IllustrationAN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSED THE WIRES IN THE STEERING COLUMN TO BURN OUT, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
1987 Ford Thunderbird
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Thunderbird years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 61 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports17 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
61 reportsAFTER PARKING, MOMENTS LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FIRE DEPT. SUSPECT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS CULPRIT. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH LOOSE, CAUSING FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN. *DSH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE, ELECTRICAL WIRE AROUND STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
AFTERMARKET BRAKE FLUID HAS DAMAGED BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE, BRAND NAME IS SUPERIOR, DISTRIBUTED BY DPI IN CHICAGO, IL 60632. TT
CONSUMER HAD PARKED IT CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPER COMES ON ANYTIME . TT
DRIVERS SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED. *DSH
DRIVER'S BUCKET SEAT BELT DOES NOT HOLD WHEN ENGAGED BELT INTO LATCH. TT
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAS BROKEN, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. TT
# EA95-021 THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LOCK . TT
Official recalls
187V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 4, 1987
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5EA95021 · Faulty Seat Belt Buckles
Opened Jul 31, 1995 · Closed Sep 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
PE95019 · Faulty Seatbelt Buckles
Opened Mar 27, 1995 · Closed Jul 31, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
EA90005 · Power Seat Malfunc/fire
Opened Oct 31, 1989 · Closed Mar 12, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
There is no summary currently available
PE89125 · Pwr Seat Malfunc - Fire
Opened Jun 1, 1989 · Closed Oct 31, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
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PE88097 · Floormat/accel Pedal Intrf
Opened Aug 31, 1988 · Closed Dec 2, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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