RoadVitals

2004 Ford Thunderbird Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
34
Latest Sep 27, 2021
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Thunderbird, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine1230.0%
  • Powertrain (other)512.5%
  • Electrical410.0%
  • Airbags37.5%
  • Transmission25.0%
  • Brakes25.0%
  • Other / unspecified12.5%
  • Suspension12.5%
  • Fuel system12.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact approached a stop sign and the vehicle stopped as needed; however, after the contact depressed on the accelerator pedal, the vehicle began to misfire and shuddered for several minutes. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the failure was related to TSB 05-16-2 (moisture build up on the plugs and on the cylinder) that caused the vehicle to misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,526.

NHTSA ID 11434577 · filed Sep 27, 2021

2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS CAUSES ENGINE TO MIS-FIRE, DEALERSHIP REPLACED DEFECTIVE COILS UNDER EXTENDED ONE-TIME WARRANTY REPAIR. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE MIS-FIRE STILL EXISTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE MISFIRED DUE TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS. TWO COILS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE ANY OTHER COILS THAT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. UPDATED 05/4/2017 *JS

NHTSA ID 10905373 · filed May 4, 2017
All 12 reports naming engine

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HAVE REPLACED VIA FORD DEALER THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR TWICE. FIRST REPAIR 2007. SECOND REPAIR 2014, AND NOW IN 2020. I AM FACING SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY THE CONTROL SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM TRIGGERS VEHICLE LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING AND IN PARK.

NHTSA ID 11364399 · filed Oct 14, 2020

ON THREE OCCASIONS AUTO ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. TRIED TO BREAK TO NO AVAIL. KEPT GOING FASTER. SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, ENGINE KEPT RACING. WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP VEHICLE. WENT TO DEALER. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. .ONE EVENT IN A PARKING LOT, ONE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE OTHER WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION ON A CITY STREET AUTO HAS ONLY 10,000 MILES ON IT. INCIDENTS OCCURRED 2005 20014 2016.

NHTSA ID 10873302 · filed Jun 8, 2016
All 9 reports naming driver assistance

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 50MPH COMING TO A TOWN AND A RED LIGHT I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT SLOW I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES THE CAR SLOWED SOME BUT THE ENGINE KEPT REVING THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT DOWN SHIFTING THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING I GRABBED THE SHIFT LEVER AND SWITCHED GEARS BUT TO LATE AND WE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US STOPPED AT THE LIGHT.

NHTSA ID 10783172 · filed Oct 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE FILTER, THE REAR MODULE, THE VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALVE, THE VENT SOLENOID AND THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID 10712474 · filed Apr 23, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE FILTER, THE REAR MODULE, THE VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALVE, THE VENT SOLENOID AND THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID 10712474 · filed Apr 23, 2015

AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WAS PARKING BY A WOODED AREA, AND WAS PROPELLED ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS INTO THE BUSHES IN THE WOODS (BARELY MISSING A TREE) BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. NOT CERTAIN IF THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE OF MY BRAKING, OR BECAUSE THE THICK BUSHES WOULD NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO TRAVEL ANY FURTHER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THIS WAS NOT A "DRIVER ERROR" SITUATION AND AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT CONTINUING TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD THIS OCCUR AGAIN AND I HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING LESS FORGIVING THAN THE BUSHES IN THE WOODS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10650850 · filed Oct 28, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SIDE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED ABNORMALLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THE DOOR WAS REMOVED BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 05/25/11 *BF THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE INJURED BOX. UPDATED 06/06/11

NHTSA ID 10396048 · filed Apr 15, 2011

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55-60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WITH DRY ROAD CONDITIONS AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG, WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE SEAT, DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER, AND AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE ,THE FORD DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS COLLISION DAMAGE TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, AND WERE TOLD THEY NEEDED TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE FORD DEALER AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID 10181431 · filed Feb 2, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD WAS LEFT RUNNING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. WE THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS JUST ROLLING. DID NOT REALIZE DURING THAT SPLIT SECOND THAT THE CAR HAD ENGAGED IN REVERSE ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE DOOR HIT A PERSON STANDING BEHIND THE OPEN DOOR KNOCKING HIM TO THE GROUND. VEHICLE CONTINUED IN REVERSE WITH DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN, STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY BEFORE DRIVING INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION ON THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED AT ABOUT 2000 MILES. THERE IS ONLY 4200 MILES ON THE CAR NOW AND THE SECOND TRANSMISSION IS DANGEROUSLY BAD. *TR

NHTSA ID 10201124 · filed Aug 29, 2007

CONCERNS REGARDING 2004 THUNDERBIRD AND THE CHANCE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILING AFTER THE WARRANTY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID FORMULATION THAT, OVER TIME, MAY CAUSE DELAYED/HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BY INITIATING A RECALL TO ADD AN ADDITIVE TO THE FLUID. THE CONSUMER FELLS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOULD BE TOTALLY DRAINED AND REPLACED WITH THE PROPER FLUID. *BF *NM

NHTSA ID 10119325 · filed Apr 26, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ABS & WHEEL SPEED SENSOR DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HAD MECHANIC INSPECT CAUSES AND DIAGNOSE USING ABS FAULT CODES. VEHICLE REQUIRED A NEW ABS BRAKE / WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT ON LEFT FRONT HUB ASSY. FORD DOES NOT SELL THIS PART INDIVIDUALLY ONLY AS AN ASSEMBLY CONSISTING OF MAJOR BRAKE AND SUSPENSION DETAILS AS A UNIT. THIS COST IS @ $580. MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A HUB UNIT FROM NAPA AUTO PARTS @ $236.17. WITH ONLY 21,696 MILES TOTAL THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO PRE-MATURELY AND PARTS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THIS AS A DETAIL OF AN ASSEMBLY NOT A WHOLE ASSEMBLY CONSISTING OF UN-NEEDED PARTS DIRECTLY FROM FORD. IS THERE A NOTICE REGARDING THIS ITEM? *TR

NHTSA ID 10242426 · filed Sep 16, 2008

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHEN YOU STOP IN A HURRY THE FOOT GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR. OWNER WENT TO THE DEALER AND ASKED TO HAVE THE BRAKES ADJUSTED. OWNER WAS TOLD THERE IS NO ADJUSTING THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TO CLOSE TOGETHER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE BRAKING. *NM *NM

NHTSA ID 10111737 · filed Mar 23, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY JULY 2006 WITH THE ORIGINAL WHEELS. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HAS CRACKS AND CORROSION WHICH ALSO MADE AN INDENTATION IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND CAUSED IT TO LEAK. THE MECHANIC HAD TO SAND THE RIM IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE CORROSION AT COST TO THE OWNER. THEY ALSO HAD TO REPOSITION THE TIRE TO OFFSET THE PART OF THE TIRE THAT HAD THE INDENTATION IN IT. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $42 FOR THE REPAIR. THEY ALSO ADDED SOME FORM OF GLUE WHICH IS A SAFETY RISK. THE TIRE MECHANIC DID NOT PROVIDE A WARRANTY. THE OTHER TIRES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED FOR RUST CORROSION WHICH THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,840.

NHTSA ID 10299839 · filed Jan 15, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,730. ..UPDATED 08-07-13 *BF

NHTSA ID 10513403 · filed May 24, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL ODOR APPEARED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE OIL AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CURRENTLY STILL BEING EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V113000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.

NHTSA ID 11351417 · filed Aug 26, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .