1983 Ford Thunderbird
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Thunderbird › 1983
These records cover every 1983 Ford Thunderbird. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1983 Ford Thunderbird. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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 vehicles should have been corrected before final delivery.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the parking pawl actuating rod assembly.
Some of these vehicles may have been built with fuel tanks that have inadequately welded front seams that can leak.
Risk and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
3 complaints1 involved a crash1 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Fuel system, other › Delivery › Fuel pump
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…
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
- Vehicle speed control
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…
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!
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The driver's seatblet buckle will not latch or remain latched. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Parking brake failure
Summary:the spring under investigation causes the latching pawl toengage the teeth of the ratchet whereby the parking brake IS retainedin the applied position.if the spring fails, the pedal follows theoperators foot back up into the released position.ford states that it issued the bulletin in order to inform…
Summary:the spring under investigation causes the latching pawl toengage the teeth of the ratchet whereby the parking brake IS retainedin the applied position.if the spring fails, the pedal follows theoperators foot back up into the released position.ford states that it issued the bulletin in order to inform dealersthat the spring was newly available as a separate part.previously,it was necessary to replace the entire parking brake control assembly inorder to obtain a new spring.since the failure of the spring will not cause the parking brake tosuddenly and unexpectedly release and since there IS adequate warningof the failure, no safety defect trend was found.===
- Seatback failure
Summary of information from manufacturer:ford believes that the al-leged defect only occurs in a small number of the subject vehicles andrecalled about 195,732 1984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986.analysis: vehicles potentially involved include tempo/topaz, escort/lynx/exp, mustang/capri, ltd/marquis, and…
Summary of information from manufacturer:ford believes that the al-leged defect only occurs in a small number of the subject vehicles andrecalled about 195,732 1984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986.analysis: vehicles potentially involved include tempo/topaz, escort/lynx/exp, mustang/capri, ltd/marquis, and thunderbird/cougar.ford sold about 110,000 replacement mio bolts, mainly for 1983 and 1984models. Low clamping force appears to be a large part of the problem.ford increased the torque requirements and required the use of a manualtorque tool in march and september 1985 production changes. 1987 modelswill be produced with a longer M10 bolt and a nut to increase and main-tain clamping force. Bolts were formerly self tapping. Reports listedabove specifically state that the bolt broke. None refer simply toseat back collapse alone.status:ford reply to odi ir dated 2/2/87.ford recalled 195,7321984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986 (86v-082). Analyzing reponse,monitoring canadian progress. Response to 4/6/87 letter to fordreceived 7/15/87. Will probably close after canada completes theiractions.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 3010700Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
Every Ford Thunderbird model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.