Ford Thunderbird problems, recalls & safety data
Complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins and federal investigations for every Ford Thunderbird model year, from official NHTSA data.
2,335
NHTSA complaints
3
recall campaigns
853
service bulletins (TSBs)
16
defect investigations
Model years
Best & worst years →| Year | Complaints | Recalls | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Ford Thunderbird | 27 | 1 | 15 |
| 2004 Ford Thunderbird | 34 | 1 | 32 |
| 2003 Ford Thunderbird | 33 | 0 | 42 |
| 2002 Ford Thunderbird | 93 | 1 | 63 |
| 1998 Ford Thunderbird | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1997 Ford Thunderbird | 169 | 0 | 107 |
| 1996 Ford Thunderbird | 233 | 0 | 115 |
| 1995 Ford Thunderbird | 261 | 0 | 86 |
| 1994 Ford Thunderbird | 300 | 0 | 95 |
| 1993 Ford Thunderbird | 423 | 0 | 73 |
| 1992 Ford Thunderbird | 184 | 0 | 46 |
| 1991 Ford Thunderbird | 112 | 0 | 35 |
| 1990 Ford Thunderbird | 140 | 0 | 35 |
| 1989 Ford Thunderbird | 124 | 0 | 27 |
| 1988 Ford Thunderbird | 92 | 0 | 24 |
| 1987 Ford Thunderbird | 61 | 0 | 23 |
| 1986 Ford Thunderbird | 23 | 0 | 22 |
| 1985 Ford Thunderbird | 14 | 0 | — |
| 1984 Ford Thunderbird | 26 | 0 | 13 |
| 1983 Ford Thunderbird | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1980 Ford Thunderbird | 3 | 0 | — |
Common problems
- Ford Thunderbird engine and engine cooling problems524
- Ford Thunderbird service brakes, hydraulic problems389
- Ford Thunderbird electrical system problems290
- Ford Thunderbird exterior lighting problems238
- Ford Thunderbird power train problems232
- Ford Thunderbird vehicle speed control problems174
- Ford Thunderbird seat belts problems161
- Ford Thunderbird fuel system, gasoline problems117
Symptoms owners describe
Federal investigations
- HEADLIGHT SWITCHEA99005 · opened Jan 20, 1999 · closed Dec 14, 1999
- HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKERRQ98015 · opened Sep 29, 1998 · closed Jan 22, 1999
- FUEL LINE JUMPERRQ97011 · opened Sep 25, 1997 · closed Nov 16, 1998
- REAR FUEL LINE INTERFERENCEEA95030 · opened Oct 31, 1995 · closed Sep 30, 1997