Engine
3.9L 8-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 89 of 93 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 71 of 93 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
36 complaint records
"WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. CONSUMER TOWED VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Electrical system
22 complaint records
"MULTIPLE ENGINE IGNITION COIL FAILURES IN MY 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. IN SPITE OF A DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED COMMON PROBLEM WITH FREQUENT COIL FAILURES BY 50,000 TO 60,000 MILES, FORD REFUSES TO WARRANTY THESE VEHICLES...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Air bags
13 complaint records2 crash reports
"VEHICLE DRIFTED OFF THE ROAD AND HIT AN OBJECT AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER DIED FROM CHEST INJURIES. *MR *JB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02V169000 | Seat Belts | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CONTACTED THE SEAT RECLINER DURING A 35 MPH NCAP FULL-FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002111 2002-06-19 | Seats And Restraints | 1,120 | On certain vehicles the driver's side seat belt contacted the seat recliner during a 35 mph NCAP full-frontal barrier impact test. The edge of the recliner mechanism caused a partial cut in the lap portion of the webbing. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0708 Apr 2007 | Power Train | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOLENOID EMISSIONS WARRANTY EXTENSION. SAMPLE CONSUMER LETTER ATTACHED. *KB | |
| 0295 Nov 2005 | Electrical System | EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CURRENT DRAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DISCHARGED BATTERY AND A NO CRANK CONDITION. *TT SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 02162 Jun 2005 | Structure | WATER/MOISTURE IN COP WELLS - DTC P0301-P0308 - 3.9L ENGINE - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 5/1/2004. *TT | |
| 18615 May 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE OR ENGINE KNOCK CONCERNS DUE TO REGULAR FUEL. *TT | |
| 18515 Mar 2005 | Structure | MOISTURE IN STORAGE COMPARTMENT. *EH |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 18320 Dec 2004 | Steering | VIBRATION FELT FOR A FEW MILES OF DRIVING AFTER PARKING. *EH | |
| 17258 Oct 2004 | Equipment | SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN SWITCHING CLIMATE CONTROL BETWEEN PANEL, FLOOR AND PANEL/FLOOR MODES. *TT | |
| 04174 Sep 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - SYSTEM LEAN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) - SERVICE TIPS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 F-SERIES. *TT | |
| 031404 Aug 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04. | |
| 041514 Aug 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 031501 Jul 2004 | Visibility | INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 16581 Jan 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INTERMITTENT ENGINE QUIT ON DECEL/STOPS/TURNS. OASIS. *TT | |
| 17375 Nov 2003 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON AND HARD START/LONG CRANK. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 17170 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0133 AND/OR P0153. *TT | |
| 17061 Aug 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INTERMITTENT DRIVABILITY SYMPTOMS - REDUCED POWER ON DECELERATION. *TT | |
| 03144 Jul 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING CONDITION WITH COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS MAY BE MORE ACCURATELY DIAGNOSED USING THE OPTIONAL WORLDWIDE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (WDS) COIL ON PLUG (COP) KIT. 2003 SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 03148 Jul 2003 | Power Train | NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 0398 May 2003 | Fuel System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457, P1442 OR CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0457. *TT | |
| 0373 Apr 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE FLOOD DURING COLD START, EXTENDED CRANKING TIME, OR HARD TO START ENGINE WHEN COLD. *TT | |
| 16694 Mar 2003 | Seats | POWER SEAT FUNCTION - CONTACT REQUEST / DETROIT REGION. *TT *JB | |
| 0334 Feb 2003 | Equipment | LACK OF COOLING FROM DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SIDE VENTS ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DUAL AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL (DATC) ONLY. *TT | |
| 0335 Feb 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | IDLE AIR CONTROL (IAC) VALVE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 22114 Oct 2002 | Structure | REMOVBLE ROOF AND CONVERTIBLE TOP. *EH | |
| 02208 Oct 2002 | Equipment | CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH | |
| 022114 Oct 2002 | Structure | WATER LEAK DIAGNOSIS - REMOVABLE ROOF AND CONVERTIBLE TOP - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 02176 Sep 2002 | Exterior Lighting | LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ | |
