FaultScore

1993 Ford Thunderbird brake problems

40 of the 559 complaints about the 1993 Ford Thunderbird are about the braking system — 7% of everything reported for this model year.

B

40

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Rotor 14 35.0%
Foundation Components 7 17.5%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 6 15.0%
Disc 5 12.5%
Pads 4 10.0%
Master Cylinder 2 5.0%
Conventional 1 2.5%
Caliper 1 2.5%

Brakes across every Ford Thunderbird year

1988 10 2.1%
1989 25 5.3%
1990 45 9.5%
1991 20 4.2%
1992 41 8.7%
1993 40 8.5%
1994 90 19.0%
1995 121 25.6%
1996 55 11.6%
1997 26 5.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

VAN Nuys, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING20 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A LOUD STREAKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10076092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milwakee, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE VIBRATES. REPLACED PARTS 3 TIMES, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.

NHTSA complaint #8007432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Royal OAK, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A SIGHT INCLINE POSTION, ABS MOTOR ENGAGED, CAUSING FRONT BRAKESTO GRABS AND NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE HOME, AND THE ABS MOTOR REMAINED ON AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED,AND UNWILLING TO ASSIST, BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOT COVERWD UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #891284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hazlet, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

MASTER CYLINDER "BRAKE FLUID RESERVIOR" DEVELOPED LEAK DUE TO CONTACT (RUBBING) AGAINST WIRING HARNESS FOR ENGINE COMPARTMENT LIGHT. FORD SHOULD BE NOTIFIED TO INSPECT ALL BRAKE FLUID RESERVIORS FOR SIGNS OF WEAR THROUGH DUE TO CONTACT WITH ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #746921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

AS TO HEAD GASKETS, HAVE HAD TWO SETS OF FAILURES, AT APPROX. 100K APART . . . . AS TO BRAKES, HAVE HAD MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS OF ROTORS DUE TO CHRONIC WARPING . . . . AS TO TRANSMISSION, HAVE HAD TO HAVE PURCHASE LIFETIME WARRANTY TRANSMISSION FROM AAMCO DUE TO FAILURES IN 2-3 & 3-4 SHIFTS.

NHTSA complaint #745490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Temecula, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

NEW FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 49000 MILES, NOW THE BRAKES ARE STARTING TO PULSATE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #559009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baldwin, MI Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THIS 93 THUNDERBIRD HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS . LEAKS IN BODY (WHEN NEW 12MI) DOOR HINGES , SEATBELTS, SEAT COVERS RIP OUT, FOG LAMPS AND SWITCH RECALL, CAN'T KEEP BREAKS AND ROTORS ON FRONT, WINDSHILD WIPERS BROKE (WHEN NEW) HAD TO HAVE NEW TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED , AT ABOUT 40.000 MI. THE STRUTS WERE BAD FROM THE FIRST DAY NEVER COULD GET THEM FIXED. (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA complaint #735368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Haven, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CAR HAS HAD UPPER ENGINE REBUILT, CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING, COMPUTER READ NO DATE WHEN TESTED. CAR MAKES GROWLING SOUND WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN CHECKED, DIFERENTIAL FLUID HAS BEEN REPLACED AS SUGGESTED BY MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #728764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bloomington, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

COULD SMELL ANTIFREEZE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE SHORTLY BEFORE THE HEAED GASKET BLEW AND ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN POORLY AND BLOW WHITE SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE. THIS REPAIR WAS VERY COSTLY AND FORD HAS BEGUN TO COMPENSATE OWNERS OF OTHER FORD MODELS WITH THE EXACT SAME ENGINE, BUT NO THE FORD THUNDERBIRD.T.

NHTSA complaint #720495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westminster, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF TO ABOUT 70 TO 80 MPH . CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WAS HARD, AND DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP.

NHTSA complaint #847862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

HEAD GASKETS: W/O ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER SUDDENLY THERE APPEARED WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST PIPE, TEMP. GAUAGE WENT UP, CAR HAD NOT BEEN USING ANY OIL AND/OR ANTI-FREEZE WHICH IS A HEADS UP TO SUCH A PROBLEM OCCURING. ALL MAINTENANCE HAD ALWAYS BEEN KEPT UP ON A REGULAR BASIS ON VEHICLE. TOLD AT TIME THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED THAT THE NEXT THING THAT WOULD HAPPEN WOULD BE THE ENGINE WOULD GO. THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPT. JUST LIKE MECHANIC SAID, THE ENGINE WENT THERE AGAIN, W/O ANY NOTICE. IT THROUGH A ROD. WAS TOLD THAT TO SAVE PROBLEMS/TIME, SHOULD ACTUALLY JUST GO AHEAD AND REPLACE BOTH WHEN DOING THE OTHER BECUASE IT WOULD HAPPEN. TOLD FORD MOTOR AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITHIN A 3 YR. RANGE ON THIS MOTOR & HEAD GASKETS. THEY HAVE SENSE IMPROVED PROBLEM BUT THAT DOES NOTHING TO HELP OUT THOSE OF US WHO BOUGHT THOSE YEARS. PUT OUT THE MONEY OR PART IT OUT! FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE KEPT UP OUR VEHICLES, WE HAVE NO CHOICE. FORD MOTOR KNOWINGLY AWARE OF THIS SHOULD HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY. AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION IN ORDER TO DISCUSS BUT KNOW WHAT THEY'LL HAVE TO SAY..."OUT OF WARRANTY"...YOU'RE STUCK!

NHTSA complaint #711348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Roya, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

FRONT BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #535792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

HEAD GASKET FAILED. IN ADDITION, BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED.

NHTSA complaint #534729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES CREATE VIBRATION WHEN APPLIED.

NHTSA complaint #534729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Adell, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #530584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Copley, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

FRONT BRAKE PADS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #531040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Copley, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED

NHTSA complaint #531040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Paducah, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. ALSO UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, CONSUMER NOTICED THE FRONT END SHAKES, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #819723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boalsburg, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NOISY REAR ABS BRAKES. ALSO REPLACED LEAKING POWER STEERING PUMP AND NOISY ALTERNATOR.

NHTSA complaint #522661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Camarillo, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WHILE DRIVING WITH NORMAL BRAKING, EXPEIENCED GRINDING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMYING, A MONTH PRIOR, DLR REPLACED ROTORS, STEERING WHEEL STILL VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA complaint #805403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deale, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A GRINDING BRAKE NOISE. PLEASE DESCRIBE .

NHTSA complaint #803794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Camden, NJ

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS ON A STEEP INCLINE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #504341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bourbonnai, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARP UNDER NORMAL USAGE, CAUSING VIBRATION. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #487061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Circle, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

CALIPER DESIGN NOT WIDE ENOUGH, CAUSING BRAKES TO WEAR OUT MORE QUICKLY THAN THEY SHOULD. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #488432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Costa Mesa, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKE ROTORS WERE TOO SMALL FOR VEHICLE AND CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #480530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Zuni, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE.

NHTSA complaint #980326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Zuni, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE.

NHTSA complaint #980326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Upton, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

REPLACED WARPED FRONT BRAKE PADS.

NHTSA complaint #484541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Upton, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER.

NHTSA complaint #484541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Upton, KY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE UPON BRAKING.

NHTSA complaint #484541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1993 Ford Thunderbird problems

← Full 1993 Ford Thunderbird report