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1993 Ford Thunderbird

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 14 of 423 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 171 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

423 reports
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

TALKING WITH OTHER FORD OWNERS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR, YET FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEGDE OR ASSIST IN ANYWAY WITH THE THUNDERBIRD MODELS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722438

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722386

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE CAR WOULDN'T HEAT UP AND IT WOULD DIE ON ME WHEN I WOULD GIVE IT GAS TO ACELERATE OR TAKE OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT. I ALMOST GOT HIT TWICE. THERE ALSO WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST.*AK

NHTSA ODI #722249

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

I CONTACTED YOU BACK IN MARCH BECAUSE OF MY THUNDERBIRD'S EARLY ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE,AND MY MANY LETTER'S AND PHONE CALLS TO FORD WHICH WENT UNANSWERED . I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SATISFACTION IN MY COMPLAINTS. IN FORD'S FIRST RECALL OF THEIR 3.8L HEAD GASKET FAILURE MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED THE REASON BEING THAT IT IS A REA…

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I CONTACTED YOU BACK IN MARCH BECAUSE OF MY THUNDERBIRD'S EARLY ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE,AND MY MANY LETTER'S AND PHONE CALLS TO FORD WHICH WENT UNANSWERED . I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SATISFACTION IN MY COMPLAINTS. IN FORD'S FIRST RECALL OF THEIR 3.8L HEAD GASKET FAILURE MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED THE REASON BEING THAT IT IS A REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE, THE CARS BEING RECALLED WERE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. I ARGUED THAT IT WAS THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WHY COVER ONLY CERTAIN MODEL'S. NOW I HAVE READ THAT FORD IS AGAIN GOING TO EXTEND WARRANTIES AND COVER REPAIR BILLS FOR THIS PROBLEM IN THUNDERBIRDS AND COUGARS WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FIRST PROGRAM. THEY STATE THAT DUE TO MANY COMPLAINTS THEY WILL NOW COVER THIS ENGINE IN REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. I AGAIN PHONED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT FORD ONLY TO BE TOLD AGAIN THAT IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY THUNDERBIRD BECAUSE IT IS A 93. I ASKED WHEN MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY PUT IN SERVICE, AND WAS TOLD APRIL4,1993, WHEN MY HEAD GASKET FAILED IT WAS NOT EVEN SEVEN YEARS OLD WHICH IS THE AMOUNT OF YEARS THAT THEY ARE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE MILEAGE ON MY CAR WAS ALSO WAY BELOW THE AVERAGE MILES ON OTHER CARS THAT THIS HAPPENED TO. THE AVERAGE BEING 65,000. MY ORIGINAL QUESTION IS STILL THE SAME ISN'T THE PROBLEM A DEFECTIVE ENGINE, AND IT SHOULD'NT MATTER WHETHER IT'S A 93 OR 94. FORD IS STATING THAT THE ENGINE IS A PROBLEM, BUT WON'T STAND BEHIND IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME WITH THIS .*AK

NHTSA ODI #722152

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET, PROBLEMATIC OF MOST 3.8 LITRE REAR WHEEL DRIVE FORD PASSENGER CARS FROM 1988 TO 1996. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM WITH THE '94 THROUGH '96 3.8 LITRES, BUT THESE ARE THE SAME 3.8 LITRES IN THE EARLIER MODELS. I OWN A '93 THUNDERBIRD THAT JUST NEEDED THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED FOR $1000.00 . I SHOULD…

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I HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET, PROBLEMATIC OF MOST 3.8 LITRE REAR WHEEL DRIVE FORD PASSENGER CARS FROM 1988 TO 1996. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM WITH THE '94 THROUGH '96 3.8 LITRES, BUT THESE ARE THE SAME 3.8 LITRES IN THE EARLIER MODELS. I OWN A '93 THUNDERBIRD THAT JUST NEEDED THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED FOR $1000.00 . I SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ADMITTED HAVING. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF THE REPAIR, DUE TO THE FACT THAT FORD IS AND WAS AWARE OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722074

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 70,000 MILES / FORD FAILS TO RECALL VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #721937

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2000
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED AND FALLS A FEW MONTHS OUTSIDE OF RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #721830

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

BLOWN HEAD GASKETS-TWICE. ONCE AT ABOUT 65000 MILES AND AGAIN AT ABOUT 120000 MILES. I BELIEVE IT'S DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT--IRON BLOCK/ALUMINUM HEADS--AND INCORRECT ASSEMBLY. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. IF NHTSA WOULD CHECK SERVICE RECORDS ON A NATIONAL BASIS THEN I THINK YOU'D FIND THOUSANDS AND THOUSAN…

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BLOWN HEAD GASKETS-TWICE. ONCE AT ABOUT 65000 MILES AND AGAIN AT ABOUT 120000 MILES. I BELIEVE IT'S DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT--IRON BLOCK/ALUMINUM HEADS--AND INCORRECT ASSEMBLY. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. IF NHTSA WOULD CHECK SERVICE RECORDS ON A NATIONAL BASIS THEN I THINK YOU'D FIND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF IDENTICAL FAILURES. MECHANICS AND SERVICE MANAGERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY LOVE TO SEE US COMING. OTHER T-BIRD OWNERS (AND OTHER FORD MOTOR CO. AUTOMOBILE OWNERS) HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE?

NHTSA ODI #721735

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

I AM ON THE FOURTH ENGINE FAILURE OF THIS CAR, I FEEL IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BUY-BACK THAT FORD IS HOLDING ON THE 95 WINDSTARS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #721569

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

TOOK CAR IN TO HAVE A RECALL ON A HEAD LAMP SWITCH FIXED. TOLD THEM CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A HESITATION WHEN TAKING OFF AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD TO HAVE THE IAC CENSOR REPLACED. HAD THAT DONE AT A COST OF 363.00. THEY ALSO PUT IN A NEW THERMOSTAT, SID ENGINE WASN'T GETTING HOT ENOUGH? 2 DAYS LATER CAR STILL HESIT…

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TOOK CAR IN TO HAVE A RECALL ON A HEAD LAMP SWITCH FIXED. TOLD THEM CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A HESITATION WHEN TAKING OFF AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD TO HAVE THE IAC CENSOR REPLACED. HAD THAT DONE AT A COST OF 363.00. THEY ALSO PUT IN A NEW THERMOSTAT, SID ENGINE WASN'T GETTING HOT ENOUGH? 2 DAYS LATER CAR STILL HESITATED AND OVER HEATED. WAS TOLD HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAD THAT FIXED 900.00. THEY ALSO TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE THE TIMING COVER REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS A POSSIBLE CRACK? TOOK TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP HAD THEM TAKE A LOOK, THEY SAID IT LOOKED FINE? *AK

NHTSA ODI #721471

Official recalls

3

99V275000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Oct 12, 1999

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 & remedy

Consequence: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.

97V159000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 22, 1997

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.

96V071000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 25, 1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA99005 · Headlight Switch

Opened Jan 20, 1999 · Closed Dec 14, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN INTERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT CAN OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLING OPERATION.

RQ98015 · Headlight Circuit Breaker

Opened Sep 29, 1998 · Closed Jan 22, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN ITERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREALER THAT MAY OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLIGHT OPERATION

RQ97011 · Fuel Line Jumper

Opened Sep 25, 1997 · Closed Nov 16, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE ALLEGED FUEL LINE FAILURES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL GEOGRAPHIC REGION AND IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED NATIONALLY