1997 Ford Thunderbird Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 169 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird, 3% of the 169 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,000 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.
“1997 Ford Thunderbird with a 4.6 liter ohc engine that has a cracked intake manifold. The engine has 81,000 miles and the plastic intake manifold cracked and leaked antifreeze all over the engine. The replacement part costs $541.00 from the local Ford dealer, and the labor to replace will cost around $550. The replacement part is made out of plastic except for the part that is cracked (thermostat housing) which is made out of aluminum. Ford knows there is a problem with the plastic intake manifold, and has had a recall on on certain model 4.6l engines. …”
NHTSA complaint #10052588, filed 2004-01, 81,000 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 2002-08“There is an extreme glare mirrored on the windshield, caused by the material the forward part of the dash is made of. The defroster vents from the dashboard are also present creating black spots in the line of sight.”
NHTSA complaint #521854, filed 1997-09Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 3% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 5 | 3% |
| 1996 | 8 | 3% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 13 | 4% |
| 1993 | 10 | 2% |
| 1992 | 4 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
| 1989 | 2 | 2% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
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 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 28, 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