1987 Ford Thunderbird Problems
- Complaints
- 61filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 16 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Ford Thunderbird (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe electrical problems: melted alternator plugs and ignition switch wiring that led to smoke and engine-compartment fires, sometimes while parked. A second cluster of complaints involves the cruise control and throttle, with reports of unintended acceleration, and seat belts that would not latch are also mentioned repeatedly. Most reports come from vehicles well past 60,000 miles, and many describe problems that appeared gradually or recurred after repairs.
- Electrical system
Underhood fire from alternator and wiring
- 23 complaints (38%)
- typically at 9.7 yrs old
- 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2004
Complaints describe smoke and flames from the engine compartment, sometimes while driving and sometimes shortly after the vehicle was parked. Several owners point to the alternator connector or plug overheating and melting, and some say the alternator was replaced more than once. Others describe ignition switch wiring in the steering column burning out, and one owner reports a fire that damaged a garage and spread smoke through the house. Mileage is rarely given; reports span older, higher-mileage vehicles, with several fires occurring after the engine was shut off.
What to check: Inspect the alternator connector and charging wiring for heat damage or melted plastic, and ask whether the alternator or engine harness has been replaced. Check the ignition switch and steering column wiring for scorched insulation.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #734188, filed 2000-10“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #739459, filed 2001-01 - Vehicle speed control
Cruise control and throttle causing surging
- 6 complaints (10%)
- typically at 11.0 yrs old
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1997–2000
Owners describe the car accelerating on its own, including one case after shifting into reverse and others where the gas pedal moved up and down by itself while driving. Several complaints tie the behavior to the cruise control switch or the throttle position sensor shorting, and one owner reports repeated fires traced to the cruise control switch. Repairs described include rebuilding the wiring. Reports mostly come from vehicles around 60,000 miles or more, and the behavior was often intermittent.
What to check: Ask whether the cruise control servo and switch have been serviced, and have the throttle linkage and throttle position sensor checked for sticking or intermittent signals.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Owner put vehicle in reverse and the vehicle sudden accelerated, causing vehicle to be involved in a collision. Vehicle sudden accelerated without any warning. There was a investigation pe-88097, but that investigation is closed.”
NHTSA complaint #813361, filed 1997-06“While driving at a speed of 45 MPH, the cruise control shorted, causing the steering wheel to fall off, causing the driver to crash into a barn, injuring three passengers and killing one cow.”
NHTSA complaint #781471, filed 1998-10
Buying note. On a car this old, the wiring and cruise control system deserve the closest look, since many complaints describe smoke or fires traced to connectors and switches; a pre-purchase inspection by a shop familiar with these cars is worth the cost. Confirm the seat belts latch and the brakes do not drag before buying.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 24 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 61 consumer complaints for the 1987 Ford Thunderbird. 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 63,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 17 a fire, 9 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system24 39%
- Seat belts13 21%
- Brakes5 8.2%
- Engine cooling4 6.6%
- Fuel system4 6.6%
- Exterior lighting3 4.9%
- Steering2 3.3%
- Equipment1 1.6%
- Body and structure1 1.6%
Also reported: Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “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, filed 1998-08Vehicle speed 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10136339, filed 2005-09, 63,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 63,000 and 63,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Ford Thunderbird version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbird RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Thunderbird RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Thunderbird RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Thunderbird RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V139000Sep 4, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Ford Thunderbird 1986–1987, Escort 1986–1988, Lincoln Town CAR 1986–1988 +18 more
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Recall details for the 1987 Ford Thunderbird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA95021Faulty seat belt bucklesClosed · Jul 31, 1995
- PE95019Faulty seatbelt bucklesClosed · Mar 27, 1995
- PE88097Floormat/accel pedal intrfClosed · Aug 31, 1988
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Ford Thunderbird.
Other model years of the Ford Thunderbird
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 27 | 38,132 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 34 | 25,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 33 | 27,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 93 | 35,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1997 | 169 | 71,084 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 233 | 85,259 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 261 | 68,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 300 | 80,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 423 | 97,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 184 | 113,150 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 112 | 83,750 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 140 | 87,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1989 | 124 | 73,450 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 92 | 230,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 61 | 63,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 23 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 14 | 134,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 26 | 111,948 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Ford Thunderbird model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Ford Thunderbird?
Owners of this model year most often describe electrical problems: melted alternator plugs and ignition switch wiring that led to smoke and engine-compartment fires, sometimes while parked. The issues reported most often: Underhood fire from alternator and wiring; Cruise control and throttle causing surging.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Ford Thunderbird have?
NHTSA recorded 61 consumer complaints for the 1987 Ford Thunderbird as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Ford Thunderbird is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 24 complaints (39% of the total), followed by seat belts with 13.
Has the 1987 Ford Thunderbird been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Ford Thunderbird get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Ford Thunderbird (Thunderbird, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Ford Thunderbird reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 63,000 miles and the middle half falls between 63,000 and 63,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.