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1994 Ford ThunderbirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 300 owner complaints about the 1994 Ford Thunderbird, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

32
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.1× the Thunderbird median · #2 of 18 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints30043 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage80kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 2, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Ford Thunderbird has problems

300 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
Power train920
Service brakes, hydraulic756
Engine and engine cooling611
Electrical system247
Vehicle speed control232
Air bags1710
Suspension121
Fuel system, gasoline101
Tires90
11 other systems435

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

0 recalls

1994 Ford Thunderbird recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1994 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
NHTSA crash tests

1994 Ford Thunderbird safety ratings

1994 Ford Thunderbird 2-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Thunderbird owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT IN AND OUT OF OVERDRIVE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING TWO SPEED SENSING SWITCHES. THIS IS NORMALLY DONE WHEN EVER THE TRANSMISSION IS WORKED ON BY FORD. *TR
Complaint 10245500 · Oct 15, 2008 · 95,000 miles
I OWN A 1994 FORD T-BIRD WITH A 5.0 V8 AND AS I AM DRIVING(NOT ACCELERATING, ETC.) THE CAR IT UNEXPECTLY DOWN SHIFTS FOR NO REASON. IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN MORE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN IT IS HOTTER. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO LAKE CITY FORD IN COEUR D'ALENE AT LEAST 4 OR 5 TIMES OVER THE LAST 4 OR…
Complaint 10123771 · Jun 1, 2005 · 60,000 miles
ENGINE - MAKES A MOANING NOISE AND RAISES THE IDLE. AS A RESULT, THE CARE WANTS TO ACCELERATE, EVEN WITHOUT PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR. PAINT - PAINT OXIDIZED ON ALL SKYWARD FACING SURFACES. SPOTS OF RUST HAVE DEVELOPED. POWER LOCK - DRIVER'S SIDE POWER LOCK MAKES A NOISE, BUT DOES NOT MOVE THE…
Complaint 10068811 · Jan 15, 2004 · 80,000 miles

Own a 1994 Thunderbird?

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