The 1991 Ford Thunderbird has 4 safety recalls and 112 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (19 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints112filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 13reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Electrical system › Ignition
NHTSA recall 96V071000 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
NHTSA recall 91V076000 · May 6, 1991 · 125,000 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
NHTSA recall 91V048000 · Mar 18, 1991 · 6,800 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1991 Ford Thunderbird 2-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Thunderbird
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Thunderbird
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
Thunderbird
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
Thunderbird
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
19
2
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Retractor; Front › Webbing
17
0
0
1
—
Electrical system Ignition › Switch; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
15
0
11
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist › Pump
4
0
2
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 1, 2015 · 175,000 milesService brakes LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST ON SUPER COUPE. PEDAL BECAME HARD TO PRESS. BOTH BRAKE AND ABS ANNUNCIATORS ILLUMINATING. TROUBLESHOOTING INDICATES BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH FAILING TO SIGNAL PUMP TO CHARGE SYSTEM OR ACCUMULATOR HAS FAILED. MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS SYSTEM ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THUS 24 YEARS OLD.
Oct 1, 1999 · 80,000 milesVehicle speed control › Cruise control CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. *TR
Sep 22, 2001 · 144,509 milesVehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STRUCK. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE APPLIED. *AK *NM
Jan 1, 2000 · 40,000 milesVisibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages 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
Mar 5, 2004 · 15,000 milesExterior lighting › Headlights 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
Jun 2, 2004Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump 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
Aug 15, 2003 · 87,500 milesEngine and engine cooling OVERHEATING AT FIRST THEN AFTER THE HEADGASKETS WERE REPLACED THE ROD BEARINGS FAILED WHICH ADDED ANOTHER 1200.00 TO THE 1645.00 OF THE FIRST REPAIR AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST REPAIR.
Mar 26, 2003 · 73,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 73,000 ON MY 1991 TBIRD WITH THE 3.8 V6. LOOKS LIKE FORD IS TRYING TO COVER THIS UP! *NLM
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA93033 · opened Dec 30, 1993 · closed Dec 30, 1994THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING There is no summary currently available
PE93075 · opened Aug 30, 1993 · closed Dec 30, 1993THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING There is no summary currently available