1993 Ford Thunderbird Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 3%of 423 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1993 Ford Thunderbird, 3% of the 423 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I first purchased my vehicle, I noticed that it would not shift into 4th gear. I am not sure when this problem started since I bought this car used.”
NHTSA complaint #10071396, filed 2004-01“Wish I would have seen this site before I purchased mine 2 weeks ago. I am now gong to pay 1600 to replace my whole transmission! Am very worried looking at the others about the gaskets going next!”
NHTSA complaint #734491, filed 2000-10“Throttle body lever grommet dry rotted. Therefore, the lever disengaged while driving the car causing serious transmission damage. This part was recalled on the make, model and year of my car in december 93 (recall #93b31). The replacement grommet was metal. I had my car at a dealership for repair in may 93 and this part was not replaced or notified. Contacting Ford, I was told that my VIN was not included in the recall . Though I have had the exact problem described in the recall, they will not except responsibility for damages. Do I have any recourse?”
NHTSA complaint #713106, filed 1999-10“A plastic bushing broke and allowed a cable to come off that controled the transmissions ability to shift into overdrive. When the cable is off, no pressure signal is known at the transmission. So pressures are too low and direct clutch will burn up. This problem was subject to recall 93b17 that was issued in 6/93. I bought the car in 12/93 and the problem had not been repaired per the recall, nor was I informed of the recall. The vehicles VIN # was not shown as subject to the recall, although the problem associated with the recall pertained to this particular car. …”
NHTSA complaint #702640, filed 1999-01“As to head gaskets, have had two sets of failures, at approx. 100k apart . . . . As to brakes, have had multiple replacements of rotors due to chronic warping . . . . As to transmission, have had to have purchase lifetime warranty transmission from aamco due to failures in 2-3 & 3-4 shifts.”
NHTSA complaint #745490, filed 2001-05Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 7% |
| 2004 | 7 | 21% |
| 2003 | 6 | 18% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 17 | 10% |
| 1996 | 21 | 9% |
| 1995 | 41 | 16% |
| 1994 | 92 | 31% |
| 1993 | 12 | 3% |
| 1992 | 10 | 5% |
| 1991 | 4 | 4% |
| 1990 | 8 | 6% |
| 1989 | 4 | 3% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 1 | 4% |
| 1984 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1993 Ford Thunderbird
171 complaintsExterior lighting
119 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsSeat belts
29 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1993 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