Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 1988 Ford Thunderbird, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 27 | 27% |
| Seat belts | 17 | 17% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 6% |
| Steering | 4 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR ASSURANCE FUEL MAX TIRES, SIZE: P225/60R16. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRES MADE AN ABNORMAL RUMBLING NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT
NHTSA complaint: Tires
DT: THIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. IT CAUGHT FIRE ON OCTOBER 1, 2000. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. HAD MECHANIC LOOK AT V
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING. THIS WAS DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE IGNITION RECALL 96V071000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NO REPAIRS YET...HAHA..JUST WEAK BRAKES,BAD PAINT AND WIERD SPEED CONTROL...LOOK TO THE CRUISE CONTROL..TO MUCH ELECTRIONICS IN THIS CAR MAN!
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE VEHICLE LURCHED FOWARD, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
IGNITION SWITCH WAS RECALLED IN 1999. CAR WAS RETURNED TO TED BRITT FORD FOR COMPLIANCE.INVOICE STATES PN F29Z-11572D INSTALLED.IGNITION SWITCH FAILED 8/17/02 ENGINE RUNNING FINE BUT ABS INOP-LOSS OF BRAKE POWER BOOST NO
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.CONTACTED DEALER. REASON UNKNOWN.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CAR OFF. FIRE UNDER HOOD DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT-PER FIRE DEPT.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1988 Ford Thunderbird. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
A DESIGN CHANGE TO FACILITATE CHANGEOVER IN REAR AXLE SHAFT FLANGES INADVERTENTLY PRODUCED THE POSSIBILITY FOR INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE FLANGE AND DISC BRAKE ROTOR.
Risk: THE INTERFERENCE COULD PREVENT PROPER SEATING OF THEROTOR. ALSO AN IMPROPERLY SEATED ROTOR COULD IN TIME RESULT IN A REDUCTION INTHE CLAMPING FORCES OF THE WHEEL STUDS, POSSIBLY LEADING TO FRACTURED
Fix: INSPECTION OF VEHICLES AND WHERE NECESSARY REPLACE REAR AXLE SHAFTS AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 60 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 27 of them (27%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1988 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.