Safety ratings
1991 Ford Thunderbird 2-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
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.
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONCampaign 91V048000 · 18/03/1991
THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.
Risk: IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.
Fix: REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
- 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
- SERVICE BRAKES18
- HYDRAULIC17
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15
- SEAT BELTS14
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
- FUEL SYSTEM11
- GASOLINE11
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING10
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/31/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT FAILURE INTERMITTENT OPERATION. TS
- 12/30/1996· AIR BAGSCrash
OWNER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT GOING 60MPH AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG. *AK
- 12/26/1996· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
UPON FILLING VEHICLE WITH GAS OWNER NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL, HE STATED THAT THE RING SEAL AROUND FUEL PUMP WAS BAD AND ALSO THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AROUND FUEL PUMP HAD MELTED AWAY. *AK
- 12/15/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN GAS TANK IS FILLED UP AND SITS OVER NIGHT THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE TANK. DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER REPORTS HAS AN ARTICLE THAT DEALS WITH PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
- 12/11/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED 3 TIMES.
- 12/08/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
PART TO REPAIR NOT AVAILABLE. DT
- 12/08/1995· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
HAD CONTINUOUS GAS SMELL, HAD TO HAVE FUEL PUMP REPLACED THREE TIMES. TT
- 12/07/1998· STRUCTURE
HOOD RODS FAIL TO KEEP THE HOOD IN THE RAISED POSITION.
- 12/02/1997· SEAT BELTS
MORTORIZED SHOULDER BELT DRIVER'S SIDE-INTERNAL BELT COMES OUT OF TRACK AND FAILS TO WORK.
- 11/30/1995· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
ENGINE SURGED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DSH
- 11/27/1995· WHEELS
THE REAR AXLE BROKE WERE IT MEETS THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING AND THE TIRES CAME OFF. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
- 11/20/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK NEW CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WAS INSTALLED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *YH
- 11/19/1996· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT FAILURE. DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE HEADLIGHTS PERIODICALLY COME ON AND OFF. *AK
- 11/04/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DEFECTIVE HEADLAMP CIRCUIT BREAKER CAUSES HEADLIGHTS TO FLASH OFF AND ON REPEATEDLY. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN CAR WAS 2 YEARS OLD, SECOND FAILURE IN THE LAST YEAR. CAR HAS LESS THAN 57,000 MILES. 1991 SUPERCOUPE MODEL HAS FOGLAMPS AS DO THE 1992 AND LATER THUNDERBIRD MODELS FOR WHICH A RECALL EXISTS.*AK
- 11/04/2004· VISIBILITY
PLASTIC BUSHINGS IN BOTH ENDS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER TIE-ROD COMPONENT HAVE WORN. CAUSES WIPERS TO MOVE LESS, SKIP, AND LOSE ABILITY TO CLEAR ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. TIE-ROD MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM MOTOR END OR FROM WIPER END. CAR HAS LESS THAN 57000 MILES.*AK
- 11/02/1995· EQUIPMENT
AIR CONDITIONER LEAKS. *SD
- 11/01/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DRIVER EXPERIENCES A TOTAL LOSS OF ABS BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK
- 11/01/1996· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire
DRIVER TRAVELED TWO MILES, ,PARKED VEHICLE, SMOKE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT. STATED GASOLINE LEAKAGE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK*JB
- 10/26/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MAJOR FUEL LEAK WHEN FILLED. *AK
- 10/25/1996· SEAT BELTS
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOES NOT ALWAYS RETRACT. *AK
- 10/24/1997· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BRAKES: PULLED OUT OF DIRVEWAY INTO INTERSECTION, MAKING A LEFT TURN, ACCELERATOR STUCK APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES DID NOT CATCH. *AK
- 10/23/2000· SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT STOPPED WORKING, CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.*AK
- 10/23/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REPEATED BRAKE PROBLEMS AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, CAUSING REAR BRAKES TO OVERHEAT/MELT.
- 10/19/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROUGH MOUNTAINOUS REGION IN AR, THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN...FOUND A LITTLE $3 PIECE THAT BROKE ON THE PART THAT HOLDS THE LINKAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION TO THE THROTTLE... CAR KEPT GOING FASTER AND FASTER... BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. HAD TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND GO UP STEEP INCLINE... KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HAD TO REPLACE THE PIECE THAT BROKE, THE TRANSMISSION, CAR STILL IDLED HIGH.. AND HAD TO REPLACE ANOTHER PART AS WELL. THE BRAKES ARE VERY SPONGY, THEY HAVE BEEN BLED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND THE MASTER CYLANDER REPLACED AND THEY STILL HAVE TO BE PRESSED DOWN 2-3 INCHES (VERY SOFT) BEFORE YOU FEEL ANY SORT OF BRAKAGE. THE CAR STILL DOES NOT RUN CORRECTLY. HAVE SPENT 650.00 + ON AIR CONDITIONER, AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. APPEARS TO BE A SHORT IN IT, BECAUSE WHEN CAR IS ACCELLERATED, IT WILL START COOLING AGAIN... ONE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, SO SOMETHING IS SHORTING IT OUT.
- 10/15/1996· STRUCTURE
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S DOOR FLEW OPEN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
- 10/14/1997· SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE MOTORBELT RETRACTOR FELL OFF TRACK.
- 10/05/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK IN A WIDE OPEN POSITION WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE KEY OUT OF IGNITION AND REAPPLY PEDAL TO GET IT UNSTUCK. DEFECT DUE TO A PLASTIC BUSHING CONNECTED TO A THROTTLE VALVE CABLE BECAME DISINTEGRATED, CAUSING CABLE TO TO BECOME LODGED AGAINST THE ACCELERATOR.*AK
- 10/05/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT. MECHANIC STATED THAT CAR HAS HAD OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. CONSUMER ALSO INDICATED THAT MASTER CYLINDER LOCKED UP TWICE, AS WELL AS STEERING COLUMN AND ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT OUT. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. THEN THE ENGINE WIRES SHORTED OUT. CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO POUR DOWN TO EXHAUST SYSTEM ONTO THE ENGINE MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN A FIRE. WAS FORCED TO SHUT DOWN VEHICLE BECAUSE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO SHE WAS ALMOST KILLED TWICE. THE DEALERSKIP KOONS FORD INC STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON CAR FOR IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONSUMER WANTS HER CAR TO BE FIXED. *AK
- 10/01/1997· VISIBILITY
REARVIEW MIRROR VOBRATES EXCESSIVELY TO THE POINT THAT DRIVER CANNOT SEE CARS BEHIND HIM VIA MIRROR. *AK
- 09/27/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKES SYSTEM FAILURE, SPORADIC FAILURE OF THE BRAKES, PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING. TT
- 09/19/2002· VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FREEZE UP WHEN WIPERS ARE TURNED ON HIGH. THIS IS A SIMILAR DEFECT TO THE "NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V076000" PROBLEM I CAN NOT USE THE MY CAR WIPERS ON HIGH IN THE RAIN. *AK
- 09/19/2000· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
NO SUMMARY
- 09/18/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH THAT IS POSSIBLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *TT
- 09/18/1996· STEERINGFire
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, RESULTING IN A FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA.*AK
- 09/11/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN BRAKES APPLIED VEHICLE WOULD KEEP ON GOING. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY PARK LIGHTS AND ABS LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, AND ALL BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
- 09/07/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3.8 V6S SINCE 1988 HAVE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. FORD SHOULD COVER THIS PROBLEM WHEN VEHICLES HAVE SUCH LOW MILEAGE (LESS THAN 100,000 MILE RANGE) AND NOT JUST COVER THE 94-95 MODELS.
- 09/04/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
- 09/02/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER , THE SPEED ODOMETER WAS REPLACED THE POWER STEERING WENT SOMETIMES DRIVING CAR LOST POWER . TT
- 09/01/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE VEHICLE IS NOT STOPPING DUE TO BAD ROTORS AND THE CALIPERS ARE STUCK IN THE FRONT BRAKES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
- 08/25/2004· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3.8L V6 ENGINE OVER-HEATED DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN #4 CYLINDER. BOTH HEADS WERE REWORKED AND GASKETS REPLACED. AFTER REPAIR ENGINE STARTED STALLING. IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS THEN REPLACED. NOW THERE IS A FLUCTUATION IN OIL PRESSURE. PRIOR TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE, POWER STEERING PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED.*AK
- 08/25/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME TO LET A CAR IN OUR LANE. WE WERE GOING AROUND 15 MPH. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, I JUST KEPT ON GOING AND HIT THE TRUCK IN THE REAR. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND GOT OUT AND WENT OVER TO THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK TO MAKE SURE HE WAS OK. HE TOLD ME HE WAS FINE,AT WHICH POINT I TOLD HIM THE DAMAGE DONE WAS TO MY CAR AND HIS TRUCK WAS FINE. HE SAID FINE AND WENT ON HIS WAY. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND FOUND MY BRAKE PEDDLE HAD BROKEN OFF THE ARM AND WAS ON THE FLOOR. THE METAL PART OF PEDDLE SNAPPED RIGHT OFF THE BRAKE ARM.
- 08/22/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM HAS FAILED SIX TIMES SINCE VEHICLES PURCHASE. TT
- 08/17/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCrash
NO SUMMARY
- 08/14/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WITHIN 20,000 MILES THE FRONT BRAKES ROTORS HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK
- 08/13/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON 3 OCCASIONS CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITHIN 44,000 MILES WHEN MAKING NORMAL OR SUDDEN STOPS. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN A SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
- 08/10/1999· SEAT BELTS
THE FRONT SEAT BELTS(BOTH SHOULDER AND LAP) DO NOT LOCK AT ANY TIME. THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOSE. EVEN IF YOU JERK THEM, THEY DO NOT LOCK. WE JUST REPLACED THE DRIVER'S LAP BELT AND IT ALSO DOES NOT LOCK. FORD COMPANY HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT THEY DO NOT RESPOND FOR THE PAST MONTH. WE ONLY WANT TO KNOW IF THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM ONLY LOCKS IN A "REAL" ACCIDENT AND THEY ARE MEANT TO BE LOOSE DURING NORMAL CONDITIONS. THANK YOU.
- 08/08/1997· VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT
DRIVER'S WINDOW WAS INSTALLED AT FACTORY USING APLASTIC CLIP TO HOLD WINDOW ON ITS LIFTING MECHANISM. THE MATERIAL USED TO FUSE THE TWO MATERIALS TOGETHER LOSES STRENGTH AFTER SOME USE AND WINDOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, AIR CONDTIONING FAILED. *AK
- 08/07/1996· SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT. WILL NOT RETRACT FORWARD.*AK
- 08/04/1999· EQUIPMENT
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER FOUR TIMES, AND THE DEALER CAN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
- 08/03/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PADS ARE WEARING PREMATURELY, HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED FIVE TIMES, ONLY 42,000 MILES. TT