RoadVitals

1988 Ford Thunderbird Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Data refreshed

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Recall campaignsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Newest Apr 25, 1996
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
Open investigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
7 investigations on file

Recall campaigns

2 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

96V071000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Apr 25, 1996
7,900,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
88V033000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Mar 15, 1988
682 units potentially affected
The defect: A DESIGN CHANGE TO FACILITATE CHANGEOVER IN REAR AXLE SHAFT FLANGES INADVERTENTLY PRODUCED THE POSSIBILITY FOR INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE FLANGE AND DISC BRAKE ROTOR.
The 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 STUDSAND REAR WHEEL SEPARATION.
The remedy: INSPECTION OF VEHICLES AND WHERE NECESSARY REPLACE REAR AXLE SHAFTS AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Safety investigation
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

EA95021ClosedEngineering Analysis

FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES

Opened Jul 31, 1995
Closed Sep 30, 1997

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS
PE95019ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES

Opened Mar 27, 1995
Closed Jul 31, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
EA90009ClosedEngineering Analysis

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Feb 8, 1990
Closed Feb 28, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA90005ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER SEAT MALFUNC/FIRE

Opened Oct 31, 1989
Closed Mar 12, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SEATSLed to recall 91V036000
PE90001ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Oct 4, 1989
Closed Feb 2, 1990

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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE89125ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PWR SEAT MALFUNC - FIRE

Opened Jun 1, 1989
Closed Oct 31, 1989

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Showing 6 of 7 inquiries on file for this model year, open ones first. Every one of them is listed on NHTSA.gov.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .