Model Year Problem Record

Ford Thunderbird 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Ford Thunderbird: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

169Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

0Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

19Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Engine57

Brakes25

Suspension23

Power Train18

Tires16

Fuel and Propulsion System13

Vehicle Speed Control11

Latches, Locks and Linkages2

Wheels2

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine57 complaints

57 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

No recall campaigns cover this model year.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19976

199810

199936

200023

200116

200217

200318

200413

200513

20063

20074

20082

20093

20113

20131

20161

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.