1992 Ford Thunderbird
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Thunderbird › 1992
These records cover every 1992 Ford Thunderbird. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1992 Ford Thunderbird. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Owner complaints
184 complaints6 involved a crash11 involved a fire10 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes
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
- Electrical system · Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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…
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
- Seat belts
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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
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…
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.
- Seat belts › Front
The automatic seat belts don't work. on the driver's side, the seat belt stays in a position that appears to be effective, but it does not go all the way back. it also no longer moves forward when the door IS opened. on the passenger side, the seat belt works most of the time. however, it…
The automatic seat belts don't work. on the driver's side, the seat belt stays in a position that appears to be effective, but it does not go all the way back. it also no longer moves forward when the door IS opened. on the passenger side, the seat belt works most of the time. however, it occasionally gets stuck in a position where it has moved forward when the door was opened but it won't move back to its correct position. I read in the car manual that there IS a knob that can be turned in order to get the seat belt to go back all the way. I've tried this many times; it worked at first, but doesn't any more.
- Electrical system › Ignition · Exterior lighting › Headlights
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
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
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
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
The auto lamp on/off delay system randomly turns of my headlights at night even when the delay system IS turned off.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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…
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)
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
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
- Seat belts › Front
Consumer states that driver's seat belts IS inoperable, motor went out. Dealer and manufacturer notified. *Ak
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
Ford springs I owned an escort and am on the second set of springs and just bought a 92 thunderbird and both front springs are bad this has happened to a topaz I had to what IS the problem with ford and there springs lately I've been hearing a lot on this seems like when the cars get up to 75000 miles. ever heard of flats because of this problem please look into it thank you. *nlm
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Componant: upper mounted taillight repeated stop and go traffic created excessvie heat in the unvented plastic mounting. Plastic melted and driped onto bulbs causing them to fail. Possibility of fire.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
While driving the eec fuse blew out and caused the vehicle to stall. the dealer was notified. *nlm
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Rear upper brake light: it contians two bulbs one of them was broken and the holder was melted and burnt. Didn't cause any damage except for the connector. Not sure on date just noticed when I noticed the light wasn't working.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
My headlights turned off and turned back on. they do this all the time.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Defective tail shaft on transmission. new seal did not solve problem. mr
- Fuel system, gasoline
While traveling on the highway, the consumer had smelled gasoline coming inside of the vehicle. dealership IS aware of the problem. *ak (*scc
- Electrical system › Ignition · Exterior lighting › Turn signal › Flasher unit
Sometimes turn signal works and sometimes they do not work. consumer has to wiggle key, and signals may or may not illuminate. cause unknown. Recall 96 v 071 000 described the same problem. Please provide any further information. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
The harness at the alternator has caught fire twice and I have replaced the alternator three times in two years. This IS a very dangerous situation. It starts smoking and suet comes out and you think the car IS going to blow up. It IS a very frightening experience. The mechanic found service…
The harness at the alternator has caught fire twice and I have replaced the alternator three times in two years. This IS a very dangerous situation. It starts smoking and suet comes out and you think the car IS going to blow up. It IS a very frightening experience. The mechanic found service bullentin article #96-21-4 which describes this. It has happened to me twice in less than two years. I am very distrubed. Please help me.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
3RD set of front rotors/pads installed, after 20000 rotors warped. bad design...front rotor/calipers are too small for this car, and cause rotors to warp.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Left and right outer and inner rockers rotted. Bad design, no ventilation built in to dry moisture inside rocker. Therefore they rot till there IS no more rocker, costing $700 per side to have a ford body shop to cut out and weld in new rockers.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Premature head gasket failure - repair cost of $970. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Headlight switch
Subject vehicles have a headlight switch with an internal, bimetal circuit breaker that can open due to overheating during headling operation.
- Headlight circuit breaker
Headlight switch with an iternal, bimetal circuit brealer that may open due to overheating during headlight operation
- Fuel line jumper
To determine the scope of the alleged fuel line failures outside of the recall geographic region and if the recall should be expanded nationally
- Rear fuel line interference
The rear fuel tube bundle may abrade and fail in the vicinity of the fuel tank.
- Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10013060Climate control a/c service tech tips.
- 10008580Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3010700Unknown
- 630001Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant and/or oil from the cylinder head gasket area.
- 625715Brake shift interlock.*jb
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 618546Subject regarding climate control - eatc - blower motor control service tips.
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 615466Some vehicles may require headlamp switch (11654) replacement during a normal service visit.
- 615362Some vehicles may require headlamp switch (11654) replacement during a normal service visit. Engineering IS investigating.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 606508Conditions with the brake lamps inadvertently disabling the brake shift interlock.
- 606460Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump.
- 606451Information on "whining" / "buzzing" noise coming through entertainment or two-way radio speaker caused by the fuel pump.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601341Experiencing a whining / buzzing noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 53660Vehicles exhibiting a "squeaking" or "chirping" from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds.
- 51990Blower motor- "chirping" or "squeaking" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 51987Fuel economy- customer expectations versus vehicle usage.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50944Mass air flow sensor - replacement as an assembly - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 50356Information on aode/4r7w transmission main control & case replacement.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 45934Temperature gauge - fluctuating and /or inaccurate high readings.
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39904Revised oil pan gasket.
Every Ford Thunderbird model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.