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1990 Ford Thunderbird

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 9 of 140 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports19 fire reports6 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

34 reports
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93,664 miles · Jan 13, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

YOUR ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED IN RESOLVING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM WITH A DANGEROUS AND CLAIMED UNREPAIRABLE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS 1990 FORD THUNDERBIRD SUPER COUPE VIN#[XXX]. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH AN ABS BRAKING SYSTEM THAT IS DANGEROUS UPON FAILURE. THIS ABS SYSTEM UPON FAILURE RESULTS IN THE "COMPLETE" LOSS OF BRAK…

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YOUR ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED IN RESOLVING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM WITH A DANGEROUS AND CLAIMED UNREPAIRABLE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS 1990 FORD THUNDERBIRD SUPER COUPE VIN#[XXX]. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH AN ABS BRAKING SYSTEM THAT IS DANGEROUS UPON FAILURE. THIS ABS SYSTEM UPON FAILURE RESULTS IN THE "COMPLETE" LOSS OF BRAKING ON THIS VEHICLE AND POSES A SERIOUS THREAT OF INJURY TO UNSUSPECTING OCCUPANTS OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE EARLY TEVIS II ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN DESCRIBED BY FORD BRAKE TECHNICIANS AS THE "WORST" BRAKING SYSTEM EVER INSTALLED ON A VEHICLE TO REPAIR. UNLIKE OTHER ABS BRAKING SYSTEMS, WHICH ALLOW A VEHICLE'S HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM TO CONTINUE TO FUNCTION WITH A FAILURE IN THE ABS PORTION OF THE SYSTEM, THIS VEHICLE'S "ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS" WITH THE LOSS OF ITS ABS COMPONENT. FORD WAS APPARENTLY AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND APPARENT DANGER, BECAUSE THIS SYSTEM WAS UPGRADED ONLY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3-YEARS OF PRODUCTION. I HAVE SPENT OVER $2,000.00 OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS ON THIS BRAKING SYSTEM. I INITIALLY TOOK IT TO A PEARSON'S FORD IN SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA IN 2001 FOR BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIR AND UPON RECEIVING THE VEHICLE FROM DEALER, I EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMING ON PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UPON PEARSON FORD'S RECOMMENDATION UNTIL I EXPERIENCED A FULL SYSTEM FAILURE. THEODORE ROBBINS FORD OF COSTA MESA CALIFORNIA HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIRS AND THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED AFTER EACH REPAIR. THEY STILL HAVE THE VEHICLE. FORD STATES THEY NO LONGER SUPPORT THIS BRAKE SYSTEM AND DID NOT SEE A NEED TO ISSUE ANY ALERTS OR RECALLS ON THIS SYSTEM, WHICH DISCONTINUED. YOUR ASSISTANCE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10053138

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN COMING TO A STOP DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WILL LOCK UP WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8010956

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2001
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

MODUAL FIRST FAILED SEP 00. CAR LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AT 60 MPH. CAR WAS PARKED FROM SEP 00 TO 26 JULY 01 WHILE FORD GOT PART. NEW MODUEL WAS INSTALLED 26 JULY 01 AND FAILED 8 AUG 01 AGAIN AT 60 MPH WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. FORD DEALER IS NOW LOOKING FOR A NEW ONE. PART WAS LISTED AT $100.00 AT TIME OF S…

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MODUAL FIRST FAILED SEP 00. CAR LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AT 60 MPH. CAR WAS PARKED FROM SEP 00 TO 26 JULY 01 WHILE FORD GOT PART. NEW MODUEL WAS INSTALLED 26 JULY 01 AND FAILED 8 AUG 01 AGAIN AT 60 MPH WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. FORD DEALER IS NOW LOOKING FOR A NEW ONE. PART WAS LISTED AT $100.00 AT TIME OF SEP 00 FAILURE. MODUAL OBTAINED IN JUL 01 THAT FAILED IN AUG 01 COST $306.00

