1996 Ford Thunderbird
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Ford Thunderbird is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.
1996 Ford Thunderbird at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1996 Ford Thunderbird recalls 4
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Fix: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE BLOWER COULD (1) STICK ON "HIGH;" (2) OPERATE ERRATICALLY WITH BLOWER OUTPUT VARYING BETWEEN NO BLOWER AND MAXIMUM BLOWER; OR (3) NOT OPERATE AT ALL DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULES WITH MODULES CONTAINING REVISED SOFTWARE.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1996 Ford Thunderbird common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 276 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1996 Ford Thunderbird safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1996 Ford Thunderbird 2-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1996 Ford Thunderbird MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 Ford Thunderbird costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1996 Ford Thunderbird. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 144
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 144.
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT
Bulletin 03181 · Electrical System · Sep 2003NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT
Bulletin 03261 · Power Train · Jan 2003ENGINE-GEAR DRIVEN SYNCHRONIZERS-INCORRECT INSTALLATION-CAMSHAFT POSITION SYNCHRONIZER (CMP) INSTALLATION TOOL CORRECT APPLICATION. *MJ
Bulletin 02221 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2002INCORRECTLY INSTALLED GEAR DRIVEN CAMSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR SYNCHRONIZER ASSEMBLIES CAUSING SURGE, LOST OF POWER, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1336, P1309 AND P0340. *TT
Bulletin 870197 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2002CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH
Bulletin 02208 · Equipment · Oct 2002LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ
Bulletin 02176 · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2002SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INTAKE MANIFOLD CROSSOVER (FIRST RUNNER) COOLANT SEEPAGE CONDITION. *TT
Bulletin 0222 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2002SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT
Bulletin 0214 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2002ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT
Bulletin 01246 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2001BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB
Bulletin 01181 · Power Train · Sep 2001Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the THUNDERBIRD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Ford Thunderbird. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Structure
THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 206 - DOOR LATCHES, HINGES AND LOCKS. THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD. CORRECTION: DRIVER DOOR LATCH WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED.
Transport Canada #1996071 · May 1996Heater And Defroster
THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE ERRATIC BLOWER OPERATION, HIGH BLOWER OR NO BLOWER REGARDLESS OF CONTROL POSITION. SHOULD THE NO BLOWER CONDITION OCCUR, THE VEHICLE'S DEFROSTER MAY NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD OF FROST/FOG. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE WITH A REVISED…
Transport Canada #1996017 · Jan 1996Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Ford Thunderbird
The Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury car manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company for model years 1955 to 2005, with a hiatus from 1998 to 2001.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
