1997 Ford Thunderbird Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 10%of 169 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,784miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird, 10% of the 169 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,784 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I smell gas when driving at high speed of 60 and above on freeway mostly. Once in a while I can smell it when driving at lower speeds of 25 -30mph. I used to think that I had spilled gas on the outside of car when it first started happening, but now a year later, I still smell gas and I do smoke in my car, but when I smell the gas, I will put the cigarette out. Is there some kind of recall on this problem, that can repair it. I have put $4000.00 into restoring the car and I and putting another $800.00 into it next week, november 2013, to replace all of the belts around the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10550111, filed 2013-10, 101,000 miles“I was curious about how to get the Thunderbird (1994-1997) transmission recalled? Please note that this only affects the 4.6 v8 thunderbirds and not the v6. This can result of control loss of the automobile and can result in a crash. For whatever the reason may be, my 97 Thunderbird transmission is shuttering as it shifts between 3rd and 4th gear and I have used the correct fluid and had it serviced. The mechanic said there was nothing wrong with it, however it continues to shutter. I have done some research and it seems that many of the 4.6 v8 are affected by this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10287146, filed 2009-10, 162,000 miles“Dt: the contact stated the floor shifter was sticking in park when the weather was cold. It took five to ten minutes to move the shifter into other gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. The dealer said the part was unavailable, and they would have to go to a junk yard to locate another shifter. No repairs have been made.”
NHTSA complaint #10145991, filed 2005-12, 68,000 miles“Problem with the transmission or torque converter. The consumer was told that the vehicle was experiencing transmission shudder or a problem with the torque converter.”
NHTSA complaint #10042447, filed 2003-10, 27,296 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed home and was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. The contact also stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle would decelerate while driving at various speeds. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10413447, filed 2011-07, 86,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 7% |
| 2004 | 7 | 21% |
| 2003 | 6 | 18% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 17 | 10% |
| 1996 | 21 | 9% |
| 1995 | 41 | 16% |
| 1994 | 92 | 31% |
| 1993 | 12 | 3% |
| 1992 | 10 | 5% |
| 1991 | 4 | 4% |
| 1990 | 8 | 6% |
| 1989 | 4 | 3% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 1 | 4% |
| 1984 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird
54 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsSuspension
18 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 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