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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

View recall details →

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

Power Train complaints

17 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2000
Power Train

TOLD BY LEITH FORD'S SERVICE MANAGER THAT PROBLEM WAS INTERNAL TO THE TRANSMISSION AND NOT CAUSED BY MISUSE, NEGLECT, ETC. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718651

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1999
Electrical SystemPower TrainSeats

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #715009

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 1999
Power Train

NO SUMMER LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705809

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power Train

REAR END CARRIER BEARING IS NOISY. YH

NHTSA ODI #606750

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 1998
Power Train

PULLED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF A GAS STATION, PUT IT IN PARK AND LEFT IT RUNNING, DRIVER WENT INSIDE, AND WITHIN A MINUTE VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARDS. TURNED APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES AND STRUCK A TRUCK. AFTER IT STOPPED, IT WAS IN REVERSE.

NHTSA ODI #535022

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 1998
Power Train

EACH TIME CAR IS PUT INTO PARK IT DRIFTS SIX TO EIGHT INCHES FORWARD

NHTSA ODI #534435

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 1997
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRANSMISSION LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #520018

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.