1996 Ford Thunderbird 4.6L 281cid V8 motor failure of plastic intake manifold. Driving home under normal conditions and check coolant light came on. Wife said she had thought she smelled burning coolant for several days prior. Took to mechanic and he pointed out the crack in the intake manifold. Said this was a very common problem with this motor. Paid over $800 to have repaired with upgraded part. Ford Motor Co. Has been aware of problem for years and issued a recall for taxis and police vehicles but recall does not cover privately owned vehicles. Car has approximately 114,000 miles.

- Greenville, SC, USA

I was told that their is a recall on my 1996 Ford Thunderbird for a faulty intake cooling manifold. Can you please confirm this. I do not see it on your recall list.

- Tonawanda, NY, USA

The consumer's 1996 Ford Thunderbird completely broke down due to the failure of the plastic intake manifold. The vehicle was purchased new and the consumer wasn't given prior warning that this existed. The defective part was on the vehicle between the dates of May 1996 and February 2004. The manifold was found cracked. Ford motor issued program #97M91 in re to vehicles built with the plastic manifold. The consumer requested reimbursement.

- Berkeley Springs, WV, USA

Vehicle stalled and made a weird noise. Due to oil pump being defected. Now the engine needed to be replaced.

- S. Holland, IL, USA

Blown head gasket--engine coolant leaks--as these engines have a documented history of being defective

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

Consumer states head gasket failed and needed replaced, consumer asked Ford to extend the warranty like they did with the 1994 and 1995 models with the same problems, however Ford declined.

- Lacey, WA, USA

Head gaskets failed on 1996 Ford Thunderbird 3.8 liter, V6 engine. Car under 5 years old with less than 50,000 miles. Ford would not cover full cost of repair even though an extended warranty has been issued for the same engine/same problem in other models.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Blown engine due to head gaskets at 58528 miles.

- Sweetwater, TN, USA

Engine check light was illuminating on dashboard. Contacted dealer, dealer has determined that head gasket was leaking fluids onto oxygen sensor, causing engine check light to illuminate. Also, note head gasket needed to be replaced.

- Soddy Daisy, TN, USA

Timing chain cover gasket replaced under recall in 2000, suppose to stop coolant leak, but mechanic now reports the problem is head gasket, common to Ford's 3.8 V6.

- West Haven, CT, USA

Head gasket leaking - car just turned 4 - Ford refuses to cover under recall.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

Head gasket failed prematurely due to design flaw. Nlm

- Council Bl, IA, USA

Vehicle is a lemon. Engine was leaking oil and making noise. Dealership told consumer that the crankshaft inside had to be replaced. Also the tires had to be changed every three months because treads on tires wore out.

- North Bergen, NJ, USA

In 1998 I started having car problems, a mechanic told me that fluid was getting past the head gasket. In January of 1999 I had to have the engine replaced by heritage Ford. I recently read an article in the paper that said there was a defect in the 3.8L motors causing this to happen. I called Ford Motor Co. & heritage Ford & was told that since my car wasn't on their list they can't help me. They have already announced publicly there is a defect with the same motor we had & I feel they should reimburse us also, not because of the model of our car but the kind of motor they sold us. We have had numerous problems since they installed the new motor, & have had to bring the car back at least 5 times & of course pay a bill each time, the car still spits & sputters in hot weather. Can you help us"?"

- Grand Isle, VT, USA

The oil pump failed causing engine to lock-up which could have resulted in injury. Ford has redesign a new engine.

- Barnwell, SC, USA

3.8 liter 6 cylinder engine headgaskets failed

- Council Bluffs, IA, USA

Crankshaft sensor and the oxygen sensor malfunctioned, causing a no start condition and stalling while driving. May cause an accident. Dealer replaced th sensors twice. Problem is still reoccurring.

- Riverbank, CA, USA

Engine motor mounts failed.

- Glenview, IL, USA

The engine air inlet elbow does not drain properly.

- Brooklyn C, MN, USA

Motor mounts failed.

- Santa Fe Springs, CA, USA