1997 Ford Thunderbird

◆ Worse than typical

1997 Ford Thunderbird
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:43:48.378Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1997: 169 complaints

View as data table

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

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 34%

34% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 57 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I SMELL GAS WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED OF 60 AND ABOVE ON FREEWAY MOSTLY. ONCE IN A WHILE I CAN SMELL IT WHEN DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS OF 25 -30MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131030

Also filed under POWER TRAIN and STRUCTURE

SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

SUSPENSION 14%

14% of complaints: suspension — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and rear.

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

TIRES 9%

9% of complaints: tires — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 169

R 20060731 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE

Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Ford Thunderbird — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (57 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes issues (25 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for suspension issues (23 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2003 ▲ 2004 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 1994 ■ 1995

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Ford Thunderbird reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Ford Thunderbird is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Thunderbird?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Thunderbird have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.