2005 Ford Thunderbird Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 19%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Ford Thunderbird, 19% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 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.
“When I inserted the key to start the car, the battery (located in the trunk) exploded. It sounded like a gun shot inside the car, the battery was blown open at both ends and the battery fluid was thrown around the trunk cavity where the spare tire is also housed. A service tech advised me that a spark was necessary to ignite the sulfuric gas leaking from the battery. No one has been able to identify the source of the spark.”
NHTSA complaint #10459742, filed 2012-05, 25,900 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Ford Thunderbird. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle made a loud whining noise. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10852290, filed 2016-03, 80,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Ford Thunderbird. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was restarted, but completely shut down. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, but the exact cause of the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The failure recurred and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed and the fuel pressure was replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the rear module and fuel pump were replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10910504, filed 2016-09, 44,168 miles“The contact stated the audible warning that alerts the occupants the seat belts are not secured works intermittently. The dealership is aware of the problem, but has not inspected the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10158123, filed 2006-05, 20,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10048099Aug 1, 2012Ford/lincoln/mercury: may have sludge buildup in throttle body leading to less airflow or engine idling rpm fluctuation and hard starts or battery disconnect or dead battery…
- 10026402May 20, 2008Ford/lincoln mercury: certain 2003-2005 model year lincoln ls and ford thunderbird vehicles equipped with 3.9l engine with extended warranty coverage on ignition coil assemblies…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 19% |
| 2004 | 4 | 12% |
| 2003 | 4 | 12% |
| 2002 | 21 | 23% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 8 | 3% |
| 1995 | 15 | 6% |
| 1994 | 24 | 8% |
| 1993 | 37 | 9% |
| 1992 | 27 | 15% |
| 1991 | 13 | 12% |
| 1990 | 38 | 27% |
| 1989 | 22 | 18% |
| 1988 | 29 | 32% |
| 1987 | 24 | 39% |
| 1986 | 5 | 22% |
| 1985 | 9 | 64% |
| 1984 | 10 | 38% |
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Thunderbird
5 complaintsAir bags
4 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 28, 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