Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1992 vs 1993 FORD THUNDERBIRD

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 407 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 133.3% more reports in the equal exposure window

1992 180 complaints 1993 420 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1992 share 1993 share Share change
ENGINE 12.8% 37.1% ▲ 24.4 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 11.7% 3.8% ▼ 7.9 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 12.8% 6.2% ▼ 6.6 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12.8% 7.1% ▼ 5.6 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 20.6% 24.8% ▲ 4.2 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 9.4% 5.5% ▼ 4.0 pts smaller share
WHEELS 2.2% not reported ▼ 2.2 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 4.4% 2.6% ▼ 1.8 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE 1.7% 0.2% ▼ 1.4 pts smaller share
STEERING 2.2% 1.0% ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE not reported 1.2% ▲ 1.2 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 1.7% 1.2% ▼ 0.5 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 1.7% 1.2% ▼ 0.5 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.8% 2.4% ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
TIRES not reported 0.2% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 1.1% 1.0% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 79.4% 68.6% ▼ 10.9 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1992 4

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1993 4

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
11 → 7
◆ Injuries
9 → 7