2003 Ford Thunderbird Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 9%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,240miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Ford Thunderbird, 9% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,240 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.
“I was accelerating to merge onto the highway at full throttle and the engine shut itself off. I pulled over to the shoulder and turned the ignition off and restarted it and continued to my destination. This has occurred several times over the last few years, and it is only getting worse and more frequent. Sometimes the limp home light (wrench) comes on. I must turn the ignition off and back on to make the car work. I have had all 8 coils replaced and this did not fix the problem and it still occurs today. I checked the codes and it did say it was a forced shut down. …”
NHTSA complaint #10598417, filed 2014-06, 48,200 miles“Driving on a 1,850 mile trip. Car engine repeatedly shut off on light acceleration from complete stop. Motor light and wrench light illuminated. Put can in neutral and re-started. Wrench light de-illuminated, motor light stayed on. Acceleration could barely be attained to keep engine running up to 45 MPH. After that speed, can ran somewhat normally,. Entering an expressway at very low speed with minimum acceleration became the only way to continue the trip. Very dangerous. Went to a Ford dealer on route. Because I was from out of state he agreed to work me in for service that day. …”
NHTSA complaint #10430381, filed 2011-10, 54,240 miles“Vehicle experiences unintended engine acceleration when stopping for a red light or placing the car in park. Motor hit over 3500 RPM while parking before I could shut down the ignition.”
NHTSA complaint #10639514, filed 2014-09, 102,292 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 19% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 9% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 1997 | 13 | 8% |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% |
| 1995 | 6 | 2% |
| 1994 | 10 | 3% |
| 1993 | 16 | 4% |
| 1992 | 25 | 14% |
| 1991 | 10 | 9% |
| 1990 | 6 | 4% |
| 1989 | 6 | 5% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
| 1987 | 4 | 7% |
| 1986 | 2 | 9% |
| 1985 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Thunderbird
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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