1994 Ford Thunderbird problems

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The Ford Thunderbird (colloquially called the T-Bird) is a personal luxury car manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company from model years 1955 to 2005 (with a 1997–2002 hiatus), across 11 generations. Introduced as a two-seat convertible, the Thunderbird was offered variously as a four-seat hardtop coupe, four-seat convertible, five-seat convertible and hardtop, four-door pillared hardtop sedan, six-passenger hardtop coupe, and five-passenger pillared coupe, with the final generation designed again as a two-seat convertible.

Ford targeted the two-seat Thunderbird as an upscale model, but the 1958 model year design introduced a rear seat and arguably marked the expansion of a market segment eventually known as personal luxury cars, positioned to emphasize comfort and convenience over handling and high-speed performance.

Overview

The Thunderbird entered production for the 1955 model year as a sporty two-seat convertible. Unlike the Chevrolet Corvette, it was not marketed as a sports car. Ford positioned the Thunderbird as an upscale model and it is credited in developing a new market segment, the personal luxury car. For 1958, the Thunderbird was redesigned with a second row of seats. Succeeding generations became larger until the line was downsized in 1977, again in 1980, and once again in 1983. Sales were good until the 1990s when large two-door coupes became unpopular. Thunderbird production ended in 1997, then briefly resumed as a two-passenger, marketed from 2002 to 2005.

From its introduction in 1955 to its final phaseout in 2005, Ford produced over 4.4 million Thunderbirds.

1994 Ford Thunderbird

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Common 1994 Ford Thunderbird problems

The 1994 Ford Thunderbird is known for several common problems that owners have reported. While the car is praised for its design and coolness, reliability is a concern for potential buyers.

Transmission Woes

One of the most frequently reported issues with the 1994 Ford Thunderbird is transmission problems. Users have reported issues with the automatic transmission, which can be expensive to repair. The transmission may need to be rebuilt or replaced, which can cost thousands of dollars. These problems can occur at low mileage, making them a significant concern for potential buyers.

Heater Coil Troubles

Another common problem with the 1994 Ford Thunderbird is heater coil troubles. This issue can also be expensive to repair, as it may require replacing the heater core. The heater core is responsible for heating the car's interior, and if it fails, the car's interior may not get warm. This issue can be especially problematic in colder climates.

Engine Problems

The 1994 Ford Thunderbird has also been reported to have engine problems, with the most common issue being coils fouling spark plugs, leading to rough engine running. The problem can occur at low mileage, making it a significant concern for potential buyers.

Recall Issues

The 1994 Ford Thunderbird has also had several recalls, with the largest recall occurring in 1989 for troubleshooting with five issues. These recalls can be a significant concern for potential buyers, as they may indicate underlying issues with the car's design or manufacturing.

Other Issues

In addition to the above issues, the 1994 Ford Thunderbird has also been reported to have problems with the ignition coils, rough idle, lifter tick, IAC code, acceleration problems, and random stalling. These issues can be expensive to repair and can affect the car's performance and reliability.

In conclusion, the 1994 Ford Thunderbird has several common problems that potential buyers should be aware of. These issues include transmission woes, heater coil troubles, engine problems, recall issues, and other miscellaneous problems. While the car is praised for its design and coolness, reliability is a concern, and potential buyers should be prepared for the possibility of expensive repairs.

1994 Ford Thunderbird engine

What is the mpg on a 1994 Ford Thunderbird V8?

Based on data from 2 vehicles, 85 fuel-ups and 25,203 miles of driving, the 1994 Ford Thunderbird gets a combined Avg MPG of 21.95 with a 0.78 MPG margin of error.

What was the Ford Thunderbird known for?

Yet the vehicle left a legacy for its speed, agility and then later its luxury and comfort. The Thunderbird or T-Bird was referenced in pop culture regularly showing the cultural significance of the vehicle.

Is A Thunderbird a muscle car?

The Ford Thunderbird is one of the most iconic nameplates from the muscle car era. Given its plethora of film and TV appearances—including a feature at John F. Kennedy's inauguration—the Thunderbird is practically a celebrity in its own right.

Was the Thunderbird fast?

At Talladega in 1987, Bill Elliott, behind the wheel of his '87 Thunderbird, set NASCAR's all-time speed record at 212.809 miles per hour. His T-bird featured a 351-cubic inch Ford V8 engine that made 625 hp.

Why was the Thunderbird popular?

