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1983 Ford Thunderbird Base

The 1983 Ford Thunderbird Base is a 110-hp 3.8-liter V6 with a 3-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $9,629 MSRP.

It makes 110 horsepower.

The Thunderbird measures 197.6 inches long on a 104.2-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$9,629 ($31,420 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.8L Essex V6
Displacement3.8 L
Horsepower110 hp
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission3-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front14"
Wheels Rear14"
Dimensions & Weight
Length197.6 in
Width71.1 in
Height53.2 in
Wheelbase104.2 in
Interior
Headroom Front37 in
Headroom Rear36 in
Legroom Front41 in
Legroom Rear34 in
Shoulder Room Front56 in
Shoulder Room Rear55 in
Hip Room Front55 in
Hip Room Rear55 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1983 Ford THUNDERBIRD. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Aug 27, 2007 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 TO LEAK.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 07E064000

Apr 11, 1983 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

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.

NHTSA campaign 83V039000

Mar 7, 1983 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA campaign 83V028000

Feb 8, 1983 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH FUEL TANKS THAT HAVE INADEQUATELY WELDED FRONT SEAMS THAT CAN LEAK.

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.

NHTSA campaign 83V012000

4 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1983 Ford THUNDERBIRD

Owner Complaints

4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1983 Ford THUNDERBIRD (1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System1
Fuel System1
Other1
Seat Belts1
Seats1
Vehicle Speed Control1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Mar 20, 2003 · Fuel System, Other, Electrical System Fire
“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…”
Jul 6, 2001 · Vehicle Speed Control Crash 1 injury
“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…”
Aug 30, 1996 · Seat Belts
“THE DRIVER'S SEATBLET BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH OR REMAIN LATCHED. *AK”
Dec 28, 1994 · Seats
“DRIVER'S SEAT FELL BACK INTO RECLINING POSITION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. *AK”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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