1992 Ford Thunderbird Base
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1993 Ford Thunderbird LX in Midnight Opal, Front Right, 08-14-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1994 Ford Thunderbird 4.6 V8 LX by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 10th Generation Ford Thunderbird LX rear 4.8.18 by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1995 Ford Thunderbird LX 40th Anniversary Edition, rear left, 08-05-2023 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1990 Ford Thunderbird Interior by Eric Friedebach, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1992 Ford Thunderbird Base is a 140-hp 3.8-liter V6 with a 4-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $16,840 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.
It makes 140 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 215 lb-ft of torque at 2400 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).
The Thunderbird measures 198.7 inches long on a 113.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,514 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Coupe |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $16,840 ($39,009 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.8L Essex OHV V6 |
| Displacement | 3.8 L |
| Horsepower | 140 hp @ 3,800 rpm |
| Torque | 215 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm |
| Valvetrain | OHV, 2 valves/cylinder |
| Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Injection Type | Fuel injection (EFI) |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic (AOD) |
| 1st Gear | 2.4 |
| 2nd Gear | 1.47 |
| 3rd Gear | 1 |
| 4th Gear | 0.67 |
| Reverse | 2 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 18 MPG |
| Highway | 25 MPG |
| Combined | 20 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tank Capacity | 18 gal |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 15" |
| Wheels Rear | 15" |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 198.7 in |
| Width | 72.7 in |
| Height | 52.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 113 in |
| Curb Weight | 3,514 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38.1 in |
| Legroom Front | 42.5 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1992 Ford Thunderbird Base with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1992 Ford THUNDERBIRD. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA campaign 09E012000
Oct 12, 1999 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
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.
NHTSA campaign 99V275000
Sep 22, 1997 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WEST VIRGINIA. MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence: THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.
NHTSA campaign 97V159000
Apr 25, 1996 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign 96V071000
190 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1992 Ford THUNDERBIRD
Owner Complaints
190 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1992 Ford THUNDERBIRD (7 mention a crash, 11 a fire, 9 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Exterior Lighting | 39 |
| Electrical System | 27 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 27 |
| Service Brakes | 26 |
| Fuel System | 24 |
| Hydraulic | 24 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1992 FORD THUNDERBIRD. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.