1980 Ford Thunderbird

○ Not enough data
1980 Ford Thunderbird
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:59:33.596Z

Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

Complaints
3

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1980

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1980: 3 complaints 1980 3 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 26 complaints 1985: 14 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 63 complaints 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 125 complaints 1989 1990: 141 complaints 1991: 112 complaints 1992: 186 complaints 1992 1993: 425 complaints 1994: 315 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 233 complaints 1997: 169 complaints 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2002: 93 complaints 2003: 33 complaints 2003 2004: 34 complaints 2005: 27 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 3 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 26 complaints 1984 1985: 14 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 63 complaints 1988: 92 complaints 1988 1989: 125 complaints 1990: 141 complaints 1990 1991: 112 complaints 1992: 186 complaints 1992 1993: 425 complaints 1994: 315 complaints 1994 1995: 261 complaints 1996: 233 complaints 1996 1997: 169 complaints 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2002: 93 complaints 2002 2003: 33 complaints 2004: 34 complaints 2004 2005: 27 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 3 1981: 0 complaints 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 26 complaints 1984 1985: 14 complaints 1985 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 63 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1988 1989: 125 complaints 1989 1990: 141 complaints 1990 1991: 112 complaints 1991 1992: 186 complaints 1992 1993: 425 complaints 1993 1994: 315 complaints 1994 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 233 complaints 1996 1997: 169 complaints 1997 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2002: 93 complaints 2002 2003: 33 complaints 2003 2004: 34 complaints 2004 2005: 27 complaints 2005

1980: 3 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19803
19810
19820
19833
198426
198514
198623
198763
198892
1989125
1990141
1991112
1992186
1993425
1994315
1995261
1996233
1997169
19983
19992
200293
200333
200434
200527

Known problem areas

Only 3 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Service brakes

3 of 3 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1980-02-20Service brakes, hydraulic79V262000 The involved vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 105, "Hydraulic brake systems". Rear axle assemblies intended for other vehicles may have been installed in the…

    Remedy: Dealer will replace any incorrect wheel cylinders without charge to owner.

  2. I
    1985-11-25Engineering analysisClosed 1987-07-23 Power brake booster
  3. I
    1989-02-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-06-13 Parking brake failure
  4. R
    2007-10-15Fuel system, gasoline07E064000 Certain federal-mogul aftermarket fuel pumps sold under the brand names of carter, accuflow, napa, truflow, parts depo, and parts master, shipped between August 2006 and July 2007 for use on the…

    Remedy: Federal-mogul will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2007. Owners can contact federal-mogul at 248-354-7700.

  5. R
    2008-03-19Fuel system, gasoline08E019000 Intercontinental auto parts is recalling 1,937 fuel filters, p/nos alg 44/1 and purolator F10024, shipped between January 14 and February 13, 2008, sold for use on the vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Intercontinental will replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began during March 2008. Owners may contact intercontinental at 800-451-2593.

Buy-smart checklist

1980 Ford Thunderbird — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 79V262000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 07E064000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 08E019000 · Fuel system, gasoline

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1980 Ford Thunderbird reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1980 Ford Thunderbird?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1980 Ford Thunderbird have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.