MYRModel Year Report

1993 Ford Thunderbird

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1993 Ford Thunderbird
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
425
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1993

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

43% 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 1993: 425 complaints 1993 425 1994: 315 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 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 1993: 425 complaints 1993 425 1994: 315 complaints 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 1993: 425 complaints 1993 425 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

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% · 183 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

INJURY

Exterior lighting

32% · 137 reports

Most commonly citing switch and headlights.

FIREINJURY

Service brakes

9% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

9% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE

Seat belts

7% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
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, 1995-08-17

The automatic seatbelt that is located around the top of the window failed to move back to the safe driving position. (Drivers side).

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-10

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1993Complaint volume 425 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. 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 →

  3. I
    1997-09-25Recall queryClosed 1998-11-16 Fuel line jumper
  4. 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 →

  5. I
    1998-09-29Recall queryClosed 1999-01-22 Headlight circuit breaker
  6. I
    1999-01-20Engineering analysisClosed 1999-12-14 Headlight switch
  7. 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 →

  8. 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

1993 Ford Thunderbird — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 183 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 137 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 39 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 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.