1988 Ford Thunderbird vs 1990 Ford Thunderbird
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1988 Ford Thunderbird | 1990 Ford Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 92 | 140 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 24 | 35 |
| Investigations | 7 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 5 | 8 |
| Fire reports | 16 | 19 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 17–21 | 18–20 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Thunderbird | Ford Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 29 | 38 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 | 34 |
| Seat Belts | 18 | 23 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 17 |
| Exterior Lighting | 11 | 7 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 11 |
| Power Train | 3 | 8 |
| Steering | 5 | 3 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Brake problems | 5 | 6 |
| Electrical failures | 5 | 6 |
| Overheating | 5 | 0 |
1988 Ford Thunderbird
1990 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.