1988 Ford Thunderbird

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #96V071000April 25, 19967,900,000 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition

  The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

  This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

• NHTSA recall #88V033000March 15, 1988682 vehicles affected

  power train: axle assembly: axle shaft

  A design change to facilitate changeover in rear axle shaft flanges inadvertently produced the possibility for interference between the flange and disc brake rotor.

  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.

Other model years

• 1984 26
• 1987 61
• 1988
• 1989 124
• 1990 140
• 1991 112
• 1992 184
• 1993 423
• 1994 300
• 1995 261
• 1996 233
• 1997 169
• 2002 93
• 2003 33
• 2004 34
• 2005 27