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1986 Ford ThunderbirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 23 owner complaints about the 1986 Ford Thunderbird, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints238 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem7Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 28, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Ford Thunderbird has problems

23 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling73
Seat belts52
Electrical system52
Vehicle speed control31
Fuel system, gasoline21
Tires20
Power train10
Structure11
Equipment10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1986 Ford Thunderbird recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 87V-139 · Sep 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 vehicles

Risk. COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Thunderbird year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Thunderbird median. How we score

'67'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Ford Thunderbird, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEATBACK FAILUREEA86010 · closed Jul 28, 1989
    Led to recall 86V-082
In owners' words

What Thunderbird owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DRIVING 50-55 MPH; DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE & PULLED OFF ROAD. TURNED VEHICLE OFF & EXITED. VEHICLE SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES. INSURANCE AGENT/INSPECTOR COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF FIRE. VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK
Complaint 818289 · Oct 7, 1997
ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH, EVERY MONTH, FOR THE LAST YEAR I WOULD GO OUT AND GET IN THE VEHICLE TO START IT UP. WHEN I TURNED ON THE IGNITION THE MOTOR WOULD CRANK AND CRANK BUT IT WOULD NEVER FIRE. I WOULD LET THE VEHICLE SET A FEW MINUTES THEN TRY AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULTS. IF I LET THE VEHICLE SIT…
Complaint 730350 · Sep 5, 2000
WHILE DRIVING FROM THE DEALERSHIP FROM HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BLEW CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP DUE TO AN OIL LEAK, THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON THE DEALERS LOT FROM JUNE-NOVEMBER 1997 WHILE A DECISION WAS BEING MADE ABOUT WHO WAS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR…
Complaint 560327 · Mar 8, 2001

Own a 1986 Thunderbird?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.