The 1980 Ford Thunderbird has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 3,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS". REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES INTENDED FOR OTHER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE WHEEL CYLINDERS MAY NOT BE THE CORRECT SIZE. THIS COULD AFFECT BRAKING PERFORMANCE.
DEALER WILL REPLACE ANY INCORRECT WHEEL CYLINDERS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“While going into a curve at 50 mph, driver lost control of vehicle, but soon regained control of vehicle but driver experienced a loss of brakes. Tt”
“Dynacraft semi metalic brake pad model mx152. Clamp on outside rotor disc sheared off slid forward resulting in extended stopping distance. Tt”
“Defective market brake pads, dynacraft corp manufactured pads model mx 152. Tt”
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD INITIATED SERVICE ACTIONSTO CHECK FOR ENGINE IDLE SPEED, TO DECREASE BOOSTER RUNOUT, AND TO FURTHERREDUCE THE INITIAL BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL.ANALYSIS:THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS ARE DATED IN THE 1979-1981 ERA.MOST ACCIDENTS OCCURRED IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF…
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1980 Ford Thunderbird as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.