Yet the vehicle left a legacy for its speed, agility and then later its luxury and comfort. The Thunderbird or T-Bird was referenced in pop culture regularly showing the cultural significance of the vehicle. The vehicle showed Ford Motor Company's ability to carve out its own niche and build something unique.

Is A Thunderbird a muscle car?

The Ford Thunderbird is one of the most iconic nameplates from the muscle car era. Given its plethora of film and TV appearances—including a feature at John F. Kennedy's inauguration—the Thunderbird is practically a celebrity in its own right.

Was the Thunderbird fast?

At Talladega in 1987, Bill Elliott, behind the wheel of his '87 Thunderbird, set NASCAR's all-time speed record at 212.809 miles per hour. His T-bird featured a 351-cubic inch Ford V8 engine that made 625 hp.

How fast is a 1995 Ford Thunderbird?

If I remember correctly the 5 speeds (all years) is 150mph and the '89-93 autos is 140-5mph. The '94/95 autos are computer restricted to like 127-130mph because of the trans/drive shaft vibration issue.

1994 Ford Thunderbird car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Thunderbird problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Power train problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1994 Ford Thunderbird vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 1994 Ford Thunderbird

The NHTSA has received 378 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1994 Ford Thunderbird. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1994 Ford Thunderbird vehicles.

2016-12-02

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2016-11-01
  • VIN: 1FALP64R8RH
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND BLINKED A "13" CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING WAS FAULTY. THE PART (PART NUMBER: F4SZ14A664A) WAS DISCONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
2010-08-30

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2010-08-27
  • VIN: 1FALP62W6RH
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL HE COASTED ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. UPON EXAMINATION, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO RUBBER COATING OVER THE STEEL BRAKE LINES WHICH LED TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 197,000.
2010-08-29

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2010-08-28
  • VIN: 1FALP62W6RH
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. ALL BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND LEAKING, AREA NEXT TO BRAKE LINES ARE NOT RUSTED. BRAKE LINES PRONE TO RUST. ALL BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
2010-08-29

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2010-06-18
  • VIN: 1FALP62W6RH
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURE,, FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE BOTH BROKEN NEAR BASE OF SPRING. *TR
2008-10-15

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-01-14
  • VIN: 1FALP62WXRH
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT IN AND OUT OF OVERDRIVE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING TWO SPEED SENSING SWITCHES. THIS IS NORMALLY DONE WHEN EVER THE TRANSMISSION IS WORKED ON BY FORD. *TR
2008-10-07

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2002-05-06
  • VIN: 1FALP62W7RH
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: I HAVE A 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CONTINUOUSLY LURCHES OR LUNGES WHILE ENGAGED. I CAN NO TRUST IT SO I MUST SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. THIS STARTED SOMETIME AGO AND CONTINUES TO THIS DATE. *TR
2008-10-07

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2008-08-05
  • VIN: 1FALP62W7RH
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: I HAVE A 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL SUDDENLY STARTED WORKING ERRATICALLY AND WILL NOT WORK RIGHT. I HAVE SEEN A RECALL IN THE 1996 MODEL FOR THE VERY SAME THING REGARDING THE CLIMATE CONTROL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH BEING ABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS IN THE CAR SO I CAN SEE. THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS. THERE IS NO WAY OF CONTROLLING THE TEMPERATURE. *TR
2005-11-15

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-06-16
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: I WAS DRIVING AT A STEADY 60 MPH WHEN A SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY AND FOUND A BLOWN HEAD GASKET TO BE THE PROBLEM. CAR HAS 101,000 MILES. CONTRARY TO MANY OTHERS, THIS IS A 4.6 V8. *JB
2005-08-15

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-07-24
  • VIN: 1FALP62W0RH
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: DT: THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THERE WAS ODOMETER FRAUD. WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT SHOWED 91,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HE GOT A CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED THAT IN 9-20-99 IT SHOWED 118,090 WHEN TAKEN TO THE TN DMV. ALSO, THE REPORT SHOWED ON 4-20-00 THAT THERE WAS 125,035 MILES ON A SERVICE RECORD. ANOTHER RECORD INDICATED THAT IT HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE TN DMV BUT THE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE HIGH MILEAGE . THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM AN INDEPENDENT PERSON ON E-BAY. *AK
2005-07-09

