1992 Ford Thunderbird Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 22%of 184 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1992 Ford Thunderbird, 22% of the 184 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Consumer' s vehicle experienced the same problems as stated in NHTSA recalls 96v071000 and 99v27500 concerning ignition system and headlights. The dealership indicated consumer's vehicle not included in the recall due to VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10092913, filed 2005-01, 98,000 miles“When fog lights are on the headlights go out and won't come back on immediately. The headlight switch has been replaced, but this problem still occurs. Ford says the recall time has expired and they are no longer obligated to fix this problem. Recall was dated 1999 and only the switch was replaced. I payed for the repair before the recall and was told that the problem had already been taken care of. I am afraid of crashing causing injury because of this, because you don't know when head light failure will occur.”
NHTSA complaint #746965, filed 2001-06“On 12-14-1999 the headlight switch on my 1992 Thunderbird was replaced under recall number 99s30. The original switch had exhibited the symptoms listed in the recall letter I received (I.e. Headlights flickering off when the fog lamps were used). I am now beginning to see similar symptoms with the switch that was installed last year by the Ford dealer. This morning when leaving for work I pulled the light switch out fully and had no headlights. I inspected the condition of the headlight fuse and found it to be good. …”
NHTSA complaint #738104, filed 2000-12“The contact owns a 1992 Ford Thunderbird. In april of 2000, the contact received a recall notice regarding the headlights. The recall repair was not performed at that time because there were no failures with the vehicle. Currently, the headlights and fog lights flicker on and off and two parts need to be replaced. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they advised her to call Ford motor company. The manufacturer was unable to provide any assistance. The recall number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 58,800.”
NHTSA complaint #10205039, filed 2007-10, 58,800 miles“Vehicle was not equipped with fog lights. Also, headlight switch malfunctioned, causing headlights to flicker on and off, affecting driver's visibility and may result in a crash. Dealer replaced multi-function switch which did not correct the problem. Vehicle was not included in recall 99v275000 although it had the same problem. Vehicle was repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #862720, filed 2000-05Related recalls
- 99V275000Oct 12, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with fog lights, in which the headlights may go out for various intervals and which may be preceded by…Covers: Ford Thunderbird 1992–1993, Mercury Cougar 1992–1993
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 3% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% |
| 1995 | 16 | 6% |
| 1994 | 7 | 2% |
| 1993 | 119 | 28% |
| 1992 | 40 | 22% |
| 1991 | 10 | 9% |
| 1990 | 7 | 5% |
| 1989 | 2 | 2% |
| 1988 | 11 | 12% |
| 1987 | 3 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1992 Ford Thunderbird
29 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsEngine cooling
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 31, 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