2004 Ford Thunderbird Problems
- Complaints
- 34filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles, 31 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.9L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 9 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine (7) and transmission and drivetrain (7). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 81% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 25,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 16 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine7 21%
- Engine cooling5 15%
- Electrical system4 12%
- Air bags3 8.8%
- Brakes2 5.9%
- Fuel system1 2.9%
- Suspension1 2.9%
- Wheels1 2.9%
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “As I was parking my car, it suddenly accelerated at a very high rate of speed. I was parking by a wooded area, and was propelled about 2 car lengths into the bushes in the woods (barely missing a tree) before I was able to stop the car. Not certain if the car stopped because of my braking, or because the thick bushes would not permit the car to travel any further. I had the car towed to the Ford dealership, but the service dept. Has not been able to find the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10650850, filed 2014-10, 83,000 milesEngine: “Vehicle unexpectedly lost power upon mild acceleration on a city street and developed a rough, skipping and hesitant idle upon warm up. We immediately brought the car in for evaluation at the sarat Ford dealership in agawam, ma. They diagnosed the dreaded Thunderbird coil on plug failure in this vehicle at only 33,165 total miles. Being that this car is now over ten years old, I was told that the fomoco extended warranty (10 years and 100,000 miles) on this vehicle, for this very same problem, does not apply. …”
NHTSA complaint #10946735, filed 2017-01, 33,130 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Driving on a highway at 50mph coming to a town and a red light I removed my foot from the gas pedal and applied the brakes the car did not slow I applied more pressure on the brakes the car slowed some but the engine kept reving the transmission was not down shifting the car was not stopping I grabbed the shift lever and switched gears but to late and we hit the car in front of us stopped at the light.”
NHTSA complaint #10783172, filed 2015-10, 35,000 milesEngine cooling: “While driving a wrench light came on and the car would not move. It was like the transmission would not engage, even though it was in gear. I had to turn the car off, then restart the engine. After doing this the car ran ok for about 2 miles then the same thing happened. This time when restarted the check engine light stayed on. The dealer reset the computer. On 10-09-04 the same thing happened. The dealer now has the car trying to find the trouble. Each failure came without warning, causing the potential for a rear-end collision, because the car comes to a dead stop in traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10095550, filed 2004-10, 4,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
81% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 39,730 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbird · C | not rated | 4 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2004 Ford Thunderbird version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbird RWD | 3.9L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Thunderbird RWD | 3.9L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 04V330000Jul 8, 2004Seats › Front assembly › Power adjustCovers: Ford Thunderbird 2004, Taurus 2004, Mercury Sable 2004
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with power adjustable seats may have been inadequately welded.
Recall details for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 16 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016Engine cooling, Engine. The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB…
- 10048099Aug 1, 2012Electrical system, Engine. Ford/lincoln/mercury: may have sludge buildup in throttle body leading to less airflow or engine idling rpm fluctuation and hard starts or battery disconnect or dead battery after keep alive memory…
- 10026402May 20, 2008Electrical system, Engine cooling. Ford/lincoln mercury: certain 2003-2005 model year lincoln ls and ford thunderbird vehicles equipped with 3.9l engine with extended warranty coverage on ignition coil assemblies and on 2003 my…
- 10022290Apr 19, 2007Transmission and drivetrain. Automatic transmission solenoid emissions warranty extension. Sample consumer letter attached.
- 10017925Jun 7, 2005Body and structure. Water/moisture in cop wells - dtc p0301-p0308 - 3.9l engine - vehicles built through 5/1/2004.
- 10013371Jun 7, 2005Electrical system. Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) and electronic throttle control (etc) lamps on with both diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p2106 and p2135.
- 10013306May 27, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Improperly formulated transmission fluid that, over time, may cause delayed/harsh reverse engagements. Customer satisfaction program 04b22. 5r55s/e & 5r44e transmission fluid additive. *tt…
- 10017917May 1, 2005Engine cooling. Unusual engine noise or engine knock concerns due to regular fuel.
- 10017898Apr 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Delayed or harsh reverse engagements - 5r55s transmission - vehicles built prior to 09/23/2004.
- 10014703Mar 1, 2005Body and structure. Moisture in storage compartment.
Other model years of the Ford Thunderbird
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 27 | 38,132 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 34 | 25,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 33 | 27,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 93 | 35,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1997 | 169 | 71,084 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 233 | 85,259 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 261 | 68,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 300 | 80,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 423 | 97,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 184 | 113,150 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 112 | 83,750 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 140 | 87,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1989 | 124 | 73,450 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 92 | 230,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 61 | 63,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 23 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 14 | 134,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 26 | 111,948 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Ford Thunderbird model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird have?
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Ford Thunderbird is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 9 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine with 7.
Has the 2004 Ford Thunderbird been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Ford Thunderbird (Thunderbird, 3.9L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Ford Thunderbird reported?
Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 25,000 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 39,730 miles; 81% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.