FaultScore

1987 Ford Thunderbird electrical problems

26 of the 73 complaints about the 1987 Ford Thunderbird are about the electrical system — 36% of everything reported for this model year.

F

26

Complaints

1

Crashes

16

Fires

4

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Switch 11 42.3%
Front Underhood 5 19.2%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 4 15.4%
Ignition 3 11.5%
Wiring 2 7.7%
Module 1 3.8%

Electrical System across every Ford Thunderbird year

1984 12 4.1%
1985 10 3.4%
1987 26 9.0%
1988 33 11.4%
1989 23 7.9%
1990 38 13.1%
1991 15 5.2%
1992 28 9.7%
1993 39 13.4%
1994 29 10.0%
1995 15 5.2%
2002 22 7.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

White City, KS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THE ELECTRIC WIRES ON THE VEHICLE MELTED AND BURNED. *BF

NHTSA complaint #10096849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Evansville, IN Fire 3 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ALL OF THE INCIDENTS THAT I HAVE REPORTED IN THIS FORM ARE RELATED! OUR CAR KEPT WANTING TO DIE AT STOPLIGHTS AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT FIXED, BUT, THEY NEVER COULD QUITE GET IT RIGHT. AT 3:30 AM. ON 07/06/2000, I SMELLED SMOKE IN THE HOUSE AND IT AWOKE ME FROM A SOUND SLEEP! I GOT UP TO SEE WERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND IT WAS COMING FROM OUR ATTACHED GARAGE! MY 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD WAS ON FIRE! I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SMOKE INHALATION AND MY WIFE AND STEP-SON WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE FOR THE SAME. WE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE AND EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO OUR HOUSE. WE HAD TO LEAVE OUR HOUSE FOR 4 AND ONE-HALF WEEKS WHILE OUR HOUSE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED AND MY 1984 CHEVY VAN, WHICH WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE CAR, HAD &5,000.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE CONTENTS OF THE GARAGE WERE DISTROYED! WE ARE STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER! ITOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR AND THERE IS NO REASON, BESIDES DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT, THAT THIS TERRIBLE THING COULD HAVE HAPPENED. JESSE STOREY, THE STATE FIRE INSPECTOR, CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE, ACCORDING TO HIM AND ALSO OUR MECHANIC. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELLING THEM OF MY INCIDENT AND SUPPLYING THEM WITH THE V.I.N. AND OTHER INFORMATION AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO RECALL ITEMS ON THAT CAR. FROM WHAT I READ IN THE PAPER RECENTLY, THEY OUT-RIGHT LIED TO ME! A JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA HAS ORDERED FORD TO RECALL 1.7 MILLION VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE LIST OF RECALLS INCLUDES OUR CAR(THUNDERBIRD, 1983-88). I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRUTHFUL WITH ME WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM BY WAY OF E-MAIL! I ALSO FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR LOSES AND ALL OF THE MISERY THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS PUT US THROUGH. I WOULD SETTLE FOR $100,000.00. I FEEL THAT IF THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH APPEARS TO BE THEIR FAULT, WE WOULD NOT OF HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS TO.*A

NHTSA complaint #739459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Evansville, IN Fire 3 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ALL OF THE INCIDENTS THAT I HAVE REPORTED IN THIS FORM ARE RELATED! OUR CAR KEPT WANTING TO DIE AT STOPLIGHTS AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT FIXED, BUT, THEY NEVER COULD QUITE GET IT RIGHT. AT 3:30 AM. ON 07/06/2000, I SMELLED SMOKE IN THE HOUSE AND IT AWOKE ME FROM A SOUND SLEEP! I GOT UP TO SEE WERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND IT WAS COMING FROM OUR ATTACHED GARAGE! MY 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD WAS ON FIRE! I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SMOKE INHALATION AND MY WIFE AND STEP-SON WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE FOR THE SAME. WE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE AND EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO OUR HOUSE. WE HAD TO LEAVE OUR HOUSE FOR 4 AND ONE-HALF WEEKS WHILE OUR HOUSE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED AND MY 1984 CHEVY VAN, WHICH WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE CAR, HAD &5,000.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE CONTENTS OF THE GARAGE WERE DISTROYED! WE ARE STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER! ITOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR AND THERE IS NO REASON, BESIDES DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT, THAT THIS TERRIBLE THING COULD HAVE HAPPENED. JESSE STOREY, THE STATE FIRE INSPECTOR, CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE, ACCORDING TO HIM AND ALSO OUR MECHANIC. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELLING THEM OF MY INCIDENT AND SUPPLYING THEM WITH THE V.I.N. AND OTHER INFORMATION AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO RECALL ITEMS ON THAT CAR. FROM WHAT I READ IN THE PAPER RECENTLY, THEY OUT-RIGHT LIED TO ME! A JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA HAS ORDERED FORD TO RECALL 1.7 MILLION VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE LIST OF RECALLS INCLUDES OUR CAR(THUNDERBIRD, 1983-88). I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRUTHFUL WITH ME WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM BY WAY OF E-MAIL! I ALSO FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR LOSES AND ALL OF THE MISERY THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS PUT US THROUGH. I WOULD SETTLE FOR $100,000.00. I FEEL THAT IF THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH APPEARS TO BE THEIR FAULT, WE WOULD NOT OF HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS TO.*A