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-05-19
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: 2B3ED56T0RH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: DRIVING INTO CULVER DRIVE THROUGH AND NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD, DROVE CAR OUT OF DRIVE THROUGH AND PARK. CALLED 911 AND BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE MY CAR WAS HEAVY WITH FIRE AND THE CAR NEXT TO IT WAS BURNED AS WELL, TOTAL ESTIMATED DAMAGES WAS $9000. MY CAR WAS TOTALED.
2005-06-01

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-05-31
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: I OWN A 1994 FORD T-BIRD WITH A 5.0 V8 AND AS I AM DRIVING(NOT ACCELERATING, ETC.) THE CAR IT UNEXPECTLY DOWN SHIFTS FOR NO REASON. IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN MORE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN IT IS HOTTER. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO LAKE CITY FORD IN COEUR D'ALENE AT LEAST 4 OR 5 TIMES OVER THE LAST 4 OR 5 YEARS AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT SOME PART "JUST NEEDS CLEANING" THE PROBLEM KEEPS COMING BACK. I FEEL THAT IT IS A DANGER AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
2005-04-21

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,TIRES,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-04-19
  • VIN: 1FALP6249RH
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,TIRES,EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: I WAS AN ORIGINAL VICTIM OF FORD 3.8 HEAD GASKET FAILURE. I HAD THE WORK DONE PRIOR TO THE LETTER THEY SENT. I HAD GOTTEN REIMBURSED. MY CAR HAS APPROX 120.000 AND THE HEAD GASKETS HAVE GONE AGAIN. I AM TERMINALLY ILL AND HAVE A DAUGHTER GETTING READY FOR COLLEGE AND CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING FOR FORDS ORG. DEFECTS. *NM
2004-12-06

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-11-06
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 1FALP62W4RH
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: MY SON AND HIS GIRL FRIEND HAD A WRECK IN MY WIFE'S CAR, REARENDING ANOTHER CAR WHILE WEARING THEIR SEATBELTS, BUT THE BELTS DIDN'T LOCK, ALLOWING THEM TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. SEATBELTS WILL NOT LOCK AND HOLD WHEN THROWN FORWARD IN CRASH.*AK
2004-08-10

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-08-09
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: IN DECEMBER OF 2003 MY WIFE HAD A MICHELIN X RADIAL PLUS SIDEWALL BLOWOUT ON HER 94 T-BIRD. WE REPLACED TWO TIRES A THAT TIMES SO THEY WOULD BE EQUAL ON THE AXLE. THEN YESTERDAY ANOTHER MICHELIN X RADIAL PLUS SIDEWALL BLEW ON THE SAME CAR ONLY IN THE FRONT THIS TIME. TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED LAST WEEK AND THE TREAD WEAR WAS EVEN IN BOTH CASES. WE REPLACED BOTH THE REMAIN TWO LAST NIGHT. THE ORIGINAL SET AS WELL AS THE REPLACEDMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT COSTCO. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED WITH 50% OF THE TREAD REMAINING THE SECOND TIME THERE WAS 25% TREAD LEFT. THE TIRES WERE APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS OLD. IF EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT THESE HAS HAD A 2 OUT OF 4 FAILURE RATE, THERES A PROBLEM.
2004-04-13

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1FDKE30G2RH
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TIRE PROBLEM. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE BEGAN TO TAKE ON OVAL SHAPE. REMINGTON, LT255/75R16, DOT#DAIL925028 . *AK
2004-03-03

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-07-07
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: TRANSMISSION BEGINS SHIFTING FROM OD TO LOWER GEARS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A TRANSMISSION FLUSH SEEMS TO CLEAR UP THE ISSUE FOR APPROX. 6,000 MILES AND THEN THE PROBLEM IS BACK. THE PAST WEEK HAS BEEN VERY BAD. THIS MORNING ON MY DRIVE TO WORK (3 MILES) THE ISSUE OCCURED 6 TIMES.*AK
2004-01-15

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-05-15
  • VIN: 1FALP62W5RH
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: ENGINE - MAKES A MOANING NOISE AND RAISES THE IDLE. AS A RESULT, THE CARE WANTS TO ACCELERATE, EVEN WITHOUT PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR. PAINT - PAINT OXIDIZED ON ALL SKYWARD FACING SURFACES. SPOTS OF RUST HAVE DEVELOPED. POWER LOCK - DRIVER'S SIDE POWER LOCK MAKES A NOISE, BUT DOES NOT MOVE THE LOCK TRANSMISSION - DOESN'T SHIFT WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO, AND WHEN IT DOES, IT IS VERY JERKY.
2004-01-15

