1988 Ford Thunderbird Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 12%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 11 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1988 Ford Thunderbird, 12% 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.
“Plastic covering on headlights have faded to yellow making visibility difficult. Owner has to buy whole lighting unit to fix problem. The consumer says it is not reasonable to buy the entire unit to replace an inferior quality covering for the head light.”
NHTSA complaint #882190, filed 2001-03“When driving at night it's very hard to see, the plastic cover of headlamps has become a milky white color. Consumer has to drive with high beams at all times. In rainy weather the visibility is three times worse.”
NHTSA complaint #833705, filed 1999-01“When the lever is used to recline the driver's seatback, it cannot be repositioned. Also, headlights would fog up & have very little projection, even with high beams on. Taking vehicle to dealer to check.”
NHTSA complaint #851683, filed 1999-10“Switched post on high/low beam dimmer then resumed high position and vehicle started to get hot; however, fuse did not blow. This is the second incident.”
NHTSA complaint #810295, filed 1997-03“Front headlights plastic coating visiability is not clear for proper lighting; has only 5o% of headlight candle light power due to poorly used materials.”
NHTSA complaint #960932, filed 1995-03Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 3% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% |
| 1995 | 16 | 6% |
| 1994 | 7 | 2% |
| 1993 | 119 | 28% |
| 1992 | 40 | 22% |
| 1991 | 10 | 9% |
| 1990 | 7 | 5% |
| 1989 | 2 | 2% |
| 1988 | 11 | 12% |
| 1987 | 3 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Thunderbird
29 complaintsSeat belts
18 complaintsBrakes
8 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