1992 Ford Thunderbird
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 3 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 3 |
| 1984 | 26 |
| 1985 | 14 |
| 1986 | 23 |
| 1987 | 61 |
| 1988 | 92 |
| 1989 | 124 |
| 1990 | 140 |
| 1991 | 112 |
| 1992 | 184 |
| 1993 | 423 |
| 1994 | 300 |
| 1995 | 261 |
| 1996 | 233 |
| 1997 | 169 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2002 | 93 |
| 2003 | 33 |
| 2004 | 34 |
| 2005 | 27 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 22 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: exterior lighting — 21 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: seat belts — 12 distinct reports on file.
CRASH DEATHShow complaint excerpts
UPON FRONTAL COLLISION, BOTH PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS FAILED ALLOWING DRIVER TO HIT STEERING WHEEL AND PASSENGER KNEES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950719
6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 11 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 9 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
REAR FUEL LINE INTERFERENCE
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Campaign 96V071000 — check if this car was fixed
FUEL LINE JUMPER
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAN
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.
Campaign 97V159000 — check if this car was fixed
HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
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 CIRCU
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.
Campaign 99V275000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1992 Ford Thunderbird — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seat belts issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96V071000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V159000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V275000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1992 Ford Thunderbird have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.