1988 Ford Thunderbird Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%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 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1988 Ford Thunderbird, 3% of the 92 complaints for this model year. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Purchased car used, the electrical system burned up , took to dealer is only going to replace the the ignition switch # 96v071000. Consumer received recall and took car to dealership, dealer informed consumer that the ignition switch had burned wires through the steering column to the wire harness behind the dashboard, Ford wanted to total vehicle and offer consumer a very low price, consumer owed much more than what was offered so consumer requested to have vehicle repaired, Ford denied request and stated the only thing they would do is replaced the ignition switch, not the other damages…”
NHTSA complaint #802533, filed 1996-09Related recalls
- 88V033000Mar 15, 1988A design change to facilitate changeover in rear axle shaft flanges inadvertently produced the possibility for interference between the flange and disc brake…Covers: Ford Thunderbird 1988
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 7% |
| 2004 | 7 | 21% |
| 2003 | 6 | 18% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 17 | 10% |
| 1996 | 21 | 9% |
| 1995 | 41 | 16% |
| 1994 | 92 | 31% |
| 1993 | 12 | 3% |
| 1992 | 10 | 5% |
| 1991 | 4 | 4% |
| 1990 | 8 | 6% |
| 1989 | 4 | 3% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 1 | 4% |
| 1984 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Thunderbird
29 complaintsSeat belts
18 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeats
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