Safety ratings
1990 Ford Thunderbird 2-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
Crash test #1NHTSA test 1390
Full test report (PDF) ↗Crash-test footage is converted for smooth playback the first time someone requests it — usually under a minute.
Recalls (4)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONCampaign 96V071000 · 25/04/1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLESCampaign 90V026000 · 12/02/1990
BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.
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 UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix: REPLACE BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE WITH CORRECT LENGTH CABLE.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 09E012000 · 07/04/2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
- VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTORCampaign 91V076000 · 06/05/1991
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.
Risk: CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Fix: APPLY TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL TO WIPER MOTOR STUDS AND NUTS AND RETORQUE.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM38
- SERVICE BRAKES33
- HYDRAULIC33
- SEAT BELTS23
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL16
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING10
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING8
- POWER TRAIN8
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/31/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE, WHILE CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, DIDN'T NOTICE ANY SMOKE OR SMELL OF FIRE, CONSUMER HAD REPLACED ALTERNATOR 10 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. *AK
- 12/31/1996· SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED.
- 12/30/1998· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND HARNESS ASSEMBLY FAILED.
- 12/28/1995· SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURE, THE SHOULDER STOPPED AT THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK. TT
- 12/16/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UPON ACCELERATING THE GAS PEDAL BECOMES STUCK, DECREASING CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKING.
- 12/10/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE. *AK
- 12/09/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, AND INTERMITTENTLY CUT ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
- 12/05/1997· POWER TRAIN
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED SEVERAL TIMES.
- 12/04/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
REPLACED DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK
- 12/01/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,EQUIPMENT
AFTER ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY FORD THUNDERBIRD, I NOW REFUSE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD CAR AND I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A FORD VEHICLE TO ANYONE. BETWEEN THE POWER WINDOW FAILURES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, AIR COMPRESSOR FAILURE, BATTER FAILURE, FUEL PUMP FAILURE, THROTTLE FAILURE, ETC... I COULD KEEP GOING ON HOW MUCH TROUBLE IT HAS PUT ME THROUGH AND WASTE OF MONEY THAT THIS CAR HAS COST ME. I AM COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED. I WANTED TO PURCHASE AN AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE FOR CERTAIN ASPECTS OF KNOWING I AM HELPING OUT THE US(JOB WISE), BUT MY VIEWS HAVE SINCE CHANGED. BESIDES THE FACT THAT I REFUSE TO BUY ANOTHER FORD CAR, I REALIZE THAT QUALITY AND SAFETY ARE NOT FORD'S STRENGTH AND MAY LEAVE TO PURCHASE A FOREIGN CAR TO WHICH I MAY FIND SOME HAPPINESS. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP EVER OTHER WEEK. IF IT'S NOT ONE PROBLEM, IT IS ANOTHER. I AM TRULY FED UP. AND BY THE WAY, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I KNOW OTHERS, WHO THROUGH BAD EXPERIENCES ALSO REFUSE TO BUY FORD VEHICLES. *AK
- 11/30/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE ABS SYSTEM WENT OUT. WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE PEDAL WAS HARD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
- 11/27/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE CAR WILL SURGE AND GO UP TO SPEEDS OF 80MPH AND WILL NOT STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
- 11/25/1996· SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S SAFETY BELT DOES NOT WORK WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING THE DOOR, IT DOES NOT MOVE. *AK CONSUMER STATES CAN NOT USE MANUALLY PAID FOR REPAIRS.*JB
- 11/19/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE MODULE COST $1,400 SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. *AK
- 11/18/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I DID NOT KNOW WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT THIS; I HAVE ANGERED A VIGILANTE GROUP. THE GROUP, WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE THE KLAN, ARE DRIVING THEIR OPEN BED PICKUP TRUCKS IN FRONT OF ME WITH OPEN CONTAINERS OF SOMETHING, I SUSPECT TO BE A CANCER CAUSING PESTICIDE. IT IS PLUGGING UP MY AIR FILTERS, WHICH I HAVE SAVED. I WANT YOU TO TAKE THIS COMPLAINT SERIOUSLY AND TEST THE AIR FILTERS TO DETERMINE THE AGENT THAT IS BEING USED TO ACCOST ME. IT WON'T COST YOU VERY MUCH AND IT COULD POINT OUT A PROBLEM THAT COULD SAVE MANY LIVES. *AK
- 11/16/1998· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS DO NOT OPERERATE PROPERLY, THE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED A FAULTY SWITCH. REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *AK
- 11/14/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 UNPREDICTABLE TIMES, NOT MOVE INTO POSITION WHEN IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED AND AT THE SAME TIME THE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER NORMALLY BUT WILL NOT START. "EVERY TIME" SEAT BELT DOESN'T WORK, ENGINE WILL NOT START. 3. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS, YET. *JB
- 11/13/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP (12) TO (15) TIMES FOR NUMEROUS BRAKING PROBLEMS, ROTORS/PADS/DRUMS OR ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ABS.*AK
- 11/04/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE ALTENATOR TO CAUGHT FIRE & OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO MALFUNCTION. THIS HAS OCCURED TWICE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *YC
- 11/01/1996· SEAT BELTS
WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. *AK
