Model year record

1991 Ford Thunderbird

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 130 owner complaints on file.

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 91V048000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
6,800
Reported to NHTSA
1991-03-18
Owners notified
1991-07-22

Defect description

THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.

Safety risk

IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine1273,000 mi
Seat belts8
Exterior lighting: headlights715,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch6
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner6
Seat belts: front: retractor6
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6
Vehicle speed control6
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor3
Electrical system: wiring2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Engine and engine cooling287,500 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Power train: automatic transmission2
Seat belts: front: webbing2
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2144,509 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Wheels2
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Exterior lighting1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Power train1
Power train: axle assembly1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes1175,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control180,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages140,000 mi

The 1990 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1992 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

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.