US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained

Ford Thunderbird recall history and complaint patterns

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Ford Thunderbird, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 60
Total Complaints 3079
Years Covered 1960–2005

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Ford Thunderbird. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Ford Thunderbird, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Fuel and emissions

11 campaigns · Years: 1973, 1975, 1977, 1983, 1986–1987, 1989, 1992–1993, 2005

These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.

Official notices (evidence):
+ 8 more notices in this theme

Seats and restraints

11 campaigns · Years: 1967, 1970–1972, 1978–1979, 1984, 1996, 2002, 2004

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):
+ 8 more notices in this theme

Steering and suspension

6 campaigns · Years: 1967, 1972–1973, 1975, 1979, 1989

These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.

Official notices (evidence):
+ 3 more notices in this theme

Brakes

5 campaigns · Years: 1967, 1979–1980, 1985, 1989

These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.

Official notices (evidence):
+ 2 more notices in this theme

Powertrain

5 campaigns · Years: 1977–1978, 1983, 1988, 1991

These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.

Official notices (evidence):
+ 2 more notices in this theme

Electrical

3 campaigns · Years: 1973, 1988–1993

These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.

Official notices (evidence):

Other

3 campaigns · Years: 1974, 1976, 1978

These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.

Official notices (evidence):

Engine and cooling

2 campaigns · Years: 1977

These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Ford Thunderbird in NHTSA complaint data are Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train:automatic transmission, Vehicle speed control.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2005 1 35 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine.
2004 1 40 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Engine, Power train.
2003 0 48 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Electrical system, Air bags.
2002 1 116 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Engine.
1999 0 2 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:driveline:driveshaft, Vehicle speed control.
1998 0 4 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Electrical system:wiring, Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers.
1997 0 228 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Power train:automatic transmission, Engine and engine cooling.
1996 2 295 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor, Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
1995 0 353 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train:automatic transmission.
1994 0 426 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Vehicle speed control.
1993 3 559 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Exterior lighting:headlights, Exterior lighting:headlights:switch.
1992 3 234 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting:headlights, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
1991 3 130 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Seat belts, Exterior lighting:headlights.
1990 3 179 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Seat belts, Vehicle speed control.
1989 4 147 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood.
1988 2 116 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Electrical system:ignition:switch, Exterior lighting:headlights.
1987 1 73 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood.
1986 1 32 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Electrical system:ignition:switch, Engine and engine cooling:engine.
1985 1 16 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:ignition, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1984 1 33 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:ignition, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1983 3 4 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:buckle assembly, Electrical system, Fuel system, other:delivery:fuel pump.
1980 1 3 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor.
1979 3 1 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:delivery.
1978 3 1 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch.
1977 4 1 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires:tread/belt.
1976 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1975 4 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1974 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1973 4 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1972 3 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1971 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1970 1 1 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires:tread/belt.
1967 4 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1965 0 1 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Tires.
1960 0 1 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Tires:tread/belt.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Fuel system , Electrical system and Seat belts

Show recall evidence by year

2005

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Storage: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (05V113000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On 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 fuel odor. The "service engine soon" indicator may illuminate.

2004

  • Seats: Power adjust: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (04V330000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Certain passenger vehicles equipped with power adjustable seats may have been inadequately welded.

2002

  • Seat belts: Webbing: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (02V169000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, the driver's side seat belt contacted the seat recliner during a 35 mph ncap full-frontal barrier impact test.

1996

  • Equipment: Air conditioner: Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V007000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Under 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 no blower and maximum blower; or (3) not operate at all due to malfunction of the temperature control module.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V070000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: When 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 retention components."

1993

  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V159000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, district of columbia, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maryland, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania,
  • Exterior lighting: Switch: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (99V275000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle 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 result of the circuit breaker opening.

1992

  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V159000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, district of columbia, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maryland, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania,
  • Exterior lighting: Switch: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (99V275000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle 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 result of the circuit breaker opening.

