1987 Ford Thunderbird Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 39%of 61 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 1987 Ford Thunderbird, 39% of the 61 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 13 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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 1998-08“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.”
NHTSA complaint #871335, filed 2000-09“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.”
NHTSA complaint #831099, filed 1999-01Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 19% |
| 2004 | 4 | 12% |
| 2003 | 4 | 12% |
| 2002 | 21 | 23% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 8 | 3% |
| 1995 | 15 | 6% |
| 1994 | 24 | 8% |
| 1993 | 37 | 9% |
| 1992 | 27 | 15% |
| 1991 | 13 | 12% |
| 1990 | 38 | 27% |
| 1989 | 22 | 18% |
| 1988 | 29 | 32% |
| 1987 | 24 | 39% |
| 1986 | 5 | 22% |
| 1985 | 9 | 64% |
| 1984 | 10 | 38% |
Other parts of the 1987 Ford Thunderbird
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1987 Ford Thunderbird
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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