no report yet
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
1989 Ford ThunderbirdProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 124 owner complaints about the 1989 Ford Thunderbird, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 7, 2016. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1989 Ford Thunderbird has problems
124 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
26Vehicle speed control11 crash/fire/injury
23Service brakes, hydraulic3 crash/fire/injury
22Electrical system16 crash/fire/injury
17Seat belts3 crash/fire/injury
13Engine and engine cooling6 crash/fire/injury
6Fuel system, gasoline
4Tires
4Steering
4Power train
178 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 26 | 11 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 23 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 22 | 16 |
| Seat belts | 17 | 3 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 6 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 6 | 2 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 |
| Power train | 4 | 1 |
| 8 other systems | 17 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
1989 Ford Thunderbird recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Rear: springs
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE AT THEAFFECTED WHEEL WITH AN ADVERSE AFFECT ON CONTROL OF THE CAR, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
no report yet
Disc: caliper
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE A REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCETHAT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
no report yet
Tank assembly: mounting
Risk. FUEL OR VAPOR COULD LEAK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLEFIRE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Best & worst years
1989 vs. every other Thunderbird year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Thunderbird median. How we score
'67'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'02'03'04'05
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
6 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1989 Ford Thunderbird, and the recalls they led to.
- THROTTLE STICKINGNo recall
- HOOD LATCHES FAILNo recall
- THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGNo recall
- THROTTLE STICKINGNo recall
- THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGNo recall
- FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLESNo recall
In owners' words
What Thunderbird owners report
Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
CAR ACCELERATED WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS FULLY DEPRESSED TO FLOOR...SMASHED INTO CORNER OF HOUSE, DAMAGING BRICKWORK AND FRONT, RIGHT CORNER OF THE CAR. VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE BUT NOT YET TOWED DUE TO FINANCIAL RESTRICTIONS (UNABLE TO ATTACH PHOTOS...PLEASE PROVIDE EMAIL ADDRESS WHERE I CAN SEND PHOTOS.)
CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET ON 65 MPH. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A SPEED OF ALMOST 85 MPH AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE DRIVER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, WHILE IN MOTION, AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES. THE CONSUMER HAD THE…
WHILE BACKING OUT, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT A FENCE. CONSUMER NEVER APPLIED THE GAS PEDAL. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. *JG *AK
Own a 1989 Thunderbird?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.