2003 Ford Thunderbird Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 12%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Ford Thunderbird, 12% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,500 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.
“2003 Thunderbird goes into limp mode and the car suddenly will not go above 25mph.... I am told it is a safety feature... But this is not safe if you are driving on the interstate! I am told this time it is a throttle body... Which I have been waiting for over 30 days. Ford does not have parts for their cars.”
NHTSA complaint #10319593, filed 2010-03, 36,000 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 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | 15% |
| 2004 | 9 | 26% |
| 2003 | 4 | 12% |
| 2002 | 11 | 12% |
| 1997 | 11 | 7% |
| 1996 | 8 | 3% |
| 1995 | 11 | 4% |
| 1994 | 23 | 8% |
| 1993 | 14 | 3% |
| 1992 | 6 | 3% |
| 1991 | 10 | 9% |
| 1990 | 17 | 12% |
| 1989 | 26 | 21% |
| 1988 | 8 | 9% |
| 1987 | 7 | 11% |
| 1986 | 3 | 13% |
| 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 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsFuel system
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 30, 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