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 | |
| 982312 | 11/23/1998 | 603740 | Issues regareding diagnostic trouble codes ( dtcs ) p0705, p0708, p1704, and / or p1705 may be stored in memory. *yc | 03/04/1999 | |
| 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 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) | |||||
| 042107 | 12/13/2004 | 042414 | 10014086 | General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt | 04/28/2005 |
| 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 - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | |||||
| 9773 | 03/31/1997 | 51910 | Vibration- shudder or vibration under light to moderate acceleration above 56 km/h (35 mph) while in 3rd or 4th gear- vehicles equipped with aode or 4r70w transmission. *jd | 07/17/1997 | |
| 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 | |
| 96249 | 11/18/1996 | 50908 | Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
| 962612 | 12/16/1996 | 50997 | Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - 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 - AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||||
| BC5197961001 | 10/01/1996 | 50474 | Some vehicles equipped w/ an ax4s transaxle may have been shipped w/ a low transaxle fluid level. *tt | 04/24/1997 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| 1997 ford thunderbird with shifting problems. consumer states that the shifter lever after pressure on brake pedal does not release shifter handle. he had the brake light/release switch replaced and problem still exists. *kb the consumer had difficulty removing the shifter out of park. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 10/05/2008 | 162000 | 1 | |
| I was curious about how to get the thunderbird (1994-1997) transmission recalled? please note that this only affects the 4.6 v8 thunderbirds and not the v6. this can result of control loss of the automobile and can result in a crash. for whatever the reason may be, my 97 thunderbird transmission is shuttering as it shifts between 3rd and 4th gear and i have used the correct fluid and had it serviced. the mechanic said there was nothing wrong with it, however it continues to shutter. i have done some research and it seems that many of the 4.6 v8 are affected by this issue. what would you do to fix this potential safety issue? i have contacted ford and they said that you and ford work together. *tr | |||
| 27296 | 1 | 03/28/1999 | |
| Problem with the transmission or torque converter. *ph the consumer was told that the vehicle was experiencing transmission shudder or a problem with the torque converter. *nlm | |||
| 05/10/2003 | 71568 | 0 | 04/12/2003 |
| I bought my 1997 thunderbird 4-15-2003 w/70000 miles, after reading all the complaints on this page i can only relate to 2 of them, the viberation in the transmission on upshift,and the front end shaking above 50 mph.but i'm so glad. *ak i bought a 2 yr.extented warrenty,because it looks like i'm in for some problens. i can be contacted at tbird97@intergate.com | |||
| 11/17/2000 | 1 | 11/01/1996 | |
| Major shudder in drive between 30-40mph before it shifts to overdrive at while increasing at a slow speed. tsb#97106 explains. dealership couldn't find problem in november. drop off car again. *ak | |||
| 03/10/1998 | 10 | 02/01/1997 | |
| No summary | |||
| 02/02/2000 | 1 | 08/01/1999 | |
| Told by leith ford's service manager that problem was internal to the transmission and not caused by misuse, neglect, etc. *ak | |||
| 11/17/1999 | 1 | 06/01/1999 | |
| No summary | |||
| 11/05/1998 | 1 | 12/01/1996 | |
| No summer listed for this vehicle. *ak | |||
| 08/01/1998 | |||
| Each time car is put into park it drifts six to eight inches forward | |||
| 06/10/1997 | 2 | 05/26/1997 | |
| Transmission leak. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES | |||
| 02/17/2001 | 1 | 08/01/1997 | |
| Consumer was traveling about 55mph on highway, climbing up a hill and going up a mountain, and without prior notice there was white smoke coming from underneath vehicle. transmission coolant was leaking from underneath. vehicle was taken to a gasoline station, and mechanic told him that intake manifold in engine was made from plastic and causing the problem. intake manifold split open. *ak *slc | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT | |||
| 11/15/2005 | 68000 | 1 | |
| Dt: the contact stated the floor shifter was sticking in park when the weather was cold. it took five to ten minutes to move the shifter into other gears. the vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. the dealer said the part was unavailable, and they would have to go to a junk yard to locate another shifter. no repairs have been made. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH | |||
| 04/24/1998 | 1 | 09/01/1997 | |
| Pulled vehicle in front of a gas station, put it in park and left it running, driver went inside, and within a minute vehicle lunged backwards. turned approximately 180 degrees and struck a truck. after it stopped, it was in reverse. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER | |||
| 27296 | 1 | 03/28/1999 | |
| Problem with the transmission or torque converter. *ph the consumer was told that the vehicle was experiencing transmission shudder or a problem with the torque converter. *nlm | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||
| 02/01/1997 | 1 | 02/01/1997 | |
| Rear end carrier bearing is noisy. yh | |||