DEFECTFILE
Vehicles / Ford / Thunderbird

Ford Thunderbird

3,072 federal complaints across 21 model years (1983-2005) ยท 21 recall campaigns

Complaints by model year

Federal complaints filed against each model year of the Ford Thunderbird. Hover a bar for the count.

1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2002
2003
2004
2005
Three most-complained-about yearsAll other years

Which years to avoid

Ranked from the same federal record. Click any year for its full file.

Years to look at twice

  1. 1993 Ford Thunderbird - 559 complaints
  2. 1994 Ford Thunderbird - 426 complaints
  3. 1995 Ford Thunderbird - 353 complaints
Highest raw complaint counts. Counts are not adjusted for sales volume.

Quieter years

  1. 2003 Ford Thunderbird - 50 complaints
  2. 1987 Ford Thunderbird - 73 complaints
  3. 1988 Ford Thunderbird - 116 complaints
Fewest complaints among years with a meaningful record; the two newest model years are excluded because they have had little time to accumulate filings.

What fails, all years combined

Engine & cooling
609
Brakes
490
Electrical system
328
Lighting
277
Power train
252
Speed control
180

Every model year

Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2005 Ford Thunderbird351
2004 Ford Thunderbird401
2003 Ford Thunderbird500
2002 Ford Thunderbird1161
1999 Ford Thunderbird20
1998 Ford Thunderbird40
1997 Ford Thunderbird2280
1996 Ford Thunderbird2952
1995 Ford Thunderbird3530
1994 Ford Thunderbird4260
1993 Ford Thunderbird5593
1992 Ford Thunderbird2343
1991 Ford Thunderbird1303
1990 Ford Thunderbird1793
1989 Ford Thunderbird1474
1988 Ford Thunderbird1162
1987 Ford Thunderbird731
1986 Ford Thunderbird321
1985 Ford Thunderbird161
1984 Ford Thunderbird331
1983 Ford Thunderbird43

Recall campaigns, all years

Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer.

CampaignYearsComponentSummary
05V1130002005Fuel System, GasolineON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK MAY HAVE A LOCALIZED THIN WALL SECTION IN THE LOWER HALF OF THE TANK. THE FUEL TANK MAY CRACK CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK AND
04V3300002004SeatsCERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.
02V1690002002Seat BeltsON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CONTACTED THE SEAT RECLINER DURING A 35 MPH NCAP FULL-FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST.
99V2750001992-1993Exterior LightingVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND WHICH MAY BE PRECEDED BY FLICKERING OR BLINKING AS A
97V1590001992-1993Fuel System, GasolineVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAS
96V0710001988-1993Electrical SystemTHE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
96V0700001996Latches/Locks/LinkagesWHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTIO
96V0070001996EquipmentUNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE BLOWER COULD (1) STICK ON "HIGH;" (2) OPERATE ERRATICALLY WITH BLOWER OUTPUT VARYING BETWEEN
91V0760001990-1991VisibilityTHE NUTS WHICH HOLD WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO THE WIPER MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED AND MAY LOOSEN OR COME OFF. THIS CAUSES CHANGED WIPER PATTERNS, OR THE WIPER
91V0480001991Power TrainTHE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.
90V0260001990Electrical SystemBATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.
89V0810001989Service Brakes, AirDUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER OF THE INBOARD FRONT WHEEL AND THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR, THERE MAY BE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL FOLLOWING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS.
89V0800001989SuspensionIMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLES COULD EXPERIENCE HIGH MILEAGE FATIGUE CRACKS AND EVENTUAL FRACTURE.
88V1650001989Fuel System, GasolinePLASTIC ROLLOVER VALVE MOUNTING PLATE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK.
88V0330001988Power TrainA DESIGN CHANGE TO FACILITATE CHANGEOVER IN REAR AXLE SHAFT FLANGES INADVERTENTLY PRODUCED THE POSSIBILITY FOR INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE FLANGE AND DISC BRAKE ROTOR.
87V1390001986-1987Fuel System, GasolineSPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
85V0250001985Service Brakes, HydraulicBRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY ANODIZED INTERNAL SURFACES CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF A PISTON SEAL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ONE PORTION OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD
83V1340001984Seat BeltsTHE 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 REQUIREM
83V0390001983Fuel System, GasolineFUEL LEAKS COULD DEVELOP IN EITHER OF TWO CONNECTIONS IN A FUEL SUPPLY LINE. ONE CONNECTION UNDER THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THE OTHER SUSPECT PART
83V0280001983Power TrainTHE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS OCCURS IF THE LINKAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUATES THE PARK GEAR W
83V0120001983Fuel System, GasolineSOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH FUEL TANKS THAT HAVE INADEQUATELY WELDED FRONT SEAMS THAT CAN LEAK.