Owners filed 27 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Vehicle Speed Control
4
0
0
0
Electrical System
4
0
0
0
Fuel/Propulsion System
3
0
0
0
Air Bags
3
0
0
0
Power Train
2
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline
2
0
0
0
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2
0
0
0
Wheels › Rim
1
0
0
0
Wheels
1
0
0
0
Structure › Interior Panels › Dashboard
1
0
0
0
1 safety recall
Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage05V113000
Filed Mar 18, 200556 vehiclesFord Motor Company
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.
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 17, 202433,118 milesAZ
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.
Structure › Interior Panels › Dashboard
Filed May 26, 2022FL
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).
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 23, 2021MD
Sudden unintended acceleration on two occasions. Car only has 11,000 miles
Air Bags
Filed May 6, 2021NM
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.
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2019120,000 milesOH
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.
Power Train
Filed May 1, 201749,000 milesNV
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
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 29, 201644,168 milesTN
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
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 20, 201619,787 milesMA
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
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 5, 201611,000 milesNY
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
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 20, 201691,000 milesNH
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.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 14, 201624,000 milesHI
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.
Electrical System
Filed Mar 29, 201680,000 milesNY
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.
Air Bags
Filed Feb 22, 2016129,000 milesKY
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.
Electrical System
Filed Jul 13, 201530,000 milesFL
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.
Wheels
Filed Oct 30, 201490,000 milesMS
CORROSION OF THE ALUMINUM WHEELS CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE CHROME PLATING ON THE WHEEL INNER BEAD AND RESULTING IN AIR LEAKS FROM AROUND THE WHEEL AT THE BEAD OF THE TIRES. *TR
Power Train
Filed Sep 19, 201457,162 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE TRANSMISSION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,162.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 21, 2013FL
LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT REGARDING AN ONGOING THROTTLE PROBLEM WITH HIS 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD; INFORMATION PROVIDED TO NHTSA THAT MAY BE THE BASES OF A RECALL OF THE THUNDERBIRD. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN EARLY AUGUST OF THIS YEAR, A YELLOW MECHANIC WRENCH LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AT THE TIME OF START UP. THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE, AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER. AFTER A COMPLETE CHECK-UP, THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED TO THE CONSUMER AFTER THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM FAILED TO REVEAL ANYTHING WRONG. THE NEXT DAY, WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHILE PASSING A SLOW MOVING TRUCK, THE WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO DRIVE SAFE MODE AND IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN TO 45 MPH. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE THE CONSUMER MADE IT TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT RUNNING, SO THE MECHANIC COULD DO A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. IT WAS DETERMINED AFTER TESTING, THE THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WERE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED AT A COST OF $964.27. UPDATED 03/31/14
Electrical System
Filed May 26, 201225,900 milesMI
WHEN I INSERTED THE KEY TO START THE CAR, THE BATTERY (LOCATED IN THE TRUNK) EXPLODED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT INSIDE THE CAR, THE BATTERY WAS BLOWN OPEN AT BOTH ENDS AND THE BATTERY FLUID WAS THROWN AROUND THE TRUNK CAVITY WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS ALSO HOUSED. A SERVICE TECH ADVISED ME THAT A SPARK WAS NECESSARY TO IGNITE THE SULFURIC GAS LEAKING FROM THE BATTERY. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SPARK. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 7, 201036,476 milesAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,476.
Wheels › Rim
Filed Sep 16, 2010MD
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FACTORY RIMS ON THE VEHICLE ARE BEGINNING TO CRACK ON THE INSIDE AND CAUSING THE BRAKE LINES AND CALIPERS ON THE VEHICLE TO LEAK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A SINGULAR ISSUE AND SINCE THE RIMS WERE OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOT UNDER RECALL, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RIMS AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE OR CURRENT MILEAGE.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Mar 18, 2005. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.