I Give UP

[Panspeter]

Hi gang, I realize this is a forum for those impressed with their TBird but I have reached my end. MY 2005, 50th Anniversery was purchased with the intention of passing it on to one of my grandchildren but I fear it will never make it that long. My Bird at 48,000 miles is self destructing at a rapid rate. I have a 63 that has given me less problems than the 05.

• Chrome around the top of the windshield comming off replaced twice.
• Boot around the brake lever won't stay attached to console and replaced twice.
• After reversing and shifting to drive transmission drops into neutral then slams into gear. Dealer cannot find anything wrong.
• Air conditioning unit suddenly started blowing very hot air and no control of temperature. Super hot only. I was told that the air conditioner pump has a leak and needs to be replaced, cost $1200.
• I asked why if the air conditioner pump had a leak that it happened all at once. Further diagnosis found that I also need a new Water Control Valve.
• On acceleration car slammed out of gear and went into safe mode with the wrench icon and would not go faster than 15mph running very rough. Told I now need a new Throttle Control Valve.
• I had a Cop's issue and the dealer replaced the one that had gone bad. The day I picked it up I felt the slight miss that I felt before the last Cop's went out so I predict another is going bad.

Again the car has only 48,000 miles on it and at this rate I do not predict things are going to get better. I am afraid I am going to have to give up my plans for this car and sell.
I am very dissapointed with this High End Ford product and it will be my last Ford. I am 61 years old and have had many cars in my life and this one is the worst I have ever owned.
I loved this car and still do but I am not going to put anymore money into this car when I already paid a good price for it to begin with.
I hope the rest of you have better luck but from what I have been reading I am not alone.
Oh well I still have the 63 that was built back when Ford was producing a quality product. Can't understand why people are buying foreign cars.

[justjon]

Re: I Give UP

I'm sure we are all sorry to hear of your bad news bird but I absolutly agree, get rid of that mess. Then again since your in Hawaii, it probably is worth fixing because you will always be able to sell it for a good price. Forget the grandchildren, odds are they won't care and will sell it anyway for a volt guzzler.

[Rondor]

Re: I Give UP

I can relate to your problem in my past and I guess most who reach our age have had at least one lemon. All manufactures seem to have one now and then. I would guess being in HI. makes it even more complex and expensive. I would try to find a FOrd factory rep esepecially if you have good records. You just might get a little help. Mine had 48K when I bought it and a bad A/C and COP. Dealer replaced both and now has 53K. Knock on wood. I did get an extended waranty through my CU. I would highly recommend you get an Ext. warranty

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: I Give UP

Which of these problems are not covered under an extended warranty? It sounds like most would be covered.

[jerrym3]

Re: I Give UP

My TBird at 18,000 miles hasn't gotten into the serious repair mode yet, but my LS has, so I know exactly what you're going through. (I gave up on the TBird parking boot issue.)

When the LS runs great, it runs really great, and I love it.

When the repairs pop up, it's a whole different story.

[Tbyrdy]

Re: I Give UP

"Never give up, never surrender!" - A corny line from "Galaxy Quest."

I have replaced the throttle body, just like you. I haven't had an issue with the brake cover or the chrome; I wonder if the local sea climate is affecting the trim?

My A/C needed a small amount of freon; I had to replace a sensor that was causing the conditions you describe; I suspect you may not have a reputable dealer.

So why do I want to keep ours and you do not?

Well, my answer is I just took it up to Daytona Beach cruisin' on a beautiful day with the top down! There is no substitute!

Good luck with your car!

[AZTB]

Re: I Give UP

Tom,
Can't say as I disagree with you much. My '02 caused me MUCH fewer concerns than my '05. It's at the dealer so much, many of the employees now call me my first name when I show up (I'm waiting for them to give me my own parking spot soon).

