VehicleVerdict

1977 Ford Thunderbird problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1977 Ford Thunderbird — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1977 compare to other Thunderbird years?

Thunderbird NHTSA complaints by model year, 1977 highlighted559 complaints1960: 1 complaints1965: 1 complaints1967: 0 complaints1970: 1 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 3 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 4 complaints1984: 33 complaints1985: 16 complaints1986: 32 complaints1987: 73 complaints1988: 116 complaints1989: 147 complaints1990: 179 complaints1991: 130 complaints1992: 234 complaints1993: 559 complaints1994: 426 complaints1995: 353 complaints1996: 295 complaints1997: 228 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 2 complaints2002: 116 complaints2003: 50 complaints2004: 40 complaints2005: 35 complaints
Thunderbird NHTSA complaints by model year, 1977 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Thunderbird years to avoid →

What are the most common 1977 Ford Thunderbird problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels1100%

Does the 1977 Ford Thunderbird have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E019000Fuel SystemMarch 6, 2008 · 1,937 units

Defect

INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY NOT BE SECURELY CRIMPED TO THE HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF FILTER'S OUTLET CAP FROM THE HOUSING.

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A NO START CONDITION MAY RESULT AND FUEL MAY BE PUMPED ONTO THE GROUND. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593.

84V078000EngineJune 26, 1984 · 810,000 units

Defect

BLADES MAY CRACK AND MAY, OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, LOOSEN FROM FAN ASSEMBLY.

Remedy

FAN ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.

80V144000EngineNovember 7, 1980 · 209,100 units

Defect

SOME OF THE FLEXIBLE FIVE-BLADE ENGINE COOLING FANS MAY BE SUBJECT TO HIGH BLADE STRESSES THAT CAN RESULT FROM RESONANT VIBRATION INPUTS OCCURRING DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THIS CAN LEAD TO FATIGUE CRACKING OF THE BLADES. PORTIONS OF THE BLADE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FAN ASSEMBLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE FAN WITH AN IMPROVED FIVE-BLADED VERSION WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

77V140000TransmissionSeptember 13, 1977 · 9,000 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE FITTED WITH TILT STEERING COLUMNS CONTAINING TRANSMISSION CONTROL INSERTS INTENDED FOR TRUCKS RATHER THAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THIS MAY CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR POINTER TO BE MISALIGNED AND THE POSSIBILITY OF STARTING THE ENGINE WHEN THE SELECTOR IS BETWEEN THE NEUTRAL (N) AND DRIVE (D) DETENTS AND THE TRANSMISSION IS IN DRIVE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL INSERT, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

77V141000Fuel SystemSeptember 13, 1977 · 60,000 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE FUEL LEAKAGE AT THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTING THE FUEL INLET TUBE TO THE CARBURETOR FILTER. THIS LEAKAGE CONDITION IS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT INSERTION OF THE FUEL TUBE INTO THE HOSE OR IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE HOSE CLAMP, CAUSING THE CLAMP TO BE CRIMPED DIRECTLY OVER THE FUEL TUBE BEAD.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING FUEL HOSE CLAMP WITH A SPRING-TYPE CLAMP AT THE HOSE-TO-FUEL INLET TUBE CONNECTION, AND ADJUST THE CONNECTION WHERE NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH FIRESTONE 500 TIRES, AT LESS THAN 4000 MILES A RECALL WAS MADE AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH NEW FIRESTONE 721'S. CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM PARENTS WITH LESS THAN 15000 MILES, THE CAR IS STORED AND ONLY DRIVEN ONCE EVERY 3 MONTHS. ON A RETURN TRIP THE TREAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels

1977 Ford Thunderbird — common questions

Is the 1977 Ford Thunderbird reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1977 Ford Thunderbird have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1977 Ford Thunderbird. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Thunderbird years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Thunderbird years to avoid are 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1992, 1997, 1990, 1989, 1991, 2002, 1988, 1987, 2003, 2004, 2005, 1984, 1986. The cleanest record among Thunderbird years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.