1997 Ford Thunderbird Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 169 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird, 4% of the 169 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Consumer's vehicle was hit from the rear while driving, and this caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, and it crashed into the concrete barrier. Vehicle flipped into a ditch. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained injuries, and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. Vehicle was towed ands totaled by the insurance company. The consumers vehicle was hit in the front while parked off the road. Updated 02/28/06”
NHTSA complaint #10115033, filed 2005-03, 70,000 miles“Wife had a collision w/nissen pickup, doing 40 MPH, only the passenger side of the front end damage but the whole front end of the nissen pick destroyed. I'm attacking Ford for this. My brother-in-law cann't move his neck due to he hit the windsheild, his seat belt did not hold him and neither of the air bags deployed, this could have been worse.”
NHTSA complaint #701417, filed 1998-12“Consumer was traveling about 15mph on highway and was approaching a stop sign, she turnied into driveway when vehicle collided into another vehicle. Upon impact, driver's air bag did not deploy. Consumer wanted to know why airbag did not go off.”
NHTSA complaint #869781, filed 2000-09“Vehicle t-boned another at 45-50 MPH, neither airbag deployed. No injuries, damage to vehicle was $ 7000.00. This was the second accident where the airbags did not deploy. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #8019316, filed 2002-09“Car was involved in collision and when brakes where applied all wheels locked up and was unable to steer doing about 40 MPH but car is equipped with ABS system - the brakes have been worked on twice in 2 years both by Ford dealers. Should this have happened with ABS. Also neither air bag deployed even though it was the front end that has suffered damage (don't know cost yet) front bumper, hood, head light, driver side front quarter panel and driver door are all damaged. …”
NHTSA complaint #705724, filed 1999-04Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | 15% |
| 2004 | 3 | 9% |
| 2003 | 4 | 12% |
| 2002 | 13 | 14% |
| 1997 | 6 | 4% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 17 | 7% |
| 1994 | 17 | 6% |
| 1993 | 4 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird
54 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsTires
16 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Thunderbird
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology