Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at approximately 45 MPH, the front driver's side air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
While driving to work at approx. 65 MPH, my drivers side, side airbag deployed. Thankfully I didn't lose control of my vehicle. I pulled to the side of the road and exited my vehicle. I checked my car, although I knew I didn't hit anything or run over anything. There were no signs of impact and nothing in the road behind me. I took my vehicle to the dealership where I bought it. They said they'd never seen anything like it. That was 2/17/06. Today, on 2/20/06 they told me they would not repair it as I have 40,000 miles on my car and that the deployment was caused by my running over something in the road. Apparently that's what the computer code told them. There was absolutely no reason for that air bag to deploy. I believe they just don't want to admit responsibility for a malfunction. I could have been seriously injured at that speed. …
Tl* - the contact called regarding the 2004 Ford Thunderbird. The contact was traveling 55-60 MPH on a highway with dry road conditions and the passenger's side airbag, which was located in the seat, deployed. The driver sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to the Ford dealer, and after examining the vehicle ,the Ford dealer concluded that there was collision damage to the under carriage of the vehicle. The Ford dealer refused to repair the vehicle, and were told they needed to remove the vehicle immediately. The contact had the vehicle towed to his home. The Ford dealer and the insurance company took pictures of the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated the rear side air bag on the driver side deployed abnormally while the contact was driving. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer and the door was removed but the dealer could not provide a reason for the air bag failure. The failure and current mileage was 20,000. Updated 05/25/11 the consumer checked the injured box. Updated 06/06/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Thunderbird. While stopped in traffic, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. As a result, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. The passenger sustained a concussion and back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Another vehicle turned left right in front of me, I was going aprox 50 MPH, I t-boned the other cars passenger side, my front end hit her and neither driver or pass air bag deployed. Police told me when both parties speeds factored in, it was like me hitting a brick wall at 100 MPH & that air bags should have deployed. I have contacted Ford and testing will be done after repairs are made to vehicle. Car May be totalled, damages getting close to 20,000.00.
My daughter was in a rollover accident on 09 -06 -2016 in a 2002 Ford Thunderbird convertible. The air bag did not sufficiently deploy & she was severely injured as a result. She was on interstate 95n near manning, sc when a semi truck did not see her & came into her lane grazing the car. She had to go off the road or the truck would have crushed her. The Thunderbird rolled over & she was severely injured.
Air bag warning light appeared on instrument panel and owner's manual instructed to return to dealer. Dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty air bag that should be replaced. Ford motor co. Said service parts are not available and dealer did not repair the air bag. I was allowed to leave the service department with no idea if the air bag would function in a crash. Is the vehicle safe to drive and should Ford motor co. Have done more to assure the vehicle is safe to drive?
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Thunderbird years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (17), 2002 (13), 1996 (9) and 1997 (6) model years. Airbag complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Ford Thunderbird airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for any Ford Thunderbird model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Thunderbird airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (23 mentions), followed by the side/window (7).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.