Model year record

1987 Ford Thunderbird

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 73 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
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly14—
Electrical system: ignition: switch11—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood5—
Vehicle speed control5—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4—
Electrical system: ignition3—
Exterior lighting: headlights3—
Fuel system, gasoline3—
Electrical system: wiring2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Steering1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure: body1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control163,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—

The 1986 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1988 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.