1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
116
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD
The 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD has received a total of 116 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT. The most commonly reported problems involve the Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly (15 complaints), Electrical Systemignitionswitch (13 complaints), and Exterior Lightingheadlights (9 complaints).
Recalls for the 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD, potentially affecting up to 7,900,682 vehicles.
Recall 96V071000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
| 7,900,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
View full details →Recall 88V033000 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
| 682 vehicles affected
Defect: A DESIGN CHANGE TO FACILITATE CHANGEOVER IN REAR AXLE SHAFT FLANGES INADVERTENTLY PRODUCED THE POSSIBILITY FOR INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE FLANGE AND DISC BRAKE ROTOR.
Consequence: THE INTERFERENCE COULD PREVENT PROPER SEATING OF THEROTOR. ALSO AN IMPROPERLY SEATED ROTOR COULD IN TIME RESULT IN A REDUCTION INTHE CLAMPING FORCES OF THE WHEEL STUDS, POSSIBLY LEADING TO FRACTURED STUDSAND REAR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: INSPECTION OF VEHICLES AND WHERE NECESSARY REPLACE REAR AXLE SHAFTS AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD
116 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR ASSURANCE FUEL MAX TIRES, SIZE: P225/60R16. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRES MADE AN ABNORMAL RUMBLING NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND BOTH PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE GETTING FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE THE REASON FOR THE TIRE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 290,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. *TR
DT: THIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. IT CAUGHT FIRE ON OCTOBER 1, 2000. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. HAD MECHANIC LOOK AT VEHICLE TO REPAIR IT, AND THEY SAID IT WAS TO FAR GONE.*AK
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
NO REPAIRS YET...HAHA..JUST WEAK BRAKES,BAD PAINT AND WIERD SPEED CONTROL...LOOK TO THE CRUISE CONTROL..TO MUCH ELECTRIONICS IN THIS CAR MAN!
NO REPAIRS YET...HAHA..JUST WEAK BRAKES,BAD PAINT AND WIERD SPEED CONTROL...LOOK TO THE CRUISE CONTROL..TO MUCH ELECTRIONICS IN THIS CAR MAN!
Safety Rating for the 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD.
Other Model Years of the FORD THUNDERBIRD
- 1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 4 complaints
- 1984 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 33 complaints
- 1985 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 16 complaints
- 1986 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 32 complaints
- 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 73 complaints
- 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD (current)
- 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 147 complaints
- 1990 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 179 complaints
- 1991 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 130 complaints
- 1992 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 234 complaints
- 1993 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 559 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints