The 1994 Ford Thunderbird has 1 safety recall and 300 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (102 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints300filed by owners
Crashes · fires22 · 10reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths16 · 2reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1994 Ford Thunderbird 2-DR
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Thunderbird
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Thunderbird
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
Thunderbird
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
Thunderbird
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Torque converter
102
0
0
0
80,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc
89
8
0
1
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
71
0
2
0
90,500 mi
Electrical system Ignition › Module; Wiring › Interior/under dash
29
0
8
0
—
Vehicle speed control Cruise control; Accelerator pedal
Steering Hydraulic power assist system; Hydraulic power assist › Pump
8
0
0
0
—
Visibility Power window devices and controls; Windshield
8
0
0
1
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Nov 1, 2016 · 80,000 milesAir bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND BLINKED A "13" CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING WAS FAULTY. THE PART (PART NUMBER: F4SZ14A664A) WAS DISCONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Aug 27, 2010 · 197,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL HE COASTED ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. UPON EXAMINATION, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO RUBBER COATING OVER THE STEEL BRAKE LINES WHICH LED TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 197,000.
Aug 28, 2010 · 197,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. ALL BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND LEAKING, AREA NEXT TO BRAKE LINES ARE NOT RUSTED. BRAKE LINES PRONE TO RUST. ALL BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Jun 18, 2010 · 180,000 milesSuspension FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURE,, FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE BOTH BROKEN NEAR BASE OF SPRING. *TR
Jan 14, 2004 · 95,000 milesPower train › Automatic transmission 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
Aug 5, 2008 · 115,000 milesVisibility I HAVE A 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL SUDDENLY STARTED WORKING ERRATICALLY AND WILL NOT WORK RIGHT. I HAVE SEEN A RECALL IN THE 1996 MODEL FOR THE VERY SAME THING REGARDING THE CLIMATE CONTROL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH BEING ABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS IN THE CAR SO I CAN SEE. THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS. THERE IS NO WAY OF CONTROLLING THE TEMPERATURE. *TR
May 6, 2002 · 63,000 milesVehicle speed control I HAVE A 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CONTINUOUSLY LURCHES OR LUNGES WHILE ENGAGED. I CAN NO TRUST IT SO I MUST SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. THIS STARTED SOMETIME AGO AND CONTINUES TO THIS DATE. *TR
Jun 16, 2005 · 101,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine I WAS DRIVING AT A STEADY 60 MPH WHEN A SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY AND FOUND A BLOWN HEAD GASKET TO BE THE PROBLEM. CAR HAS 101,000 MILES. CONTRARY TO MANY OTHERS, THIS IS A 4.6 V8. *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.