no report yet
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
1990 Ford ThunderbirdProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 140 owner complaints about the 1990 Ford Thunderbird, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 27, 2023. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1990 Ford Thunderbird has problems
140 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
38Electrical system19 crash/fire/injury
34Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury
23Seat belts1 crash/fire/injury
17Vehicle speed control5 crash/fire/injury
11Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
8Power train
7Exterior lighting
5Fuel system, gasoline
3Visibility
158 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 38 | 19 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 34 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 23 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 5 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 1 |
| Power train | 8 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 5 | 1 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 15 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1990 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
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
Risk. CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
no report yet
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. 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…
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
1990 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
NHTSA crash tests
1990 Ford Thunderbird safety ratings
1990 Ford Thunderbird 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1990 Ford Thunderbird, and the recalls they led to.
- HOOD LATCHES FAILNo recall
- THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGNo recall
- THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHINGNo recall
- FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLESNo recall
In owners' words
What Thunderbird owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH ON DRY FLAT ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND KEPT THE VEHICLE FROM FURTHER ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE PULLED OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE COOL DOWN FOR AN HOUR, AND THEN DROVE TO…
1. JUST SUDDENLY STARTED OCCURRING. 2. RE: CAMPAIGN ID # 96V071000, I HAVE AN IGNITION PROBLEM WITH MY 1990 FORD THUNDERBIRD BUT WAS TOLD BY FORD MY VIN DOES NOT APPLY TO RECALL. ALTHOUGH NO FIRE, I BELIEVE THERE IS SOME SORT OF SHORT CIRCUIT IN MY IGNITION SWITCH. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT-BELT WILL, AT…
WHILE PARKED ABOUT 15 MINUTES, NEIGHBOR NOTICED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE, OPENED HOOD, UNDERHOOD ENGULFED WITH FLAMES; NO WARNING. *AK
Own a 1990 Thunderbird?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.