Model year record

1992 Ford Thunderbird

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

Ford Thunderbird, 1989–1997 generation
Pictured: the 1989–1997 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Other Ford Thunderbird model years

All Ford Thunderbird recalls by year

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.