Model year record

1986 Ford Thunderbird

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 32 owner complaints on file.

Ford Thunderbird, 1983–1988 generation
Pictured: the 1983–1988 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 87V139000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
3,600,000
Reported to NHTSA
1987-09-04
Owners notified
1987-10-12

Defect description

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Safety risk

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Electrical system: ignition: switch3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine3—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Electrical system: ignition2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Vehicle speed control2—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Structure: body: door1—
Tires1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—

The 1985 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1987 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Thunderbird model years

All Ford Thunderbird recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.