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-08-15
  • VIN: 1FALP62W5RH
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: PAINT STARTED FADING WITHEN TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT WITH THE MANUFACTURER THEY ASKED ME IF I HAD A GARAGE OR IF I PARKED MY CAR IN THE SUN AT WORK. AND TOLD ME IT WAS THE ELEMMENTS. AND NOT THE FAULT OF THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. I GAVE UP AFTER SEVERAL ATTMPS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.
2003-11-29

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-11-30
  • VIN: 1FALP6249RH
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: I NOTICED IMMEDIATLY AFTER BUYING THIS CAR THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED THAT WAS 11/98 IT TOOK SEVERAL CALLS TO THE DEALER AND A COARSE OF A YEAR FOR THEM TO FINALLY FIX IT. SECOND TIME I BROUGHT IN TO SHOP REPLACED WHOLE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS 12/99. NOW IN 6/03 THE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SLIP AGAIN. ALSO HAD RECALL LETTER ABOUT HEAD GASKETS, FORD REFUSED TO WORK WITH ME ON REPLACEMENTS, HAD TO BE REPLACED OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. PRIVATE DEALER LIED ABOUT CONDITION OF VEHICLE, IT HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN I BOUGHT IT. FORD MADE NO ATTEMPS TO HELP RESOLVE PROBLEMS. *AK
2003-10-17

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-10-02
  • VIN: 1FALP6243RH
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE JERKING FORWARD WHILE AT STOP LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY THREE CERTIFIED MECHANICS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WORE OUT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH IT'S POWER WINDOW'S, AIR CONDITIONER AND TRANSMISSION. *NLM
2003-10-12

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-08-01
  • VIN: 1FALP6240RH
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: FUEL LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO A RUPTURED FUEL LINE. *JB IN 1997 THE SAME DEFECT WAS FOUND IN THE CONSUMERS 1992 THUNDERBIRD. *SCC *NLM
2003-05-16

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1FAPP62T8PH
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED THEN WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. *NLM
2003-05-01

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1FAPP6043LH
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: THE HEAD GASKET FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL OUT. *NLM
2003-03-24

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-03-02
  • VIN: FULLFILL
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: THE VEHICLES BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK . DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
2003-03-24

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2203-03-15
  • VIN: FULLFILL
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *NLM

1994 Ford Thunderbird recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1994 Ford Thunderbird.

2009-04-07
  • Manufacturer: SABERSPORT
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
  • Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
  • 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.

Negative 1994 Ford Thunderbird car reviews

  1. Jabari Swaniawski 2024-08-18

    I like my t-bird so far. One thing that I don't like is the cup holders are in the wrong place. You hit it with your elbow. They are located in the center console towards the back. Other than that, I have been pleased with it.

  2. Alan Medhurst 2024-08-02

    I'm glad to hear that you love your car! I understand that you have some concerns about the transmission since you've seen reports online about transmission defects. However, your Ford dealer has assured you that everything is fine. It's great to hear that you've been taking good care of your car by changing the fluid every 30000 miles and that it's still going strong at 107000 miles without any issues getting worse.

  3. Lucas Christiansen 2024-06-22

    I just had to rebuild the transmission at a cost of $1600. It's a bummer. Unfortunately, the heater no longer works and it gives me the A/C when I turn the heater on. Additionally, the electronic climate display is now burned out and the driver's window no longer goes down on its own, I have to push it down. To top it off, it's throwing a code for the catalytic converter being out of range. Of course, you can't just get a new converter, you have to buy a whole Y-pipe at a cost of $1100. If any of you have around 130,000 miles, get ready for a transmission build, and believe me, they are not cheap.

  4. Kevon Moen 2024-06-08

    Hi there! I had the car for 4 weeks and unfortunately, the transmission started acting funny. It cost me 600 dollars to get it fixed. Also, the paint on the hood, top, and trunk is badly faded and needs to be repainted. I've noticed that some small things inside the car break easily, like the shifter handle which cost 200 dollars to fix. Additionally, some screws just break off the plastic. However, the brakes make funny sounds but still stop the car well. Overall, the car has been good so far.

  5. Ed Lindgren 2024-04-18

    Although I had some initial issues with my 94 T-Bird, I was able to successfully replace the motor, starter, and alternator within the first year. However, I am currently experiencing some transmission issues. Despite this setback, I still believe in the potential of this car and would recommend it to those who are willing to put in the effort to maintain it properly.

