Total Complaints
73 filings
FORD THUNDERBIRD · model year
1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD
73 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1987FORDTHUNDERBIRD carries 73 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 20 fires, 15 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1987 THUNDERBIRD is seat belts:front:buckle assembly with 14 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition:switch (11) and electrical system:wiring:front underhood (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1987 THUNDERBIRD, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
73
Complaints
4
Crashes
20
Fires
15
Injuries
1
Deaths
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 14 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 11 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 2 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 1 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20050913FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
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
Mileage: 63,000
20041026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE ELECTRIC WIRES ON THE VEHICLE MELTED AND BURNED. *BF *TC
20011126SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE PULLLING SEAT BELT OUT TO LOCK IN PLACE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT BECOME LATCHED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
20010125FireELECTRICAL 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 EQ
20010125FireELECTRICAL 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 EQ
20010125FireELECTRICAL 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 EQ
20001024FireELECTRICAL 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 A
20001013ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF AND THAT THE GAS PEDAL GOES UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN, CONSUMER STATES THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. *SLC
20001013VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF AND THAT THE GAS PEDAL GOES UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN, CONSUMER STATES THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. *SLC
20000924ELECTRICAL 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. *AK
20000228SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
CONSUMER DROVE CAR AND BRAKES WERE NOT GOOD. WHEN DRIVING AT ABOUT 50 MILES CAR WOULD SHIMMY BADLY. *AK
19991207POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
CONNECTERS FOR TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES ARE LEAKING DUE TO THE HEAT COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
19991207ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CONNECTERS FOR TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES ARE LEAKING DUE TO THE HEAT COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
19990830SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
AT 10,000 MILES THE BRAKE PADS GLAZED / ROTORS WARPED / THE REAR CALIPERS LOCKED-UP CAUSING FAILURE. *YC
19990830SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
AT 10,000 MILES THE BRAKE PADS GLAZED / ROTORS WARPED / THE REAR CALIPERS LOCKED-UP CAUSING FAILURE. *YC
19990830SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
AT 10,000 MILES THE BRAKE PADS GLAZED / ROTORS WARPED / THE REAR CALIPERS LOCKED-UP CAUSING FAILURE. *YC
19990803FireELECTRICAL 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. *AK
19990325FireELECTRICAL 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. *AK
19990305SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TWO TIMES, UNABLE TO GET REPLACEMENT DUE TO BACK ORDER.
19990112FireELECTRICAL 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. *AK
Compare 1987FORDTHUNDERBIRD to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD have?▼
The 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD has 73 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 20 fires, 15 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD?▼
The most-complained component for the 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD.
Is the 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.