1986 Ford Thunderbird vs 1988 Ford Thunderbird
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1986 Ford Thunderbird | 1988 Ford Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 23 | 92 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 22 | 24 |
| Investigations | 1 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 2 | 5 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 16 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18–20 | 17–21 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Thunderbird | Ford Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 | 29 |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 18 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 0 | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 0 | 8 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 3 |
| Steering | 0 | 5 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Brake problems | 0 | 5 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 5 |
| Overheating | 0 | 5 |
1986 Ford Thunderbird
1988 Ford Thunderbird
Compare all Ford Thunderbird vs Ford Thunderbird years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.