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2003 Ford Thunderbird Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Thunderbird, most often about the engine (30% of complaints, typically around 41,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Thunderbird model year since 2000.
Complaints33
Recalls0
Crashes reported2
Fires reported0
Injuries reported3
Most common 2003 Ford Thunderbird problems
Engine
10 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that the vehicle sputtered and the check engine light illuminated on three occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and independent repair shop after each failure to have the coils and spark plugs replaced. The repairs were covered under…
While making a u-turn in a culd-e-sac at 5 MPH, the wrench light came on. I can only reach a speed of 40 MPH now. I am afraid to turn the car off until I get home.
Transmission
6 complaints · 18%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
Dt: while driving at 55-60 MPH the engine started to bog down and slowly died. Had been to dealer numerous times concerning this problem and a transmission. Vehicle had been checked diagnosticians, and was unable to find anything wrong. Dealer had never indicated what was wrong. No repairs were made other than a…
The vehicles rearend (differential) develops a howling noise, noticable at 40+ MPH. This same problem has occurred twice before. The dealership has replaced the rearend on two previous occassions. The noise is starting to occur again, if replaced this would be the fourth rearend.
Brakes
5 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 14,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
: the contact stated while applying the brake pedal, there was a noise as though the wheel was going to come off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined the driver side rear caliper, brake shoe and rotor needed to be replaced. Updated 12/12/2006 -
Speed control
4 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
2003 Thunderbird goes into "limp mode" and the car suddenly will not go above 25mph.... I am told it is a safety feature... But this is not safe if you are driving on the interstate! I am told this time it is a throttle body... Which I have been waiting for over 30 days. Ford does not have parts for their cars.
Vehicle experiences unintended engine acceleration when stopping for a red light or placing the car in park. Motor hit over 3500 RPM while parking before I could shut down the ignition.
Air bags
4 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: side/window.
Passenger side air bag deployed in a parking lot near belleview & quebec driving at 5mph. Car taken to courtesy Ford in littleton co. Mar 31/04. Service adviser, tim, stated warranty won't fix because they found yellow paint adhering to the driver side cross member. This scrape occurred at the dealership after the…
Another vehicle turned left right in front of me, I was going aprox 50 MPH, I t-boned the other cars passenger side, my front end hit her and neither driver or pass air bag deployed. Police told me when both parties speeds factored in, it was like me hitting a brick wall at 100 MPH & that air bags should have…
Electrical
4 complaints · 12%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…
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.…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 9%Driving on a 1,850 mile trip. Car engine repeatedly shut off on light acceleration from complete stop. Motor light and wrench light illuminated. Put can in neutral and re-started. Wrench light de-illuminated, motor light stayed on. Acceleration could barely be attained to keep engine running up to 45 MPH. After that…
I was accelerating to merge onto the highway at full throttle and the engine shut itself off. I pulled over to the shoulder and turned the ignition off and restarted it and continued to my destination. This has occurred several times over the last few years, and it is only getting worse and more frequent. Sometimes…
Suspension
3 complaints · 9%One of the 4 bolts that hold the rear suspension to the vehicle fell out of the car. The bolt failed due to corrosion and possibly over torquing at the factory. Severe corrosion inside the pocket that houses this bolt. Ford dealer says it is not covered and is at least 10 hours labor and is concerned the remaining 3…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Ford Thunderbird recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Ford Thunderbird
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Thunderbird?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (10 complaints, typically around 41,000 miles); transmission (6 complaints); brakes (5 complaints, typically around 14,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Thunderbird have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Ford Thunderbird. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Ford Thunderbird?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Thunderbird model year since 2000, with 33 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.