SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1990 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 →
140Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

4Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
61
198792
1988124
1989140
1990112
1991184
1992423
1993
Compare all Thunderbird years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
38Service Brakes, Hydraulic
34Seat Belts
23Vehicle Speed Control
17Engine And Engine Cooling
11
All reported categories
Power Train
8Exterior Lighting
7Fuel System, Gasoline
5Steering
3Structure
3Tires
3Visibility
3Equipment
2Air Bags
1Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Fuel System, Other
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Unknown Or Other
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: 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

Steering complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
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…

Read full complaint

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 · Jul 18, 1996
Steering

SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA ODI #506352

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 1995
Steering

BINDING OF THE SHORT RACK CAUSING STEERING TO LOCK OFF. TT

NHTSA ODI #959256

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