Ford ยท 1988
1988 Ford Thunderbird
Official EPA fuel economy and NHTSA recall record, best combined figure 21 MPG.
Fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Fuel | City | Highway | Combined | CO2 g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 15 | 21 | 17 | 523 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 16 | 24 | 19 | 468 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 18 | 25 | 21 | 423 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 16 | 24 | 19 | 468 |
Safety recalls (NHTSA)
2 campaigns on record for this model year. Recall repairs are free at dealers; check your exact vehicle by VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.
A DESIGN CHANGE TO FACILITATE CHANGEOVER IN REAR AXLE SHAFT FLANGES INADVERTENTLY PRODUCED THE POSSIBILITY FOR INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE FLANGE AND DISC BRAKE ROTOR.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Owner complaints (NHTSA)
116 complaints filed by owners for this model year (6 involving a crash, 18 a fire). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects - browse them in full on nhtsa.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fuel economy of a 1988 Ford Thunderbird?
EPA figures for the 1988 Ford Thunderbird reach 21 MPG combined depending on configuration; the table on this page lists every tested engine and transmission combination.
Are there recalls on the 1988 Ford Thunderbird?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 1988 Ford Thunderbird. Check your specific vehicle by VIN on the official NHTSA site, recalls are fixed free of charge by dealers.
What are common problems with the 1988 Ford Thunderbird?
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA for the 1988 Ford Thunderbird, most often about: Electrical System, Seat Belts, Exterior Lighting. Complaint counts reflect what owners report, not confirmed defects.
Sources: EPA fueleconomy.gov, the NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings databases (all US public data), refreshed monthly. Recall texts are quoted from the official record. Details on About & Data Sources.