1988 Ford Thunderbird Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 9%of 92 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the brakes of the 1988 Ford Thunderbird, 9% of the 92 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.
“Headlights and fog lights go out intermittently: immediately, or up to 20-30 minutes after turning them on, has almost caused several accidents.. Have replaced 3 turn signal/bright light switches, due to them overheating and melting. When headlights go out, interior fills with burning plastic smell, but no fire. Almost every power accessory inside car doesn't work, or only works sometimes. Driver's power seat sometimes shorts out and has a burning smell: no fire detected. …”
NHTSA complaint #713414, filed 1999-10Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 | 6% |
| 2003 | 5 | 15% |
| 2002 | 3 | 3% |
| 1997 | 22 | 13% |
| 1996 | 46 | 20% |
| 1995 | 94 | 36% |
| 1994 | 76 | 25% |
| 1993 | 34 | 8% |
| 1992 | 29 | 16% |
| 1991 | 19 | 17% |
| 1990 | 34 | 24% |
| 1989 | 23 | 19% |
| 1988 | 8 | 9% |
| 1987 | 5 | 8% |
| 1985 | 2 | 14% |
| 1984 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Thunderbird
29 complaintsSeat belts
18 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Ford Thunderbird
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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