1997 Ford Thunderbird Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 9%of 169 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the tires of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird, 9% of the 169 complaints for this model year.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Tread separated on 2 tires and blew out. First tire was at about 40 MPH and less then 20000 miles, 2nd tire was at 50 MPH and 30000 miles. I replaced all 4 tires, in fear of my safety.( DOT number: w2m3 tire size: p215/70r15 )”
NHTSA complaint #727621, filed 2000-08“Pe00 020;vehicle began to wobble,and pulled to left/ right intermittently. Tookvehicle to the the dealership. Mechanic told her that tires were separated. She had all four tires replaced at her expense. Tires were firestone 205/70r15 fr710.”
NHTSA complaint #868939, filed 2000-08“Tread separation on driver's side rear tire, causing damage to the lower quarter panel, trim on the panel and around the wheel, firestone 721 p22575r15, ten years ago the front tires replaced because of tread separation.”
NHTSA complaint #559255, filed 2001-01“While driving heard a noise from right rear tire. Then, when going home found out that tire had already separated, and left rear tire was starting to separate. They were firestone wilderness tires, size p275/70r15.”
NHTSA complaint #867416, filed 2000-08“Original firestone fr680 tires, size p21570r15 97tmts, all 4 tires' steel belts have separated, causing vehicle to shimmy, and would have eventually blown out. Consumer replaced tires.”
NHTSA complaint #881982, filed 2001-03Tires: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 16 | 9% |
| 1996 | 13 | 6% |
| 1995 | 6 | 2% |
| 1994 | 9 | 3% |
| 1993 | 2 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 3 | 2% |
| 1989 | 4 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird
54 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 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 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 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