TOP FIVE 02-05 T-Bird Problems

[Donnymack]

It would be nice to see a 65th Anniversary Edition provided FMC did is right. Maybe the Mustang platform in convertible only with no back seat, big V8, Auto or Multi Speed Stick, lots of bells yet under $45k

I bought my 2003 in 2015 and its a fun car but quality is poor. I feel sorry for people who paid $40000 + for them.

🙂MODERATOR NOTE: See this thread for top Ford Thunderbird mechanical issues.
https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...-05-ford-thunderbird-ignition-coils-cop.5040/

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 

[Free as a Bird]

Purchased new(2002).... currently have 74,600 on the clock. For the 1st 40,000 miles, normal wear and tear and routine dealer service items. Since then, A/C replaced, spare tire blew up in the trunk, 3rd set of tires, new brakes, 3rd battery, constant oil leaks, intermittent engine light, currently dash lights do not work, heat and cold at the same time, 2ndset of coils, leather seat attachment on passenger side is constantly coming apart, headlights have that "fogged" look(always garaged), under dash plastic panel on drivers side cracked and fell down while I was driving.... Yes, I still love the car, and has a great CD player!

 

[65Thunder]

I bought my 2003 in 2015 and its a fun car but quality is poor. I feel sorry for people who paid $40000 + for them.

I've been taken back with my 2005 because of the number of electrical issues that have developed. (1) tilt steering's up/down gone; (2) steering wheel's radio control switches gone mad; (3) seats heater switches; (4) rear window defogger. I will look at the new one but won't buy it.

 

[Bird52]

I would like to ask if everyone would like to make a list of five issues these cars have?
It would be very helpful and interesting to hear what they are.
It would also help the newbies hear what they are in for.
Everyone already knows the positives of the car or we would not have purchased them, THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.
Here is my list.
COPS, stereo, AC,transmission, suspension.

🙂MODERATOR NOTE: See this thread for top Ford Thunderbird mechanical issues.
https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...-05-ford-thunderbird-ignition-coils-cop.5040/

 

[coat1971]

I would like to ask if everyone would like to make a list of five issues these cars have?
It would be very helpful and interesting to hear what they are.
It would also help the newbies hear what they are in for.
Everyone already knows the positives of the car or we would not have purchased them, THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.
Here is my list.
COPS, stereo, AC,transmission, suspension.
Thanks for listening......

IMHO you have nailed the top five. Yes I have new cops, stereo (due to tape player), AC (new compressor-lines), new tranny (culprit was PCM MODULE), suspension (rotted boots).

Make modules number 6.

darn I liked this car til you brought this up. Thank goodness for Ford ESP, wish it was still in effect.

 

[John Hayman]

Overdrive lock-up converter ($$$), rear end including pinion ($$$), plastic radiator thermostat housing ($$$), mysterious engine miss (replaced COP, plugs, four oxygen sensors, mass flow sensor ($$$$$) all to find that it was the EGR valve housing ($), then front suspension work ($$$). But I love the car when it is running!

 

[stevedaphotoman]

I think mine would be the suspension.. I spent $1800 this past summer on rear suspension all the rubber components were rotted out on my 2002 with 17k on the clock.. I may have an a/c issue.. will see next summer. When I picked it up after the rear end work. It was sitting in the dealers lot in 95 degree temps.. it took a while to cool to a point where it was warm air blowing from the vents but eventually it started to cool.. on a couple later road trips the a/c seemed to be working fine.. I hsven't had a COP problem yet knock on wood and the engine and tranny seem fine.. I also had the stereo radio issue with CD and error message.. that to me was an excuse to put in my new NAV system with sirius.. My biggest complaint is the finger prints thst are always on the hood and front fender.. Oh darn that's because of me touching the clean wax finish..

 

[cdbintexas]

I am the third owner of my beautiful 176,000 mile Pacific Coast #824. I have no complaints after 3 years of ownership and 26,000 miles of daily driving! Yes I have replaced hoses and thermostat housing and replaced radio to get Bluetooth. Oh yes, .... and new tires and alignment when I bought it.
By the way nost transmission shift problems go away if you simply update the firmware code in the controller. I consider that normal maint.

