1987 Ford THUNDERBIRD: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10096849 · 2004-10-05 (October 5, 2004)
THE ELECTRIC WIRES ON THE VEHICLE MELTED AND BURNED. *BF *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10096849 at NHTSA ↗
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 481246 · 1995-02-10 (February 10, 1995)
MICHELIN TIRE SIDEWALLS CRACK, CAUSING AIR TO ESCAPE/TIRE TO FAIL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488219 · 1995-09-22 (September 22, 1995)
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO STAY LATCHED. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 490455 · 1995-12-03 (December 3, 1995)
DRIVERS SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490455 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 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 507714 · 1996-08-20 (August 20, 1996)
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507714 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