NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
1993 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: 14 of 423 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 171 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
171 reportsBLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE CAR WOULDN'T HEAT UP AND IT WOULD DIE ON ME WHEN I WOULD GIVE IT GAS TO ACELERATE OR TAKE OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT. I ALMOST GOT HIT TWICE. THERE ALSO WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST.*AK
I CONTACTED YOU BACK IN MARCH BECAUSE OF MY THUNDERBIRD'S EARLY ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE,AND MY MANY LETTER'S AND PHONE CALLS TO FORD WHICH WENT UNANSWERED . I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SATISFACTION IN MY COMPLAINTS. IN FORD'S FIRST RECALL OF THEIR 3.8L HEAD GASKET FAILURE MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED THE REASON BEING THAT IT IS A REA…
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I CONTACTED YOU BACK IN MARCH BECAUSE OF MY THUNDERBIRD'S EARLY ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE,AND MY MANY LETTER'S AND PHONE CALLS TO FORD WHICH WENT UNANSWERED . I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SATISFACTION IN MY COMPLAINTS. IN FORD'S FIRST RECALL OF THEIR 3.8L HEAD GASKET FAILURE MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED THE REASON BEING THAT IT IS A REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE, THE CARS BEING RECALLED WERE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. I ARGUED THAT IT WAS THE SAME ENGINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WHY COVER ONLY CERTAIN MODEL'S. NOW I HAVE READ THAT FORD IS AGAIN GOING TO EXTEND WARRANTIES AND COVER REPAIR BILLS FOR THIS PROBLEM IN THUNDERBIRDS AND COUGARS WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FIRST PROGRAM. THEY STATE THAT DUE TO MANY COMPLAINTS THEY WILL NOW COVER THIS ENGINE IN REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. I AGAIN PHONED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT FORD ONLY TO BE TOLD AGAIN THAT IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY THUNDERBIRD BECAUSE IT IS A 93. I ASKED WHEN MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY PUT IN SERVICE, AND WAS TOLD APRIL4,1993, WHEN MY HEAD GASKET FAILED IT WAS NOT EVEN SEVEN YEARS OLD WHICH IS THE AMOUNT OF YEARS THAT THEY ARE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE MILEAGE ON MY CAR WAS ALSO WAY BELOW THE AVERAGE MILES ON OTHER CARS THAT THIS HAPPENED TO. THE AVERAGE BEING 65,000. MY ORIGINAL QUESTION IS STILL THE SAME ISN'T THE PROBLEM A DEFECTIVE ENGINE, AND IT SHOULD'NT MATTER WHETHER IT'S A 93 OR 94. FORD IS STATING THAT THE ENGINE IS A PROBLEM, BUT WON'T STAND BEHIND IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME WITH THIS .*AK
I HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET, PROBLEMATIC OF MOST 3.8 LITRE REAR WHEEL DRIVE FORD PASSENGER CARS FROM 1988 TO 1996. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM WITH THE '94 THROUGH '96 3.8 LITRES, BUT THESE ARE THE SAME 3.8 LITRES IN THE EARLIER MODELS. I OWN A '93 THUNDERBIRD THAT JUST NEEDED THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED FOR $1000.00 . I SHOULD…
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I HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET, PROBLEMATIC OF MOST 3.8 LITRE REAR WHEEL DRIVE FORD PASSENGER CARS FROM 1988 TO 1996. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM WITH THE '94 THROUGH '96 3.8 LITRES, BUT THESE ARE THE SAME 3.8 LITRES IN THE EARLIER MODELS. I OWN A '93 THUNDERBIRD THAT JUST NEEDED THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED FOR $1000.00 . I SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ADMITTED HAVING. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF THE REPAIR, DUE TO THE FACT THAT FORD IS AND WAS AWARE OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *AK
HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 70,000 MILES / FORD FAILS TO RECALL VEHICLE. *AK
BLOWN HEAD GASKETS-TWICE. ONCE AT ABOUT 65000 MILES AND AGAIN AT ABOUT 120000 MILES. I BELIEVE IT'S DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT--IRON BLOCK/ALUMINUM HEADS--AND INCORRECT ASSEMBLY. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. IF NHTSA WOULD CHECK SERVICE RECORDS ON A NATIONAL BASIS THEN I THINK YOU'D FIND THOUSANDS AND THOUSAN…
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BLOWN HEAD GASKETS-TWICE. ONCE AT ABOUT 65000 MILES AND AGAIN AT ABOUT 120000 MILES. I BELIEVE IT'S DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT--IRON BLOCK/ALUMINUM HEADS--AND INCORRECT ASSEMBLY. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. IF NHTSA WOULD CHECK SERVICE RECORDS ON A NATIONAL BASIS THEN I THINK YOU'D FIND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF IDENTICAL FAILURES. MECHANICS AND SERVICE MANAGERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY LOVE TO SEE US COMING. OTHER T-BIRD OWNERS (AND OTHER FORD MOTOR CO. AUTOMOBILE OWNERS) HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE?
I AM ON THE FOURTH ENGINE FAILURE OF THIS CAR, I FEEL IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BUY-BACK THAT FORD IS HOLDING ON THE 95 WINDSTARS. *AK
TOOK CAR IN TO HAVE A RECALL ON A HEAD LAMP SWITCH FIXED. TOLD THEM CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A HESITATION WHEN TAKING OFF AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD TO HAVE THE IAC CENSOR REPLACED. HAD THAT DONE AT A COST OF 363.00. THEY ALSO PUT IN A NEW THERMOSTAT, SID ENGINE WASN'T GETTING HOT ENOUGH? 2 DAYS LATER CAR STILL HESIT…
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TOOK CAR IN TO HAVE A RECALL ON A HEAD LAMP SWITCH FIXED. TOLD THEM CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A HESITATION WHEN TAKING OFF AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD TO HAVE THE IAC CENSOR REPLACED. HAD THAT DONE AT A COST OF 363.00. THEY ALSO PUT IN A NEW THERMOSTAT, SID ENGINE WASN'T GETTING HOT ENOUGH? 2 DAYS LATER CAR STILL HESITATED AND OVER HEATED. WAS TOLD HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAD THAT FIXED 900.00. THEY ALSO TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE THE TIMING COVER REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS A POSSIBLE CRACK? TOOK TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP HAD THEM TAKE A LOOK, THEY SAID IT LOOKED FINE? *AK
VEHICLE 3.8 - V6 ENGINE; WHILE DRIVING NOTICED COOLANT LEAKAGES/OVERHEATING, AND SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE DUE TO A BLOWEN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM MANIFOLD PIPE. *AK *TT
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
3EA99005 · 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
Illustration