1997 Ford THUNDERBIRD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
117 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
71,084 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 48 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 117 complaints (13.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 10.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 9 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 9; Tires:Tread/Belt: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 69 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 23 |
| 2001 | 16 |
| 2002 | 17 |
| 2003 | 18 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 23; 2001: 16; 2002: 17; 2003: 18; 2004: 13; 2005: 13; 2006: 3; 2007: 4; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2011: 3; 2013: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10050106 · 2003-12-04 (December 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES GOT STIFF. WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE TIE RODS SNAPPED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHICH FOUND A CRACK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MASTER CYLINDER ALONG WITH OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075958 · 2004-07-15 (July 15, 2004)
WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO THE MAXIMUM SPEED. CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THIS OCCURRED. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. VEHICLE STOPPED AND ROLLED INTO THE GATE. THE GARAGE HAD A 33 FEET LONG SKID MARK ON THE GROUND. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020735 · 2003-05-30 (May 30, 2003)
I BOUGHT MY 1997 THUNDERBIRD 4-15-2003 W/70000 MILES, AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS PAGE I CAN ONLY RELATE TO 2 OF THEM, THE VIBERATION IN THE TRANSMISSION ON UPSHIFT,AND THE FRONT END SHAKING ABOVE 50 MPH.BUT I'M SO GLAD. *AK I BOUGHT A 2 YR.EXTENTED WARRENTY,BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE I'M IN FOR SOME PROBLENS. I CAN BE CONTACTED AT [email removed]
Owner-reported narrative. 71,568 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020735 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042447 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR TORQUE CONVERTER. *PH THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION SHUDDER OR A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 27,296 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040248 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. *AK THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN MOTION. THE REPAIR DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD EXPECT THIS AT 70K MILES. FORD HAD NOT RESPONDED TO THE CONSUMER. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130641 · 2005-07-30 (July 30, 2005)
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN! MY 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD IS NOT LISTED WHY? I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE SMOG STUFF EVERY YEAR I PAY A LOT OF MONEY. WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE HOT OUTSIDE OVER 90 THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE ENGINE, OR WHEN I GO UP A LONG HILL AND MY CAR OVERHEATS THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE ENGINE AND IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT AN OXYGEN SENSOR OR OTHER SMOG RELATED ITEMS THAT ALWAYS COST $300 TO $650 I AM GOING B BROKE BEING ON A FIXED INCOME. FORD CAN'T FIX MY FRONT END VIBRATION I HAD ALL ALIGNMENTS DONE…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,573 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038509 · 2003-09-09 (September 9, 2003)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVING FUEL LINE PROBLEMS. THE FUEL LINE THAT COMES OUT OF THE GAS TANK AND RUBS AGAINST THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE LEAKS GAS UNDER THE VEHICLE GOING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ENGINE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REMOVING THE WHOLE FUEL LINE SYSTEM AND REPLACING IT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038509 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048871 · 2003-11-30 (November 30, 2003)
A LEAKING FUEL LINE ON MY 1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD, (V6 ENGINE), WITH 113000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALER WHO SUGGESTED REPLACING COMPLETELY BOTH FUEL LINES, BECAUSE THERE SEEMED TO BE CORROSION, SO THAT WAS DONE AT A COST TO ME OF $548. AS FAR AS I KNOW THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, ALTHOUGH I BOUGHT THE CAR USED A FEW YEARS AGO. LUCKILY I NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE, AND THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED BY AAA TO THE FORD DEALER. SO NO FIRE OCCURRED. THE CAR BEING JUST 6 YEARS OLD, I AM SURPRISED THAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 113,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040259 · 2003-09-22 (September 22, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO MISFIRE AND STALL. INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LEAKED ANTI FREEZE WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER HAD AN OWNER NOTIFICATION ON THIS ISSUE TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD, BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT COVERED FOR TWO MONTHS DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10550111 · 2013-10-30 (October 30, 2013)
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. I USED TO THINK THAT I HAD SPILLED GAS ON THE OUTSIDE OF CAR WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING, BUT NOW A YEAR LATER, I STILL SMELL GAS AND I DO SMOKE IN MY CAR, BUT WHEN I SMELL THE GAS, I WILL PUT THE CIGARETTE OUT. IS THERE SOME KIND OF RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, THAT CAN REPAIR IT. I HAVE PUT $4000.00 INTO RESTORING THE CAR AND I AND PUTTING ANOTHER $800.00 INTO IT NEXT WEEK, NOVEMBER 2013, TO REPLAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550111 at NHTSA ↗