The contact owns a 1996 Ford Thunderbird. The contact was driving 30 mph when he noticed an abnormally strong coolant odor. The contact then inspected the vehicle and found that the antifreeze intake manifold had failed. The intact manifold was cracked and causing antifreeze to spill. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 60,000.

- Sandy , OR, USA

Intake (plastic) cracks ;leaving family and I stranded on 30 mile stretch of highway with no houses or business. Towed to station and fixed recalled intake. Taxi cost home and back 2 days later to retrieve car soon started having heater coil leaks and overheating;antifreeze causing headaches. Almost $1000 to replace 30 dollar part(dash board and console removed and air condition unit disconnected and recharged) dealer took cost of next 2 replacement heater coils and it still needs 4th;no heat'still leaks antifreeze inside car. Intake manifold(plastic) cracked again;overheated and burnt me this time also causing serious damage to car;very costly which I guess we the consumer will have to bear. How many complaints does it take?

- Zebulon, NC, USA

Defective intake manifold on 1996 Ford Thunderbird. The car only has 84,450 miles on it! cost was $1002.02 to repair. Why is the consumer being charged for this costly repair when this is a known defective part from the Ford Motor Company?

- Nokesville, VA, USA

3.8 cylinder head failure

- Nampa, ID, USA

While driving 40 mph vehicle stalled. This caused loss of steering and brakes. Vehicle was towed to the independent shop, and mechanic did not know what was wrong with the vehicle.

- Meshoppen, PA, USA

Head gaskets failed ruining my cylinders as well while driving on the highway with my children. Barely got the car home with a cloud of white smoke. I cannot afford to fix this the car has been sitting for almost 1 and a half months, and I still owe 5900 dollars on it. I have to ride my bike to work over 3 miles each way and rent a car for the weekends costing me a fortune. I believe they need to pay for my engine to be rebuilt especially after reading all the articles of how the 3.8 litre V6 engine has failed continuously throughout the years and Ford has known it. I love Ford and have never drove anything else. I am in a serious bind and need help for something that failed due to a defective part. Thank you for listening and I hope Ford gets the message. Derek haugh

- Loveland, CO, USA

Intake manifold cracked behind the alternator leaking anti-freeze all over the place. Consumer found a tsb regarding the problem. The consumer felt that Ford should continue to replace the part(s) until the vehicle is fixed. The intake manifold had been replaced on two occasions and may be on it's third. (the first replacement was covered under recall)

- Tacoma, WA, USA

The 1996 Ford Thunderbird's head gasket blew and transmission is slipping. It has been using water since we bought it from the dealer.

- Baldwin, WI, USA

Engine surge at idle and loss of power/ problems with oil and intake manifold crossover.

- Nashville, TN, USA

While driving at any speed or at an idle the vehicle experienced a power serge or loss of power (tsb 870197). Rpms jumped from 500 to 1100 at idle.

- Nashville, TN, USA

Consumer started vehicle while parked in garage. Placed gear in reverse with foot applied to brake and car suddenly accelerated, in reverse, crashing into closed garage door. Consumer turned off ignition, restarted car and placed gear in drive to move forward. Vehicle suddenly accelerated again crashing into forward wall of garage. Incident caused over $7000 in damage to vehicle and $4000 damage to consumer's home. Vehicle's engine had previously surged without warning while driving. Dealer inspected was not able to determine cause.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

Oil in my engine poured out and engine locked up would not keep oil in it. Had to replace brakes twice I one year because of brake fluid leakage then finally it got so bad had to replace the rotors on front end, my temperature gauge for the outside just happen to start going crazy one day as I was driving along on a trip to the beach and has been in correct ever since. And by the way I am still making payments on this vehicle. I has been more trouble than a joy.

- Asheville, NC, USA