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2004 Ford Thunderbird

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
34Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
93
200233
200334
200427
2005
Compare all Thunderbird years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Vehicle Speed Control
9Engine
7Power Train
7Engine And Engine Cooling
5Electrical System
4
All reported categories
Air Bags
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Suspension
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

31 reports with mileage · 3 unknown

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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

3 reports
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20,000 miles · Apr 15, 2011
Air BagsInjury

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 20,00…

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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 ODI #10396048

16,000 miles · Feb 2, 2007
Air BagsInjury

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 VEHI…

Read full complaint

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 ODI #10181431

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2004
Air BagsInjury

WHILE DRIVING REAR PASSENGER 'S SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF INADVERTENTLY PASSENGER SUSTAINED BURNS ON BOTH HANDS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A ROCK FROM THE HIGHWAY CAUSED THE AIR BAG PREMATURELY TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS ANSWER WAS UNACCEPTABLE A…

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WHILE DRIVING REAR PASSENGER 'S SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF INADVERTENTLY PASSENGER SUSTAINED BURNS ON BOTH HANDS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A ROCK FROM THE HIGHWAY CAUSED THE AIR BAG PREMATURELY TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS ANSWER WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND OTHER ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10094435

Official recalls

1

04V330000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 8, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SEAT MAY NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY ON THE POWER SEATS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.