| 02161 Aug 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE FLOODING, EXTENDED ENGINE CRANKING TIME REQUIRED TO START, OR HARD START CONDITION. *TT | |
| 16168 Aug 2002 | Steering | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK OR RUBBING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT | |
| 16045 Jul 2002 | Unknown Or Other | SOME 3.9L V8 ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0340 (CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR) STORED. *TT | |
| 16084 Jul 2002 | Seat Belts | INFORMATION ON PASSENGER SEAT BELTS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A PLASTIC BUTTON. *TT | |
| 02E21 Jun 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT REGARDING CATALYST MONITOR SENSOR CONNECTOR INSPECTION. *JG | |
| 15876 May 2002 | Electrical System | SUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1129 DURING KEY ON ENGINE RUNNING (KOER) - NO MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. *TT | |
| 15900 May 2002 | Equipment | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A WHISTLING OR BUZZING NOISE ORIGINATING FROM THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR IS RUNNING AT 2 OR 3 BAR SPEED. *TT | |
| 15924 May 2002 | Structure | CONCERNS REGARDING PAINT PROTECTION FROM REMOVABLE TOP. *TT | |
| 15935 May 2002 | Exterior Lighting | SUBJECT REGARDING SUPPLEMENTAL PARKING LAMPS INSTALLATION FOR VEHICLES NOT ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED. *TT | |
| 0266 Apr 2002 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A FLUID LEAK AROUND THE FLUID PAN DRAIN PLUG. *TT | |
| 15772 Apr 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A ENGINE MISSING OR ROUGH RUNNING CONDITION. *TT | |
| 15806 Apr 2002 | Structure | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT SMALL AMOUNTS OF MOISTURE ENTERING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP STOWAGE COMPARTMENT EVEN THOUGH THE REMOVABLE HARD TOP ROOF IS INSTALLED. *TT | |
| 15826 Apr 2002 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES, BUILT BETWEEN 10/1/01 AND 1/31/02, WITH A 5R55N TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK AT THE CONVERTER HOUSING. *TT | |
| 0256 Mar 2002 | Unknown Or Other | THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES PROPER PROCEDURES FOR PREPARATION OF SERVICE SHEET METAL PARTS COATED WITH ELECTRO DEPOSITION PRIMER (E-COAT). *TT | |
| 0257 Mar 2002 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT CALIBRATION LOSS OF ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOW SHORT DROP GLASS FUNCTION. *TT | |
| 15741 Mar 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 3.9L 4V MAY EXHIBIT AN OIL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE OIL FILTER. *TT | |
| 15615 Feb 2002 | Exterior Lighting | SOME VEHICLE OWNERS MAY QUESTION THE OPERATION AND/OR FUNCTION OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL PARKING LAMPS. *TT | |
| 15616 Feb 2002 | Power Train | CONCERNS WITH DRIVELINE VIBRATION. *TT | |
| 15588 Jan 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.9L V8 ENGINE ONLY, MAY EXHIBIT A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE HYDRAULIC COOLING FAN PUMP. *TT | |
| 01246 Dec 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT | |
| 15466 Dec 2001 | Fuel System | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL CONDITION WITH APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TANK READING ON THE FUEL GAUGE. *TT | |
| 15387 Nov 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION OF DUAL AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL (DATC) OPERATING AT FULL HEAT IN ALL MODES, AND/OR NO TEMPERATURE CONTROL FROM SIDE TO SIDE. *TT | |
| 012111 Oct 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE OVERHEATING CONDITION AND / OR THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) MAY ALSO BE ILLUMINATED WITH CODES P1285 AND P1299 STORED IN MEMORY. *TT | |
| 01205 Oct 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT | |
| 15332 Oct 2001 | Structure | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A DIFFICULT TO PULL DOWN, AND LATCH CONVERTIBLE TOP. *TT | |
| 15250 Sep 2001 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING MISDIAGNOSIS OF MAIN CONTROLS - INCORRECT PRESSURES. *TT | |
| 15272 Sep 2001 | Electrical System | INFORMATION ON BATTERY ACCESS. *TT | |
| 15203 Sep 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 3.9L 4V MAY EXHIBIT AN OIL LEAK FROM THE ENGINE OIL FILTER. *TT | |
| 15265 Sep 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE OVERHEAT CONDITION DUE TO CONCERNS WITH INOPERATIVE HYDRAULIC COOLING FAN. *TT | |
| 15276 Sep 2001 | Visibility | INFORMATION REGARDING DROP GLASS FUNCTION. *TT | |
| 01156 Aug 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC | |
| 01157 Aug 2001 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
Showing 60 of 63 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Thunderbird →