Positive 1994 Ford Thunderbird car reviews

  1. Royal Powlowski 2025-01-08

    I purchased this car at 58,000 miles and have had to replace the transmission at 62,000 miles. Since then, I have put 185,000 miles on it and have only had to replace the water pump. The only other issues I have had were with the door jamb hinges, gears in the electric windows, and the O D button on the gear shifter. I have only needed to replace the brakes and tires three times. The car has great performance and steering, and is fast and reliable. It gets 19-20 miles per gallon in town and 28 on the road. To ensure it lasts a lifetime, I recommend not running OD under 55, not hitting the pass gear on wet streets, and avoiding heavy gas on wet corners. The front end wears out around 170,000 miles, which can be costly, but overall this is the best car I have ever owned. I believe Ford should bring it back and drop some of their other models.

  2. Ulices Rowe 2024-11-14

    Love the V8! The only issue is with Ford's factory paint.

  3. Wellington Funk 2024-09-02

    Hi there! Congrats on your first SC purchase! As someone who sells Fords, you're probably aware of the 3.8 head gasket issue. I've noticed a few problems with the SC's, but it doesn't seem to be as common as with the standard 3.8 V6. I have the Mazda 5 speed manual transmission, and while it's a good product, I think the T5 out of the Mustang GT would have been an even better solution. What do you think?

  4. Christop Deckow 2024-08-23

    I'm so glad to hear that your car has been such a reliable companion! It's amazing that it's still running strong even after racking up over 170,000 miles. Thanks for sharing your positive experience with us!

  5. Geoffrey Windler 2024-08-01

    This car is truly one of the best cars built in the 90s. I usually only keep a car for 4-5 years, but I've had this one for a whole decade now! I absolutely love this car!

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1994 Ford Thunderbird problems:

1994 Ford Thunderbird LX: Problems, Questions... | TCCoA Forums
1994 Ford Thunderbird LX: Problems, Questions... | TCCoA Forums
https://www.tccoa.com/threads/1994-ford-thunderbird-lx-problems-questions.88103/

Aug 16, 2006 ... Symptoms of a bad IAC can include stalling, improper/high idle, and sometimes a fluctuating idle. Several things can be the cause of a stalling ...

1994 Ford Thunderbird Problems and Complaints - 4 Issues
1994 Ford Thunderbird Problems and Complaints - 4 Issues
https://repairpal.com/1994-ford-thunderbird/problems

Top 1994 Ford Thunderbird Problems · Blown/Cracked Head Gasket Can Cause White Smoke From Exhaust. 24 people have reported this · Blown/Cracked Head Gasket Can ...

Q&A: 94 Thunderbird LX Overdrive Button | 1994 Ford Thunderbird LX
Q&A: 94 Thunderbird LX Overdrive Button | 1994 Ford Thunderbird LX
https://www.justanswer.com/ford/48tqa-1994-ford-thunderbird-lx-v8.html

Nov 20, 2010 ... To repair this the transmission has to be removed and overhauled. This is a very common problem on these transmissions as the direct clutch ...

Common failures on 4.6L? What (commonly) kills these motors ...
Common failures on 4.6L? What (commonly) kills these motors ...
https://www.tccoa.com/threads/common-failures-on-4-6l-what-commonly-kills-these-motors.92197/

Nov 13, 2006 ... Why do the valve seals ware out ? I thought That the 96 and 97 did not have that problem . 1997 Ford Thunderbird ...

Q&A: 1994 Ford Thunderbird LX - 4.6L V8 Engine Explained
Q&A: 1994 Ford Thunderbird LX - 4.6L V8 Engine Explained
https://www.justanswer.com/ford/13enl-own-1994-ford-thunderbird-lx-4-6l-v8.html

Feb 29, 2008 ... I own a 1994 ford thunderbird LX with the 4.6L V8, for the last 2 months I have had idle problems that only occur after - Answered by a ...

Other years of Ford Thunderbird

ford thunderbird 1995 photo
Thunderbird 1995
Ford

307

1

29

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
ford thunderbird 1996 photo
Thunderbird 1996
Ford

276

4

27

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
ford thunderbird 1997 photo
Thunderbird 1997
Ford

196

2

24

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
ford thunderbird 1998 photo
Thunderbird 1998
Ford

3

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
ford thunderbird 1999 photo
Thunderbird 1999
Ford

2

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
ford thunderbird 2002 photo
Thunderbird 2002
Ford

93

2

29

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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