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 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 11% |
| Air bags | 3 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 11% |
| Power train | 2 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 7% |
| Wheels | 2 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 7% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 2 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 4% |
| Structure | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 vehicl
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Sudden unintended acceleration on two occasions. Car only has 11,000 miles
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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. U
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 D
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 N
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2005 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 63 | average |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other sports & two-seaters in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel/propulsion system is the most reported area with 3 of them (11%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) 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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 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.