1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD
4 recalls, 4 complaints - 12 TSBs
07E064000 Aug 27, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Defect Description
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTA... Read more
Consequence
A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy
FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
83V039000 Apr 11, 1983
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Defect Description
FUEL LEAKS COULD DEVELOP IN EITHER OF TWO CONNECTIONS IN A FUEL SUPPLY LINE. ONE CONNECTION UNDER THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THE OTHER SUSPECT PART IS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CONTAINS A PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN FUEL LINE VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH NEW HOSE CLAMPS AND REPLACE THE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE CLAMP, IF IT IS DAMAGED OR INCORRECT. NOTIFICATION WAS MADE TO DEALERS PRIOR TO ANY RECORDED VEHICLE SALES, AND VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED BEFORE FINAL DELIVERY.
83V028000 Mar 7, 1983
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Defect Description
THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS OCCURS IF THE LINKAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUATES THE PARK GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. A PIN THAT RETAINS COMPONENTS ON A LINKAGE (ACTUATING) ROD COULD BREAK AND THE LINKAGE MAY N... Read more
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.
83V012000 Feb 8, 1983
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH FUEL TANKS THAT HAVE INADEQUATELY WELDED FRONT SEAMS THAT CAN LEAK.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRECTED AT THE FACTORY; IF NOT, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.
Complaint Statistics
4 total complaints
1 crashes 2 fires 1 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Mar 20, 2003
Incident date: Mar 1, 2003
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE DASH BOARD. THE DEALER INDICATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *NLM THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER BUT WOULDN'T START. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AND DRIVEN HOME, IT SEEMED... Read more
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 20, 2003
Incident date: Mar 1, 2003
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE DASH BOARD. THE DEALER INDICATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *NLM THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER BUT WOULDN'T START. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AND DRIVEN HOME, IT SEEMED... Read more
Fire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jul 12, 2001
Incident date: Oct 20, 2000
THE CRUISE CONTROL CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING AT 5 MPH ON WET STREET, AS IT WAS RAINING, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS CHANGING FROM ONE INSURANCE COMPANY TO ANOTHER AND WAS NOT COVERED, DEALORSHIP FORD ADMITTED THEY HAD HEARD THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES BUT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE I WAS OUT OF LUCK.... Read more
Crash
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Aug 30, 1996
Incident date: Jan 12, 1996
THE DRIVER'S SEATBLET BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH OR REMAIN LATCHED. *AK
Technical Service Bulletins, 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD
12 manufacturer communications from 6 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| 034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 2 |
| 103600 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES | 1 |
| 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| 034420 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS | 1 |
| 061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| 103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | 1 |
| 113100 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID | 1 |
01157
Aug 6, 2001
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
002310
Nov 13, 2000
103600 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT
9888
Apr 27, 1998
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
97511
Mar 3, 1997
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD
BC8899950401
Apr 1, 1995
034420 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
UNKNOWN
BC8899950401
Apr 1, 1995
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
UNKNOWN
BC8899950401
Apr 1, 1995
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
UNKNOWN
BC8899950401
Apr 1, 1995
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
UNKNOWN
BC8899950401
Apr 1, 1995
103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
UNKNOWN
BC8899950401
Apr 1, 1995
113100 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID
UNKNOWN
BC8899950401
Apr 1, 1995
138800 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
UNKNOWN
9562
Mar 1, 1995
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW
NHTSA Safety Investigations, FORD THUNDERBIRD
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
EA99005
Opened: Jan 20, 1999 , Closed: Dec 14, 1999
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN INTERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT CAN OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLING OPERATION.
RQ98015
Opened: Sep 29, 1998 , Closed: Jan 22, 1999
HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER
HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN ITERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREALER THAT MAY OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLIGHT OPERATION
RQ97011
Opened: Sep 25, 1997 , Closed: Nov 16, 1998
FUEL LINE JUMPER
TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE ALLEGED FUEL LINE FAILURES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL GEOGRAPHIC REGION AND IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED NATIONALLY
EA95030
Opened: Oct 31, 1995 , Closed: Sep 30, 1997
REAR FUEL LINE INTERFERENCE
THE REAR FUEL TUBE BUNDLE MAY ABRADE AND FAIL IN THE VICINITY OF THE FUEL TANK.
EA95021
Opened: Jul 31, 1995 , Closed: Sep 30, 1997
FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES
There is no summary currently available
PE95019
Opened: Mar 27, 1995 , Closed: Jul 31, 1995
FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES
There is no summary currently available
EA93033
Opened: Dec 30, 1993 , Closed: Dec 30, 1994
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
There is no summary currently available
PE93075
Opened: Aug 30, 1993 , Closed: Dec 30, 1993
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
There is no summary currently available
EA90034
Opened: Jun 26, 1990 , Closed: Feb 25, 1992
HOOD LATCHES FAIL
There is no summary currently available
EA90009
Opened: Feb 8, 1990 , Closed: Feb 28, 1991
THROTTLE STICKING
There is no summary currently available
PE90001
Opened: Oct 4, 1989 , Closed: Feb 2, 1990
THROTTLE STICKING
===
PE88097
Opened: Aug 31, 1988 , Closed: Dec 2, 1988
FLOORMAT/ACCEL PEDAL INTRF
===
EA86005
Opened: Nov 25, 1985 , Closed: Jul 23, 1987
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD INITIATED SERVICE ACTIONSTO CHECK FOR ENGINE IDLE SPEED, TO DECREASE BOOSTER RUNOUT, AND TO FURTHERREDUCE THE INITIAL BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL.ANALYSIS:THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS ARE DATED IN THE 1979-1981 ERA.MOST ACCIDENTS OCCURRED IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF... Read more
FORD THUNDERBIRD - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the FORD THUNDERBIRD across all model years (1967, 2005).
82
Total Recalls
3,088
Total Complaints
13
Investigations
175
Reported Crashes
173
Reported Fires
14
Reported Deaths
FORD THUNDERBIRD - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 35 | View |
| 2004 | 1 | 40 | View |
| 2003 | 0 | 50 | View |
| 2002 | 2 | 116 | View |
| 1999 | 0 | 2 | View |
| 1998 | 0 | 4 | View |
| 1997 | 2 | 228 | View |
| 1996 | 4 | 295 | View |
| 1995 | 1 | 353 | View |
| 1994 | 1 | 426 | View |
| 1993 | 4 | 559 | View |
| 1992 | 4 | 234 | View |
| 1991 | 4 | 130 | View |
| 1990 | 4 | 179 | View |
| 1989 | 5 | 147 | View |
| 1988 | 2 | 116 | View |
| 1987 | 1 | 73 | View |
| 1986 | 1 | 32 | View |
| 1985 | 1 | 16 | View |
| 1984 | 1 | 33 | View |
| 1983 (current) | 4 | 4 | |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1980 | 3 | 3 | View |
| 1979 | 4 | 1 | View |
| 1978 | 4 | 1 | View |
| 1977 | 5 | 1 | View |
| 1976 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 1975 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1973 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1972 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1971 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1970 | 1 | 1 | View |
| 1967 | 4 | 0 | View |
| 1965 | 0 | 1 | View |
| 1960 | 0 | 1 | View |