NHTSA vehicle safety data
2004 Ford Thunderbird Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2004 Ford Thunderbird has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 34 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2004 Ford Thunderbird owner complaints
Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Thunderbird, describing incidents dated December 16, 2003 to September 22, 2021.
Most-cited components
- Engine 12 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 9 complaints
- Power Train 7 complaints
- Electrical System 4 complaints
- Air Bags 3 complaints
- Service Brakes 2 complaints
Of the 34 complaints on file, 5 report a crash; across all 34 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11434577 · Filed
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact approached a stop sign and the vehicle stopped as needed; however, after the contact depressed on the accelerator pedal, the vehicle began to misfire and shuddered for several minutes. The…
ODI #11364399 · Filed
HAVE REPLACED VIA FORD DEALER THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR TWICE. FIRST REPAIR 2007. SECOND REPAIR 2014, AND NOW IN 2020. I AM FACING SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY THE CONTROL SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM TRIGGERS VEHICLE LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING AND IN PARK.
ODI #11351417 · Filed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL ODOR APPEARED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE OIL AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT…
FORD/POWER ADJUSTABLE SEAT
NHTSA #04V330000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Power Adjust · NHTSA notice
Reported July 8, 2004 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Potentially affected: 24,277 vehicles
Ford campaign 04S18 · Owners notified July 20, 2004 · Vehicles built December 15, 2003 – January 20, 2004 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.
Safety consequence
THE SEAT MAY NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY ON THE POWER SEATS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Ford Thunderbird model years
Check your 2004 Ford Thunderbird VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Thunderbird at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Ford VIN