Model year record

1983 Ford Thunderbird

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 4 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 83V039000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
250
Reported to NHTSA
1983-04-11
Owners notified
1983-03-25

Defect description

FUEL 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 IS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CONTAINS A PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE.

Manufacturer remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN FUEL LINE VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH NEW HOSE CLAMPS AND REPLACE THE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE CLAMP, IF IT IS DAMAGED OR INCORRECT. NOTIFICATION WAS MADE TO DEALERS PRIOR TO ANY RECORDED VEHICLE SALES, AND VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED BEFORE FINAL DELIVERY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 83V028000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
98,162
Reported to NHTSA
1983-03-07
Owners notified
1983-02-26

Defect description

THE 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 WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. A PIN THAT RETAINS COMPONENTS ON A LINKAGE (ACTUATING) ROD COULD BREAK AND THE LINKAGE MAY NOT ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 83V012000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,673
Reported to NHTSA
1983-02-08
Owners notified
1983-01-28

Defect description

SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH FUEL TANKS THAT HAVE INADEQUATELY WELDED FRONT SEAMS THAT CAN LEAK.

Manufacturer remedy

THE DEALER WILL DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRECTED AT THE FACTORY; IF NOT, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system124,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump124,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Vehicle speed control1

The 1984 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.