1994 Ford Thunderbird
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Thunderbird › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Ford Thunderbird. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1994 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.
Owner complaints
300 complaints22 involved a crash10 involved a fire16 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air 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.
- Service 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…
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.
- Suspension · Suspension › Front
Front coil spring fracture,, front coil springs are both broken near base of spring. *Tr
- Service 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
- Power 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
- Vehicle 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
- Visibility
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
- Engine 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
- Vehicle speed control
Dt: the consumer suspected there was odometer fraud. when he purchased the vehicle it showed 91,000 miles on it. after he purchased the vehicle he got a carfax report which showed that in 9-20-99 it showed 118,090 when taken to the tn dmv. Also, the report showed on 4-20-00 that there was…
Dt: the consumer suspected there was odometer fraud. when he purchased the vehicle it showed 91,000 miles on it. after he purchased the vehicle he got a carfax report which showed that in 9-20-99 it showed 118,090 when taken to the tn dmv. Also, the report showed on 4-20-00 that there was 125,035 miles on a service record. another record indicated that it had been taken to the tn dmv but the mileage was unavailable. the consumer had problems with the vehicle as a result of the high mileage . the vehicle was purchased from an independent person on e-bay. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I own a 1994 ford t-bird with a 5.0 V8 and as I am driving(not accelerating, etc.) the car it unexpectly down shifts for no reason. it appears to happen more during the summer months when it IS hotter. I have taken the car to lake city ford in coeur d'alene at least 4 or 5 times over the last 4…
I own a 1994 ford t-bird with a 5.0 V8 and as I am driving(not accelerating, etc.) the car it unexpectly down shifts for no reason. it appears to happen more during the summer months when it IS hotter. I have taken the car to lake city ford in coeur d'alene at least 4 or 5 times over the last 4 or 5 years and they keep telling me that some part "just needs cleaning" the problem keeps coming back. I feel that it IS a danger and could cause an accident.
- Engine and engine cooling · Equipment · Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
I was an original victim of ford 3.8 head gasket failure. I had the work done prior to the letter they sent. I had gotten reimbursed. My car has approx 120.000 and the head gaskets have gone again. I am terminally ill and have a daughter getting ready for college and cannot afford to keep paying for fords org. Defects. *nm
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
My son and his girl friend had a wreck in my wife's car, rearending another car while wearing their seatbelts, but the belts didn't lock, allowing them to hit the windshield. seatbelts will not lock and hold when thrown forward in crash.*ak
- Tires › Sidewall
In december of 2003 my wife had a michelin x radial plus sidewall blowout on her 94 t-bird. We replaced two tires a that times so they would be equal on the axle. Then yesterday another michelin x radial plus sidewall blew on the same car only in the front this time. Tire pressure was checked last…
In december of 2003 my wife had a michelin x radial plus sidewall blowout on her 94 t-bird. We replaced two tires a that times so they would be equal on the axle. Then yesterday another michelin x radial plus sidewall blew on the same car only in the front this time. Tire pressure was checked last week and the tread wear was even in both cases. We replaced both the remain two last night. The original set as well as the replacedment tires were purchased at costco. The first incident occured with 50% of the tread remaining the second time there was 25% tread left. The tires were approximately 3 years old. If everyone who bought these has had a 2 out of 4 failure rate, theres a problem.
- Unknown or other
Paint started fading withen two years after purchase dealer stated that this was not a defect with the manufacturer they asked me if I had a garage or if I parked my car in the sun at work. And told me it was the elemments. And not the fault of the dealer or manufacturer. I gave up after several attmps to rectify the problem.
- Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Unknown or other · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Engine - makes a moaning noise and raises the idle. as a result, the care wants to accelerate, even without pressure to the accelerator. Paint - paint oxidized on all skyward facing surfaces. spots of rust have developed. Power lock - driver's side power lock makes a noise, but does not move the lock transmission - doesn't shift when it IS supposed to, and when it does, it IS very jerky.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission begins shifting from od to lower gears for no apparent reason. a transmission flush seems to clear up the issue for approx. 6,000 miles and then the problem IS back. the past week has been very bad. this morning on my drive to work (3 miles) the issue occured 6 times.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I noticed immediatly after buying this car that the transmission slipped that was 11/98 it took several calls to the dealer and a coarse of a year for them to finally fix it. second time I brought in to shop replaced whole transmission that was 12/99. Now in 6/03 the transmission IS starting to…
I noticed immediatly after buying this car that the transmission slipped that was 11/98 it took several calls to the dealer and a coarse of a year for them to finally fix it. second time I brought in to shop replaced whole transmission that was 12/99. Now in 6/03 the transmission IS starting to slip again. Also had recall letter about head gaskets, ford refused to work with me on replacements, had to be replaced out of my own pocket. Private dealer lied about condition of vehicle, it had transmission problems when I bought it. Ford made no attemps to help resolve problems. *Ak
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Power train
Consumer had problems with vehicle jerking forward while at stop lights. the vehicle eventually would not start. the vehicle was checked by three certified mechanics. the consumer was informed that the engine head gaskets wore out. vehicle was repaired. *ak the vehicle also experienced problems with it's power window's, air conditioner and transmission. *nlm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Fuel leaked from the vehicle due to a ruptured fuel line. *jb in 1997 the same defect was found in the consumers 1992 thunderbird. *scc *nlm
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
The headlights flickered then went out while driving. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The head gasket failed which caused the vehicle to overheat and stall out. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling
While driving at 35 mph the vehicle stalled and made it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle. *nlm
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
The vehicles brake lights did not work . Dealer notified. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The vehicles head gasket failed. dealer notified. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine failure at 63000 miles. Front seal failed, allowing coolant into engine. car was meticulously cared for, and driven carefully. *jb
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.
- 10008304Engine-gear driven synchronizers-incorrect installation-camshaft position synchronizer (cmp) installation tool correct application.
- 10008279New service part - number 5 needle bearing and race kit - 4r70w transmission - service tip.
- 10004027Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips.
- 10000592Incorrectly installed gear driven camshaft position (cmp) sensor synchronizer assemblies causing surge, lost of power, malfunction indicator lamp on and diagnostic trouble codes p1336, p1309 and p0340.
- 6090538Information regarding camshaft position (cmp) sensor alignment tool chart. *Mjs
- 6090310Some service manuals may list the incorrect camshaft position sensor alignment tool for vehicles with various engine sizes.
- 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.
- 625888Information regarding engine replacements warranty extension program.
- 625878Information regarding engine replacements warranty extension program.
- 625715Brake shift interlock.*jb
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 619424Subject regarding engine oil recommendations for use in 2001 vehicles - sae 5W-20 motor oil.
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 616506Some vehicles may exhibit premature failure of the head gasket(s). This condition may result in engine coolant leakage, which, if not detected, can cause engine overheating.
- 613868Subject regarding owner notification program supplement #1 3.8L engine head gaskets.
- 613335Subject regarding a new transmission case and main control released for service on aode / 4r70w transmissions.
- 613329Illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) and / or the o/d light flashing.
- 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.
- 607436Some vehicles may have water contamination in the air filter and / or the mass air flow sensor.
- 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.
- 606428Experiencing a delayed or no 2-3 upshift, primarily when the transmission IS cold on vehicles with ford qality remanufactured (fqr) 4r70w transmission exchange units with julian build between 062-97 and 040-99.
- 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.
- 604751Information regarding reprogramming powertrain control modules (pcms).
- 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.
Every Ford Thunderbird model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.