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

1993 vs 1994 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 395 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 30.2% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1993 420 complaints 1994 293 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 1993 share 1994 share Share change
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 24.8% 1.7% ▼ 23.1 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 2.6% 24.9% ▲ 22.3 pts larger share
ENGINE 37.1% 16.4% ▼ 20.8 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 6.2% 20.5% ▲ 14.3 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.4% 7.5% ▲ 5.1 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 1.0% 5.8% ▲ 4.9 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 5.5% 1.4% ▼ 4.1 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 1.2% 3.4% ▲ 2.2 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7.1% 5.1% ▼ 2.0 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 3.8% 2.7% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
TIRES 0.2% 1.0% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share
WHEELS not reported 0.7% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 1.2% 1.7% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
STEERING 1.0% 1.4% ▲ 0.4 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 1.2% 1.0% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE 0.2% 0.3% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 68.6% 78.8% ▲ 10.3 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1993 4

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

1994 1

Campaign components: not reported

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
7 → 10
◆ Injuries
7 → 16