Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||||
| 9943 | 03/08/1999 | 604751 | Information regarding reprogramming powertrain control modules (pcms). *tt | 05/11/1999 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| 03261 | 01/05/2003 | 10008279 | New service part - number 5 needle bearing and race kit - 4r70w transmission - service tip. *tt | 07/26/2004 | |
| 99152 | 07/26/1999 | 608431 | Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt | 01/05/2001 | |
| 0015 | 01/10/2000 | 612203 | Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs | 06/06/2000 | |
| 9996 | 05/17/1999 | 606428 | Experiencing a delayed or no 2-3 upshift, primarily when the transmission is cold on vehicles with ford qality remanufactured (fqr) 4r70w transmission exchange units with julian build between 062-97 and 040-99. *tt | 08/20/1999 | |
| 9888 | 04/27/1998 | 601238 | Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc | 07/10/1998 | |
| 97511 | 03/03/1997 | 51945 | Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts. *jd | 07/17/1997 | |
| BC0226970201 | 01/02/1997 | 51082 | Erratic shifthing of the transmission. *jd | 06/27/1997 | |
| BC5191961001 | 10/01/1996 | 50469 | For concerns of stalling, reflash pcm w/ 1996 calibration (r11 level). *tt | 04/24/1997 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES | |||||
| 002310 | 11/13/2000 | 616522 | Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt | 03/05/2001 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH | |||||
| 01181 | 09/17/2001 | 625715 | Brake shift interlock.*jb | 11/30/2001 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER | |||||
| 9887 | 04/27/1998 | 601237 | Experiencing a torque converter clutch shudder or vibration. *yc | 07/10/1998 | |
| 962612 | 12/16/1996 | 50997 | Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
| 96249 | 11/18/1996 | 50908 | Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
| BC0810961011 | 10/11/1996 | 50412 | Vehicles equipped w/ an aode or 4r70w trans has a concern of shudder from the transmission torque converter clutch in 3rd or 4th gear or during 3-4 shift. *tt | 04/24/1997 | |
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION | |||||
| 11760 | 08/01/1998 | 615262 | Some vehicles may exhibit an rpm flare on a forced 4/2 downshift. *tt | 01/10/2001 | |
| 96711 | 03/25/1996 | 613332 | Some 4r70w transmissions were built with a unique case and require a spacer to be installed between the low / reverse servo cover and retaining ring. *tt | 06/21/2000 | |
| 9717 | 01/02/1997 | 51362 | There may be delayed engagements from park to reverse or park to overdrive and/or delayed 1-2 shifts or rough 3-4 shifts- this may be due to the calibration of the powertrain control module. *jd | 06/27/1997 | |
| BC9686961001 | 10/01/1996 | 50544 | Repair procedure for vehicles experiencing a delayed 1-2 &/or rough 3-4 shifts. *tt | 05/27/1997 | |
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 97510 | 03/03/1997 | 51944 | Transmission- 4r70w- delayed 1-2 shift and/or rough 3-4 shifts- vehicles equipped with 4.6l engine built through 6/24/96. *jd | 07/17/1997 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 08/12/1997 | 1 | 05/03/1996 | |
| Speedometer failed. | |||
| 11/20/1996 | 4 | 05/08/1996 | |
| Speedometer head replaced. | |||
| 11/20/1996 | 4 | 05/08/1996 | |
| Odometer not working. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 10/09/2003 | 150000 | 5 | 03/06/2001 |
| The 1996 ford thunderbird's head gasket blew and transmission is slipping. it has been using water since we bought it from the dealer. *la | |||
| 08/01/2001 | 1 | 01/01/1997 | |
| Transmission slips at takeoff, causing car to stop in lane of oncoming traffic. *ak | |||
| 04/02/1997 | 02/01/1997 | ||
| 4/97 vehicle pulls to right. dealer aligned front end. 1/98 vehicle pulls to right and vibrates at highway speed. dealer says it is a tire problem, one tire replaced. 5/99 vehicle still pulls to right and vibrates at highway speed and while braking. front rotors warped and pads worn. rotors turned and pads replaced by goodyear service center. 9/99 vehicle pulling to right and vibrating at speed and during braking. front rotors warped and pads worn again. dealer claims it is owners driving style. rotors turned and pads replaced at owners expense. 10/00 vehicle pulls to right and vibrates. rotors feel warped again. appointment with dealer to repair. 10/16 transmission has a shudder in 3rd and 4th gear during light to moderate acceleration. dealer says probably torque converter. unknown at this time if this will be considered an warranty item or routine maintenance. | |||
| 05/01/1999 | |||
| Problems with slipping transmission. *ak | |||
| 07/01/1999 | 1 | 12/30/1995 | |
| Transmission failed causing gear changing problems. mjs | |||
| 1 | |||
| Transmission failed. mjs | |||
| 09/14/1998 | |||
| Tranmission failed to operate at 62000 miles of wear. vehicle is unable to move. dealer notified and refused to repair uless cost is to consumer. *ak | |||
| 04/01/1996 | 4 | 10/01/1995 | |
| Transmission failed four times. | |||
| 06/19/1996 | 1 | 02/10/1996 | |
| Pcm chip problem caused engine to cut out and the check engine warning light to come on. | |||
| 10/28/1996 | 1 | ||
| Transmission slipped, causing vehicle to accelerate. *ak | |||
| 08/20/1996 | 1 | 09/14/1995 | |
| Transmission does not shift properly, also is noisy. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH | |||
| 06/29/2001 | 1 | 03/01/1996 | |
| Shift interlock engaged - total loss of use. shift interlock requires bypass by turning ignition to just before acc comes on, shifting to netrual, and starting car. if you shift to park requires you start process again. loss of high mount brake lamp and both tail lights. high mount bulbs replaced, as well as the tail lamp lights, to no avail.*ak | |||
| 03/14/1999 | |||
| Consumer was standing outside pumping gas with the engine running. after a few seconds vehicle began to roll backwards, consumer ran behind car jumped into driver's side and began trying to applying brakes, vehicle rolled into a light pole. *ak | |||
| 05/29/1996 | 1 | 05/24/1996 | |
| Solenoid failed. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER | |||
| 05/06/1999 | 1 | 12/30/1995 | |
| Transmission hesitation started at 1,671 miles, final repair at 26,069 of the faulty torque converter. mjs | |||
| 08/01/1998 | 1 | 09/01/1998 | |
| Vehicle occasionally shutters on acceleration and highway speeds due to a problem with the transmission torque converter. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | |||
| 01/01/1997 | 1 | 08/25/1996 | |
| Rear end differential failed. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT | |||
| 11/06/1996 | 1 | 10/30/1996 | |
| Drive shaft vibration. | |||
| 07/01/1996 | 1 | 07/01/1996 | |
| Drive shaft vibrates. | |||