MYRModel Year Report

1992 Ford Thunderbird

◆ Worse than typical
1992 Ford Thunderbird
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:59:14.247Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
186
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1992

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Exterior lighting

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 26 complaints 1985: 14 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 63 complaints 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 125 complaints 1989 1990: 141 complaints 1991: 112 complaints 1992: 186 complaints 1992 186 1993: 425 complaints 1994: 315 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 233 complaints 1997: 169 complaints 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2002: 93 complaints 2003: 33 complaints 2003 2004: 34 complaints 2005: 27 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 26 complaints 1984 1985: 14 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 63 complaints 1988: 92 complaints 1988 1989: 125 complaints 1990: 141 complaints 1990 1991: 112 complaints 1992: 186 complaints 1992 186 1993: 425 complaints 1994: 315 complaints 1994 1995: 261 complaints 1996: 233 complaints 1996 1997: 169 complaints 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2002: 93 complaints 2002 2003: 33 complaints 2004: 34 complaints 2004 2005: 27 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 26 complaints 1984 1985: 14 complaints 1985 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 63 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1988 1989: 125 complaints 1989 1990: 141 complaints 1990 1991: 112 complaints 1991 1992: 186 complaints 1992 186 1993: 425 complaints 1993 1994: 315 complaints 1994 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 233 complaints 1996 1997: 169 complaints 1997 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2002: 93 complaints 2002 2003: 33 complaints 2003 2004: 34 complaints 2004 2005: 27 complaints 2005

1992: 186 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19803
19810
19820
19833
198426
198514
198623
198763
198892
1989125
1990141
1991112
1992186
1993425
1994315
1995261
1996233
1997169
19983
19992
200293
200333
200434
200527

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior lighting

24% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Service brakes

17% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-02

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

15% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-08-24

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-23

Electricial fire in the steering column of the dash board, resulting in a bad fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-03-26

Fuel system, gasoline

13% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and delivery.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1992Complaint volume 186 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1993-08-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-12-30 Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
  3. I
    1995-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 1997-09-30 Rear fuel line interference
  4. R
    1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1997-09-25Recall queryClosed 1998-11-16 Fuel line jumper
  6. R
    1997-10-27Fuel system, gasoline97V159000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, district of columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a plastic convolute covering around the fuel lines. If the lines show a leak, the lines will be replaced first.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1998-09-29Recall queryClosed 1999-01-22 Headlight circuit breaker
  8. I
    1999-01-20Engineering analysisClosed 1999-12-14 Headlight switch
  9. R
    1999-11-15Exterior lighting99V275000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a headlight switch which incorporates a circuit breaker of revised design, and install a wiring harness connector, if needed.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1992 Ford Thunderbird — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 44 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 97V159000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 99V275000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1992 Ford Thunderbird reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1992 Ford Thunderbird is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Ford Thunderbird?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1992 Ford Thunderbird have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.