Model year record
1997 Ford Thunderbird
No recall campaigns on file for this model year. 228 owner complaints on file.
Recalls
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
| Component | Complaints | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe | 18 | 70,600 mi |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 65,490 mi |
| Power train: automatic transmission | 11 | 71,568 mi |
| Engine and engine cooling: engine | 10 | 55,770 mi |
| Tires | 10 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 50,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc | 8 | — |
| Tires: tread/belt | 8 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 7 | — |
| Suspension | 7 | 33,573 mi |
| Engine and engine cooling: cooling system | 6 | 72,950 mi |
| Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system | 6 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline | 5 | — |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 81,000 mi |
| Steering | 4 | — |
| Suspension: front | 4 | 71,568 mi |
| Air bags | 3 | 70,000 mi |
| Air bags: frontal | 3 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 3 | 89,000 mi |
| Power train | 3 | 86,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor | 3 | — |
| Structure | 3 | 55,770 mi |
| Suspension: front: control arm | 3 | — |
| Suspension: rear | 3 | — |
| Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator | 2 | — |
| Electrical system: ignition | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control | 2 | 33,573 mi |
| Equipment: appliance: air conditioner | 2 | 71,568 mi |
| Seat belts: front: retractor | 2 | — |
| Seats | 2 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper | 2 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads | 2 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder | 2 | 60,000 mi |
| Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint | 2 | 58,000 mi |
| Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core | 2 | — |
| Visibility: windshield | 2 | — |
| Air bags: side/window | 1 | — |
| Electrical system | 1 | — |
| Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers | 1 | — |
| Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash | 1 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV) | 1 | — |
| Exterior lighting: headlights | 1 | 52,244 mi |
| Exterior lighting: headlights: switch | 1 | — |
| Exterior lighting: tail lights | 1 | — |
| Exterior lighting: turn signal | 1 | — |
| Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 1 | 103,000 mi |
| Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, other | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 1 | 113,000 mi |
| Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch | 1 | 75,169 mi |
| Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch | 1 | — |
| Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines | 1 | — |
| Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift | 1 | 68,000 mi |
| Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch | 1 | — |
| Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter | 1 | 27,296 mi |
| Power train: axle assembly | 1 | — |
| Seat belts: front: anchorage | 1 | — |
| Seat belts: rear/other | 1 | — |
| Seats: front assembly: head restraint | 1 | — |
| Seats: front assembly: recliner | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components | 1 | — |
| Steering: column | 1 | — |
| Steering: column locking: anti-theft device | 1 | — |
| Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion) | 1 | — |
| Steering: hydraulic power assist system | 1 | — |
| Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump | 1 | — |
| Structure: body | 1 | — |
| Structure: body: door | 1 | — |
| Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments | 1 | — |
| Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm | 1 | — |
| Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint | 1 | 58,000 mi |
| Suspension: front: stabilizer bar | 1 | 58,000 mi |
| Suspension: front: wheel bearing | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control: cables | 1 | — |
| Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system | 1 | — |
| Visibility: power window devices and controls | 1 | — |
| Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior | 1 | — |
| Visibility: windshield wiper/washer | 1 | — |
| Wheels | 1 | — |
| Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs | 1 | — |
The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 57 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Other Ford Thunderbird model years
20052004200320021999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319801979197819771976197519741973197219711970196719651960
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.