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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1986 Ford Thunderbird Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
1about this part
Share
4%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 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1986 Ford Thunderbird, 4% of the 23 complaints for this model year.

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.

“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

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200527%
2004721%
2003618%
200222%
19971710%
1996219%
19954116%
19949231%
1993123%
1992105%
199144%
199086%
198943%
198833%
198712%
198614%
198414%

Other parts of the 1986 Ford Thunderbird

Engine cooling
7 complaints
Electrical system
5 complaints
Seat belts
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1986 Ford Thunderbird

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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