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…

Read all 34 complaints

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