1996 Dodge Stratus vs 1996 Ford Thunderbird
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Dodge Stratus | 1996 Ford Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 554 | 233 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 80 | 115 |
| Investigations | 3 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 36 | 12 |
| Fire reports | 36 | 4 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–26 | 18–19 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 96,908 mi | 85,259 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Dodge Stratus | Ford Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 335 | 65 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 62 | 46 |
| Power Train | 60 | 21 |
| Steering | 42 | 8 |
| Electrical System | 36 | 8 |
| Suspension | 32 | 9 |
| Visibility | 12 | 20 |
| Air Bags | 18 | 9 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 19 | 13 |
| Brake problems | 12 | 6 |
| Vibration / shaking | 8 | 16 |
| Clunking / rattling | 7 | 0 |
| Overheating | 7 | 11 |
| Check engine light | 6 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 6 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 5 | 0 |
1996 Dodge Stratus
1996 Ford Thunderbird
Compare all Dodge Stratus vs Ford Thunderbird years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.