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1989 Ford Thunderbird

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
124Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

4Recall campaigns

View recall details →

6Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
23
198661
198792
1988124
1989140
1990112
1991184
1992
Compare all Thunderbird years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Vehicle Speed Control
26Service Brakes, Hydraulic
23Electrical System
22Seat Belts
17Engine And Engine Cooling
13
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
6Power Train
4Steering
4Tires
4Seats
3Suspension
3Visibility
3Wheels
3Exterior Lighting
2Unknown Or Other
2Equipment
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Structure
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 124 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports24 fire reports8 injury reports

Power Train complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 1989. FIRST EARLY PROBLEMS WITH CIGARETTE LIGHTER/ELECTRICAL/HEATING UP INSIDE DASH.- SERVICED 3-4 TIMES, UNDER WARRANTY. FREON LEAKS IN AIR CONDITIONER - REPAIRED TWICE. FUEL LINE REPLACED. STEERING COLUM JAM OF SOMESORT - NO KEY ACCESS. REPLACED 3 ALTERNATORS. CANNOT SHIFT TRANSMISSION INTO OVERDRIVE. …

Read full complaint

BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 1989. FIRST EARLY PROBLEMS WITH CIGARETTE LIGHTER/ELECTRICAL/HEATING UP INSIDE DASH.- SERVICED 3-4 TIMES, UNDER WARRANTY. FREON LEAKS IN AIR CONDITIONER - REPAIRED TWICE. FUEL LINE REPLACED. STEERING COLUM JAM OF SOMESORT - NO KEY ACCESS. REPLACED 3 ALTERNATORS. CANNOT SHIFT TRANSMISSION INTO OVERDRIVE. REBUILT BY AAMCO. BLEW HEAD GASKET. RADIATOR COOLANT COMMING OUT FROM MUFFLER. GOT RID OF CAR AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10070904

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2000
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737179

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 1996
Power Train

TRANSMISSION PASSING GEARS ENGAGED, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION/ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #509205

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 1996
Power Train

AT 37,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BLEW . TT

NHTSA ODI #978015

Official recalls

4

96V071000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 25, 1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

89V080000 · Suspension:rear:springs

May 19, 1989

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

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: REPLACE KNUCKLES THAT HAVE THE AFFECTED LOT CODES.

89V081000 · Service Brakes, Air:disc:caliper

May 19, 1989

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

6

PE95019 · Faulty Seatbelt Buckles

Opened Mar 27, 1995 · Closed Jul 31, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

EA93033 · Thrttl Vlv Linkage Bushing

Opened Dec 30, 1993 · Closed Dec 30, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE93075 · Thrttl Vlv Linkage Bushing

Opened Aug 30, 1993 · Closed Dec 30, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA90034 · Hood Latches Fail

Opened Jun 26, 1990 · Closed Feb 25, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

EA90009 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Feb 8, 1990 · Closed Feb 28, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE90001 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Oct 4, 1989 · Closed Feb 2, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

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