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2003 Ford Thunderbird

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
33Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2003 Ford Thunderbird

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 33 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Engine: 7 reports
  • Power Train: 6 reports
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5 reports
  • Air Bags: 4 reports
  • Electrical System: 4 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    93
    2002    33
    2003    34
    2004    27
    2005
    Compare all Thunderbird years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Engine
    7    Power Train
    6    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    5    Air Bags
    4    Electrical System
    4
    All reported categories
    Vehicle Speed Control
    4    Engine And Engine Cooling
    3    Suspension
    3    Fuel/propulsion System
    2    Structure
    2    Equipment
    1    Exterior Lighting
    1    Fuel System, Gasoline
    1    Seat Belts
    1    Steering
    1    Unknown Or Other
    1    Visibility
    1    Wheels
    1

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

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    29 reports with mileage · 4 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. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

    Power Train complaints

    6 reports
    Clear category filter
    Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2026
    Power TrainSuspension

    Rattle in my front end E code for transmission

    NHTSA ODI #11747063

    37,000 miles · Mar 28, 2014
    EnginePower Train

    WHILE MAKING A U-TURN IN A CULD-E-SAC AT 5 MPH, THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. I CAN ONLY REACH A SPEED OF 40 MPH NOW. I AM AFRAID TO TURN THE CAR OFF UNTIL I GET HOME. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10575444

    8,525 miles · Oct 14, 2005
    Power Train

    THE VEHICLES REAREND (DIFFERENTIAL) DEVELOPS A HOWLING NOISE, NOTICABLE AT 40+ MPH. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE REAREND ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASSIONS. THE NOISE IS STARTING TO OCCUR AGAIN, IF REPLACED THIS WOULD BE THE FOURTH REAREND.

    NHTSA ODI #10139735

    6,000 miles · Aug 26, 2005
    Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

    DT: WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED TO BOG DOWN AND SLOWLY DIED. HAD BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM AND A TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED DIAGNOSTICIANS, AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. DEALER HAD NEVER INDICATED WHAT WAS WRONG. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE OTHER THAN A REBUIL…

    Read full complaint

    DT: WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED TO BOG DOWN AND SLOWLY DIED. HAD BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM AND A TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHECKED DIAGNOSTICIANS, AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. DEALER HAD NEVER INDICATED WHAT WAS WRONG. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE OTHER THAN A REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN FIRST PURCHASED. PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE DYING WAS INTERMITTENT. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

    NHTSA ODI #10130105

    400 miles · Feb 19, 2004
    Power Train

    TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 400 MILES. WHEN BACKING OUT VEHICLE ACCELERATED, FORCING THE DRIVER TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES.*AK *MR

    NHTSA ODI #10050242

    Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2003
    Power Train

    MY TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH SHIFTING. LIGHTS FLASHED ON DASHBOARD. *JB

    NHTSA ODI #10038992

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.