Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
423
Latest Mar 26, 2016
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
17
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 4, 1995
What this page shows
Our database holds 423 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Ford Thunderbird. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 423 · page 1 of 17
Engine
Filed Mar 26, 2016
NEVER GOT A NOTICE OF RECALL FOR THE FAULTY ENGINE HEAD GASKET ON A FORD THUNDERBIRD 1993 MODEL.. I HAVE CHECKED WITH THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HE NEVER GOT A LETTER TELLING OF THE FAULTY HEAD GASKET AND THAT THE 3.8 V6 ENGINE WAS BEING RECALLED TO REPLACE IT, THE CAR HAS 98 THOUSAND ORIGINAL MILES. AND I BOUGHT THE CAR USED.. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF I CAN GET THE HEAD GASKET STILL REPLACE UNDER FORD WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE IT STARTED OVERHEATING
NHTSA ID
10851797
Incident
Feb 17, 2016
Mileage
98,485 mi
Seat belts
Filed Oct 10, 2012
THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT THAT IS LOCATED AROUND THE TOP OF THE WINDOW FAILED TO MOVE BACK TO THE SAFE DRIVING POSITION. (DRIVERS SIDE). *TR
NHTSA ID
10479704
Incident
Oct 5, 2012
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Apr 26, 2010
Fire reported
THIS IS THE RECALL. MY CAR DID EXACTLY THIS. MY CAR IS A 93 THUNDERBIRD SUPER COUPE WITH FACTORY FOG LIGHTS AND THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR IS BURNT AND NEEDS REPLACED. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AFTER FLICKERING. RECALLS FOR THE 1993 FORD THUNDERBIRD ELECTRICAL & LIGHTS: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V275000 DATES MANUFACTURED: 06/1991 TO 09/1993 NUMBER OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 164,731 MODEL YEARS AFFECTED: 1992, 1993 DATE OWNER NOTIFIED: 11/1999 DEFECT SUMMARY: 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. CONSEQUENCE SUMMARY: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. CORRECTIVE SUMMARY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED. RECALL NOTES: FORD RECALL NO. 99S30.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 15, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). *TR
NHTSA ID
10327593
Incident
Apr 19, 2010
Mileage
96,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 17, 2008
1993 FORD THUNDERBIRD WITH HEADLIGHTS THAT FAIL WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. FAILURE STARTS WITH FLICKERING AND BLINKING CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VOLTAGE INDICATOR WOULD DECREASE AND THE TURN SIGNALS, RADIO, AND DEFROST WOULD BE INOPERABLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 96V071000, REGARDING THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA ID
10154985
Incident
Apr 10, 2006
Mileage
93,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 30, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V275000 CONCERNING THE HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH. THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM IN LATE 1997, AND HAD IT REPAIRED AT THE HER EXPENSE. THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED A SECOND TIME THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB
NHTSA ID
10144017
Incident
Nov 30, 1997
Filed Sep 9, 2005
COMPLAINT REGARDING TWO STOLEN VEHICLES 1987 BMW AND A 1993 FORD THUNDERBIRD.*MR *NM
NHTSA ID
10137736
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 3, 2005
DT: CONSUMER BOUGHT TIRES FROM A LOCAL DEALER ON JUNE 15, 2005. WHILE DRIVING ON I 85 BETWEEN NEWNAN AND FAYETVILLE ONE OF THE PASSENGER REAR TIRES BLEW OUT. THE TIRE RIPPED APART, THE SIDE WALL CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 30, 2005. THEN, HE CHANGED THE TIRE IN THE RAIN AND CONTINUED ON THE TRIP. CONSUMER HAD TO BUY A NEW RIM DUE TO THE RIM ON THE TIRE BEING BENT OUT OF SHAPE. HE PULLED CAR OVER AS SOON AS BLOW OUT HAPPENED. CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER WHO SOLD HIM THE TIRES, AND DEALER REFUSED TO PRODUCE A COPY OF THE WARRANTY, AND TOLD HIM THAT TIRE WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY BECAUSE HE DID NOT BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. ALSO, DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRE. FUTURA GLS SUPER SPORT. P215/65/R15. DOT U9VFXBH1505.*AK
NHTSA ID
10131454
Incident
Jul 30, 2005
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 11, 2005
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. CONSUMER STATES IT IS THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL NUMBER 99V275000/HEADLIGHTS.*AK
