Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
00–25K
525–50K
2250–75K
1275–100K
6100–150K
3150K+
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
What owners actually said
169 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Visibility
CONSUMER APPLIED RAIN-X TO WINDSHIELD AND SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, A FEW MONTHS LATER CONSUMER STARTED NOTICING A HAZE, SIMILAR TO WATER SPOTS, ALL OVER WINDSHIELD AND MIRRORS, CONSUMER TRIED SEVERAL CLEANERS AND ALSO A PRODUCT BON-AMI WHICH THE MANUFACTURER OF RAIN-X STATED WOULD REMOVE ANY TRACE OF THE PRODUCT, HOWEVER NONE REMOVED …
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CONSUMER APPLIED RAIN-X TO WINDSHIELD AND SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, A FEW MONTHS LATER CONSUMER STARTED NOTICING A HAZE, SIMILAR TO WATER SPOTS, ALL OVER WINDSHIELD AND MIRRORS, CONSUMER TRIED SEVERAL CLEANERS AND ALSO A PRODUCT BON-AMI WHICH THE MANUFACTURER OF RAIN-X STATED WOULD REMOVE ANY TRACE OF THE PRODUCT, HOWEVER NONE REMOVED THE PRODUCT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #559800
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2001
Power Train
MAJOR SHUDDER IN DRIVE BETWEEN 30-40MPH BEFORE IT SHIFTS TO OVERDRIVE AT WHILE INCREASING AT A SLOW SPEED. TSB#97106 EXPLAINS. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER. DROP OFF CAR AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #740653
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2001
Tires
TREAD SEPARATION ON DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LOWER QUARTER PANEL, TRIM ON THE PANEL AND AROUND THE WHEEL, FIRESTONE 721 P22575R15, TEN YEARS AGO THE FRONT TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE OF TREAD SEPARATION. *CJ
NHTSA ODI #559255
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2001
Tires
TWO OUT OF FOUR FIRESTONE TIRES (P215/70R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
NHTSA ODI #558918
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2000
Tires
LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAD NOTICED AN UNUSAL SOUND BEGINNING THE PREVIOUS DAY, BUT COULDN'T DETERMINE WHAT IT WAS. THE NOISE DISSAPEARED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILED TIRE WAS CHANGED, WHICH WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE A DEFECT MORE LIKELY THAN A ROAD HAZARD. FAILURE INDICATED BY CATASPROHIC OUTTER SIDEWALL RUPTU…
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LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAD NOTICED AN UNUSAL SOUND BEGINNING THE PREVIOUS DAY, BUT COULDN'T DETERMINE WHAT IT WAS. THE NOISE DISSAPEARED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILED TIRE WAS CHANGED, WHICH WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE A DEFECT MORE LIKELY THAN A ROAD HAZARD. FAILURE INDICATED BY CATASPROHIC OUTTER SIDEWALL RUPTURE ADJACENT TO TREAD EDGE. TREAD SHOWED SEPARATION IN VICINITY RUNNING ABOUT TEN INCHES ALONG CIRCUMFERENCE. WILL KEEP TIRE ON HAND FOR ANYONE WHO MIGHT WANT TO SEE IT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2M3IPN237 TIRESIZE: P21570R15)
NHTSA ODI #738448
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000
Tires
THE FIRESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED RECALL (00T-005). *MJS
NHTSA ODI #558159
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2000
Suspension
FRONT BALL JOINT POPPED OUT OF SOCKET WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS REPLACED CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT TWICE, AND PROBLEM REOCCURRED.*AK THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED COMPLETLY AND THE REAR LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. TENSION ARM BUSHING AND LOWER CONTROL ARM ON RIGHT SIDE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL WHEN APPLYING BRAK…
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FRONT BALL JOINT POPPED OUT OF SOCKET WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS REPLACED CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT TWICE, AND PROBLEM REOCCURRED.*AK THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED COMPLETLY AND THE REAR LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. TENSION ARM BUSHING AND LOWER CONTROL ARM ON RIGHT SIDE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE LEFT FRONT SWAYBAR FAILED. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. *YH
NHTSA ODI #875038
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2000
Suspension
BOTH INCIDENTS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. ON THE FIRST OCCASION I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR COLLAPSED. FROM WHAT THE DEALER SAY FORD ENGINEERS LOOKED AT IT AND COULDN'T BELIEVE THE BALL JOUINT POPPED OUT OF THE SOCKET. AGAIN TH…
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BOTH INCIDENTS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. ON THE FIRST OCCASION I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR COLLAPSED. FROM WHAT THE DEALER SAY FORD ENGINEERS LOOKED AT IT AND COULDN'T BELIEVE THE BALL JOUINT POPPED OUT OF THE SOCKET. AGAIN THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT WITHIN 10 MONTHS. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND LET ME KNOW IF I CAN TAKE FURTHER ACTION WITH REGARDS TO THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. THANKS , TOM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #736254
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2000
Tires
TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING @ 70 MPH, 2ND TIRE HAS TREAD STARTING TO SEPARATE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2M3 TIRESIZE: P215/70R15)
NHTSA ODI #735875
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2000
Electrical System
I READ AN ARTICLE IN THE ROCKY MTN NEWS ON RECALLS ON SOME IGNITIONS ON 29 FORD MODELS I JUST PAID $325.41 TO GET IT REPLACED AND IN THE PROCESS ALTERNATOR BURNED OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #734247
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.
1997 Ford Thunderbird Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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