1996 Ford Thunderbird vs 1997 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 Ford Thunderbird | 1997 Ford Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 233 | 169 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 115 | 107 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 12 | 11 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18–19 | 18–19 |
| Median reported mileage | 85,259 mi | 71,084 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Thunderbird | Ford Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 65 | 54 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 46 | 22 |
| Power Train | 21 | 17 |
| Tires | 13 | 16 |
| Visibility | 20 | 7 |
| Suspension | 9 | 18 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 14 | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 11 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 16 | 18 |
| Stalling | 13 | 0 |
| Overheating | 11 | 13 |
| Brake problems | 6 | 0 |
1996 Ford Thunderbird
1997 Ford Thunderbird
Compare all Ford Thunderbird 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.