5.5

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford Thunderbird electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Ford Thunderbird Owner Comments

problem #4

Oct 152011

Thunderbird

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle drastically reduced speed and hesitated on several occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was not able to replicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who indicated that the vehicle was not included in two manufacturer recalls that expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #3

Mar 152010

Thunderbird 8-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
The car de-powers and will not go above 20-25 mph. The anti lock brake lights come on. They will stay on for awhile and go off and on by themselves. This happens in traffic and is very dangerous. My daughter nearly got plowed over trying to get off the road. She called my scared to death. This happens intermittently. No wet or slick pavement, on a dry sunny day.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #2

Jul 032006

Thunderbird 8-cyl

  • miles
2003 Ford Thunderbird had spark plugs replaced four times. Vehicle slowed down to 5 mph without warning and would not pick up speed, and numerous engine problems. Water leaked inside the vehicle, the dealer found cracks and a tear around the weather strip and seal. The A/C control head assembly was replaced. The radio had to be sent out for repairs. The alarm would sound on its own. The light located on the rear view mirror would not go out. The ignition coils were replaced.

- West Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #1

May 022003

Thunderbird 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
A couple of months after the car was purchased the battery light comes on and when it does no other electrical parts will operate. For instance if you have a window down you can't roll it up or the heater won't work. This has been an ongoing problem since the car was purchased. We've had the car to the dealer 3 times and they have replaced the alternator as well as overlaying electrical wires and none of this has fixed the problem. On one occasion they had the car for a month, put approximately 200 miles on it and still couldn't find and fix the problem. Our concern is that when the battery light comes on and nothing else electrical works what if you needed, say, the defroster to come on and it wouldn't it could pose a serious safety problem! the date in the incident box is just an approximation this has been ongoing since we've owned the car. Thank you.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

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