IllustrationTHE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND WOULD NOT START AFTER IT HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. ONCE IT DID GET STARTED IT WAS BLOWING SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. . IT HAS NOT RAN SINCE THEN DUE TO THE INFORMATION FROM THE DEALER ON THE FAULTY HEAD GASKETS.
1992 Ford Thunderbird
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Thunderbird years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 6 of 184 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports11 fire reports8 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
27 reportsNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE 3.8L ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK
PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE 3.8L ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK
HEAD GASKETS FAILED. YH
FORD MOTOR CO. HAS RECALLED MANY 3.8L V6 BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET. WHEN I CALLED THEM THEY WERE ONLY RECALLING FWD CARS. I CALLED THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS STEVENS FORD, PARK CITY FORD, AND MILLER FORD THEY ALL TOLD ME THEY WOULD USE THE SAME KIT ( BOLTS AND GASKETS) CALLED OUT IN THE RECALL. I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND TH…
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FORD MOTOR CO. HAS RECALLED MANY 3.8L V6 BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET. WHEN I CALLED THEM THEY WERE ONLY RECALLING FWD CARS. I CALLED THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS STEVENS FORD, PARK CITY FORD, AND MILLER FORD THEY ALL TOLD ME THEY WOULD USE THE SAME KIT ( BOLTS AND GASKETS) CALLED OUT IN THE RECALL. I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT AND RECALL ALL 3.8L V6'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW? THANKS JOE. *AK
COOLANT IS PUT INTO OVERFLOW BOTTLE AND IS NOT PULLED BACK INTO ENGINE IN A TIMELY MANNER. ENGINE DEVELOPS AN AIR BUBBLE AND QUITS RUNNING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE MADE A POPPING NOISE, THEN SMOKE CAME OUT OF EXHAUST CAUSED BY A BLOWN OUT HAD GASKET. *AK
VEHICLE IN DEALER SHOP FOR RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK
ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR A WHILE AND FINALLY WENT. HEARD NUMEROUS REPORTS AND READ ARTICALS RANGING FROM A SHOW BY 'MOTOR TREND ' TO DEALER COMMENTS ON THE PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS IN 3.8L ENGINES. ALSO, KNOW NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH AN ENGINE LIKE MINE ,HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE "LIGHT BAR"…
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ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR A WHILE AND FINALLY WENT. HEARD NUMEROUS REPORTS AND READ ARTICALS RANGING FROM A SHOW BY 'MOTOR TREND ' TO DEALER COMMENTS ON THE PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS IN 3.8L ENGINES. ALSO, KNOW NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH AN ENGINE LIKE MINE ,HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE "LIGHT BAR" INSIDE THE TAILLIGHTS ARE ANOTHER PROBLEM, YOU DON'T SEE A T-BIRD ON THE ROAD TODAY THAT DOESN'T HAVE AT LEAST PART OF THEIR TAIL LIGHTS BURNED OUT SO I KNOW ITS NOT JUST MINE AND THEY STARTED DOING THIS MANY MILES AGO! I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES,SO I KNOW THIS IS NOT FROM ABUSE! LIKE I SAID WHEN DEALERS TELL YOU THEY'RE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN PARTS AND CAR SHOWS,MAGAZINES , AND CONSUMER REPORTS SAY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH AHEAD GASKET ON A CERTAIN ENGINE YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT ALONE! REPLACING A HEAD GASKET IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR , I THOUGHT I WOULD CHECK INTO THIS BEFORE FOOTING THE BILL MYSELF. PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS YOU CAN IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS AS I'M NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR ...THANKS ,LYNN. *AK
Official recalls
399V275000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
Oct 12, 1999
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 CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.
97V159000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 22, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WEST VIRGINIA. MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.
96V071000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5EA99005 · Headlight Switch
Opened Jan 20, 1999 · Closed Dec 14, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN INTERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT CAN OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLING OPERATION.
RQ98015 · Headlight Circuit Breaker
Opened Sep 29, 1998 · Closed Jan 22, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN ITERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREALER THAT MAY OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLIGHT OPERATION
RQ97011 · Fuel Line Jumper
Opened Sep 25, 1997 · Closed Nov 16, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE ALLEGED FUEL LINE FAILURES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL GEOGRAPHIC REGION AND IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED NATIONALLY
EA95030 · Rear Fuel Line Interference
Opened Oct 31, 1995 · Closed Sep 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
THE REAR FUEL TUBE BUNDLE MAY ABRADE AND FAIL IN THE VICINITY OF THE FUEL TANK.
PE93075 · Thrttl Vlv Linkage Bushing
Opened Aug 30, 1993 · Closed Dec 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available