1990 Ford Thunderbird problems
Owners have filed 179 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Ford Thunderbird. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 25% of complaints. Next are electrical system (21%) and seat belts (16%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 179 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 25% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 8 and 21
- Injuries and deaths
- 8 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 90,000 miles 10 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 1 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 4 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 10 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 90,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 8 complaints mention a crash; 21 complaints mention a fire; 8 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 81% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1990 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the Ford Thunderbird with enough data (53 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Was driving at about 40 MPH when hit divider left side. Car also hit right/front then stopped and was hit in rear. Fuel cutoff system did not cut off while involved in crash.
You know my husband and his friend had no idea ont his car that the brakes went out, until they were getting off the interstate, and it was too late. Wrecked into a semi-truck, that guy is lucky- so is my husband and his friend. I think this sghould be an issue of concern. Thanks.
Auto-trans: while coming out of garage with foot on brakes to shift from park to drive engine accelerated to high speed;hit two parked cars;no warning. Tt
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 contact owns a 1990 Ford Thunderbird equipped with Goodyear Tire, Tire Line: Viva 3 A/S, Tire Size: 250/70/R15, DOT Number: PJ34KB1R0219. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she became aware that the rear driver’s side tire was shaking abnormally. The contact took the vehicle to the Walmart where the tires were purchased and was informed that there were blisters on each tire and the tires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure.