Model year record

1992 Ford Thunderbird

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 234 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V275000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
164,731
Reported to NHTSA
1999-10-12
Owners notified
1999-11-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND WHICH MAY BE PRECEDED BY FLICKERING OR BLINKING AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING.

Safety risk

DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V159000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
125,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-22
Owners notified
1997-10-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WEST VIRGINIA. MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.

Safety risk

THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Exterior lighting: headlights2358,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine22
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip14
Seat belts12177,749 mi
Electrical system: ignition998,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch9100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings9138,760 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch6
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery6
Power train: automatic transmission6
Fuel system, gasoline5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor5
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers4
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4
Unknown or other4
Vehicle speed control4
Exterior lighting: fog lights3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Air bags: frontal2
Electrical system2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Exterior lighting: brake lights2
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch2
Exterior lighting: tail lights2
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Parking brake: conventional2
Power train2
Seat belts: front2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic2
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Visibility: windshield2
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Parking brake1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: axle hubs1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes1
Service brakes, electric1
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1126,300 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels1

The 1991 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.