 

[gordo]

Cops lacking power. Paint checking. Wind whistling. Valve cover leak makes it smoke real bad

 

[rtb]

Tranny, F.E.M., AC, Fuel pump, CD Player,

 

[cdbintexas]

How do you replace the transmission firmware? I had the dealer update my software of some kind last year when I bought my 04, did that also cover this trans software? My trans occasionally shifts kinda hard, thanks!

Mine was updated by an automotive electronic specialist recommended by the transmission overhaul shop as an initial first step. You should ask the Ford dealer what he upgraded Who knows how many computers are on this car.

Equipment to upgrade firmware is not found in most shops, if you are near Dallas I can recommend the shop. Otherwise ask around they are out there.

 

[Issyro]

Suspension issues with rotted bushings and noises that do not go away, AC, radio CDs stuck, creaking tops and windshield chrome mounding bubbling.

 

[nukem]

2004 problems Coil pac....front control module (light module)...fuel pump...and now the 2nd pump is going out....read only 1/2 when full....love the car ....but...upgraded brakes....cold air system...touch sceen radio...gps...sweet ride...

 

[suzukiridr]

The only good part of the car is the body, I bought my 2002 last November with 144000 miles, I'm the 3rd owner. the second owner gave me receipts for thousands spent including a rebuilt trans. So far, I have trim bubbling, Heat won't turn off, not sure about the a/c, passenger door electric unlock, and interior door handles pealing. The good news is that the car runs good.

 

[DrSarabi]

2003. Replaced an old battery (original), coils , and put on new 18" wheels & Goodrich tires because the original owner had scraped the $@!&%@$ out of one original 7 spoke chrome wheel.
My dealer actually honored the old warranty and gave me a great deal - they replaced all the coils not just the bad one. They checked it over for me before I made a 2000 mile road trip last year. They say everything looks like new (and I told them to really give the suspension engine & other parts a close inspection).
Incidentally, my husband's Taurus had the same coil issues and he had replaced them a few times. He, and then my son, drove that Taurus until it had 243,000 miles. We sold it to a neighbor last year and she is still driving it.
He has an Edge ST now and absolutely loves it. My daughter has a Focus ST. So I guess we're a Ford family.
If you hate the car, then sell it. I love driving mine.

 

[edward301]

I have to be honest and say only problems I have had in the 17 years I have owned it is suspension,
and ac compressor. Not sure I can blame the fuel pump, car did sit for 2 years, and fuel did go bad,
had to pump out fuel tank first.

 

[Frankie the Fink]

My brother in law in Oklahoma has a Taurus with 235K miles on it; the window tint has bubbled up and clear coat shot on the hood but it runs and drives just fine.

My big problem was the electronics on the 2002 TBird,

Bubba hot-wired the instrument cluster for "constant on" gauge lights because of a faulty FEM (electronics module). Once I fixed the instrument cluster (myself) and found a good replacement FEM I was in business... So far the COPS and all else has been just fine... I had the suspension gone over and it's all still very good. I did torque the X-braces to 46 ft-lbs per advice on here and it noticeably tightened things up.

 

[rtporter]

I would like to ask if everyone would like to make a list of five issues these cars have?
It would be very helpful and interesting to hear what they are.
It would also help the newbies hear what they are in for.
Everyone already knows the positives of the car or we would not have purchased them, THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.
Here is my list.
COPS, stereo, AC,transmission, suspension.
for listening......

#1 Problem: ignition coils getting shorted out by oil leaking into the plug tunnels from the valve cover and shorting out the coils.

 

[jamit]

I am the third owner of my beautiful 176,000 mile Pacific Coast #824. I have no complaints after 3 years of ownership and 26,000 miles of daily driving! Yes I have replaced hoses and thermostat housing and replaced radio to get Bluetooth. Oh yes, .... and new tires and alignment when I bought it.
By the way nost transmission shift problems go away if you simply update the firmware code in the controller. I consider that normal maint.

How did you update the firmware code in the controller?

 

[MLG]

COPS LACKING POWER. PAINT CHECKING. WIND WHISTLING. VALVE COUVERS LEAK MAKES IT SMOKE REAL BAD

OMG! I've had my 2002 since then. Guess I got a good one. 108k miles. CD player stopped but radio fine. Just replaced the struts and battery (yup.. original). Alternator, wiper motor and gas cap. Pretty much it. Paint is in great condition even tho it's been parked outside in Florida weather all these yrs. Do a good wax every 3 months.