Model year guide

1984 Ford thunderbird

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1984 Ford thunderbird is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1984 Ford thunderbird — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1984 Ford thunderbird at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints31
Combined16–19 mpg

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

1984 Ford thunderbird recalls 1

Seat Belts:front:anchorage NHTSA Campaign #83V134000 · 20/12/1983

THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. 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.

1984 Ford thunderbird common problems

Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Latches/locks/linkages
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1984 Ford thunderbird MPG & running costs

Combined16–19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,740
EPA size classCompact Cars
Transmission3 options
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume92 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,700 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 10 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1984 Ford thunderbird costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,700
Fuel only$18,700
Per mile$0.25

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.

1984 Ford thunderbird trims & engines on record

Trims
CPE, FILA ANNIV. ED.
Engines
5.0L 8-cyl 140 hp

1984 Ford thunderbird vehicles on record

1984 Ford thunderbird 1984 Ford thunderbird CPE, FILA ANNIV. ED.1FABP46F7EH116446

Other Ford thunderbird model years

2005 2004 2003 2002 1997 1996 1995 1994

1984 Ford thunderbird — frequently asked questions

Does the 1984 Ford thunderbird have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1984 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 free.

What are the most common problems with the 1984 Ford thunderbird?

Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine and engine cooling, fuel system.

What gas mileage does the 1984 Ford thunderbird get?

The 1984 Ford thunderbird has U.S. EPA estimates of 16–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (10 versions).

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