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2004 Ford Thunderbird problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Ford Thunderbird is engine and cooling, typically around 34,200 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Thunderbird model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
69/100
Owner complaints
34
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
32
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 2004 Ford Thunderbird problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    12
  • Acceleration
    9
  • Transmission
    7
  • Electrical
    4
  • Airbags
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Ford Thunderbird

Misfire 6

Recalls 1

Seats: front assembly: power adjustReported July 8, 2004 · 24,277 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with power adjustable seats may have been inadequately welded.
Risk
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.

Recall number 04V330000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird 32

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 32 bulletins for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird

2004 Ford Thunderbird fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.9L 8‑cylRWD1521-2318

What 2004 Ford Thunderbird owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 27, 2021 · Engine · 40,526 miles · MS

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 contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the failure was related to TSB 05-16-2 (moisture build up on the plugs and on the cylinder) that caused the vehicle to misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,526.

Filed Oct 14, 2020 · Acceleration · 10,000 miles · KY

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.

Filed Aug 26, 2020 · Fuel system · 89,000 miles · NV

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 mentioned that the failure was currently still being experienced. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact mentioned the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v113000 (fuel system, gasoline) as a possible solution to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

Filed May 4, 2017 · Engine · NJ

2004 ford thunderbird. Consumer writes in regards to defective ignition coils causes engine to mis-fire, dealership replaced defective coils under extended one-time warranty repair. Consumer states engine mis-fire still exists. *smd the consumer stated the engine misfired due to defective ignition coils. Two coils were replaced under warranty. The dealer would not replace any other coils that had not experienced any failure. The failure recurred. The check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be driven. Updated 05/4/2017

Filed Jan 20, 2017 · Engine · 33,130 miles · MA

Vehicle unexpectedly lost power upon mild acceleration on a city street and developed a rough, skipping and hesitant idle upon warm up. We immediately brought the car in for evaluation at the sarat ford dealership in agawam, ma. They diagnosed the dreaded thunderbird coil on plug failure in this vehicle at only 33,165 total miles. Being that this car is now over ten years old, I was told that the fomoco extended warranty (10 years and 100,000 miles) on this vehicle, for this very same problem, does not apply. What is extremely aggravating and really maddening with this is that they grossly over charged me for the parts. Much more than what ford charges on their own parts website for both the 8 spark plugs and the 8 coil components. Rather than trying to help a customer get through this unexpected and expensive mechanical failure (...which they are fully aware of and should help cover) they decide to allow their dealers to price gouge. I have all paperwork from the repair.

Filed Jun 8, 2016 · Acceleration · 2,000 miles · TN

On three occasions auto accelerated on its own. Tried to break to no avail. Kept going faster. Shifted to neutral, engine kept racing. Was very difficult to stop vehicle. Went to dealer. They could not find the cause. .one event in a parking lot, one on the interstate and the other when approaching an intersection on a city street auto has only 10,000 miles on it. Incidents occurred 2005 20014 2016.

Filed Oct 18, 2015 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · PA · crash

Driving on a highway at 50mph coming to a town and a red light I removed my foot from the gas pedal and applied the brakes the car did not slow I applied more pressure on the brakes the car slowed some but the engine kept reving the transmission was not down shifting the car was not stopping I grabbed the shift lever and switched gears but to late and we hit the car in front of us stopped at the light.

Filed Apr 23, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford thunderbird. The contact stated that the key was extremely difficult to turn over to start the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle stalled on numerous occasions without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and they replaced the filter, the rear module, the vapor management valve, the vent solenoid and the throttle body but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 83,000 miles · WA

As I was parking my car, it suddenly accelerated at a very high rate of speed. I was parking by a wooded area, and was propelled about 2 car lengths into the bushes in the woods (barely missing a tree) before I was able to stop the car. Not certain if the car stopped because of my braking, or because the thick bushes would not permit the car to travel any further. I had the car towed to the ford dealership, but the service dept. Has not been able to find the problem. I am absolutely certain this was not a "driver error" situation and am very concerned about continuing to drive this vehicle should this occur again and I hit someone or something less forgiving than the bushes in the woods.

Filed Sep 12, 2014 · Engine · 34,200 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford thunderbird. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition coils were misfiring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,200.

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Compare the 2004 Ford Thunderbird

Other model years

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Questions about the 2004 Ford Thunderbird

Is the 2004 Ford Thunderbird reliable?

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 2004 Ford Thunderbird, close to a typical Thunderbird model year.

What is the 2004 Ford Thunderbird year score?

The 2004 Ford Thunderbird scores 69 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Thunderbird: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Ford Thunderbird?

Engine and cooling, with 12 complaints, typically around 34,200 miles. Next is acceleration (9).

How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird have?

1 recall, covering seats.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird get?

Official estimates for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.9L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 21-23 highway.

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