Model year record

1993 Ford Thunderbird

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 559 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
Engine and engine cooling: engine12880,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights47120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch4796,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3958,075 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor14—
Seat belts13—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system12—
Unknown or other1193,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch10—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch10—
Electrical system: ignition993,000 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights9—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers8—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch8112,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor8—
Vehicle speed control8—
Exterior lighting: fog lights: switch7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components7—
Structure: body: door7—
Power train: automatic transmission6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc5—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4—
Exterior lighting: fog lights4—
Fuel system, gasoline4—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings4—
Power train4—
Seat belts: front: anchorage4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads4—
Air bags: frontal3—
Electrical system: wiring3—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Engine and engine cooling3—
Exterior lighting3—
Seats: front assembly: recliner3—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal3111,700 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank: selector devices2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Interior lighting2—
Seat belts: front286,400 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Seats2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2—
Structure: body2—
Tires2—
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2—
Air bags1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1—
Engine198,485 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: control arm198,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Suspension: multiple axle1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility196,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—

The 1992 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1994 model has about 1.5 times 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.