2004 Ford Thunderbird problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

Q: What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird get?

The 2004 Ford Thunderbird has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 22 highway).

Q: How much is a 2004 Ford Thunderbird worth?

Comparable 2004 Ford Thunderbird listings run roughly $8,500–$18,000, typically around $13,255 (from 28 vehicles).

2004 Ford Thunderbird at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints34

Combined18 mpg

Typical price$13,255

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2004 Ford Thunderbird recalls 1

Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust NHTSA Campaign #04V330000 · manufacturer #04S18 · 08/07/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2004 Ford Thunderbird common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Vehicle Speed Control

Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

2004 Ford Thunderbird safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Frontal — driver★★★★★

Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Side — front seat★★★★★

Frontal crash test

Side barrier test

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2004 Ford Thunderbird 2-DR Convertible w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2004 Ford Thunderbird MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg

City15 mpg

Highway22 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$4,550

EPA size classTwo Seaters

TransmissionAutomatic (S5) or Automatic 5-spd

Passenger volume52 cu ft

Cargo volume8 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2004 Ford Thunderbird worth?

Low

$8,500

Typical price

$13,255

High

$18,000

From 28 comparable 2004 Ford Thunderbird listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Ford Thunderbird costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750

Fuel only$22,750

Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length

186.2 in

Width

72.0 in

Height

52.0 in

Wheelbase

107.1 in

Curb weight

3,781 lb

Front track

61.0 in

Rear track

60.6 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 32

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 32.

The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these P…

Bulletin SSM 46085 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Engine · Sep 2016

FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY: MAY HAVE SLUDGE BUILDUP IN THROTTLE BODY LEADING TO LESS AIRFLOW OR ENGINE IDLING RPM FLUCTUATION AND HARD STARTS OR BATTERY DISCONNECT OR DEAD BATTERY AFTER KEEP ALIVE MEMORY (KAM) CLEAR. MODELS 2003-05 THUNDERBIRD, 05-06 MUSTANG, 06-08…

Bulletin TSB-12-8-1 · Electrical System, Engine · Aug 2012

FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 2003-2005 MODEL YEAR LINCOLN LS AND FORD THUNDERBIRD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.9L ENGINE WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE ON IGNITION COIL ASSEMBLIES AND ON 2003 MY VEHICLES ONLY , ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKETS. *PE

Bulletin CSP 07M07 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Electrical System · May 2008

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOLENOID EMISSIONS WARRANTY EXTENSION. SAMPLE CONSUMER LETTER ATTACHED. *KB

Bulletin 0708 · Power Train · Apr 2007

EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CURRENT DRAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DISCHARGED BATTERY AND A NO CRANK CONDITION. *TT SERVICE TIPS. *TT

Bulletin 0295 · Electrical System · Nov 2005

WATER/MOISTURE IN COP WELLS - DTC P0301-P0308 - 3.9L ENGINE - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 5/1/2004. *TT

Bulletin 02162 · Structure · Jun 2005

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) AND ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) LAMPS ON WITH BOTH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P2106 AND P2135. *TT

Bulletin 04219 · Electrical System · Jun 2005

IMPROPERLY FORMULATED TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT, OVER TIME, MAY CAUSE DELAYED/HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENTS. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04B22. 5R55S/E & 5R44E TRANSMISSION FLUID ADDITIVE. *TT SUPPLEMENT #1. *TT SUPPLEMENT #2. *TT SUPPLEMENT #3. *TT

Bulletin 04B22 · Power Train · May 2005

UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE OR ENGINE KNOCK CONCERNS DUE TO REGULAR FUEL. *TT

Bulletin 18615 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2005

DELAYED OR HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENTS - 5R55S TRANSMISSION - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 09/23/2004. *TT

Bulletin 05612 · Power Train · Apr 2005

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the THUNDERBIRD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Seats And Restraints

On certain vehicles, the power seat track may contain fewer welds than specified between the track recliner bracket and the lower support bracket. This condition may cause a squeak/rattle condition to develop, and possibly result in a loose seat. In the rare circumstance that a vehicle having a seat with insufficient multiple welds is in a collision, the seat may not perform as…

Transport Canada #2004237 · Jul 2004

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Ford Thunderbird

The Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury car manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company for model years 1955 to 2005, with a hiatus from 1998 to 2001.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2004 Ford Thunderbird trims & engines on record

Trims

Premium · Deluxe

Engines

3.9L 8-cyl 280 hp

2004 Ford Thunderbird vehicles on record

2004 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe1FAHP60A04Y104477

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A74Y100796

2004 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe1FAHP60A44Y104126

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A54Y101798

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A74Y106274

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A34Y104344

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A14Y104133

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A84Y100029

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A14Y112104

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A14Y104844

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A34Y111343

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A84Y101164

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A74Y106050

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A54Y109206

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A04Y104043

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A44Y112212

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A74Y104931

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A54Y105608

2004 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe1FAHP60A64Y101082

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A84Y104968

2004 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe1FAHP60A04Y110361

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A54Y101364

2004 Ford Thunderbird Premium1FAHP60A54Y105432

2004 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe1FAHP60A04Y110909

Other Ford Thunderbird model years

2005 2003 2002 2001 1997 1996 1995 1994 1990 1989 1988 1984 1983

2004 Ford Thunderbird — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 Ford Thunderbird. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Thunderbird?

Across all 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are vehicle speed control, engine, power train.

What is the 2004 Ford Thunderbird safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2004 Ford Thunderbird crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Thunderbird get?

The 2004 Ford Thunderbird has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 22 highway).

How much is a 2004 Ford Thunderbird worth?

Comparable 2004 Ford Thunderbird listings run roughly $8,500–$18,000, typically around $13,255 (from 28 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.