TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,476.
2005 Ford Thunderbird engine problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 DUE TO THIS CONDITION IN 2013 AND MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE COMPUTER PROGRAM THAT CUTS THE ENGINE TO IDLE SPEED SHOULD BE DISABLED UNTIL A PERMANENT FIX TO T…
MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAS RISEN TO HOT THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. THE FIRST WAS 12/29/2008. THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR RADIATOR COOLING FAN. MY MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS 35673.THE 2ND TIME WAS 3/17/2009 AND THEY REPLACED THE TANK ASSY-RADIATOR, SEAL, CAP ASY RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT ASY - SPO. MY MILEAGE THIS TIME WAS 38000.THE 3RD TIME WAS 9/21/2009, THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE HEATER…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Ford Thunderbird?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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