1997 Ford Thunderbird Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 169 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,244miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird, 2% of the 169 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,244 miles.
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.
“Headlight lenses on 1997 Thunderbird cloud over due to weathering and limit amount of light emitted. Night vision and object illumination is seriously compromised. Vigorous polishing temporarily removes haze, but it has been my experience that the condition returns more quickly. I recently had to swerve into a large pot hole to avoid a city recycle can that had overturned and, being dark green, impossible to see at night. I damaged my left front wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #10135141, filed 2005-09, 52,244 miles“First problem: car door indicator light will not go off even when the doors or tightly shut. Second problem: left turning signal light blinks very fast and the right signal light blinks regularly. Third problem: passenger selt belt keeps getting stuck even after pressing the red button to release. Fourth problem: the squeaking and shaking vibration when driving a speed of 50 or more MPH and you begin pressing the brakes is when the sounds and the vibrations begins. …”
NHTSA complaint #766218, filed 2002-08Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 3% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% |
| 1995 | 16 | 6% |
| 1994 | 7 | 2% |
| 1993 | 119 | 28% |
| 1992 | 40 | 22% |
| 1991 | 10 | 9% |
| 1990 | 7 | 5% |
| 1989 | 2 | 2% |
| 1988 | 11 | 12% |
| 1987 | 3 | 5% |
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 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 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