MYRModel Year Report

1993 Ford Thunderbird

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1993 Ford Thunderbird
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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, 1993 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 1993 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
1993: 425 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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 43%

43% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 183 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

INJURY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 32%

32% of complaints: exterior lighting — 137 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and headlights.

FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes — 39 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 39 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
SEAT BELTS 7%

7% of complaints: seat belts — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED, UPON REAR COLLISION SHOULDER BELT DID NOT HOLD PASSENGER FROM GOING AGAINST WINDSHIELD. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950817

THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT THAT IS LOCATED AROUND THE TOP OF THE WINDOW FAILED TO MOVE BACK TO THE SAFE DRIVING POSITION. (DRIVERS SIDE). *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20121010

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1993 — complaint volume: 425
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

1993 Ford Thunderbird — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (183 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (137 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (39 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

■ 1994 ■ 1995 ◆ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1993 Ford Thunderbird reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Ford Thunderbird is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1993 Ford Thunderbird?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1993 Ford Thunderbird have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.