1993 Ford Thunderbird: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 423 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (38% of complaints); the 1991 and 1992 model years look 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 423 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
“The automatic seatbelt that is located around the top of the window failed to move back to the safe driving position. (drivers side). *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2012
“1993 ford thunderbird with headlights that fail while driving at night. Failure starts with flickering and blinking causing loss of visibility. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2006
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2005
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 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”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 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.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2003
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - 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 1993 Ford Thunderbird reliable?
NHTSA has 423 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Ford Thunderbird. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Ford Thunderbird problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 97,000 miles or less.
Does the 1993 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.