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1980 Ford ThunderbirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 1980 Ford Thunderbird, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints32 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 14, 1996. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1980 Ford Thunderbird has problems

3 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
Service brakes, hydraulic31

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1980 Ford Thunderbird recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1980 vs. every other Thunderbird year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Thunderbird median. How we score

'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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1980 Ford Thunderbird, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER BRAKE BOOSTEREA86005 · closed Jul 23, 1987
    No recall
  2. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREPE89039 · closed Jun 13, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Thunderbird owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE GOING INTO A CURVE AT 50 MPH, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BUT SOON REGAINED CONTROL OF VEHICLE BUT DRIVER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF BRAKES. TT
Complaint 979231 · Feb 14, 1996
DYNACRAFT SEMI METALIC BRAKE PAD MODEL MX152. CLAMP ON OUTSIDE ROTOR DISC SHEARED OFF SLID FORWARD RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TT
Complaint 962359 · Mar 22, 1995

Own a 1980 Thunderbird?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.