8.6
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$711.00
Average Mileage:
50,420 miles
Total Complaints:
20 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace coil and sparkplugs (9 reports)
- replace valve covers, coils and spark plugs (9 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
engine problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2002 Ford Thunderbird coil and sparkplug failure
2009Oct 26
Thunderbird 3.8L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 31,000 miles
Car is back for 3rd extended time, this time for 5 days, at the Best Repair shop in DC (Consumer Checkbook). Replaced coil, this time also replaced a fouled injector (but the oil is still getting in), replacing the gasket on the 2nd repair, did not work. Now taking car back for 4th visit ... plan is to replace the VALVE COVERS as probably warped.
2009Nov 12
Thunderbird 3.8L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 31,500 miles
Car is back in TODAY, for 4th time, this time to REPLACE BOTH THE VALVE COVERS, BOTH GASKETS, and whatever coils have fouled again, and spark plugs (and change the oil) ... this is the Consumer Checkbook best shop in DC ... they will get it soon and are great to work with ... this is a basic flawed design in the VALVE COVERS. I will up date this complaint upon pickup in a few days. I would never take the car to Ford, as during the warranty period, I became convinced that FORD was TOTALLY INCOMPETENT to effect any repair. My shop in DC is fair, and is struggling to really get to the bottom of this ... this is my ONLY car, I am a retired Navy Captain, and only use the car socially, about 2 days a week, and to go to the commissary, car is the only way to do that.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Sep 16
Thunderbird 3.8L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 30,500 miles
Engine failure, light on, runs very rough, this is 2nd fix. Best shop in DC changed coil, some plugs, and replaced the GASKET for the valve covers, in attempt to actually stop the oil fouling the plugs. This lasted only 3 weeks.
2009Jan 12
Thunderbird Convertable V8
- Automatic transmission
- 60,146 miles
Lost all power while trying to drive up hill. Had Jackson Ford check and they claimed that #3 coil had failed which fowled the plugs. Found both valve covers leaking oil and fowled plugs and coil.
2009Jan 21
Thunderbird Convertable 3.9L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 60,408 miles
After having the #3 coil, valve covers and plugs replaced on 1/12/09 the car again lost power, engine light came on and it was smoking. Jackson Ford again checked and confirmed two more coils needed replacement, 2 coil assembly ignitions, and 2 wire assemblies. They also replaced all the oil, oil filter and inserted some dye?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Feb 05
Thunderbird 3.9L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 60,605 miles
After two times at the Jackson Ford in Jan 09, my car again began missing and not having power while climbing hills around my home. Jackson Ford again checked my vehicle out and found all coils oil soaked and two of these were mis-firing. This time Ford replaced all coils and coils assembly ignition, valve cover gaskets. Ford did not charge me for this repair due to the costs already put out for the same problem in Jan 09.
2009Aug 12
Thunderbird 3.9L
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
This is ridiculous. This is the 5th coil/plug I am replacing. Next time the valve covers get replaced and I will think about suing Ford. For Ford to do something for the 2003 model and then not do anything for the same problem on the 2002 model is just wrong. I will never buy another Ford product and i will make sure every member of my family know why not.
I have also been told that this engine is made by Jaguar. If I knew that there is no way I would have bought the car.
2009Aug 12
Thunderbird V8
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
Today I will drop my car off at Byery Ford in Louisville for the fifth coil repair. I want either my warranty extended, my car recalled, my money back for repairs or cash for this clunker.
It is crazy that this was addressed for the '03s, but we are ignored and neglected! What do the lemon laws cover anyway?
Can someone come up with a patch so I can stop doing this every six months? Does anyone want to start a class action suit so we can get this settled? My frustration is endless...
2009Jul 06
Thunderbird V8
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
this is the fourth coil replacement. the previous 3 were due oil leak from value cover. i have spent over $1500 on this type of repair. i believe it is an engine defect but i can not get ford dealer to do anything.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jun 05
Thunderbird
- Automatic transmission
- 73,000 miles
THE 4th Coil on Plug Problem with a leaking cover......... I haven't had it fixed. My car is a 2002 that was purchased Jan 2, 2003 and was one of the last ones off of the 2002 assembly line. The problem has been recalled for 2003, my coils are exactly the same!!!!! Please can someone tell me where to turn on this issue. I had purchased 3 vehicles from the same dealership and they were totally useless. Now that Dealership Arrington Blunt Ford in Lawrenceville,GA has gone out of business. This is THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. Please see my other complaints below.
Passenger side auto door lock
Clock spring problem in the steering wheel that effects the radio and CD controls, the cruise control, the horn doesn't work, the cruise control doesn't work, the airbag light stays on (is it working???) In my opinion these are safety issues and FORD needs to take responsibility!!!!