NHTSA ID
10107160
Incident
Jan 10, 2005
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 6, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEAD LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. DEALER STATED THEATHEAD LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10081373
Incident
Jul 6, 2004
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 15, 2004
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION RECALL 96V071000, BUT THE VEHICLE'S VIN DIDN'T INCLUDE THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION BUT THE PROBLEM FAILURE RECURRED. *LA
NHTSA ID
10076246
Incident
Jul 22, 2003
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jun 10, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE DRIVING20 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A LOUD STREAKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. *AK
NHTSA ID
10076092
Incident
Jun 10, 2004
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 29, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE SIGNAL LIGHT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, THEN SMOKE CLEARED, BUT THE DRIVER HAD TO HOLD THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH WHILE DRIVING. *AK *LA
NHTSA ID
10061601
Mileage
112,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 22, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER LOST THE CONTROL, WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM BROKE. *AK
NHTSA ID
10063574
Incident
Mar 21, 2004
Mileage
98,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2004
BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 1993 FORD THUNDERBIRD WITH 80,000 ORIGINAL MILES. *JB
NHTSA ID
10060483
Incident
Mar 3, 2004
Mileage
80,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004
WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR. I AM NOT SURE WHEN THIS PROBLEM STARTED SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED.
NHTSA ID
10071396
Incident
Nov 15, 2003
Filed Jan 15, 2004
PAINT FAILED. CAME OFF AS IF IT WERE WASHING OFF. PROBLEM WORSEDED TO THE POINT OF GETTING TO BARE METAL ON ROOF OF CAR. ALL HORIZONTAL SURFACES EFFECTED (HOOD, TRUNK, ROOF, AND TOPS OF FENDERS). ENTIRE CAR NEEDED TO BE REPAINTED. CONTACTED FORD REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THEY CLAIMED "THE CARS' VIN DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR REIMBURSEMENT". I FEEL THEY WERE NOT ENTIRELY TRUTHFUL. THIS PAINT PROBLEM WAS FAR TOO BAD AND COVERED TOO MUCH OF THE CAR NOT TO BE DEFECTIVE. I FEEL FORD SHOULD PAY MOST IF NOT ALLL OF THE REPAINTING COST. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA ID
10071147
Incident
Oct 15, 2003
Mileage
93,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2003
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.
NHTSA ID
10039391
Incident
Sep 23, 2003
Mileage
58,075 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 17, 2003
BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON THE 3.8L V6. ONLY 103,000 MILES ON IT. *JB
NHTSA ID
10039074
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Mileage
103,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 28, 2003
VEHICLE STALLS THEN SHUTS OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10031261
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 14, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10027212
Incident
Jul 14, 2003
Seat belts
Filed Jul 1, 2003
DRIVER'S SEAT AUTOMATIC SAFETY BELT DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. CONSUMER HEARS MOTOR RUNNING, BUT BELT DOES NOT MOVE ON THE TRACK.*AK
NHTSA ID
10026309
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 18, 2003
NAR 06/19/2003. *MR WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO USE THE CAR JACK, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT IT SELF ON THE DESIGNATED CAR JACK. THE CONSUMER QUESTIONS FORD AS TO WHETHER THE VEHICLE CAN HOLD IT'S OWN WEIGHT, DOES A NEW CAR JACK NEED TO BE BROUGHT WHICH WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION GIVEN BY FORD, AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THERE IS A ANOTHER EMERGENCY. PLEASE GIVE PROMPT RESPONSE. *CB *JB
NHTSA ID
10024450
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 3, 2003
THE VEHICLE HEAD LAMPS FLICKERED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (99S30). THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACED SWITCH. *MR *SCC *NLM
NHTSA ID
10021557
Incident
Mar 23, 1999
Mileage
140,786 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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