1997 Ford Thunderbird
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 54 of 169 complaints (32%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 233 in 1996 to 169 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | vs. 1997 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,300–4,300 | 3,300–3,450 | 3,300–3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–19 | 18–19 | 18–19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–17 / 22–24 | 15–17 / 23–24 | 15–16 / 23–24 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 468–494 | 468–494 | 468–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 261 | 233 | 169 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 4 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 25 | 12 | 11 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 11 | 4 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 17 | 16 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Thunderbird have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Ford Thunderbird?
Engine: 54 of 169 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Ford Thunderbird get?
EPA rates it 18–19 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Ford Thunderbird?
EPA estimates $3,300–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 4.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 15 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 54 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E065000 · Jul 17, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.