1997 Ford Thunderbird Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 169 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird, 2% of the 169 complaints for this model year. 2 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.
“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“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“The rear seat belts do not have the alr system. The manufacturer stated that feature is optional for that year. The owners manual states the vehicle must have alr to properly secure a child safety seat.”
NHTSA complaint #10026496, filed 2003-07“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 1999-04Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 3% |
| 2002 | 3 | 3% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 5 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
| 1994 | 7 | 2% |
| 1993 | 29 | 7% |
| 1992 | 18 | 10% |
| 1991 | 15 | 13% |
| 1990 | 23 | 16% |
| 1989 | 17 | 14% |
| 1988 | 18 | 20% |
| 1987 | 13 | 21% |
| 1986 | 5 | 22% |
| 1984 | 2 | 8% |
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 31, 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