1993 Ford Thunderbird
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Thunderbird › 1993
These records cover every 1993 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 1993 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
423 complaints10 involved a crash7 involved a fire9 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine
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.…
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
- Seat belts
The automatic seatbelt that IS located around the top of the window failed to move back to the safe driving position. (Drivers side). *tr
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch · Visibility
This IS the recall. My car did exactly this. My car IS a 93 thunderbird super coupe with factory fog lights and the wiring harness connector IS burnt and needs replaced. Headlights went out after flickering. recalls for the 1993 ford thunderbird electrical & lights: exterior…
This IS the recall. My car did exactly this. My car IS a 93 thunderbird super coupe with factory fog lights and the wiring harness connector IS burnt and needs replaced. Headlights went out after flickering. recalls for the 1993 ford thunderbird electrical & lights: exterior lighting:headlights:switch campaign number: 99v275000 dates manufactured: 06/1991 to 09/1993 number of vehicles affected: 164,731 model years affected: 1992, 1993 date owner notified: 11/1999 defect summary: 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 summary: driver's could experience a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. corrective summary: dealers will install a headlight switch which incorporates a circuit breaker of revised design, and install a wiring harness connector, if needed. recall notes: ford recall no. 99S30.owner notification began november 15, 1999. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). *Tr
- Exterior lighting
1993 ford thunderbird with headlights that fail while driving at night. Failure starts with flickering and blinking causing loss of visibility. *tr
- Seat belts › Front
Passive restrain shoulder harness, drivers side. *tr
- Electrical system › Ignition
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.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Dt: the contact states there IS a nhtsa recall campaign 99v275000 concerning the headlights:switch. This vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recall, but was not included in the recall due to vin. the consumer first experienced this problem in late 1997, and had it repaired at the…
Dt: the contact states there IS a nhtsa recall campaign 99v275000 concerning the headlights:switch. This vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recall, but was not included in the recall due to vin. the consumer first experienced this problem in late 1997, and had it repaired at the her expense. the headlights failed a second time the dealership stated the switch needed to be replaced again.*ak updated 01/11/06. *Jb
- Unknown or other
Complaint regarding two stolen vehicles 1987 BMW and a 1993 ford thunderbird.*mr *nm
- Tires › Sidewall
Dt: consumer bought tires from a local dealer on june 15, 2005. While driving on I 85 between newnan and fayetville one of the passenger rear tires blew out. The tire ripped apart, the side wall came completely off the tire. This happened on july 30, 2005. Then, he changed the tire in the rain…
Dt: consumer bought tires from a local dealer on june 15, 2005. While driving on I 85 between newnan and fayetville one of the passenger rear tires blew out. The tire ripped apart, the side wall came completely off the tire. This happened on july 30, 2005. Then, he changed the tire in the rain and continued on the trip. Consumer had to buy a new rim due to the rim on the tire being bent out of shape. He pulled car over as soon as blow out happened. contacted the local dealer who sold him the tires, and dealer refused to produce a copy of the warranty, and told him that tire was not covered by warranty because he did not buy an extended warranty. Also, dealer refused to replace tire. futura GLS super sport. P215/65/r15. Dot u9vfxbh1505.*ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
While driving at night head lights flashed on and off. dealer stated theathead light switch malfunctioned. *Ak
- Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift
Nar 06/19/2003. *mr when the consumer attempted to use the car jack, the vehicle was not able to support it self on the designated car jack. the consumer questions ford as to whether the vehicle can hold it's own weight, does a new car jack need to be brought which was in perfect condition given by ford, and what will happen if there IS a another emergency. please give prompt response. *cb *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
The vehicle experienced the problem described in the ignition recall 96v071000, but the vehicle's vin didn't include the scope of the recall. The dealership replaced the ignition but the problem failure recurred. *la
- Air bags · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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
- Power train
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.
- Unknown or other
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…
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.
- Suspension › Front › Control arm
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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch · Unknown or other
While driving at night, headlights suddenly went out. Smoke began to come from the steering column near the signal light. consumer pulled over, then smoke cleared, but the driver had to hold the high beam switch while driving. *ak *la
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Blown head gasket on 1993 ford thunderbird with 80,000 original miles. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Blown head gasket on the 3.8L V6. only 103,000 miles on it. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle stalls then shuts off. Dealer notified. *Ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Consumer states that headlights are not working properly. Dealer notified. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front
Driver's seat automatic safety belt does not function at all. consumer hears motor running, but belt does not move on the track.*ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
The vehicle head lamps flickered prior to recall notice (99s30). the consumer request reimbursement for the replaced switch. *mr *scc *nlm
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
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.
- 10004027Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6090082Information for servicing and diagnosing brake vibration, brake inspection, and brake friction material replacement.
- 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.
- 613261Some vehicles with non-functional windshield wipers may require wiper motor replacement.
- 613082Some vehicles with non-functional windshield wipers may require wiper motor replacement. *Mjs
- 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.
- 605562Subject regarding the availability of hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment.
- 603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip.
- 603695Experiencing a " buzzing " or " rattling " noise from the exhaust system.
- 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.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601264Availability of hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601018Some vehicles may exhibit brake roughness (brake pedal pulsation, steering wheel shake and / or nibble) under light brake applications from 105 to 0 km/h (65 to 0 mph).
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 601009Service tip information regarding elimination of sanding rotors and drums.
- 601004Some vehicles may cycle when brakes are applied on rough roads or on an incline while making a sharp turn.
- 601003Hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment from rotunda IS now approved for warranty and service use.
- 54070Some vehicles may experience static in the am band of the radio while driving.
- 53660Vehicles exhibiting a "squeaking" or "chirping" from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds.
Every Ford Thunderbird model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.