Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix
1988 vs 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.
First 455 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026
Age-matched reports
▲ 32.6% more reports in the equal exposure window
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Component share shift
Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.
View component share data as a table
| Component | 1988 share | 1989 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 8.7% | 20.5% | ▲ 11.8 pts larger share |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5.4% | 16.4% | ▲ 11.0 pts larger share |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 28.3% | 18.0% | ▼ 10.2 pts smaller share |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 10.9% | 1.6% | ▼ 9.2 pts smaller share |
| SEAT BELTS | 19.6% | 12.3% | ▼ 7.3 pts smaller share |
| WHEELS | not reported | 3.3% | ▲ 3.3 pts larger share |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 1.1% | 4.1% | ▲ 3.0 pts larger share |
| POWER TRAIN | 3.3% | 1.6% | ▼ 1.6 pts smaller share |
| TIRES | 1.1% | 2.5% | ▲ 1.4 pts larger share |
| SUSPENSION | 1.1% | 2.5% | ▲ 1.4 pts larger share |
| VISIBILITY | 1.1% | 2.5% | ▲ 1.4 pts larger share |
| STEERING | 3.3% | 2.5% | ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share |
| ENGINE | 7.6% | 8.2% | ▲ 0.6 pts larger share |
| STRUCTURE | 1.1% | 0.8% | ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 84.8% | 73.0% | ▼ 11.8 pts smaller share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN
Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, and SUSPENSION
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 16 → 24
- ◆ Injuries
- 7 → 9