2004 Ford Thunderbird
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 12 of 34 complaints (35%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 33 in 2003 to 34 in 2004.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2004 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,550 | 4,300 | 4,300 | 4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15 / 22 | 16 / 22–23 | 15 / 21–23 | 16 / 22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 523 | 494 | 494 | 494 | |
| Complaints filed | 93 | 33 | 34 | 27 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 3 | 6 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2004 Ford Thunderbird?
Engine: 12 of 34 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird get?
EPA rates it 18 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Ford Thunderbird?
EPA estimates $4,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 3.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 15 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 8 | 3.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 15 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 494 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST · Campaign 04V330000 · Jul 8, 2004
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.
Consequence: THE SEAT MAY NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
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.