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1997 Ford Thunderbird

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
169Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
300
1994261
1995233
1996169
19973
19982
1999
Compare all Thunderbird years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
54Service Brakes, Hydraulic
22Suspension
18Power Train
17Tires
16
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
11Vehicle Speed Control
11Steering
9Visibility
7Air Bags
6Structure
6Unknown Or Other
5Electrical System
4Exterior Lighting
4Seat Belts
4Seats
4Equipment
2Fuel System, Other
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Wheels
2

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

48 reports with mileage · 121 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports

Fuel System, Other complaints

2 reports
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113,000 miles · Nov 30, 2003
Fuel System, Other

A LEAKING FUEL LINE ON MY 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD, (V6 ENGINE), WITH 113000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALER WHO SUGGESTED REPLACING COMPLETELY BOTH FUEL LINES, BECAUSE THERE SEEMED TO BE CORROSION, SO THAT WAS DONE AT A COST TO ME OF $548. AS FAR AS I KNOW THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, ALTHOUGH…

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A LEAKING FUEL LINE ON MY 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD, (V6 ENGINE), WITH 113000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALER WHO SUGGESTED REPLACING COMPLETELY BOTH FUEL LINES, BECAUSE THERE SEEMED TO BE CORROSION, SO THAT WAS DONE AT A COST TO ME OF $548. AS FAR AS I KNOW THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, ALTHOUGH I BOUGHT THE CAR USED A FEW YEARS AGO. LUCKILY I NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE, AND THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED BY AAA TO THE FORD DEALER. SO NO FIRE OCCURRED. THE CAR BEING JUST 6 YEARS OLD, I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE WOULD BE A LEAKING FUEL LINE. APPARENTLY CORROSION RESULTED IN THE FUEL LINE LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE CAR NEAR THE GAS TANK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10048871

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2002
Fuel System, Other

CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A PRETTY STRONG GAS SMELL ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR

NHTSA ODI #8021421

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.