NHTSA complaint #739459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Evansville, IN Fire 3 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALL OF THE INCIDENTS THAT I HAVE REPORTED IN THIS FORM ARE RELATED! OUR CAR KEPT WANTING TO DIE AT STOPLIGHTS AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT FIXED, BUT, THEY NEVER COULD QUITE GET IT RIGHT. AT 3:30 AM. ON 07/06/2000, I SMELLED SMOKE IN THE HOUSE AND IT AWOKE ME FROM A SOUND SLEEP! I GOT UP TO SEE WERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND IT WAS COMING FROM OUR ATTACHED GARAGE! MY 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD WAS ON FIRE! I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SMOKE INHALATION AND MY WIFE AND STEP-SON WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE FOR THE SAME. WE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE AND EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO OUR HOUSE. WE HAD TO LEAVE OUR HOUSE FOR 4 AND ONE-HALF WEEKS WHILE OUR HOUSE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED AND MY 1984 CHEVY VAN, WHICH WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE CAR, HAD &5,000.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE CONTENTS OF THE GARAGE WERE DISTROYED! WE ARE STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER! ITOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR AND THERE IS NO REASON, BESIDES DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT, THAT THIS TERRIBLE THING COULD HAVE HAPPENED. JESSE STOREY, THE STATE FIRE INSPECTOR, CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE, ACCORDING TO HIM AND ALSO OUR MECHANIC. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELLING THEM OF MY INCIDENT AND SUPPLYING THEM WITH THE V.I.N. AND OTHER INFORMATION AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO RECALL ITEMS ON THAT CAR. FROM WHAT I READ IN THE PAPER RECENTLY, THEY OUT-RIGHT LIED TO ME! A JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA HAS ORDERED FORD TO RECALL 1.7 MILLION VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE LIST OF RECALLS INCLUDES OUR CAR(THUNDERBIRD, 1983-88). I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRUTHFUL WITH ME WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM BY WAY OF E-MAIL! I ALSO FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR LOSES AND ALL OF THE MISERY THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS PUT US THROUGH. I WOULD SETTLE FOR $100,000.00. I FEEL THAT IF THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH APPEARS TO BE THEIR FAULT, WE WOULD NOT OF HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS TO.*A

NHTSA complaint #739459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Evansville, IN Fire 3 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

