1986 Ford Thunderbird
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Thunderbird › 1986
These records cover every 1986 Ford Thunderbird. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1986 Ford Thunderbird. Newest first.
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Coupling could disengage due to fuel pressure,vibration, and engine movements; this would cause loss of fuel which, inpresence of an ignition source, creates a fire risk.
Remedy
Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.
Owner complaints
23 complaints2 involved a crash5 involved a fire1 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
I have three separate incidences. First occurring in 1997 while taking my grandson to high school: while completing the turn into the parking lot at his school, my 1986 thunderbird suddenly surged as if I had fully pressed the accelerator to the floor. fortunately, I was finally able to regain…
I have three separate incidences. First occurring in 1997 while taking my grandson to high school: while completing the turn into the parking lot at his school, my 1986 thunderbird suddenly surged as if I had fully pressed the accelerator to the floor. fortunately, I was finally able to regain control and neither of us were injured nor was there any property damage. incedent#2- while returning home from shopping, I was driving in the lane closest to the curb on a 4 lane street when suddenly, again, my car accelerated and pulled to the right where I just barely glanced off a small stationery poll that was positioned basically on the sidewalk. again, thank god, no one was hurt and there was no property damage. final incedent #3: not so lucky this time. I was going through the mcdonald's drive-thru, after placing my order, my car suddenly takes off again, veers right, and my right front tire literally drives up one of the 5 very heavy-duty guard poles surrounding the main electrical box thus impailing my car and seriously bending the pole. in retrospect, I feel I was pretty blessed; no one was ever hurt...except for me, now, after more than 45years classified as a "good driver" now ipaying an extra$60.00 per month for my auto insurance for something that I know for sure was not my fault(plus the fact I had to dish out for a new car...and all this could not have come at a worse time.
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Electrical system › Starter assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal
While driving from the dealership from having the vehicle serviced, the engine suddenly blew causing the vehicle to come to a sudden stop due to an oil leak, the vehicle remained on the dealers lot from june-november 1997 while a decision was being made about who was going to be responsible for repairs. mlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Both front motor mounts have broken into, the torque of the engine has caused it to rotate causing the fan to cut into the radiator shroud. *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Structure › Body › Door
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Was driving in rush hour traffic when vehicle stalled for no reason. Vehicle towed to nearest mechanic. Informed that distributor module was designed to fail & would need to be replaced.*ak
- Tires
The treads have come off two of my tires in the last year. I have a third tire with it's tread almost coming apart. Both times we were on the freeway doing 65. Will these tires be recalled. The last time the tread came off I saved the tire and tread. We have three kids and we don't feel save driving them in the car.( dot number: W2HY tire size: 215/70r/14 )
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Once or twice a month, every month, for the last year I would go out and get in the vehicle to start it up. When I turned on the ignition the motor would crank and crank but it would never fire. I would let the vehicle set a few minutes then try again with the same results. If I let the vehicle sit…
Once or twice a month, every month, for the last year I would go out and get in the vehicle to start it up. When I turned on the ignition the motor would crank and crank but it would never fire. I would let the vehicle set a few minutes then try again with the same results. If I let the vehicle sit until the next day it would finally start. The vehicle again dump me a parking lot in portmouths, va with the same problem.. I had the vehicle towed to john kool lincoln/mercury. The vehicle started for them the next day and again after many trys. They said they could not find a problem at this time so I came to pick the vehicle up from the dealer. The vehicle then would crank but would not fire. The dealer service tech. Then ran a few manual & equip. Test and determined the ignition module and distributor stator assy. Have a internal short. The dealer replaced them and re tested to verify operation.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Engine revs without acceleration.*et
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Vehicle was manufactured without a clamp for fuel line, which then caused line to become loose and ignite a fire, resulting in fatality(driver). *Ak
- Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift
The scissor jack screw stripped upon jacking up the vehicle, consumer disposed off. dealer cannot duplicate the problem. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Seat belt failed to secure passenger during collision resulting in injuries.
- Vehicle speed control
When the owner warms the car, he shifts the gear to drive and the car stalls. he starts the car again, shifts to drive and the car stalls when he comes to a complete stop. the driver was in an crash but did not describe it.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Restraint buckle will not lock. owner will notify the dealer. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Driving 50-55 mph; driver smelled smoke & pulled off road. Turned vehicle off & exited. Vehicle suddenly burst into flames. Insurance agent/inspector could not locate cause of fire. vehicle totaled. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tire tread separated, causing loss of control/accident. (New jersey state police report)
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle fire.
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Engine races at very high rpm when started, due to computer problems.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch caught on fire due to an electrical short. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
An electrical short in the ignition switch, aused the instrument panel to go out. please describe. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Phone ext 4708; while parked, vehicle started smoldering until flames appeared. Please describe details. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Seat belt buckle released, button inoperative. *tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The driver side seat belt buckle broken, will not latch. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Egr relay assembly/egr vac control/egr valve/egr sensor replaced due to vehicle surging/bucking.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Seatback failure
Summary of information from manufacturer:ford believes that the al-leged defect only occurs in a small number of the subject vehicles andrecalled about 195,732 1984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986.analysis: vehicles potentially involved include tempo/topaz, escort/lynx/exp, mustang/capri, ltd/marquis, and…
Summary of information from manufacturer:ford believes that the al-leged defect only occurs in a small number of the subject vehicles andrecalled about 195,732 1984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986.analysis: vehicles potentially involved include tempo/topaz, escort/lynx/exp, mustang/capri, ltd/marquis, and thunderbird/cougar.ford sold about 110,000 replacement mio bolts, mainly for 1983 and 1984models. Low clamping force appears to be a large part of the problem.ford increased the torque requirements and required the use of a manualtorque tool in march and september 1985 production changes. 1987 modelswill be produced with a longer M10 bolt and a nut to increase and main-tain clamping force. Bolts were formerly self tapping. Reports listedabove specifically state that the bolt broke. None refer simply toseat back collapse alone.status:ford reply to odi ir dated 2/2/87.ford recalled 195,7321984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986 (86v-082). Analyzing reponse,monitoring canadian progress. Response to 4/6/87 letter to fordreceived 7/15/87. Will probably close after canada completes theiractions.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3010700Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
Every Ford Thunderbird model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.