2005 Ford Thunderbird
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 7 of 27 complaints (26%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 34 in 2004 to 27 in 2005.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2005 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300 | 4,300 | 4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 18 | 18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16 / 22–23 | 15 / 21–23 | 16 / 22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 494 | 494 | |
| Complaints filed | 33 | 34 | 27 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 5 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 6 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 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 2005 Ford Thunderbird have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2005 Ford Thunderbird?
Engine: 7 of 27 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford Thunderbird get?
EPA rates it 18 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Ford Thunderbird?
EPA estimates $4,300 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 5-spd | 8 | 3.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 8 | 3.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | $4,300 | 494 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 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 (1)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE · Campaign 05V113000 · Mar 28, 2005
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK MAY HAVE A LOCALIZED THIN WALL SECTION IN THE LOWER HALF OF THE TANK. THE FUEL TANK MAY CRACK CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK AND FUEL ODOR. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" INDICATOR MAY ILLUMINATE.
Consequence: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, LINCOLN AT 1-800-521-4140.