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2004 Ford Thunderbird

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Thunderbird.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2004 Ford Thunderbird is a passenger‑car built on a dedicated platform that carries a 6.6‑quart oil capacity with 5W‑20 API viscosity and is paired with an Automatic (S5) transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 15 city, 23 highway and 18 combined mpg. Its reliability record shows 34 owner complaints, a level that sits near the lower tier of the model’s complaint history spanning 1990 to 2005, with the single recall indicating limited systemic issues. The vehicle’s complaint profile is dominated by concerns in Vehicle Speed Control, reflecting the primary area of owner concern for this model year.

Model year2005 2004 2003 2002 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.6 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 66 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 66 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP235-50VR17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	186.2 in
Overall width	72 in
Overall height	52 in
Wheelbase	107.1 in
Curb weight	3781 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 23 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Thunderbird of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2004 Premium Convertible

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2004	Premium Convertible 3.9L V8	6.50 sec	15.00 sec	280 hp	RWD
2002	Premium Convertible 3.9L V8	7.00 sec	15.28 sec	252 hp	RWD
2002	Premium Convertible 3.9L V8	7.70 sec	15.80 sec	252 hp	RWD
1996	LX Coupe 4.6L V8	7.90 sec	15.80 sec	205 hp	RWD
1995	SC Coupe 3.8L Supercharger V6	7.00 sec	15.20 sec	230 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.6 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 17.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.6 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	302 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	20 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.75 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	66
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	650 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	187-194 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	39.0-65.0

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	76 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	100 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.12 in / 0.525 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.102 in / 0.502 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

59 ft. lbs., step 2: 720 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 90

59 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., 90

37 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	finger tighten
2	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
3	26 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
4	33 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees	90 degrees
6	90

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the 2004 model year, complaints dropped sharply to 34, the lowest in the decade‑long span, and recalls fell to just one, a marked improvement over the 1993 peak of 482 complaints and four recalls. The trend from 1990 to 2004 shows a general decline in complaints, with a small uptick in 1998–1999 but a steady reduction thereafter, while recalls have been consistently low since 1994. The 2004 year sits near the apex of this downward arc, implying fewer consumer issues than earlier years and a relatively stable safety record. The most common complaint categories—Vehicle Speed Control, Engine, Power Train, and Engine & Engine Cooling—were each reported only a handful of times, and there were no fire‑related complaints. Given the low complaint and recall counts and the absence of fire incidents, 2004 represents a solid purchase year within this generation, offering a more reliable option compared to earlier models.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’02 ’03’04’05

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 34 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control7

Engine6

Power Train4

Engine & Engine Cooling4

Air Bags3

Service Brakes, Hydraulic2

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Power Train,Electrical System,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V330000Seats:Front Assembly:Power AdjustReported 08/07/2004

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

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 32 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SSM 46085	2016-09-21	Engine And Engine Cooling	The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
TSB-12-8-1	2012-08-01	Electrical System	FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY: MAY HAVE SLUDGE BUILDUP IN THROTTLE BODY LEADING TO LESS AIRFLOW OR…
CSP 07M07	2008-05-20	Engine And Engine Cooling	FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 2003-2005 MODEL YEAR LINCOLN LS AND FORD THUNDERBIRD…
0708	2007-04-19	Power Train	AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOLENOID EMISSIONS WARRANTY EXTENSION. SAMPLE CONSUMER LETTER…
0295	2005-11-14	Electrical System	EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CURRENT DRAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DISCHARGED BATTERY AND A…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Thunderbird. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 66 battery Vehicles taking 6.6 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Thunderbird take?

6.6 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Thunderbird have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Thunderbird get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.