2003 Ford Thunderbird Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2003 Ford Thunderbird recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 2003 Ford Thunderbird.

Most common 2003 Ford Thunderbird problems

Problem areas named in the 33 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	7
Engine	7
Power Train	6
Vehicle Speed Control	4
Air Bags	4
Electrical System	4
Engine And Engine Cooling	3
Suspension	3
Structure	2
Fuel/Propulsion System	2

What owners report

2026-06-28, Suspension
Rattle in my front end E code for transmission

2018-08-10, Suspension
BASICALLY, ALL SUSPENSION RUSTED OUT, INCLUDING BOTH FRONT SUSPENSIONS, SPINDLE RODS, SWAY BAR, OUTER TIE RODS, BOTH REAR TIE ROD LINKS, REAR LOWER AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS , FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMS, REAR SHOCKS. ALL THE WORK WAS PERFORMED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A UNIQUE PROBLEM TO THIS VEHICLE. DRIVING THE VEHICLE MADE SQUEEKY NOISES ALL THE TIME!

2016-08-11, Unknown Or Other
WHEN I OPEN THE VEHICLE DOOR AT NIGHT OTHER VEHICLE DRIVERS CAN NOT SEE MY OPENED VEHICLE DOOR WHEN I ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE EVEN WITH A REFLECTOR OR LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE DOOR BECAUSE IT IS BLOCKED WHEN ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE BY MY BODY. I APPLIED HIGHLY REFLECTIVE TAPE TO THE LOWER FLANGE OF THE VEHICLE DOOR AND ALSO WAS GRANTED A UNITED STATES PATENT NO. 9,308,859 UNDER THE TITLE MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR HAVING REFLECTIVE LUMINANT COMPONENT ON LOWER INTERIOR EDGE. THE ADVANCEMENT ALLOWS OVER TWO THIRDS OF ANY VEHICLE DOOR TO BE SEEN AT NIGHT BY OTHER VEHICLE DRIVERS AND WILL REDUCE IN MY ESTIMATION ONE LIFE LOST PER NIGHT PER TEN MILLION VEHICLES OR GLOBALLY 35,000 LIVES A YEAR. I WO

2016-07-21, Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

2016-02-23, Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE PRODUCED DUE TO THE FAILURE OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

2003 Ford Thunderbird questions

Does the 2003 Ford Thunderbird have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 2003 Ford Thunderbird at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Thunderbird?

Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes, Hydraulic (7), Engine (7), Power Train (6).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Ford Thunderbird has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.