1992 Ford Thunderbird Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 15%of 184 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1992 Ford Thunderbird, 15% of the 184 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #720612, filed 2000-03“Head gasket- car began skipping and then white smoke came out of exhuast. I drove it home (3 miles). I pulled the spark plugs and found that the number 3 cylinder plug clean and wet. I did some research and found this to be a common problem with this motor and cylinder. Why won't Ford help? I have yet to bring it to a garage so I don't know if the head or block is damaged. I am hoping not! Transmission- aod model starting at about 79,000 miles it began to shift funny and got progressively worse as time went on. …”
NHTSA complaint #764519, filed 2002-07“Filled vehicle with fuel & drove home. Parked vehicle in garage. Noticed an odor of gasoline. Checked vehicle & discovered a leak underneath vehicle. Took vehicle to mechanic & the gaskets were replaced, twice. The problem still exists. Took vehicle to dealer & mechanic would not check unless a diagnostic test was done.”
NHTSA complaint #854623, filed 2000-01“Seems to be a defect in all Ford Thunderbird sc headgaskets. Factory mill is incorrect and not done very well. Recall is necessary to have Ford fix an issue that has been recalled for the 1994/95 models. Ford should recall the 1989-1993 sc, same drivetrain.”
NHTSA complaint #758621, filed 2002-02“Left and right outer and inner rockers rotted. Bad design, no ventilation built in to dry moisture inside rocker. Therefore they rot till there is no more rocker, costing $700 per side to have a Ford body shop to cut out and weld in new rockers.”
NHTSA complaint #765709, filed 2002-08Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 11% |
| 2004 | 5 | 15% |
| 2003 | 3 | 9% |
| 2002 | 24 | 26% |
| 1997 | 54 | 32% |
| 1996 | 65 | 28% |
| 1995 | 49 | 19% |
| 1994 | 61 | 20% |
| 1993 | 171 | 40% |
| 1992 | 27 | 15% |
| 1991 | 14 | 13% |
| 1990 | 11 | 8% |
| 1989 | 13 | 10% |
| 1988 | 7 | 8% |
| 1987 | 4 | 7% |
| 1986 | 7 | 30% |
| 1985 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 6 | 23% |
Other parts of the 1992 Ford Thunderbird
40 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsSeat belts
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1992 Ford Thunderbird
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology