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1988 Ford ThunderbirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 92 owner complaints about the 1988 Ford Thunderbird, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

55
CarFlaw IndexSolid year20% below the Thunderbird median · #10 of 18 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints9228 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage170kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 27, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Ford Thunderbird has problems

92 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
Electrical system2913
Seat belts182
Exterior lighting110
Service brakes, hydraulic80
Vehicle speed control84
Engine and engine cooling72
Steering51
Power train30
Equipment30
6 other systems102

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

2 recalls

1988 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

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

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

1988 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
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Ford Thunderbird, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER SEAT MALFUNC/FIREEA90005 · closed Mar 12, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-036
  2. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90009 · closed Feb 28, 1991
    No recall
  3. FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLESEA95021 · closed Sep 30, 1997
    No recall
  4. FLOORMAT/ACCEL PEDAL INTRFPE88097 · closed Dec 2, 1988
    No recall
  5. PWR SEAT MALFUNC - FIREPE89125 · closed Oct 31, 1989
    No recall
  6. THROTTLE STICKINGPE90001 · closed Feb 2, 1990
    No recall
  7. FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLESPE95019 · closed Jul 31, 1995
    No recall
In owners' words

What Thunderbird owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING. THIS WAS DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION RECALL 96V071000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Complaint 10079573 · Jun 21, 2004 · 170,000 miles
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AND THERE WAS A BURN/ ELECTRICAL SMELL, BUT NO SMOKE. CONSUMER TURNED TO START VEHICLE BACK UP, AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. A MECHANIC FOUND THAT IGNITION SWITCH BURNED OUT FROM OVERHEATING. RECALL 96V071000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 95S28 WAS SERVICED…
Complaint 889186 · May 25, 2001
ALTERNATOR OVERHEATED, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WITHIN IGNITION SWITCH. *AK TWO DEALERS HAD DIFFERING OPENION ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES SOMETHING WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S DESIGN EXCITES THE ELECTRICAL CHANGING SYSTEM. *YH
Complaint 877473 · Jan 5, 2001

Own a 1988 Thunderbird?

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