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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

View investigation details →

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

What owners actually said

169 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Tires

TIRE BLOWOUT-(FIRESTONE P215/70R1597 TMTS FR680). *YC

NHTSA ODI #607463

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

HEAT INDICATOR ON DASH BOARD FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #607366

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL AND TAIL LIGHT BULB FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #607048

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Tires

FIRESTONE FR 350 P21570R15 TIRES FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #607035

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Electrical System

FUSE THAT OPERATES THE ODOMETER WAS MISSING AT TIME OF DELIVERY, IT WAS REPLACED. *YC

NHTSA ODI #607017

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTOR AND CALIPER FAILED. MJS

NHTSA ODI #606874

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power Train

REAR END CARRIER BEARING IS NOISY. YH

NHTSA ODI #606750

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Visibility

WINDOW ELECTRICAL MOTOR FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #606357

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

RIVETS FAILED CAUSED OIL PAN COVER DROPPED. YH

NHTSA ODI #606248

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Exterior Lighting

HEAD LIGHT SWITCH SHORT, BLEW FUSE, CAUSING NO LIGHTS. YH

NHTSA ODI #606012

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.