Model year record

1989 Ford Thunderbird

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 147 owner complaints on file.

Ford Thunderbird, 1989–1997 generation
Pictured: the 1989–1997 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V081000

Service brakes, air: disc: caliper

Component
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
113,200
Reported to NHTSA
1989-05-19
Owners notified
1989-06-09

Defect description

DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER OF THE INBOARD FRONT WHEEL AND THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR, THERE MAY BE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL FOLLOWING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS.

Safety risk

THIS COULD CAUSE A REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCETHAT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL ACORN TYPE FRONT SUSPENSION STRUT NUTS TO ELIMINATE STABILIZER BAR TO BRAKE CALIPER CONTACT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V080000

Suspension: rear: springs

Component
Suspension: rear: springs
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
10,600
Reported to NHTSA
1989-05-19
Owners notified
1989-06-09

Defect description

IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLES COULD EXPERIENCE HIGH MILEAGE FATIGUE CRACKS AND EVENTUAL FRACTURE.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE AT THEAFFECTED WHEEL WITH AN ADVERSE AFFECT ON CONTROL OF THE CAR, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE KNUCKLES THAT HAVE THE AFFECTED LOT CODES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V165000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
124
Reported to NHTSA
1988-10-18
Owners notified
1988-10-07

Defect description

PLASTIC ROLLOVER VALVE MOUNTING PLATE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK.

Safety risk

FUEL OR VAPOR COULD LEAK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLEFIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE FUEL TANK.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control1986,899 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip11—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood9—
Seat belts960,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8—
Electrical system: ignition: switch6—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly6—
Engine and engine cooling: engine5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Tires: tread/belt4—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3—
Electrical system: ignition3—
Power train: automatic transmission3—
Seat belts: front: retractor3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper3—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Unknown or other2—
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting: fog lights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: door1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system: lines and fittings1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Wheels1—

The 1988 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1990 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Thunderbird model years

All Ford Thunderbird recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.