Model year record

1990 Ford Thunderbird

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 179 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 91V076000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
125,000
Reported to NHTSA
1991-05-06
Owners notified
1991-05-24

Defect description

THE NUTS WHICH HOLD WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO THE WIPER MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED AND MAY LOOSEN OR COME OFF. THIS CAUSES CHANGED WIPER PATTERNS, OR THE WIPERS MAY JAM IF TWO OF THE THREE NUTS COME OFF.

Safety risk

CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Manufacturer remedy

APPLY TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL TO WIPER MOTOR STUDS AND NUTS AND RETORQUE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V026000

Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables

Component
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
72
Reported to NHTSA
1990-02-12
Owners notified
1990-03-09

Defect description

BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.

Safety risk

CABLE PROTECTIVE COVERING AND INSULATION COULD WEAR THROUGH AND CAUSE A DIRECT SHORT TO GROUND, RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND POSSIBLY A UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE WITH CORRECT LENGTH CABLE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip20—
Seat belts14—
Vehicle speed control1254,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly11—
Electrical system: ignition1074,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch10—
Engine and engine cooling: engine8—
Power train: automatic transmission6—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator5—
Exterior lighting: headlights5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4—
Electrical system: wiring3—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly38,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module293,664 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Tires2151,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables187,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Equipment adaptive/mobility115,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, other1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Tires: tread/belt1144,780 mi
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—

The 1989 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1991 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.