2004 Ford Thunderbird: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Ford Thunderbird: 1 recall, 34 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #04V330000 · 2004 · 24,277 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles equipped with power adjustable seats May have been inadequately welded.
Why it matters: The seat May not perform as intended during a crash which could increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (9): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (7): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4).
- Engine (7): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), warning light on (2).
- Engine & cooling (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2004 Ford Thunderbird has 34 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 14 Thunderbird model years for complaints (well below the 144 average). Complaints peaked in 2005 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 25,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (33 complaints, 0 recalls), 2005 (27 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 18 | Premium |
| 3.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Ford Thunderbird problems?
Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (9), transmission & drivetrain (7), engine (7).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.9 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Ford Thunderbird repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.