- 10/31/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT ANY INDICATIN VEHICLE WOULD STALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- 10/31/1995· SEAT BELTS
THE FRONT SEATBELTS DO NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE BUCKLE STICKS AND WILL NOT LATCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON STICKS IN THE RELEASE POSITION, THIS OCCURS WITH BOTH AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERSIDE SEAT BELTS.*JB
- 10/27/1997· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
- 10/25/1999· SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS LOOSEN AND DISCONNECT WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES CONSUMER TO BE IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED. *AK
- 10/25/1999· SEAT BELTS
CONSUMER SEAT BELT SLIPS/LOOSE AND DISCONNECTS FROM THE BUCKLE. THIS CAUSES THE CONSUMER TO BE IMPROPERLY RESTRAINED. *AK
- 10/25/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH. PARKED VEHICLE AND SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE, THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
- 10/21/1996· SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT LOCKED INTO PLACE IN THE BACK POSITION. *AK *SLC
- 10/20/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE IS WAITING FOR REPAIRS TO THE IGNITION MODULE, CONSUMER IS WAITING FOR THE PARTS BEFORE THE REPAIR IS MADE. *SLC
- 10/18/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
- 10/17/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY 4 DAYS. IT CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPT DISTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. INDICATION OF FIRE ORIGIN WAS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH FIXED WIRES. CONTACTED FORD. INDICATED RECALL WAS SENT OUT. BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SKIPPING & MISSING. TOOK TO SERVICE DEPT & INFORMED HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN & WATER LEAKED INTO CYLINDER. NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THUNDERBIRD ABOUT HEAD GASKETS. *AK
- 10/16/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A NHTSA RECALL#96V071000 REGARDING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT MANY FUSES HAVE BLOWN OUT DUE TO THIS IGNITION PROBLEM, AND SOMETIMES A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKING TURNS TO EITHER SIDE.
- 10/15/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BYPASS RELAY FAILED CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH STARTING VEHICLE.
- 10/15/1997· SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT GETS JAMMED AND CHOKES DRIVER DUE TO A FAULTY SEAT BELT TRACK MOTOR. OWNER HAD PROBLEM THREE TIMES. *AK
- 10/12/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING BRAKES TO SHIMMY UPON BRAKING. *AK
- 10/11/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTSFire
ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDER THE DASH FIRE, WIRING HARNESS , VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF 40 MIN. TT THE CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE WAS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE AUTHOMATIC SEAT BELT HARNESS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MALFUNCTIONED. *YH
- 10/11/1995· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEAD LIGHT FLASHS AND GO OFF . TT
- 10/10/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING BRAKES TO SHIMMY WHEN APPLIED.
- 10/09/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
NO SUMMARY
- 10/07/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, GAS PEDAL STUCK, VEHICLE KEPT GOING. *AK
- 10/03/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK
- 10/02/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE STICKS AND CAUSES BRAKES NOTTO WORK. DRIVER HAS TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. *AK
- 10/02/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
VEHICLE WAS SMOKING WHEN PULLED INTO A GARAGE, AND BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY EXTINGUISHER. FIRE DEPARTMENT MOVED THE CAR FROM GARAGE. ALSO, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. NO WARRANTY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE, AND CANNOT TAKE THE CASE. *AK
- 10/02/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE ABS BRAKE BOOSTER IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
- 09/30/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FORD HAS CEASED MANUFACTURE OF NEEDED PART AND HAS COLLUDED WITH AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURER TO REMOVE ALL SIMILAR PARTS FROM INDEPENDENT PARTS SUPPLIERS. THIS IS A RECALL SITUATION NEEDING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. IT IS ALREADY THE SUBJECT OF A COURT ACTION IN CALIFORNIA WHERE A JUDGE OF THE ALAMEDA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT IS ABOUT TO RULE ON A RECALL OF THIS PARTICULAR IGNITION MODULE. FORD'S DEALERS CLAIM THE PART WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL EARLY 2001!!! THIS SITUATION IS PREPOSTEROUS AND HAS ALREADY COST ME IN EXCESS OF $1500 IN RENTAL CAR BILLS. YOUR IMMEDIATE HELP WITH THIS ,PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- 09/30/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS: ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, PEDAL GOT HARD, DRIVER COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, NO BRAKING ASSIST, PUSHED PEDAL HARD, INSTEAD OF NORMAL STOPPING,VEHICLE WENT ABOUT 500 FT BEFORE STOPPING, NO ACCIDENT, HOWEVER COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*AK
- 09/24/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LEAKS FROM TANK WHEN FULL.
- 09/22/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OWNER STATES THAT ECU COMPUTER TAKES OVER VEHICLE AND THAT VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT DRIVER APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL. DEALERS HAVE REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR, BUT PROBLEM REMAINS. OWNER ALSO NOTES OF THROTTLE LINKAGE/ BRAKING. ALSO.ONWER VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK
- 09/18/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. STOP AND GO IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP WILL PICK IT UP.*AK
- 09/18/1996· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE ACCELERATED, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND DEALER TRIED TO IDLE IT DOWN , NO LUCK . *AK
- 09/13/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ALTERNATOR.*AK