1997 Ford Thunderbird Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 169 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,169miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird, 1% of the 169 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,169 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.
“The hood of my car inadvertently comes opens. It does not come completely open because of the safety latch. I am very careful to make sure it is securely closed after I open it. I believe this can be very dangerous if the hood should come all the way up while I am driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10046981, filed 2003-11, 75,169 miles“Tailgate door latch got stuck in the open position, making it impossible for the door to shut.also, once it was shut, door latch became stuck again. Dealer has been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #843634, filed 1999-07Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
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 29, 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