1988 Ford Squire problems
The Ford Country Squire is a series of full-size station wagons that were assembled by American automaker Ford. Positioned as the top-level station wagon of the Ford division, the Country Squire was distinguished by woodgrain bodyside trim. From 1950 through the 1991 model years, eight generations of the Country Squire were produced. Following the discontinuation of Edsel Bermuda, Mercury marketed the Mercury Colony Park as a divisional counterpart of the Country Squire, sharing bodywork and trim while the Mercury was not available with a six cylinder engine and was more expensive due to the optional equipment on the Ford that was standard on the Mercury.
As part of the full-size Ford model range, the Country Squire was the top trim package station wagon counterpart of several model lines. For its first two generations, the Country Squire was based upon the Ford Custom Deluxe and the Ford Crestline that replaced it, along with the more modestly equipped Ford Country Sedan which was identical in dimensions except for the woodgrain appearance and minimal standard equipment. For its next three generations, the Country Squire was a distinct model range; initially sharing its trim with the Ford Fairlane, the Country Squire later adopted trim of the Ford Galaxie. For its final two generations, the Country Squire became a counterpart of Ford LTD and the Ford LTD Crown Victoria after its downsizing for the last generation, while sharing multiple passenger accommodation duties with the Ford Aerostar.
The Country Squire was discontinued as part of the development of the 1992 Ford Crown Victoria and passenger carrying duties were given to the Ford Windstar. The decline in full-size station wagon sales meant the Crown Victoria was exclusively a four-door sedan. The 41-year production run of the Country Squire is the third-longest of a Ford car nameplate in North America, surpassed only by the Ford Thunderbird and Ford Mustang which is to date still in production.
The term squire is a British term that refers to a village leader or a lord of the manor, which is also called a "squire", and the term was applied to members of the landed gentry.
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Common 1988 Ford Squire problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1988 Ford Country Squire, several common problems have been identified:
- Drivetrain Issues:
- Symptoms: Resistance when turning, heavy vibrations, clunks when shifting, and vibrations during acceleration.
- Causes: Driveshaft, CV axles, and CV joints problems.
- Repair: Requires professional inspection and repair to prevent further damage and ensure safety.
- Transmission Problems:
- Symptoms: Shifting delays, grinding or jumping during acceleration, shaking at any speed, whistling noises, and burning smells.
- Causes: Wear and tear, low transmission fluid, or leaks.
- Maintenance: Regular inspection, fluid changes, and repairs as recommended by Ford.
- Fuel Pump Issues:
- Symptoms: Stalling after warming up, intermittent stalling, and difficulty restarting.
- Likely Problem: Fuel pump going bad.
- Solution: Check fuel pressure to confirm the issue and replace the fuel pump if necessary.
- Electrical Problems:
- Symptoms: Malfunction indicator light (check engine light), engine problems, faulty sensors, and electrical issues.
- Risks: Ignoring electrical issues can lead to drivetrain malfunctions and other serious problems.
- Solution: Professional diagnosis and repair to address the root cause of the electrical issue.
- Connector Problems:
- Symptoms: Potential cause of drivetrain and electrical issues.
- Importance: Proper functioning connectors are crucial for the overall performance and safety of the vehicle.
- Solution: Inspection and repair of connectors to ensure proper connectivity and prevent drivetrain or electrical malfunctions.
These common problems with the 1988 Ford Country Squire highlight the importance of regular maintenance, timely repairs, and professional inspections to address issues promptly and ensure the longevity and performance of the vehicle.
What was the last year for the Ford Country Squire station wagon?
-1991
Station wagons evolved from early “depot hacks” and buses, intended for hauling people and cargo, often from train stations to hotels, giving them the name “station wagon.” Ford manufactured the Country Squire from 1950-1991.
What is a Ford Country Squire?
The Ford Country Squire was a station wagon from Ford Motor Company. It was first made in 1950. The car got started as a "woodie", a car with wood material making up part of the car. But by 1952, the Country Squire was no longer a true woodie. However, all Country Squires were made with steel and wood.
Why are there no more station wagons?
More Americans were buying for leisure, which required more space, and the dimensions and versatility of wagons were a natural fit to meet that demand. However, once minivans arrived as a response to a national need for vehicles with better fuel economy, the wagon as a go-to choice began to wane.
What is the oldest station wagon?
The first station wagons were built around 1910. Their frames were built out of wood. By the 1950s, the wood was replaced with fake wood. Station wagons became less popular because of the 1973 oil crisis in the United States.
What year was the Ford Country Squire made?
Station wagons evolved from early “depot hacks” and buses, intended for hauling people and cargo, often from train stations to hotels, giving them the name “station wagon.” Ford manufactured the Country Squire from 1950-1991.
What was the last year of the Ford Country Squire?
1991
Positioned as the top-level station wagon of the Ford division, the Country Squire was distinguished by woodgrain bodyside trim. From 1950 through the 1991 model years, eight generations of the Country Squire were produced.
Who made the Country Squire?
Particularly popular in the 1960s and 1970s, the Country Squire remained in production until late 1990. Its demise was caused initially by the Chrysler minivans, to which Ford responded with the Aerostar. Ford built around 1.85 million Country Squire wagons in 41 years.
How old is the oldest Ford?
The Ford Motor Company is incorporated
With 12 investors and 1,000 shares, the company had spent almost all of its $28,000 cash investment by the time it sold the first Ford Model A on July 23, 1903.
1988 Ford Squire car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Squire problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Visibility problems
- Seat belts problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Ford Squire vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1988 Ford Squire complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Ford Squire.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-04-20
- VIN: 1FMDP55VJA2
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: REAR WINDOW IN THE BACK OF VEHICLE EXPLODED INTO A MILLION PIECES. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2FABP79F2JX
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AFTER YOU LEAN FORWARD. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1988 Ford Squire problems:
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Jul 30, 2008 ... ... 1988 Ford Country Squire LX STW as a daily driver and I LOVE THE CAR! I have owned it for 3 years now. When I got the car It had 93 000 ...
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