1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD

2 recalls, 116 complaints - 31 TSBs

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Defect Description

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.

7,900,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Defect Description

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.

682 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Complaint Statistics

116 total complaints 6 crashes 18 fires 9 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH	13
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS	9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD	5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR	3

Incident date: Jun 30, 2015

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 N... Read more

Incident date: Oct 1, 2000

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

Fire

Incident date: Jun 19, 2004

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

Incident date: Jun 15, 2003

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!

Incident date: Jun 15, 2003

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!

Incident date: Jun 15, 2003

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!

Incident date: Mar 26, 2003

THE VEHICLE LURCHED FOWARD, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. *JB

Crash

Incident date: Sep 2, 2002

CAR OFF. FIRE UNDER HOOD DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT-PER FIRE DEPT.

Fire

Incident date: Aug 17, 2002

IGNITION SWITCH WAS RECALLED IN 1999. CAR WAS RETURNED TO TED BRITT FORD FOR COMPLIANCE.INVOICE STATES PN F29Z-11572D INSTALLED.IGNITION SWITCH FAILED 8/17/02 ENGINE RUNNING FINE BUT ABS INOP-LOSS OF BRAKE POWER BOOST NOT JUST ANTI LOCK.DEFECTIVE SWITCH FOUND TO BE PN F29A11572DA NOT F29Z11572D AS S... Read more

Incident date: Aug 17, 2002

Incident date: Sep 2, 2002

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.CONTACTED DEALER. REASON UNKNOWN.*AK

Fire

Incident date: Oct 21, 2000

WITH THE MIRROR GLUED TO THE WINDSHIELD, AN OBJECT HIT THE ROOFLINE OF THE CAR, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER, AND AT 65MPH, THE WINDSHIELD COLAPSED WITH THE MIRROR ATTACHED, HITTING ME IN THE THE FACE, AND THE MIRROR EDGE HIT ME IN THE RT SIDE OF MY HEAD, BREAKING MY SKULL, CAUSING BONE FRGMEN... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 21, 2000

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Nov 1, 2001

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED. I ALSO OWNED A 1987 T-BIRD PRIOR TO THIS ONE THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE OLDER T-BIRDS.*AK

IGNITION SWITCH IS CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL OUT IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.*AK

Incident date: May 17, 2001

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 SERV... Read more

Incident date: Feb 21, 2001

THE FEMALE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS BROKEN.

PLASTIC COVERING ON HEADLIGHTS HAVE FADED TO YELLOW MAKING VISIBILITY DIFFICULT. OWNER HAS TO BUY WHOLE LIGHTING UNIT TO FIX PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER SAYS IT IS NOT REASONABLE TO BUY THE ENTIRE UNIT TO REPLACE AN INFERIOR QUALITY COVERING FOR THE HEAD LIGHT. *YH

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

Incident date: Jan 1, 1994

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 THER... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 1994

Incident date: Aug 14, 2000

IN COLLISION SEAT BELT FAILED; DRIVER HIT WINSHIELD AND STEERING WHEEL. *AK

Crash 1 injured

NO SUMMARY

Incident date: Jul 23, 2000

NO SUMMARY

BELT BUCKLE DOESN'T LOCK ANYMORE. BUCKLE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER.*AK

Incident date: Sep 26, 1999

WHEN THE LEVER IS USED TO RECLINE THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK, IT CANNOT BE REPOSITIONED. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS WOULD FOG UP & HAVE VERY LITTLE PROJECTION, EVEN WITH HIGH BEAMS ON. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK

Incident date: Sep 26, 1999

Incident date: Aug 16, 1998

HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY: IMMEDIATELY, OR UP TO 20-30 MINUTES AFTER TURNING THEM ON, HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS.. HAVE REPLACED 3 TURN SIGNAL/BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCHES, DUE TO THEM OVERHEATING AND MELTING. WHEN HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, INTERIOR FILLS WITH BURNING PLASTIC SMELL... Read more

Incident date: Aug 16, 1998

TURBOCHARGER GONE BAD

HEADLIGHT COVER IS PLASTIC WHICH HAS TURNED A YELLOWISH COLOR, AND HAS CAUSED HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME DIM. *AK

