VehicleVerdict

1993 Ford Thunderbird lighting problems

The 1993 Ford Thunderbird has 144 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 26% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

144

Lighting complaints

26%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Thunderbird lighting complaints by model year144 complaints1987: 3 complaints1988: 11 complaints1989: 2 complaints1990: 8 complaints1991: 10 complaints1992: 45 complaints1993: 144 complaints1994: 7 complaints1995: 21 complaints1996: 15 complaints1997: 5 complaints1998: 1 complaints2002: 4 complaints2003: 1 complaints
Thunderbird lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

99V275000LightingOctober 12, 1999 · 164,731 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND WHICH MAY BE PRECEDED BY FLICKERING OR BLINKING AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING.

Consequence

DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING A FIRE IGNITED AT THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICL., WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM A SHORTIN THE HEADLAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · fire

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 1993 Ford Thunderbird have?

NHTSA has 144 complaints about the 1993 Ford Thunderbird lighting — 26% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1993 Ford Thunderbird lighting?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the lighting: 09E012000, 99V275000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.