1986 Ford Thunderbird Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 30%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1986 Ford Thunderbird, 30% of the 23 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Once or twice a month, every month, for the last year I would go out and get in the vehicle to start it up. When I turned on the ignition the motor would crank and crank but it would never fire. I would let the vehicle set a few minutes then try again with the same results. If I let the vehicle sit until the next day it would finally start. The vehicle again dump me a parking lot in portmouths, va with the same problem.. I had the vehicle towed to john kool lincoln/mercury. The vehicle started for them the next day and again after many trys. …”
NHTSA complaint #730350, filed 2000-09“While driving from the dealership from having the vehicle serviced, the engine suddenly blew causing the vehicle to come to a sudden stop due to an oil leak, the vehicle remained on the dealers lot from june-november 1997 while a decision was being made about who was going to be responsible for repairs. Mlm”
NHTSA complaint #560327, filed 2001-03“Driving 50-55 MPH; driver smelled smoke & pulled off road. Turned vehicle off & exited. Vehicle suddenly burst into flames. Insurance agent/inspector could not locate cause of fire. Vehicle totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #818289, filed 1997-10Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 11% |
| 2004 | 5 | 15% |
| 2003 | 3 | 9% |
| 2002 | 24 | 26% |
| 1997 | 54 | 32% |
| 1996 | 65 | 28% |
| 1995 | 49 | 19% |
| 1994 | 61 | 20% |
| 1993 | 171 | 40% |
| 1992 | 27 | 15% |
| 1991 | 14 | 13% |
| 1990 | 11 | 8% |
| 1989 | 13 | 10% |
| 1988 | 7 | 8% |
| 1987 | 4 | 7% |
| 1986 | 7 | 30% |
| 1985 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 6 | 23% |
Other parts of the 1986 Ford Thunderbird
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1986 Ford Thunderbird
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology