1996 Ford Thunderbird LX V8
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1993 Ford Thunderbird LX in Midnight Opal, Front Right, 08-14-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1994 Ford Thunderbird 4.6 V8 LX by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 10th Generation Ford Thunderbird LX rear 4.8.18 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1995 Ford Thunderbird LX 40th Anniversary Edition, rear left, 08-05-2023 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1990 Ford Thunderbird Interior by Eric Friedebach, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1996 Ford Thunderbird LX V8 is a 205-hp 4.6-liter V8 with a 4-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It is rated at 18 mpg combined.
It makes 205 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 265 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (18 mpg combined).
The Thunderbird measures 200.3 inches long on a 113.0-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Coupe |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 4.6L Modular SOHC V8 |
| Displacement | 4.6 L |
| Horsepower | 205 hp @ 4,500 rpm |
| Torque | 265 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm |
| Valvetrain | SOHC, 2 valves/cylinder |
| Injection Type | Sequential fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic (4R70W) |
| 1st Gear | 2.84 |
| 2nd Gear | 1.55 |
| 3rd Gear | 1 |
| 4th Gear | 0.7 |
| Reverse | 2.32 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 15 MPG |
| Highway | 23 MPG |
| Combined | 18 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tank Capacity | 18 gal |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 15" |
| Wheels Rear | 15" |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 200.3 in |
| Width | 73.2 in |
| Height | 52.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 113 in |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38.1 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.5 in |
| Legroom Front | 42.5 in |
| Legroom Rear | 35.8 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1996 Ford Thunderbird LX V8 with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Ford THUNDERBIRD. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
NHTSA campaign 09E012000
Jul 17, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
NHTSA campaign 06E065000
Apr 22, 1996 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Consequence: THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
NHTSA campaign 96V070000
Jan 16, 1996 · EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE BLOWER COULD (1) STICK ON "HIGH;" (2) OPERATE ERRATICALLY WITH BLOWER OUTPUT VARYING BETWEEN NO BLOWER AND MAXIMUM BLOWER; OR (3) NOT OPERATE AT ALL DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE.
Consequence: BLOWER MALFUNCTIONS LIMITING OR STOPPING OUTPUT CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULES WITH MODULES CONTAINING REVISED SOFTWARE.
NHTSA campaign 96V007000
250 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Ford THUNDERBIRD
Owner Complaints
250 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Ford THUNDERBIRD (13 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 11 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 69 |
| Hydraulic | 46 |
| Service Brakes | 46 |
| Power Train | 21 |
| Visibility | 17 |
| Tires | 15 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.