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Body and structurePart report

1996 Ford Thunderbird Body and structure Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
4%of 233 total for the year
Median mileage
71,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the body and structure of the 1996 Ford Thunderbird, 4% of the 233 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,500 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 $1000.00 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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10196345, filed 2007-07, 20,000 miles

“Opening doors from the inside, little by little, both doors failed to open from the inside, had to leave window or windows open to stick hand out to open door from the outside. Failure of these doors to function properly at some point if battery would give out would leave us locked in, but fortunately that did not happen due to us remembering to leave at least one window open. After some minor repair, found out plastic parts wore out and only one door can be unlocked from the outside.”

NHTSA complaint #10221392, filed 2008-03

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200514%
200326%
200244%
199764%
1996104%
1995104%
199431%
1993102%
199242%
199122%
199032%
198911%
198811%
198712%
198614%
198414%

Other parts of the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

Engine cooling
65 complaints
Brakes
46 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
21 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaints
Exterior lighting
14 complaints
Fuel system
14 complaints
Tires
13 complaints
Equipment
10 complaints
Air bags
9 complaints
Suspension
9 complaints
Electrical system
8 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Thunderbird

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology