1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
4
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD
The 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD has received a total of 4 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (1 complaint), Fuel System Otherdeliveryfuel Pump (1 complaint), and Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD, potentially affecting up to 135,085 vehicles.
Recall 07E064000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 34,000 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
View full details →Recall 83V039000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 250 vehicles affected
Defect: FUEL LEAKS COULD DEVELOP IN EITHER OF TWO CONNECTIONS IN A FUEL SUPPLY LINE. ONE CONNECTION UNDER THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THE OTHER SUSPECT PART IS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CONTAINS A PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN FUEL LINE VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH NEW HOSE CLAMPS AND REPLACE THE FUEL SUPPLY HOSE CLAMP, IF IT IS DAMAGED OR INCORRECT. NOTIFICATION WAS MADE TO DEALERS PRIOR TO ANY RECORDED VEHICLE SALES, AND...
View full details →Recall 83V028000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 98,162 vehicles affected
Defect: THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS OCCURS IF THE LINKAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUATES THE PARK GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. A PIN THAT RETAINS COMPONENTS ON A LINKAGE (ACTUATING) ROD COULD BREAK AND THE LINKAGE MAY NOT ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Recall 83V012000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 2,673 vehicles affected
Defect: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH FUEL TANKS THAT HAVE INADEQUATELY WELDED FRONT SEAMS THAT CAN LEAK.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRECTED AT THE FACTORY; IF NOT, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Otherdeliveryfuel Pump | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE DASH BOARD. THE DEALER INDICATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *NLM THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER BUT WOULDN'T START. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AND DRIVEN HOME, IT SEEMED FINE, BUT WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD GOTTEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED SMOKE ON THE INSIDE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE DASH. SCC
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE DASH BOARD. THE DEALER INDICATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *NLM THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER BUT WOULDN'T START. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AND DRIVEN HOME, IT SEEMED FINE, BUT WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD GOTTEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED SMOKE ON THE INSIDE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE DASH. SCC
THE CRUISE CONTROL CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING AT 5 MPH ON WET STREET, AS IT WAS RAINING, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS CHANGING FROM ONE INSURANCE COMPANY TO ANOTHER AND WAS NOT COVERED, DEALORSHIP FORD ADMITTED THEY HAD HEARD THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES BUT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE I WAS OUT OF LUCK. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE NOTED THAT THIS DESIGN, APPARENTLY IN USE SINCE 77, HAS THIS QUIRK, BUT I CANNOT USE MY CAR NOW BECAUSE FORD REFUSED TO FIX THE OTHER PERSONS CAR WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THIER PRODUCT!
THE DRIVER'S SEATBLET BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH OR REMAIN LATCHED. *AK
Safety Rating for the 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD THUNDERBIRD
- 1978 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 1 complaint
- 1979 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 1 complaint
- 1980 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 3 complaints
- 1981 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 0 complaints
- 1982 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 0 complaints
- 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD (current)
- 1984 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 33 complaints
- 1985 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 16 complaints
- 1986 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 32 complaints
- 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 73 complaints
- 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 116 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints