2003 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 2002 Ford Thunderbird in Evening Black, Front Right, 05-15-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2002 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe, front left, 09-12-2026 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ford Thunderbird 2 by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2002 Ford Thunderbird in Evening Black, Rear Right, 05-15-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2003 tbird interior (2210089815) by Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2003 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe is a 280-hp 3.9-liter V8 with a 5-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $37,420 MSRP and is rated at 18 mpg combined.
It makes 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 286 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (18 mpg combined).
The Thunderbird measures 186.3 inches long on a 107.2-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,775 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Convertible |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $37,420 ($66,095 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.9L Jaguar AJ35 DOHC V8 |
| Displacement | 3.9 L |
| Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 286 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder |
| Injection Type | Sequential multi-port fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic (SelectShift manual-shift mode optional) |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 16 MPG |
| Highway | 23 MPG |
| Combined | 18 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium unleaded |
| Tank Capacity | 18 gal |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 17" x 7.5" |
| Wheels Rear | 17" x 7.5" |
| Tires Front | P235/50R17 |
| Tires Rear | P235/50R17 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 186.3 in |
| Width | 72 in |
| Height | 52.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.2 in |
| Curb Weight | 3,775 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 37.2 in |
| Legroom Front | 43.7 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 57.3 in |
| Hip Room Front | 53.7 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2003 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
No recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford THUNDERBIRD.
73 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Ford THUNDERBIRD
Owner Complaints
73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford THUNDERBIRD (3 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
| Hydraulic | 8 |
| Engine | 7 |
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 2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.