That being said, when she runs great, she's a winner. When she doesn't, I think about trading her in, no matter how much I may regret giving her up.
Best wishes for you, bud,
Jim

[DavidA]

Re: I Give UP

Sounds like you need to find a new dealer. THe A/C problem is ONLY the water control valve. Transmission should be fairly easy to diagnose. Try another dealer before you give up.

The COPS are under warranty so they should not be an issue either.

[tbird6t4]

Re: I Give UP

It would be interesting to know that if you are not the original owner, did you do a carfax check on it? Was it a car that was damaged somewhere? Did it come from New Orleans by any chance?

It just seems that too many things are going wrong all at the same time. Beautiful car, great color. Only other thing could be that it was a Monday or a Friday production car the assembly line workers generally were hung over on Monday and too anxious to get away from the plant for a weekend so that Monday could repeat itself all over again and quality suffered on each of those two days.

Good luck!

[AZTB]

Re: I Give UP

Sounds like you need to find a new dealer. THe A/C problem is ONLY the water control valve. Transmission should be fairly easy to diagnose. Try another dealer before you give up. The COPS are under warranty so they should not be an issue either.

David, don't know as I agree with the transmission assessment. My dealer, in conjunction with Ford, took over 18 months to partially correct the problem with my Bird's tranny, and the issue never did completely go away. I just got tired of dealing with Ford on it and learned to live with what I feel is an inferior tranny.

[Leroy]

Re: I Give UP

I've never had any luck with Fords, and didn't own any for years. But when they built the retro TBird, I had to have one. But one thing is, I make sure my car is covered with the Ford Premium Warranty with the lowest deductable ( mine now is 0% ). When I can't extend the Warranty anylonger, the car is gone. I'll find a new love. Leroy

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[Ediron]

Re: I Give UP

Tom ,IMO you are soured on the car and I don't think your wrong for your feelings.If I had that many problems it would be gone.My Bird has had 6 out of 8 COPS done all covered,heat control valve,2 wheel sensors all covered by my extended warranty.After reading of different problems with the cars I bought the warranty also todays cars are more complex than cars of 20yrs ago every mfg. has problems.As Leroy said find a new love.

[DudleyM]

Re: I Give UP

Tom,

Have you heard "lemon". Perhaps. We bought my '05 Cashmere from the original owner with 56,000 miles on it. Have all the dealer records and its been a good car. (Perhaps I shouldn't say that too loudly.) We've put another 7,500-8,000 on it and love it.

[billm]

Re: I Give UP

Tom,
Now that is a long list of problems. If I were you, I would get the Ford Representative.
I have done that twice with Jeep, and once with Lincoln, and did achieve very good results with both vehicles.

I can understand your dissatisfaction, and I hope you get things resolved. I once had a GM vehicle that I felt that way about! Good luck.

_________________________________// Bill

[Panspeter]

Re: I Give UP

Thanks Guys for the feed back. I bought the car new and have been thru 3 sessisions of correspondance with the Ford complaint /dept. with a so sorry your warrenty is up response. I wished I had bought the extended warrenty now, as you can imagine, but I have always spent the extra money and bought high end cars counting on a product that would not need the exta protection with success. It just rubs me wrong to think that in todays world you must spend extra money on insurance and not be able to count on a well made product. I understand if it is a LEMON but a company should stand behind their products. A car should last longer than 48000 miles before self destruct, and these were easy miles. I have taken care of this car and by all outwards appearance it is beautiful. Only what Ford put on the inside is ugly.

There is only one Ford dealership on my island so going to another is difficult. I wouldn't mind it so much if I had confidence that once I fix these issues the car would be good for awhile. I have fears that the shody workmanship, materials, and technology put into this car, will always haunt me. I have always LOVED TBirds except for those few years when Ford made them ordinary.

My Bad to assume you get what you pay for. I will go back to the companys that have not let me down in the past, such as GMC, ACURA, Chrysler and Jaguar unfortunately now owned by Ford.

I do appreciate the come backs and welcome anymore advice or reccomendaions from all of you. There appears to be a great bunch of guys involved with this forum and I am greatful for that

Aloha, Tom