1991

  • Power train: Automatic transmission: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (91V048000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The 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.
  • Visibility: Motor: Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (91V076000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The 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 wipers may jam if two of the three nuts come off.
  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

1990

  • Electrical system: Cables: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (90V026000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Battery to starter cables are longer than specified; excessive cable length could contact engine damper pulley.
  • Visibility: Motor: Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (91V076000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The 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 wipers may jam if two of the three nuts come off.
  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

1989

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Mounting: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (88V165000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Plastic rollover valve mounting plate may not be properly sealed to the plastic fuel tank.
  • Suspension: Springs: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (89V080000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Improperly heat treated rear suspension knuckles could experience high mileage fatigue cracks and eventual fracture.
  • Service brakes, air: Caliper: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (89V081000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Due 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.
  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

1988

  • Power train: Axle shaft: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (88V033000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: A design change to facilitate changeover in rear axle shaft flanges inadvertently produced the possibility for interference between the flange and disc brake rotor.
  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V071000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

1987

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (87V139000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.

1986

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (87V139000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.

1985

  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V025000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Brake 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 become ineffective resulting in increased stopping distance which may cause an accident. Driver would be warned by in

1984

  • Seat belts: Anchorage: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V134000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The 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 requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages".

1983

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Tank assembly: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V012000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Some of these vehicles may have been built with fuel tanks that have inadequately welded front seams that can leak.
  • Power train: Automatic transmission: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V028000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 ma
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V039000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1980

  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Wheel cylinders: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (79V262000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The involved vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "Hydraulic brake systems". Rear axle assemblies intended for other vehicles may have been installed in the involved vehicles. The wheel cylinders may not be the correct size. This could affect braking performan

1979

  • Steering: Shaft sector: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (78V269000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The steering gears on the involved vehicles may have been built with improperly manufactured sector shafts from which the threaded portions of the shafts may fracture and separate. Should the sector shaft fracture, the pitman arm may disengage from the splined portion of the sector shaft.
  • Seats: Mid/rear assembly: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (79V013000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The involved vehicles may have been built with incorrect weld nuts that attach the rear portion of the front outboard seat track to the floor pan. The incorrect nuts have an oversize diameter and thread, and upon front seat track anchor bolt installation, the threads may have been stripped.
  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Pedals and linkages: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (79V117000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The involved vehicles were produced with brake push-rod to brake pedal retaining pins which were not heat-treated as specified. This could allow the brake pedal to become disengaged from the push-rod.

1978

  • Power train: Column shift: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (77V185000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On the involved vehicles, the park actuation support plates are defective due to their susceptibility to cracking due to improper heat treatment during manufacture. As a result, fragments from a broken plate can become lodged in the transmission parking pawl mechanism. This could prevent the tran
  • Wheels: Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs: Safety recall involving the wheels area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (77V199000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The involved vehicles may have been equipped with cast aluminum wheels with inadequate lug nut counterbore depths. This condition may not provide sufficient lug nut thread engagement. The lug nuts may loosen and fall off, allowing the wheel to separate from the vehicle.
  • Seat belts: Retractor: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (78V108000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The involved vehicles are equipped with shoulder harness retractors that may not lock. Should the vehicle experience a sudden deceleration or impact, the front seat occupant may not be restrained by the shoulder harness portion of the three-point seat belt system. Furthermore, the shoulder harnes

1977

  • Power train: Column shift: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (77V140000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The involved vehicles were fitted with tilt steering columns containing transmission control inserts intended for trucks rather than passenger vehicles. This may cause the transmission selector pointer to be misaligned and the possibility of starting the engine when the selector is between the ne
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (77V141000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The involved vehicles may experience fuel leakage at the rubber hose connecting the fuel inlet tube to the carburetor filter. This leakage condition is due to insufficient insertion of the fuel tube into the hose or improper positioning of the hose clamp, causing the clamp to be crimped directly
  • Engine and engine cooling: Fan: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (80V144000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Some of the flexible five-blade engine cooling fans may be subject to high blade stresses that can result from resonant vibration inputs occurring during normal vehicle operation. This can lead to fatigue cracking of the blades. Portions of the blade may separate from the fan assembly without pri
  • Engine and engine cooling: Fan: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (84V078000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Blades may crack and may, over a period of time, loosen from fan assembly.

1976

1975

1974

1973

1972

1971

1970

1967

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⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

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