IllustrationDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A NOISE AS THOUGH THE WHEEL WAS GOING TO COME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CALIPER, BRAKE SHOE AND ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/2006 - *NM
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 campaignsView recall details →
0InvestigationsView 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
Compare all Thunderbird years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
130–25K
1025–50K
450–75K
075–100K
1100–150K
1150K+
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
5 reportsCOMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. FRONT RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER CAME OFF AND LOCKED UP WHEEL AND SLID MY CAR SIDEWAYS WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. 2003, FORD, THUNDERBIRD ON THE DAY OF DELIVERY WITH 300 MILES ON THE CAR CALIPER BOLT FELL OUT, AND WHEN BRAKES APPLIED THE CALIPER TURNED UP INTO THE WHEEL, AND JAMMED WHEEL. AT 6:30 PM. MO…
Read full complaint
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. FRONT RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER CAME OFF AND LOCKED UP WHEEL AND SLID MY CAR SIDEWAYS WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. 2003, FORD, THUNDERBIRD ON THE DAY OF DELIVERY WITH 300 MILES ON THE CAR CALIPER BOLT FELL OUT, AND WHEN BRAKES APPLIED THE CALIPER TURNED UP INTO THE WHEEL, AND JAMMED WHEEL. AT 6:30 PM. MOVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT LANE, AND APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. ORIGINAL SPEED WAS BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. RELEASED BRAKES, AND HEARD A CLUNG UNDER THE CAR AS IF WE RAN OVER SOMETHING. IMMEDIATELY LOOKED BACK, BUT SAW NOTHING IN THE ROAD. CONTINUED TO PARKING LOT, APPLIED BRAKES, AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAR SLID TO AN ANGLED STOP, RELEASED BRAKES ,AND ROLLED FORWARD WITH VERY STRONG CLANKING NOISE. WE CONTINUED INTO THE PARKING LOT. MY WIFE CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR FRONT RIGHT CALIPER BOLTS, AND WHEEL WAS REPLACED. THE PROPER CALIPER BOLT WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF REPLACEMENT. SERVICE USED BOLT THEY COULD FIND. 1 FAILURE, NO ONE HURT, NO POLICE REPORT, JUST VERY LUCKY.*AK THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *TC
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK
THE ABS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE HOPPED OVER THE ROAD. *JB
THE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP WHEN A TURN WAS MADE, ALSO THE ABS DID NOT WORK. *JB
Recall campaigns
0No 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
0No 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.