Total Complaints
35 filings
FORD THUNDERBIRD · model year
35 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005FORDTHUNDERBIRD carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 THUNDERBIRD is electrical system with 5 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (4) and engine (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2005 THUNDERBIRD, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
35 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| WHEELS:RIM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH over a speed bump, the contact heard a loud grinding noise with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fuel leaking from the fuel tank with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with no warning illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,118.
Mileage: 33,118
Dash board cracked few places by Windshield. It's really Between WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD. ANY RECALLS OR COMPLAINTS? [XXX] THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Sudden unintended acceleration on two occasions. Car only has 11,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY LAST EVENING, THE LEFT SHOULDER AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I NOTED THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE TIRE. UPON REMOVING THE WHEEL WE NOTED THAT THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY NORMAL, BUT THE RIM WAS FRACTURED ON THE INTERNAL ASPECT. THE SEAT WAS DAMAGED FROM THE DEPLOYED AIRBAG. IT APPEARS THAT THE RIM IMPLOSION SET OFF THE LEFT SHOULDER AIRBAG. HAD IT BEEN THE CHEST AIRBAG, I WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS. I HAD 4 NEW TIRES PLACED ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO AT COSTCO IN ALBUQUERQUE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 16,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR THEEE YEARS. PRIOR OWNER AN ELDERLY MAN- DRIVE IT 10,000 MILES OVER 13 YEARS. I AM NOT AWARE OF EVER ANY DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL OR HITTING ANYTHING WITH IT. I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED.I HAVE INCLUDED A PICTURE OF THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE RIM.
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY LAST EVENING, THE LEFT SHOULDER AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I NOTED THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE TIRE. UPON REMOVING THE WHEEL WE NOTED THAT THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY NORMAL, BUT THE RIM WAS FRACTURED ON THE INTERNAL ASPECT. THE SEAT WAS DAMAGED FROM THE DEPLOYED AIRBAG. IT APPEARS THAT THE RIM IMPLOSION SET OFF THE LEFT SHOULDER AIRBAG. HAD IT BEEN THE CHEST AIRBAG, I WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS. I HAD 4 NEW TIRES PLACED ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO AT COSTCO IN ALBUQUERQUE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 16,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR THEEE YEARS. PRIOR OWNER AN ELDERLY MAN- DRIVE IT 10,000 MILES OVER 13 YEARS. I AM NOT AWARE OF EVER ANY DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL OR HITTING ANYTHING WITH IT. I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED.I HAVE INCLUDED A PICTURE OF THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE RIM.
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY LAST EVENING, THE LEFT SHOULDER AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I NOTED THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE TIRE. UPON REMOVING THE WHEEL WE NOTED THAT THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY NORMAL, BUT THE RIM WAS FRACTURED ON THE INTERNAL ASPECT. THE SEAT WAS DAMAGED FROM THE DEPLOYED AIRBAG. IT APPEARS THAT THE RIM IMPLOSION SET OFF THE LEFT SHOULDER AIRBAG. HAD IT BEEN THE CHEST AIRBAG, I WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS. I HAD 4 NEW TIRES PLACED ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO AT COSTCO IN ALBUQUERQUE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 16,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR THEEE YEARS. PRIOR OWNER AN ELDERLY MAN- DRIVE IT 10,000 MILES OVER 13 YEARS. I AM NOT AWARE OF EVER ANY DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL OR HITTING ANYTHING WITH IT. I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED.I HAVE INCLUDED A PICTURE OF THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE RIM.
THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING INAPPROPRIATE VEHICLE DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING. THIS CONDITION HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND CAN CAUSE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO REAR END YOU. I HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED DUE TO THIS CONDITION IN 2013 AND MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE COMPUTER PROGRAM THAT CUTS THE ENGINE TO IDLE SPEED SHOULD BE DISABLED UNTIL A PERMANENT FIX TO THIS PROBLEM CAN BE CORRECTED. IN THE CURRENT MODE, THESE VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Mileage: 120,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT HESITANTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE, AND TRANSFERRED THE CALL TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000. ..UPDATED 06/27/17 *BF *CN
Mileage: 49,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER, BUT THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REAR MODULE AND FUEL PUMP WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,168. UPDATED 11/17/16*LJ *TR
Mileage: 44,168
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER, BUT THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REAR MODULE AND FUEL PUMP WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,168. UPDATED 11/17/16*LJ *TR
Mileage: 44,168
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER, BUT THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REAR MODULE AND FUEL PUMP WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,168. UPDATED 11/17/16*LJ *TR
Mileage: 44,168
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON AN INCLINE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY, VALVE COVER GASKET, AND TWO COILS UNPLUGGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,787. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ *CN
Mileage: 19,787
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON AN INCLINE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY, VALVE COVER GASKET, AND TWO COILS UNPLUGGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,787. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ *CN
Mileage: 19,787
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND A VAPOR FUEL LEAK. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V113000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 08/22/16*LJ UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ *CN
Mileage: 11,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED "RAW" FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKED ALL OVER THE GARAGE AT HOME AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING AROUND THE SEAM OF THE FUEL TANK COVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Mileage: 91,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V113000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Mileage: 24,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD WHINING NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Mileage: 80,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD WHINING NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Mileage: 80,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,000.
Mileage: 129,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CPU NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Mileage: 30,000
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.