1997 Ford Thunderbird engine problems
49 complaints about engine have been filed for the 1997 Ford Thunderbird, which is 21% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 49 22% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 65,000 miles 23 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 5 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 23 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 65,000 miles, and 35% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury.
What owners wrote
I was driving my car to pay the power bill. I had made a complete stop and then turned left up the road about 4/10's of a mile when I pulled into the parking space I noticed white steam coming from the engine compartment. I opened the hood a the engine was covered in antifreeze. I called for a tow hoping it was a blown hose or at worst a head gasket. So I didn't drive it further to prevent further damage. The dealership looks at it and says it is a cracked intake manifold.
Per consumer vehicle is not part of the owner notification for the intake manifold coolant leak # .97m91, but vehicle is experiencing the same failure.
Other problems reported for the 1997 Ford Thunderbird
- Brakes 26 complaints
- Exhaust system 23 complaints
- Suspension 23 complaints
- Tires 18 complaints
- Transmission 15 complaints