THE FRONT BRAKES ARE NOT CATCHING REGULARLY, THE REAR BRAKES CATCH EVERYTIME. FORD SAYS CONSUMER HAS WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEMS, THE PUMP MOTOR IS DEFECTIVE. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED INTERMITENTLY FOR THE LAST FOUR MONTHS. *AK

Incident date: Apr 12, 1999

THIS SWITCH WAS REPLACED W/ RECALL @ DEALER! CALLED DEALER, WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF TIME LAPSE. SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL! THEY REPLACED A FAULTY ELECTRICAL ELEMENT WITH ANOTHER FAULTY ELECTRICAL ELEMENT (I HAVE SWITCH) AND LET ME DRIVE AWAY, 7 MONTHS PREGNANT! (PLUS, MY BABY & I WERE ON THE ... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Mar 9, 1999

HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 96V071000 IN THE MAIL. CONTACTED DEALER. HAD THE IGNITION REPAIRED AT DEALER. PROBLEM WITH SMOKING OCCURRED. TOOK VEHICLE BACK & PAID FOR ANOTHER IGNITION. HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SMOKING OF THE IGNITION. *AK

I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND BECAUSE NO CODES ARE SHOWING, THE SHOP CANNOT DETECT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. WHEN SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE SPEED IN CREASES TO 3,000 RPM'S, I'M HAVING TO APPLY THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I CAN TO STOP THE CAR FROM LURCHING FORWARD. ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 9, 1996

BEFORE RECALL REPAIR WORK WAS COMPLETED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH DESTROYED VEHICLE DUE TO FIRE.

Fire

Incident date: Apr 12, 1997

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IT'S VERY HARD TO SEE, THE PLASTIC COVER OF HEADLAMPS HAS BECOME A MILKY WHITE COLOR. CONSUMER HAS TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS AT ALL TIMES. IN RAINY WEATHER THE VISIBILITY IS THREE TIMES WORSE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER SAID IT WAS DEFECTIVE WIRING IN THE ALTERNATOR. *AK *ML

Fire

Incident date: Jul 29, 1995

VEHICLE FIRE UNDERHOOD DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE.

Fire

Incident date: Jul 10, 1998

THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF THE GARAGE HITTING A PARKED CAR, THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE WITH HIS FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD HITTING A BRICK WALL AND CONCRETE FO... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Aug 9, 1996

VEHICLE DESTROYED IN A FIRE, DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION.

Incident date: Nov 1, 1994

HEAD LIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.

Showing 50 of 116 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	15.0	21.0	17.0	Regular	$3,600
2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	16.0	24.0	19.0	Regular	$3,250
3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	18.0	25.0	21.0	Regular	$2,950
5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	16.0	24.0	19.0	Regular	$3,250

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD

31 manufacturer communications from 24 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	6
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	3
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	3
103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER	3
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	2
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	2
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	1
136200 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR	1

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

138600 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

103600 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC

190000 TIRES

INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC

063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC

357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SUBJECT REGARDING A NEW SERVICE CENTER SUPPORT THAT USES A THRUST BEARING (#3 AND #4) IN PLACE OF THRUST WASHERS HAS BEEN RELEASED. *TT

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW

131000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW

036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. IF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE IS USED TO LUBRICATE ANY PAR

136200 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

A REVISED SERVICE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW AVAILABLE. *TW

034420 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS

UNKNOWN

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

UNKNOWN

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

UNKNOWN

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

UNKNOWN

103700 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

UNKNOWN

113100 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID

UNKNOWN

138800 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

UNKNOWN

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

A REVISED SERVICE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW AVAILABLE. *TW

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW

061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

NEW TORQUE-TO-YIELD CYLINDER HEAD BOLT KIT. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, FORD THUNDERBIRD

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1992

HEADLIGHT SWITCH

SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN INTERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT CAN OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLING OPERATION.

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1992

HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER

HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH AN ITERNAL, BIMETAL CIRCUIT BREALER THAT MAY OPEN DUE TO OVERHEATING DURING HEADLIGHT OPERATION

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1992

FUEL LINE JUMPER

TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE ALLEGED FUEL LINE FAILURES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL GEOGRAPHIC REGION AND IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED NATIONALLY

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1992

REAR FUEL LINE INTERFERENCE

THE REAR FUEL TUBE BUNDLE MAY ABRADE AND FAIL IN THE VICINITY OF THE FUEL TANK.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1987

FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES