Ford / Thunderbird / 1990
1990 Ford Thunderbird problems
Owners have filed 179 complaints about the 1990 Ford Thunderbird with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 25.1% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 21.2%.
Complaints179
Crashes8
Fires21
Injuries8
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 25.1% · 45
Electrical system 21.2% · 38
Seat belts 15.6% · 28
Vehicle speed control 9.5% · 17
Engine and engine cooling 6.1% · 11
Exterior lighting 4.5% · 8
Power train 4.5% · 8
Fuel system, gasoline 2.8% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 8 describe a crash, 21 describe a fire, 8 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 9 model years of the Ford Thunderbird in this data, 1990 draws comparatively few complaints; 1993 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 90,332 miles.
In owners' own words
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. Service brakes, hydraulic
Reporting a second reoccurring failure with brakr master cyinder, first failure occurred at 80,000 miles, and again currently. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter. 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. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Ford Thunderbird years
1991 130 complaints · 14.6% service brakes, hydraulic 1992 234 complaints · 19.2% exterior lighting 1993 559 complaints · 34.7% engine and engine cooling 1994 426 complaints · 23.9% power train 1995 353 complaints · 33.4% service brakes, hydraulic 1996 295 complaints · 23.1% engine and engine cooling