2005 Ford Thunderbird Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 15%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Ford Thunderbird, 15% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,000 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.
“While driving to work at approx. 65 MPH, my drivers side, side airbag deployed. Thankfully I didn't lose control of my vehicle. I pulled to the side of the road and exited my vehicle. I checked my car, although I knew I didn't hit anything or run over anything. There were no signs of impact and nothing in the road behind me. I took my vehicle to the dealership where I bought it. They said they'd never seen anything like it. That was 2/17/06. …”
NHTSA complaint #10150681, filed 2006-02, 41,000 miles“On september 6, 2006 while traveling on an 8-lane highway at a speed of approximately 70 MPH the drivers side airbag on my 2005 Ford Thunderbird deployed with a very loud noise and considerable force. There was no impact or accident involved with this incident. The air bag simply deployed for no apparent reason. Fortunately, the vehicle was able to be controlled and pulled off the highway safely. The car was then taken to darling Ford in bangor maine on september 11, 2005 where it was inspected and found to have no signs of any recent impact either on the exterior or the underbody. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168862, filed 2006-09, 16,000 miles“While driving my car on the highway last evening, the left shoulder airbag was deployed. I immediately pulled the car to the side of the road. I noted that the left front tire was flat. My husband changed the tire. Upon removing the wheel we noted that the tire was completely normal, but the rim was fractured on the internal aspect. The seat was damaged from the deployed airbag. It appears that the rim implosion set off the left shoulder airbag. Had it been the chest airbag, I would have had an accident. I called the local dealer and they told me that they have never heard of this. …”
NHTSA complaint #11415483, filed 2021-05“The contact owns a 2005 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at approximately 45 MPH, the front driver's side air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10837507, filed 2016-02, 129,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | 15% |
| 2004 | 3 | 9% |
| 2003 | 4 | 12% |
| 2002 | 13 | 14% |
| 1997 | 6 | 4% |
| 1996 | 9 | 4% |
| 1995 | 17 | 7% |
| 1994 | 17 | 6% |
| 1993 | 4 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Thunderbird
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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