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1993 Ford ThunderbirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 423 owner complaints about the 1993 Ford Thunderbird, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

28
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.6× the Thunderbird median · #1 of 18 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints42324 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage74kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 26, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1993 Ford Thunderbird has problems

423 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling1711
Exterior lighting1194
Electrical system373
Service brakes, hydraulic332
Seat belts294
Fuel system, gasoline151
Vehicle speed control142
Visibility143
Power train122
11 other systems434

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1993 Ford Thunderbird recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 97V-159 · Sep 22, 1997 · 125,000 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1993 vs. every other Thunderbird year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Thunderbird median. How we score

'67'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1993 Ford Thunderbird, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEADLIGHT SWITCHEA99005 · closed Dec 14, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-275
  2. FUEL LINE JUMPERRQ97011 · closed Nov 16, 1998
    Led to recall 97V-159
  3. HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKERRQ98015 · closed Jan 22, 1999
    Led to recall 98V-009
In owners' words

What Thunderbird owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

HEAD GASKET FAILED IN A CAR WITH 58,000 MILES. FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THE DESIGN DEFECT IN THE 3.8 LITER V6 AND THE INTERNET IS FULL OF SITES DOCUMENTING HORROR STORIES ABOUT THESE ENGINES.
Complaint 10039391 · Sep 23, 2003 · 58,075 miles
ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT/RUN ROUGH, AND COOLANT WOULD GET INTO OIL WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK
Complaint 8011783 · Jun 13, 2002
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING AND SMOKING. MECHANIC SAYS IT DUE TO HEAD GASKETS.*JB
Complaint 8010710 · May 30, 2002

Own a 1993 Thunderbird?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.