NHTSA ODI #750455

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

REPORTING A SECOND REOCCURRING FAILURE WITH BRAKR MASTER CYINDER, FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT 80,000 MILES, AND AGAIN CURRENTLY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881035

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

YOU KNOW MY HUSBAND AND HIS FRIEND HAD NO IDEA ONT HIS CAR THAT THE BRAKES WENT OUT, UNTIL THEY WERE GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE, AND IT WAS TOO LATE. WRECKED INTO A SEMI-TRUCK, THAT GUY IS LUCKY- SO IS MY HUSBAND AND HIS FRIEND. I THINK THIS SGHOULD BE AN ISSUE OF CONCERN. THANKS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #740925

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE MODULE COST $1,400 SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736545

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE STICKS AND CAUSES BRAKES NOTTO WORK. DRIVER HAS TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #871945

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PROCEEDING NORTH ON CA HWY 101 NEAR VENTURA. ANTILOCK AND BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATED. ATTEMPTED TO STOP WHILE AT 70 MPH. PEDAL "HARD" CAN WOULD NOT STOP. USED STICK SHIFT GEARS TO BRING VEHICLE SPEED DOWN, USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING CAR TO HALT AT SIDE OF FWY. SHUT OFF IGNITION. RESTARTED VEHICLE THINKING COMPUTER WAS AT FAULT A…

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PROCEEDING NORTH ON CA HWY 101 NEAR VENTURA. ANTILOCK AND BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATED. ATTEMPTED TO STOP WHILE AT 70 MPH. PEDAL "HARD" CAN WOULD NOT STOP. USED STICK SHIFT GEARS TO BRING VEHICLE SPEED DOWN, USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING CAR TO HALT AT SIDE OF FWY. SHUT OFF IGNITION. RESTARTED VEHICLE THINKING COMPUTER WAS AT FAULT AND NEEDED RESETTING. ANTILOCK AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WENT OUT--VEHICLE COULD BE "STOPPED" BUT SYSTEM WENT OUT PERMANANTLY AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 5 MORE MILES. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER IN THOUSAND OAKS CA ( KEMP) AND INFORMED THAT THE "RELAY BANK" HAD SHORTED OUT. COSTS APPROX. $200.00 TO REPAIR. PROBLEM---ABS DID NOT FUNCTION AT ALL!!! *AK

NHTSA ODI #723033

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH SQUEALING FRONT DISC BRAKES. FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO BE DOING MOST OF THE BRAKING. REPLACED CALIPERS TWICE, DISC PADS SEVERAL TIMES, REBUILT REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS, REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER. REQURES A LOT OF PEDAL BEFORE BRAKES SEEM TO START TAKING EFFECT - MANUALLY ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, SEEM…

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CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH SQUEALING FRONT DISC BRAKES. FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO BE DOING MOST OF THE BRAKING. REPLACED CALIPERS TWICE, DISC PADS SEVERAL TIMES, REBUILT REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS, REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER. REQURES A LOT OF PEDAL BEFORE BRAKES SEEM TO START TAKING EFFECT - MANUALLY ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, SEEMED TO HELP PROBLEM WITH PEDAL TRAVEL, PEDAL TRAVEL PROBLEM RETURNED, READJUSTED REAR BRAKES AND PEDAL TRAVEL IMPROVED AGAIN. SQUEELING FRONT DISC BRAKES CONTINUE. IS THERE ANY HISTORY OF THIS WITH POSSIBLE CORRECTIVE ACTION? *AK

NHTSA ODI #720651

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS CONTROL UNIT WENT OUT. APPLIED THE BRAKES & THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. USED EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED INSIDE CONTROL UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE & COULD NOT BE REBUILT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #858527

Official recalls

3

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.

91V076000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

May 6, 1991

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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

90V026000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Feb 12, 1990

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: REPLACE BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE WITH CORRECT LENGTH CABLE.

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

4

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