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1988 Ford Thunderbird

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 92 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports15 fire reports7 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2000
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSeat Belts

BOUGHT CAR FRM OLD LADY WHO RARELY DROVE IT. AFTER BOUGHT NOTICED FRNT END CLUNK ALL SPEEDS REPLACED STRUTS CLUNK STILLTHERE REPLACED STRUT BEARINGS AND ALL BUSHINGS IN FRONT END. CLUNKING STILL THERE REAR END CLUNKING BAD WHEN PUT INTO GEAR AND WHEN CAR SHIFTS REPLACED REAR SHOCKS....STILL THERE ....AT FRONT ALSO ...WAS TOL…

Read full complaint

BOUGHT CAR FRM OLD LADY WHO RARELY DROVE IT. AFTER BOUGHT NOTICED FRNT END CLUNK ALL SPEEDS REPLACED STRUTS CLUNK STILLTHERE REPLACED STRUT BEARINGS AND ALL BUSHINGS IN FRONT END. CLUNKING STILL THERE REAR END CLUNKING BAD WHEN PUT INTO GEAR AND WHEN CAR SHIFTS REPLACED REAR SHOCKS....STILL THERE ....AT FRONT ALSO ...WAS TOLD BY SANTA MARIA FORD THE FRONT CLUNK IS FROM THE REAR SOMEWHERE?...I FINALLY FOUND IT IN STEERING RACK THE ROD ENDS WERE DRY (NO LUBE FROM FACTORY) THE BALL SOCKETS IN THEM WERE JUST SHORT OF A WRECK WEAR WISE ....REPLACED THEM AND BEHOLD NO CLUNK FROM FRONT....REAR STILL CLUNKS TO THIS DAY.RECALL FOR ING SWITCH AFTER THIS WAS REPLACED THE ENGING SURGES AND SOMETIMES STALLS AT SPEED AND IDLE THE DEALER (JIM BURKE IN BAKERSFIELD) SAYS ITS MY PROBLEM AND THEY COULD CHECK IT OUT FOR $$$$$ I HAD PAYED THEM FOR DIAGNOSES AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED INJECTOR CLEANED @495.00FOR #4 INJ. WELL I INSTALLED NEW ONE FOR $40.00 AND PRICE OF GASKETS CAR PASSED SMOG BUT STILL SURGES AT ALL SPEEDS..........THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE STOPPED LATCHING ABOUT THE TIME OF INGNITION RECALL FORD SAID TUFF LUCK GO TO A JUNKYARD

NHTSA ODI #737337

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1996
EquipmentFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

AIR CONDITIONER LEAKS.

NHTSA ODI #512286

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP INSIDE GAS TANK, GAS TANK IS LEAKING. TT

NHTSA ODI #962479

Official recalls

2

96V071000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 25, 1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

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.

88V033000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft

Mar 15, 1988

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

7

EA95021 · Faulty Seat Belt Buckles

Opened Jul 31, 1995 · Closed Sep 30, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE95019 · Faulty Seatbelt Buckles

Opened Mar 27, 1995 · Closed Jul 31, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

EA90009 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Feb 8, 1990 · Closed Feb 28, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA90005 · Power Seat Malfunc/fire

Opened Oct 31, 1989 · Closed Mar 12, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats

There is no summary currently available

PE90001 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Oct 4, 1989 · Closed Feb 2, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

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PE89125 · Pwr Seat Malfunc - Fire

Opened Jun 1, 1989 · Closed Oct 31, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

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PE88097 · Floormat/accel Pedal Intrf

Opened Aug 31, 1988 · Closed Dec 2, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

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