1992 Ford Thunderbird: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 184 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (20% of complaints); the 1991 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The rear brakes failed to function and no power brakes at all really hard pedal had to stand on the brake pedal to get it to stop this happened under normal driving conditions this makes it very hard to stop I was able to get it off the road called a tow truck and had it towed to my house ford.com said no recalls for my car and it cost $1500 to fix . *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2011
“1992 ford thunderbird recalled for replacement of ignition switch a few years back (NHTSA action number: ea95002). Defective switch was replaced with exact same part that was recalled and failed again within one year with two halves of unit again coming apart. I have just replaced for the fifth time with exact same defective unit, this being the only thing available from ford and from aftermarket suppliers. How does replacing defective part with exactly same part eliminate fire hazard associated with this part which prompted recall in the first place??? *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2010
“I got into my car this morning and the driver power seat belt would not work. When I opened the door to my passenger side the power seat belt on the driver side attempted to work but didn't work completely. There was no events leading to the failure. This isn't something that has happened before. I haven't made an attempt to get it fixed yet as it just happened only a half hour ago. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 ford thunderbird. In april of 2000, the contact received a recall notice regarding the headlights. The recall repair was not performed at that time because there were no failures with the vehicle. Currently, the headlights and fog lights flicker on and off and two parts need to be replaced. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they advised her to call ford motor company. The manufacturer was unable to provide any assistance. The recall number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 58,800.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2007
“Consumer' s vehicle experienced the same problems as stated in NHTSA recalls 96v071000 and 99v27500 concerning ignition system and headlights. The dealership indicated consumer's vehicle not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak *nm”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2004
“While driving consumer smelled smoke coming in from the vents. Consumer pulled over, lifted the hood up, and vehicle caught on fire. Consumer was able to extinguish the fire. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2004
“While placing the key inside of the ignition switch the key failed to come out from the ignition. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2004
“While placing the key in the ignition switch vehicle failed to start. Consumer turned off the vehicle, and then restarted it. Drove it to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic replaced solenoid switch inside the ignition due to a burnt out wire. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2004
“1)1992 ford thunderbird VIN [xxx], fuel line chaffed against floor pan causing a pin hole resulting in fuel leakage (exactly as in nhsa id: 97v159000 issued 09/17/1997). 2) fuel line leaked strong odor and exteam fire danger. 3)john's repair 189 e. 2nd s. Soda springs, id replaced fuel line 10/20/03 $292.66. Contacted ford at 800-392-3673, 07/28/2004, they stated this VIN had no outstanding recalls, they couldn't cross check NHTSA id # to ford's recall number and ford wouldn't reimburse me for repair.*ak updated 07/25/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2003
“When driving the vehicle at night, the headlights would work intermittently. The consumer has made contact with the dealer. Please provide any further details. *ph”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
How other years compare
Check your exact Thunderbird by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 Ford Thunderbird reliable?
NHTSA has 184 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Ford Thunderbird. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Ford Thunderbird problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 113,150 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Ford Thunderbird have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.