NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
61 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · May 2, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
WE WERE ORIGANLLY TOLD OUR CAR NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER CHIP,WE NOW BELIEVE IT WAS A BLOWN HEADGASKET THE ENTIRE TIME. THE CAR RAN "ALRIGHT" FOR A MONTH OR SO,BUT NEVER QUITE THE SAME,AFTER WE GOT THE CHIP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS REMAINED ON,THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO RE-START THE COMPUTER,AND ADDTIONAL $200.00. WE D…
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WE WERE ORIGANLLY TOLD OUR CAR NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER CHIP,WE NOW BELIEVE IT WAS A BLOWN HEADGASKET THE ENTIRE TIME. THE CAR RAN "ALRIGHT" FOR A MONTH OR SO,BUT NEVER QUITE THE SAME,AFTER WE GOT THE CHIP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS REMAINED ON,THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO RE-START THE COMPUTER,AND ADDTIONAL $200.00. WE DROVE IT FOR ANOTHER MONTH,UNTIL IT FINALLY JUST QUIT. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANIC'S THEY ALL INFORMED US IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD-GASKET ALL ALONG. SEVERAL OTHER T-BIRD OWNERS HAVE TOLD US THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO THEM,AT APPROX. THE SAME MILAGE. HAS THERE OR WILL THERE BE A RECALL ON THE HEAD-GASKETS? OW MANY COMPLAINTS DO THEY NEED TO RECIEVE,BEFORE THEY WILL RE-CALL A VEHICLE?*AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA ODI #722215
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #721638
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH & NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER PULLED INTO GAS STATION & HAD VEHICLE CHECKED. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE'S HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN OUT. ALSO THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860003
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKETS BLEW, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. FORD HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #859132
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
SMOKE WAS COMING FROM TAIL PIPE. TOWED VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT INFORMED COSUMER OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #858443
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE STREET AT 40-45 MPH, VEHICLE OVERHEATED. DROVE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858440
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKETS BLEW AT 69000. REPLACED HEADS, GASKETS, INTAKE AND OUTTAKE THERMOSTAT, CAR STILL NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. BLEW GASKETS TWICE. AT PRESENT TIME IT IS BEING WORKED ON FOR THE SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA ODI #719908
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
LEAK DUE TO EITHER GASKET FAILURE OR CHANNELING DUE TO CORROSION OF ALUMINUM PARTS. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719799
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. TECHNICIAN SAID IT BLEW A HEAD GASKET. OTHER FORD MODELS ARE COVERED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE THUNDERBIRD IS NOT. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #857819
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR WAS CHECKED AFTER FOUND TO BE RUNNING WARMER THAN USUAL. HEAD GASKETS AND CYLINDER HEAD WATER PORTS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACEMENT WAS SUGGESTED. APPROXIMATLEY 1500 MILES AFTER THIS WORK WAS PERFORMED THE CAR DEVELOPED ADDITITIONAL ENGINE PROBLEMS INCLUDING EXCESIVLY WORN MAIN BEARINGS RESULTING IN A REPLACEMENT…
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CAR WAS CHECKED AFTER FOUND TO BE RUNNING WARMER THAN USUAL. HEAD GASKETS AND CYLINDER HEAD WATER PORTS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACEMENT WAS SUGGESTED. APPROXIMATLEY 1500 MILES AFTER THIS WORK WAS PERFORMED THE CAR DEVELOPED ADDITITIONAL ENGINE PROBLEMS INCLUDING EXCESIVLY WORN MAIN BEARINGS RESULTING IN A REPLACEMENT "SHORT BLOCK" BEING INSTALLED. SINCE THIS WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED THE CAR HAS HAD OIL LEAKS AND TUNE-UP PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #718546
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