OUR CAR KEPT WANTING TO DIE AT STOPLIGHTS AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT FIXED, BUT, THEY NEVER COULD QUIT GET IT RIGHT. AT 3:30AM ON 07/06/2000 I SMELLED SMOKE IN THE HOUSE AND IT WOKE ME UP FROM A SOUND SLEEP. I GOT UP TO SEE WERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND IT WAS COMING FROM THE GARAGE. MY 1987 THUNDERBIRD WAS ON FIRE! I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SMOKE INHALATION AND MU WIFE AND STEP-SON WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE. WE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE AND EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO OUR HOUSE. WE HAD TO LEAVE OUR HOUSE FOR 4 AND ONE-HALF WEEKS WHILE OUR HOUSE WAS BEING REPAIRED. WE ARE STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER. I TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR AND THERE IS NO REASON BESIDES, DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT, THAT THIS TERRIBLE THING COULD HAVE HAPPENED. JESSE STOREY, THE STATE FIRE INSPECTOR CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND THE THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. I SENT AN E-MAIL TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELLING THEM OF MY INCIDENT AND SUPPLYING THEM WITH THE V.I.N. AND OTHER INFORMATION AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO RECALL ITEMS ON THIS CAR. FROM WHAT I READ IN THE PAPER RECENTLY, THEY OUT-RIGHT LIED TO ME . A JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA HAS ORDERED FORD TO RECALL 1.7 MILLION VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE LIST OF RECALLS INCLUDES OUR CAR(THUNDERBIRD,1983-88). I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRUTHFUL WITH ME WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM BY WAY OF E-MAIL. I ALSO FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR LOSES AND ALL OF THE MISERY THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS PUT US THROUGH. I FEEL THAT IF THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH APPEARS TO BE THEIR FAULT, WE WOULD NOT OF HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS TORTURE MENTALLY AND FINANCIALLY! PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS PLEA FOR HELP SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME CLOSURE ON THIS INCIDENT. THANK YOU, SINCERELY, STEPHEN SCHNUR

NHTSA complaint #734188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fortheworth, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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.

NHTSA complaint #871335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fishers, IN Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE PLUG THAT GOES TO THE ALTENATOR BEGAN TO MELT AND CAUSED AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #844180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE PARKED IN PARKING LOT NEXT TO RESTAURANT, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE; ELECTRICAL FIRE; WHOLE FRONT END BURNED UP; ALL WIRES BURNED.

NHTSA complaint #983240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calistoga, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

AFTER DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WERE SUPPOSE TO TURN THEMSELVES OFF. BUT THEY DID NOT. THEN WHEN CONSUMER BEGAN TO DRIVE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. AFTERWARDS, DROVE VEHICLE AGAIN, IT THEN STOPPED AND WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #831099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Torrance, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHEN PUTTING THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL IN THE DOWN POSITION, THE ELECTRICAL POWER IS DISCONNECTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION KEY ALSO GETS WARM, AND THE POWER WILL GO OFF AND ON IF WIGGLING THE KEY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN THE ON POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #826542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho CUC, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #536247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHENEVER THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED ON, IT WOULD CAUSE THE ABS BRAKES TO FAIL. THERE IS NO POWER IN ABS BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #823317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho Cucamanga, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH PLASTIC CONNECTOR TO THE POWER SYSTEM MELTED, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. HEAT CONTROL. PROBLEM OCCURRED 3 TIMES. RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH FOR 88 THUNDERBIRD FOR THE SAME IGNITION PART AS THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #823324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Micanopy, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #512584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellevue, NE Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

COMPUTER FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #506980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Louis, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH STICKS.

NHTSA complaint #507316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belmont, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE I THE ALTERNATOR CABLE.

NHTSA complaint #805537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simi Valley, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

VEHICLE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #511686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phillipsburg, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THE CAR HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE (3) TIMES IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE IT WAS PARKED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #804533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Perkionenvil, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

FIRE STARTED UNDERHOOD WHILE DRIVING, PARKED VEHICLE, STARTED SMOKING, SUBSEQUENTLY CAME ENGULFED WITH FLAMES, CAUSED BY ALTERNATOR'S CONNECTORS.

NHTSA complaint #987098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salem, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

SHORT IN IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING WIRING UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN TO OVERHEAT/MELT.

NHTSA complaint #505471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Littlerock, AR Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

EXPERIENCED ON TWO OCCAISION ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES, WHEN ALTERNATOR SHORTS DUE TO PLUG WITHIN ALTERNATOR GETTING HOT, ALTERNATORS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES*AK

NHTSA complaint #984779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Goose Creek, SC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSED THE WIRES IN THE STEERING COLUMN TO BURN OUT, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #984190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Louisville, KY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH LOOSE, CAUSING FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #503805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chico, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

AFTER PARKING, MOMENTS LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FIRE DEPT. SUSPECT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS CULPRIT.

NHTSA complaint #983388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wollaston, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE, ELECTRICAL WIRE AROUND STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #983040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1987 Ford Thunderbird problems

← Full 1987 Ford Thunderbird report