1987 Ford THUNDERBIRD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
63,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 34 complaints (35.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 20.6% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 14.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.9% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 12 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 12; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 4; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 33 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 15; 1996: 11; 2000: 4; 2001: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10136339 · 2005-09-13 (September 13, 2005)
DT: THIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE THREE TIMES. IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. CONTACTED FORD, THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER PUT TWO OF THE FIRES OUT, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT ONE OF THE FIRES OUT. ALL FIRES STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THIS HAPPENED ON JUNE 1, 1996. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF ALL THREE TIMES AND PARKED AND THAT WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE REPAIR SHOP REBUILT THE WIRING ALL THREE TIMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505471 · 1996-06-18 (June 18, 1996)
SHORT IN IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING WIRING UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN TO OVERHEAT/MELT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503805 · 1996-04-22 (April 22, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH LOOSE, CAUSING FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 871335 · 2000-09-24 (September 24, 2000)
ON GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING; VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR REPAIRS AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 871335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 872949 · 2000-10-13 (October 13, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF AND THAT THE GAS PEDAL GOES UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN, CONSUMER STATES THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 872949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857604 · 2000-02-28 (February 28, 2000)
CONSUMER DROVE CAR AND BRAKES WERE NOT GOOD. WHEN DRIVING AT ABOUT 50 MILES CAR WOULD SHIMMY BADLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979323 · 1996-02-16 (February 16, 1996)
AFTERMARKET BRAKE FLUID HAS DAMAGED BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE, BRAND NAME IS SUPERIOR, DISTRIBUTED BY DPI IN CHICAGO, IL 60632. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979323 at NHTSA ↗