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Ford ThunderbirdYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 2,364 NHTSA owner complaints across 33 model years, the Ford Thunderbird years to avoid are 1993, and the strongest years are 1984, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Thunderbird has 50 safety recalls on record.

Ford Thunderbird
Years to avoid'93Use caution: 1994, 1995, 1996Best years'84 '03 '04 '05Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints2,364Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls501967–2005 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Best & worst years

Ford Thunderbird years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Thunderbird median. Tap a year for its full report.

'67'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2005Best87/10027 complaints · 1 recall2004Best77/10034 complaints · 1 recall2003Best82/10033 complaints · 0 recalls2002Solid63/10093 complaints · 1 recall1999Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1997Solid47/100169 complaints · 0 recalls1996Caution39/100233 complaints · 2 recalls1995Caution34/100261 complaints · 0 recalls1994Caution32/100300 complaints · 0 recalls1993Avoid28/100423 complaints · 3 recalls1992Solid44/100184 complaints · 3 recalls1991Solid53/100112 complaints · 3 recalls1990Solid47/100140 complaints · 3 recalls1989Solid46/100124 complaints · 4 recalls1988Solid55/10092 complaints · 2 recalls1987Solid62/10061 complaints · 1 recall1986Not rated–/10023 complaints · 1 recall1985Not rated–/10014 complaints · 1 recall1984Best80/10026 complaints · 1 recall1983Not rated–/1003 complaints · 3 recalls1980Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1979Not rated–/1001 complaint · 3 recalls1978Not rated–/1001 complaint · 3 recalls1977Not rated–/1001 complaint · 4 recalls1976Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1975Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1974Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1973Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1972Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1971Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1970Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1967Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Ford Thunderbird problems

All model years combined: 2,364 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling52428
Service brakes, hydraulic39427
Electrical system302113
Exterior lighting23910
Power train23312
Vehicle speed control17848
Seat belts16223
Fuel system, gasoline1189
Air bags8151
20 other systems51240
50 recalls

Ford Thunderbird recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Fuel system, gasoline: storage05V-113 · 2005 · Mar 18, 2005 · 56 vehicles–Front assembly: power adjust04V-330 · 2004 · Jul 8, 2004 · 24,277 vehicles–Front: webbing02V-169 · 2002 · Jun 14, 2002 · 15,355 vehicles–Headlights: switch99V-275 · 1992–1993 · Oct 12, 1999 · 164,731 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings97V-159 · 1992–1993 · Sep 22, 1997 · 125,000 vehicles–Electrical system: ignition96V-071 · 1988–1993 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles–Doors: latch96V-070 · 1996 · Apr 22, 1996 · 73,500 vehicles–Appliance: air conditioner96V-007 · 1996 · Jan 16, 1996 · 10,600 vehicles–Windshield wiper/washer: motor91V-076 · 1990–1991 · May 6, 1991 · 125,000 vehicles–Power train: automatic transmission91V-048 · 1991 · Mar 18, 1991 · 6,800 vehicles–12v/24v/48v battery: cables90V-026 · 1990 · Feb 12, 1990 · 72 vehicles–Rear: springs89V-080 · 1989 · May 19, 1989 · 10,600 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 50 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

17 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Thunderbird

  1. HEADLIGHT SWITCHEA99005 · 1992–1993 · closed Dec 14, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-275
  2. HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKERRQ98015 · 1992–1993 · closed Jan 22, 1999
    Led to recall 98V-009
  3. FUEL LINE JUMPERRQ97011 · 1992–1993 · closed Nov 16, 1998
    Led to recall 97V-159
  4. REAR FUEL LINE INTERFERENCEEA95030 · 1992 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-159
  5. FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLESEA95021 · 1987–1988 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    No recall
  6. FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLESPE95019 · 1987–1990 · closed Jul 31, 1995
    No recall
  7. THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGEA93033 · 1989–1991 · closed Dec 30, 1994
    No recall
  8. THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGPE93075 · 1989–1992 · closed Dec 30, 1993
    No recall
  9. HOOD LATCHES FAILEA90034 · 1989–1990 · closed Feb 25, 1992
    No recall
  10. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90009 · 1988–1989 · closed Feb 28, 1991
    No recall