MYRModel Year Report

1992 Ford Thunderbird

◆ Worse than typical
1992 Ford Thunderbird
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:27:55.787Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Thunderbird Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1992 highlighted. 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 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 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%

24% of complaints: exterior lighting — 44 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 17%

17% of complaints: service brakes — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20120902

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 28 distinct reports on file, 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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040824

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, 20020823

ELECTRICIAL FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE DASH BOARD, RESULTING IN A BAD FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960326

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 13%

13% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and delivery.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1992 — complaint volume: 186
I 19930830 — PE (closed 19931230)

THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING

I 19951031 — EA (closed 19970930)

REAR FUEL LINE INTERFERENCE

R 19960607 — electrical system

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Campaign 96V071000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19970925 — RQ (closed 19981116)

FUEL LINE JUMPER

R 19971027 — fuel system, gasoline

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

I 19980929 — RQ (closed 19990122)

HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER

I 19990120 — EA (closed 19991214)

HEADLIGHT SWITCH

R 19991115 — exterior lighting

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

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 exterior lighting issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (29 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.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2003 ▲ 2004 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 1994 ■ 1995

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.