Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 307 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Ford Thunderbird, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 91 | 30% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 43 | 14% |
| Power train | 34 | 11% |
| Exterior lighting | 17 | 6% |
| Air bags | 16 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 4% |
| Structure | 12 | 4% |
| Steering | 11 | 4% |
| Suspension | 8 | 3% |
| Tires | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT CRASHED AGAINST A TREE AND
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO LOSE CONTROL AND RUN HEAD ON INTO A PARKED CAR. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND HIS FOOT SLIPPED FROM THE PEDAL DUE TO THE BRAKE COVER FRACTURING.THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANO
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE SUN ROOF OF MY 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD BLEW OFF MY CAR AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE BRACKETS THAT HELD IT UP BROKE OFF AND THE GLASS WENT FLYING ACROSS TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRIC SEAT BURST INTO FLAME. DRIVER(OWNER) SUSTAINED SEVERE BURNS THAT CHARACTERIZE AS LIFE THREATENING, AND REQUIRED ADMISSION TO THE BURN CENTER AT UNC HOSPITAL. PT WAS NOT SMOKING AND CAN NOT IDENTI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHIN MINUTES OF BEING STARTED. HE NOTICED THICK, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE AND THE "LOW COOLANT" WARNING INDICATO
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY THE REAR BRAKES SQUEAKED. THERE WAS AN INTENSE GRINDING NOISE. AT 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTI
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1995 Ford Thunderbird. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 72 | good |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 64 | average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 307 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 91 of them (30%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.