL ARM ON RIGHT SIDE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE LEFT FRONT SWAYBAR FAILED. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. *YH

• 11/14/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VISIBILITY,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  1. PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE - COVERED BY GENERAL RECALL 97M91, ALTHOUGH SIMILAR PLASTIC ENGINEERING IS APPLIED TO BOTH VALVE COVERS BUT IS NOT IS NOT COVERED BY RECALL. THE FORD SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT THE HEATER CORE WILL BLOW SOON TOO. 2. THE BRAKES/ROTORS HAVE BEEN A CHRONIC PROBLEM - THIS IS MY 2ND THUNDERBIRD - BOTH CARS HAD THE SAME TYPE PROBLEMS. I HAVE REPLACED ROTORS, BRAKE PADS REPEATEDLY WITHOUT SOLVING THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS SEVERE FRONT END VIBRATION WHICH IS MAKES THE CAR UNENJOYABLE AND DANGEROUS. I HAVE CHANGED TIRE SIZES AND BRANDS 4 TIMES. THE CONSUMER REPORTS RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE ON THIS CAR CAUSES ME TO BE AFRAID OF IT. 3. THE CRUISE CONTROL DEFECT WAS ALSO DANGEROUTS, BUT IT WAS REPAIRED SATISFACTORY.*AK

• 11/13/2000· SUSPENSION

  BOTH INCIDENTS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. ON THE FIRST OCCASION I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR COLLAPSED. FROM WHAT THE DEALER SAY FORD ENGINEERS LOOKED AT IT AND COULDN'T BELIEVE THE BALL JOUINT POPPED OUT OF THE SOCKET. AGAIN THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT WITHIN 10 MONTHS. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND LET ME KNOW IF I CAN TAKE FURTHER ACTION WITH REGARDS TO THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. THANKS , TOM. *AK

• 11/09/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO FORCE VEHICLE IN PARK AND AVOID A CRASH. DEALER UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. *AK *ML

• 11/06/2000· TIRES

  TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING @ 70 MPH, 2ND TIRE HAS TREAD STARTING TO SEPARATE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2M3 TIRESIZE: P215/70R15)

• 11/05/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE FRONT BRAKE SHOES AND PADS, CONSUMER ALSO STATE WHEN TRAVELING THERE IS A BURNING SMELL DUE TO THE RAKE OVERHEATING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKES.

• 11/02/2006· SUSPENSION

  MY MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH MY AUTOMOBILE THAT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. ALL THE BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT END ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY. HE SAYS THE EXCESSIVE WEAR IS A RESULT OF THE DUST SEALS DISINTEGRATING ALLOWING DIRT AND WATER TO ENTER THE BALL JOINTS. HE INDICATED THAT THIS IS PROBABLY A RESULT OF THE USE OF INAPPROPRIATE OR DEFECTIVE MATERIALS FOR THE SEALS. I AM GOING TO HAVE THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED. I WILL ASK THE MECHANIC TO KEEP THE OLD PARTS FOR ME. *NM

• 11/01/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  VEHICLE IS EQUIP WITH A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. WHILE DRIVING THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LEAK COOLANT ONTO THE ENGINE. WHICH COULD OF RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. MR

• 10/30/2013· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

  I SMELL GAS WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED OF 60 AND ABOVE ON FREEWAY MOSTLY. ONCE IN A WHILE I CAN SMELL IT WHEN DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS OF 25 -30MPH. I USED TO THINK THAT I HAD SPILLED GAS ON THE OUTSIDE OF CAR WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING, BUT NOW A YEAR LATER, I STILL SMELL GAS AND I DO SMOKE IN MY CAR, BUT WHEN I SMELL THE GAS, I WILL PUT THE CIGARETTE OUT. IS THERE SOME KIND OF RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, THAT CAN REPAIR IT. I HAVE PUT $4000.00 INTO RESTORING THE CAR AND I AND PUTTING ANOTHER $800.00 INTO IT NEXT WEEK, NOVEMBER 2013, TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BELTS AROUND THE ENGINE. I HAVE ALREADY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION FOR $1800.00 AT AAMCO, AND PUT A $2200.00 PAINT JOB ON IT, BEFORE I KNEW OF THE GAS SMELL. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. AM I FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE WITH THIS CAR? *TR

• 10/27/1997· SUSPENSION

  SUSPENSION FAILED RESULTING IN TIRE WEAR.

• 10/25/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHILE IN SHOP FOR UNRELATED REPAIR, MECHANIC NOTICED THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

• 10/23/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A PRETTY STRONG GAS SMELL ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR

• 10/22/1997· VISIBILITY

  REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. MJS

• 10/21/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT

  REPEATED REPLACEMENT OF FRONT DISK PADS AND ROTORS, AND FAILURE TO CHECK BACK BRAKES WHICH COST ME $361.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED. ALSO, CONSTANT LEAKS IN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM THAT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIX. *AK

• 10/15/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. *JB

• 10/14/1997· SEATS

  SEATS DO NOT LATCH. PROBLEM FOUND PREVALENT ON MOST 1997 THUNDERBIRDS. *AK

• 10/13/2006· SUSPENSION

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PERFORMING GENERAL MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE PLASTIC SEALS ON ALL FOUR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AS WELL AS THE SEALS ON THE STABILIZER BAR WERE FRACTURED AND DETERIORATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

• 10/13/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK OUT. FORD WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT PENDING. FORD AGREED TO REPLACE ON VEHICLES 7 YEARS OLD OR LESS. MY VEH IS 8 YEARS OLD WITH 26000 MILES. BAD DESIGN FOR INTAKE. *NM

• 10/13/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I READ AN ARTICLE IN THE ROCKY MTN NEWS ON RECALLS ON SOME IGNITIONS ON 29 FORD MODELS I JUST PAID $325.41 TO GET IT REPLACED AND IN THE PROCESS ALTERNATOR BURNED OUT. *AK

• 10/12/2009· POWER TRAIN

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

• 10/11/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT: 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD LX V8 4.6 LITERS. 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD LX HAD A COOLANT LEAK. THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD OVERHEATED. COULD SMELL ANTIFREEZE WHEN GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE. THE ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING IN THREE PLACES. VEHICLE HAD THE ORIGINAL PARTS. THE CONSUMER WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. HAD NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. DID HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT VEHICLE , WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS PLASTIC AND VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE, AND THAT THE O RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS WAS SENT OUT ON FEBRUARY 2, 2002 DISCUSSING THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. *AK

• 10/11/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE REPLACEMENT/ I HAVE BEEN A FIRM BELIEVER IN FORD PRODUCTS AND STILL BELIEVE THAT FORD MAKES A GOOD PRODUCT...I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE POSITION I WAS PLACED IN LAST WEEK...I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY FORD TRUCK THE BEST THAT I COULD AND NEVER HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH IT FOR THE 6 YRS I HAVE OWNED MY TRUCK...I HAVE EXPERIENCED A FEW STALL OUTS A FEW TIMES BUT NOTHING THAT I TOOK TO SERIOUS, I FIGURED MAYBE A SPARK PLUG PROBLEM...THE FACT THAT MY ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT AT 86000 IS BEYOND ME. LOOKING INTO THE COMPLAIANCE INVETIGATIONS SUMMARY I REALIZED THAT I AM IN COMPANY WITH MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT...I FEEL THAT THIS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURES ENGINE AND THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT ENGINE. MR

• 10/10/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  IN THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST I SMELT GAS WHEN I DROVE. AND THE SMELL HAS BECOME STRONGER AND STRONGER. TODAY (10/10/2011) I WENT TO A VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE LEAKING IS ON THE TOP OF FUEL TANK AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED IN THE SHOP. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS VERY DANGEROUS LEAK. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T872_DS478881. THIS CAR MUST BE RECALLED FOR FUEL LEAKING. *KB

• 10/09/1998· SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  REAR TIRE LOSES CONTACT WITH ROAD SURFACE WHEN PARKING CAR IN CERTAIN AREAS, ALSO WILL ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY IF WHEEL IS OFF ROAD AND MAKES CONTACT W/CURB.

• 10/08/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  RIGHT REAR CALIPER LOCKED UP, TEARING UP THE ROTOR. THE LEFT SIDE WAS ALSO EXCESSIVELY WORN AS A RESULT OF TRYING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE RIGHT SIDE. CAR HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE CALIPER AND ROTOR ON THE RIGHT REAR, AS WELL AS BOTH SET OF BRAKE PADS. THE LEFT ROTOR TURNED BECAUSE IT WAS WARPED, BUT STILL WITH IN TOLERANCE.

• 10/02/2000· STRUCTURE

  DOOR HINGES FAILING BOTH DOORS. DEALER SAYS DOORS TOO HEAVY FOR HINGES BUT WILL NOT REPLACE/REPAIR.*AK

• 10/02/2000· SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  UNSAFE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION/STEERING SHAKES CONSISTANTLY. *AK

• 10/01/2003· POWER TRAIN

  PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR TORQUE CONVERTER. *PH THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION SHUDDER OR A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *NLM

• 09/30/1999· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  HAD TO REPLACE TIRES TWICE DUE TO THE CAR CAUSING A TIRE SEPARATION ON THE FRONT, RIGHT SIDE. I'VE AGAIN, REPLACED THE TIRES 5000 MILES AGO AND THEY ARE SEVERELY FEATHERED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS VISIBLE TO THE EYE. THE CAR IS WITH-IN THE ALIGNMENT SPECS BUT IT STILL PULLS TO THE RIGHT - THE FASTER THE SPEED, THE HARDER THE PULL. HAVE HAD 4 OR MORE FRONT END BRAKE JOBS (ROTORS & PADS) IN UNDER 40,000 MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT 40 MPH AND THE TIRES HAVE BEEN BALANCED. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE DEALER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/70R15 )

• 09/30/1998· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  UNSPECIFIED.

• 09/28/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING HEAVY SMOKE BEGIN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR REGISTERED HOT AND STARTED TO MAKE CLICKING SOUND. IMMEDIATEDLY CRUISE OUT OF TRAFFIC. TOLD I HAD A CRACKED MANIFOLD AND ALL FLUIDS HAD SPILLED ON THE ENGINE. I AM CONCERNED SEVER DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE TO THE ENGINE WHEN ALL IS BEING REPAIRED IS THE MANIFOLD. IN THE FUTURE I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO PAY FOE A NEW ENGINE WHEN A DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD CAUSED THE PROBLEM.

• 09/24/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER AT 45-50 MPH, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 7000.00. THIS WAS THE SECOND ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NLM