1994 Ford Thunderbird

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 300 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the transmission. It has been recalled 1 time.

Not among the Ford Thunderbird years to avoid. Which Ford Thunderbird years to avoid →

Most common 1994 Ford Thunderbird problems

74 of the 300 complaints (25%) are about the transmission.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission54
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine36
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration15
200
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc · brakes15
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes14
200
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags13
9110
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor · brakes12
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter · transmission11
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads · brakes7
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components · brakes7
100

1994 Ford Thunderbird transmission problems

25% of all complaints

74 of the 300 complaints are about the transmission. This is what owners describe:

  • slips or will not engage a gear15% · 11
  • drops into neutral14% · 10
  • vibrates or shakes9% · 7
  • jerks, lurches or bucks5% · 4
  • shifts hard, late or not at all5% · 4
  • shudders or judders4% · 3

Share of the 74 transmission complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
80,000 mi
median of 5 reports
Peak year of filing
1999
20 transmission complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
0 · 0 · 0
in these complaints
Recalls on the transmission
None
“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.”
Owner complaint, filed Nov 29, 2003 at 45,000 miles
“Transmission in these thunderbird is terrible the person I bought it from has already had it fixed and I have too. It is starting to act up again for example I will be driving down the interstate and my car will slip gear and will cause me too tempory lose control. I feel as though this should be looked into because I have heard many other complaints from other drivers. *ak”
Owner complaint, filed Dec 26, 2000

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
1995: 55 complaints, 4 about the transmission'951996: 34 complaints, 5 about the transmission1997: 23 complaints, 9 about the transmission'971998: 28 complaints, 11 about the transmission1999: 46 complaints, 20 about the transmission'992000: 46 complaints, 9 about the transmission2001: 29 complaints, 5 about the transmission'012002: 14 complaints, 6 about the transmission2003: 9 complaints, 1 about the transmission'032004: 5 complaints, 2 about the transmission2005: 4 complaints, 1 about the transmission'052006: 0 complaints, 0 about the transmission2007: 0 complaints, 0 about the transmission'072008: 3 complaints, 1 about the transmission2009: 0 complaints, 0 about the transmission'092010: 3 complaints, 0 about the transmission2011: 0 complaints, 0 about the transmission'112012: 0 complaints, 0 about the transmission2013: 0 complaints, 0 about the transmission'132014: 0 complaints, 0 about the transmission2015: 0 complaints, 0 about the transmission'152016: 1 complaints, 0 about the transmissionRecall 09E012000 (headlights)
All complaintsAbout the transmissionRecall (red: the transmission)

Complaints about the 1994 Thunderbird peaked in 1995, with 55 filed that year. No recall on file covers the transmission, the subject of 25% of the complaints. In 2016 owners filed 1 so far.

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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 THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

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.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

Technical service bulletins

95 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 1994 Thunderbird. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

transmission 23engine 22brakes 13electrical system 9visibility 8equipment 6fuel system 5headlights 2
00M09Warranty extensionJan 1, 2001engine

INFORMATION REGARDING ENGINE REPLACEMENTS WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM. *YH

00M10Warranty extensionJan 1, 2001engine

INFORMATION REGARDING ENGINE REPLACEMENTS WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM. *YH

03261Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 5, 2003transmission

NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT

01181Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 17, 2001transmission

BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB

002310Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNov 13, 2000transmission

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

0015Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 10, 2000transmission

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99152Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 26, 1999transmission

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

9996Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 17, 1999transmission

EXPERIENCING 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. *TT

Showing the newest 6 of 23 bulletins about the transmission, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Dec 2, 201680,000 milesMD

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
Filed Aug 30, 2010197,000 milesIL

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
Filed Aug 29, 2010180,000 milesIL

FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURE,, FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE BOTH BROKEN NEAR BASE OF SPRING. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 29, 2010197,000 milesIL

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
Filed Oct 15, 200895,000 milesCA

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
Filed Oct 7, 200863,000 milesOR

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
Filed Oct 7, 2008115,000 milesOR

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
Filed Nov 15, 2005101,000 milesMI

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
Filed Aug 15, 2005NC

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
Filed Jun 1, 200560,000 milesID

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
Filed Apr 21, 2005NJ

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 AssemblyCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 6, 2004219,895 milesTN

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
Filed Aug 10, 2004CA

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 3, 200480,000 milesNY

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
Filed Jan 15, 200480,000 milesCA

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 200420,000 milesCA

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 29, 200345,000 milesWA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Oct 17, 2003115,000 milesAZ

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
Filed Oct 12, 200372,000 milesMI

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
Filed May 16, 2003TN

THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED THEN WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 1, 2003CA

THE HEAD GASKET FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL OUT. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2003MA

THE VEHICLES HEAD GASKET FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Mar 24, 2003MA

THE VEHICLES BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK . DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 24, 2003MA

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 1, 200363,237 milesCA

ENGINE FAILURE AT 63000 MILES. FRONT SEAL FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT INTO ENGINE. CAR WAS METICULOUSLY CARED FOR, AND DRIVEN CAREFULLY. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 28, 2002VA

CONSUMER EXPEREINCED PROBLEMS WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOING FROM COLD TO HOT INSTANTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKET WAS THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER FEELS FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. *JG

Power Train
Filed Sep 23, 2002MO

THE TRANSMISSION GEARS SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING REFUSED TO SHIFT OUT OF LOW GEAR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A HALT WHILE IN TRAFFIC. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. WHILE IN THE HANDS OF THEIR TRANSMISSION TECHNICIANS, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. CONSUMER SOUGHT OUT A REPUTABLE SPECIALIST WHO INSTALLED A SENSOR WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY. THE MALFUNCTION WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED AT A SECOND ATTEMPT. THE SPRING ACCUMULATOR WAS BROKEN, THE OVERDRIVE BAND WAS BURNED AS WERE THE LOW CLUTCHES. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECOGNIZED THE POOR DESIGN AND CHANGED IT SO CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT OF MONIES PAID FOR REPAIRS. *JG *SCC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 22, 2002VA

HEAD GASKETS SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM AT 66,000 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission › Floor Shift Assembly
Filed Sep 14, 2002AR

AUTO. TRANS. SHIFTS FROM DRIVE TO 2ND GEAR. HAS ONLY DONE THIS 5 SEPERATE TIMES OVER A 2 - 3 YEAR PERIOD. I FIND THAT IF I SHIFT THE GEAR SELECTOR TO 1ST GEAR AND PUSH IT INTO DRIVE THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR. THE FIVE TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED WAS WHEN I SHIFTED FROM PARK STRAIGHT TO DRIVE. I FIND I CAN PUSH THE GEAR LEVER FORWARD FROM DRIVE UNTIL THE INDICATOR SHOWS IN THE NEUTRAL SLOT BEFORE THE TRANS. SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL. I BELIEVE THE DOWNSHIFTING IS CAUSED BY THE MISALIGNMENT OF THE GEAR SELECTOR. NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 11, 2002CA

THE TRANSMISSION WILL MAKE UNCOMMANDED AND UNEXPECTED DOWNSHIFTS FROM OVERDRIVE TO 3RD AND SOMTIMES TO 2ND GEAR ANY NEARLY ANY SPEED ABOVE 35 MPH. THIS OFTEN OCCURS AT FREEWAYS SPEEDS OF 70 TO 80 MPH AND CREATES A HAZARDOUS, AND UNEXPECTED SLOWING. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION MAY EITHER UPSHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT REPEATEDLY OR GO INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO GEAR. THIS RESULTS IN THE RPM CHANGING WILDLY AND, AT TIMES, GOING HIGH ENOUGH TO POTENTIALLY CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Jul 28, 2002TN

NO SXUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 25, 2002MI

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND FIXED TWICE DUE TO SHIFTING LATE AND SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS ALSO REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS IN VEHICLE, BUT SOLUTION DID NOT WORK. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2002AR

HEAD GASKETS NEED REPLACED AND EVERYONE IS TELLING US THERE IS A RECALL, EXCEPT THE DEALERSHIP. IS THERE A RECALL OR ANY OTHER OWNER NOTIFICATION.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 7, 2002MI

EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON 8-YR-OLD CAR WITH 45,000 MILES (WARRANTY LIMITED TO 7YRS OR 100,000 MI). MAJOR DEFECT DESIGN FLAW ADMITTED BY FORD. NOW REFUSES TO COVER COSTS OF REPAIR.*AK.*JB

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor
Filed Apr 23, 2002NH

HEATER BLOWER IS INOPERATIVE. DEALER IS INSPECTING VEHICLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Feb 24, 2002TX

TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AND JERKS THE CAR AROUND AND THE STEERING HAS A LOT OF SLACK IN IT ABOUT AN INCH. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 26, 2002UT

I THINK MY ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS STOLEN BY MY DEALERSHIP. LATER, I THINK ANOTHER DEALER FRAUDUANTLY CHARGED MY EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT TO REMOVED AND REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. *AK

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jan 22, 2002NY

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE AND 3RD GEAR CLUTCH FAILURE. *JG

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jan 8, 2002CA

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL FROM CRACKS IN SEAL RINGS OF TANK.FUEL TANK HAD BEEN CHECKED, AND NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WERE NOTICED OR FOUND. HAVE CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Dec 27, 2001OH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 23, 2001KY

HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 20, 2001CA

PREMATURE WEAR OF HEAD GASKETS. MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON HEAD GASKETS; HOWEVER, CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION. *AK

Tires
Filed Nov 2, 2001CT

REPLACEMENT TIRES ON A 1994, FORD, THUNDERBIED; AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AT 69,000 MILES, TIRE SIZE P215/70R15, DOT# UNAVAILABLE. AFTER REPLACEMENT, VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE A SEVERE BOUNCE WHEN DRIVING 20 MPH OR MORE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT RIGHT REAR, RIGHT FRONT AND LEFT REAR STEEL BELT BROKE AND REPLACED. AT 89000 MILES RIGHT FRONT STARTED THUMPING FROM BROKEN STEEL BELT. *YH

Tires
Filed Sep 28, 2001CA

THE COMPLETE TIRE SIZE IS P215 70R15 97T M+S. ON 9/25/01 I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 15 IN CALIFORNIA AT APPROXIMATELY 60/65 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND AND THEN A FURIOUSLY FLAPPING NOISE. I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY AND WHAT I FOUND WAS THE TREAD FROM THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE HAD SHREDDED OFF. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2M31PD134 TIRESIZE: P21570R15)

Electrical System › Ignition › SwitchFire2 killed
Filed Sep 19, 2001FL

FIRE DEVELOPED FROM THE THUNDERBIRD WHICH WAS SITTING IN THE CARPORT ATTACHED TO THE HOUSE, THE FIRE ADVANCED FROM THE CAR TO THE HOUSE AND KILLED BOTH THE CONSUMERS WIFE AND HER FATHER, CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT FIRE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH.*YD

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages
Filed Sep 9, 2001OK

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR WHILE SITTING, SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE OF VEHICLE.*JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 7, 2001NC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 27, 2001CA

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY AND NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDS. SPEEDOMETER WILL RACE, BUT WILL GET IN GEAR. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 17, 2001KY

HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN PREMATURE. *AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › CablesFire
Filed Aug 6, 2001TX

PARKED VEHICLE UNDER SOME TREES AND WALKED AWAYAND SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD BOOM. FRIEND THOUGHT TIRE BLEWOUT. WENT TO CHECK, AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. FRIEND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY PUT OUT FLAMES. FIRE INSPECTOR INDICATED CAUSE OF PROBLEM WAS BATTERY CABLE WHICH ALSO CAUSED ELECTRICAL WIRES ON DRIVER'S SIDE TO MELT. *AK

Complaints 1-50 of 300, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1993
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200527100Routine
200434100Routine
200333000Routine
200293201Fatalities reported
19992000Routine
19983000Routine
1997169230Routine
1996233441Fatalities reported
19952611112Fatalities reported
1994 — this page3001102Fatalities reported
1993423471Fatalities reported
19921844111Fatalities reported
19911124130Routine
19901404192Fatalities reported

Compare every Thunderbird year →

1994 Ford Thunderbird: questions buyers ask

Is the 1994 Ford Thunderbird a good car?

It is not among the Thunderbird years to avoid. Owners filed 300 complaints, against about 155 for a typical Thunderbird year. The most common complaint is about the transmission (25%).

What is the most common problem with the 1994 Ford Thunderbird?

The transmission: 74 of the 300 complaints (25%) are about it. Owners most often say it slips or will not engage a gear (15%), drops into neutral (14%) and vibrates or shakes (9%). The typical report comes at 80,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 1994 Ford Thunderbird have?

1 safety recall on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Apr 7, 2009. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 1994 Ford Thunderbird problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 80,000 miles.

Are there service bulletins for the 1994 Ford Thunderbird?

The manufacturer filed 95 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the transmission (23), the engine (22) and the brakes (13). They include a warranty extension, 00M09, filed Jan 1, 2001. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.