2009Jun 24
Thunderbird V8
- Automatic transmission
- 48,000 miles
Car started running rough and check engine light came on, took it to our local garage and they found that there was oil in the Coil on Plug wells due to valve cover/valve cover gasket failure. I did research and found this is a common failure in Thunderbird assembled at the Wixom plant. The Ford engineers acknowledge this issue starting in 2003 - 2005, and "Customer satisfaction Program 07M07" implemented "extending the limited warranty to 10 years from the warranty start date or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has more then 100,000 miles then the coverage extends to 11/30/2008." This is the Eleventh Generation of the Ford Thunderbird years 2002 - 2005, CSP 07M07 needs to be extended to include the 2002 model year as the problem effects these cars as well.
2009Jun 29
Thunderbird 3.9L
- Automatic transmission
- 70,901 miles
Ok this is coil # three for me, first was caused to oil leaking from valve cover gaskets, fixed by replacing seal on valve covers, BUT........guess what the last two coils gone bad not caused by oil leak, they just short out sometime around 45,000 to 75,000 miles. Well three down only 5 more to go??? asked Ford dealer if new coils are good and will last, no answer..... asked dealer what are my chances of making it on a 500 mile trip without having another coil go out.....; no answer......... Is there anything that can be done to make Ford fix THEIR mistake??? so far I have spent over $1750 bucks with more many to be spent I am sure.......
2008Dec 10
Thunderbird Convertible 3.9L
- Automatic transmission
- 35,407 miles
Yes, This is # 4 coil replacement, only 4 more to go. FORD will not replace them all so back for 1 each time. When will they have a recall? No bailout for me!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jul 30
Thunderbird Convertable 3.9L
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
Yes, Another coil problem. 2 this time. New service writer, filed a complaint with the dealer the last time I was there, however the liar was still working? ? ? I was told that this coil problem has not become a recall- not a hazard. Another 2 days off work. When will it end? Yes, I did purchase the Ford extended warranty. You would think they would fix this issue-- I will not buy another FORD, my other cars are CHEVROLET I had to buy 2 so we could get to work on time.
2008Feb 11
Thunderbird Convertable 3.9L
- Automatic transmission
- 31,000 miles
Yes, Another coil problem with the T-BIRD. Another 2 days off work, more lies at the dealer. I had the mechanic put the car on the lift because they said they replaced the transmission --another complaint. It sure look like the original to me. I found the rack and pinion stering leaking down the right side under side. The mechanic said he told the service writer about this - I was never told! More deception at the FORD dealer.
2007Jun 04
Thunderbird 3.9L
- Automatic transmission
- 31,500 miles
I have a 2002 T-Bird with 31,500.m on it. I had # 3 coil, plug, & boot replaced along with the cover, one week later # 4 coil,plug & boot was replaced. I now have another one bad that has not been replaced as of yet. The car is never used in bad weather. It's a sunny day top down toy that I can't afford to keep. Is their a one time fix for this problem?
Ed Herrmann
2008Jan 09
Thunderbird Convertible 3.9L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 62,000 miles
this problem is known by Ford--engineering problem!! Problem was addressed by Ford for the 2003 vehicles, but refuses to recognized for 2002.
the problem is that, with time, the valve covers warp and allow oil to seep into the spark plug/coil cavities--the accumulation of oil short-out the coils causing the spark plus to foul and fail.
the cause is the warping of the valve covers and gasket/seal failure. Once coils fail, it makes for costly repair-- four coils, spark plugs, valve covers, gaskets, and labor $1500.00
2007Aug 20
Thunderbird V8
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
It is now the third time!!!! Overheated, smells like oil burning had been getting poor mileage, engine skips and loses power. DIAGNOSIS... SAME THING, LEAKING INTO THE CASE, TWO MORE COILS REPLACED!!!!!! A $43,000 automobile with 60,000 miles and I have spent near $3,000 on engine repairs with absolutely no relief from FORD!!!!!
OK EVERYONE, I KNOW OF TWO OTHER T BIRD OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS.... MAKE SOME NOISE... HOW AB OUT A CLASS ACTION SUIT TO GET THEIR ATTENTION!!! I HAD BEEN A LOYAL FORD OWNER UNTIL NOW..... NEVER AGAIN....
2007Jul 25
(reported on)Thunderbird V8
- Automatic transmission
- 68,431 miles
This is the third time to repair the car this time it is #7 that fouled. Proceeded by the car missing and the engine light coming on. Again the dealership said that it is a design flaw service adviser William Thurmond, I suggested replacing all of them at one time and was told they can't do that, why not.. guess it would not be financially beneficial to the dealership Johnson Sewell in Marble Falls Texas.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Aug 18
Thunderbird 3.8L V8
Engine ran rough, esp during idle, or hi rev; engine light on. Best repair shop in DC replaced coil and spark plugs. Fix lasted only about 3 weeks.
Richard W.
Bethesda, MD, USA
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