Ford / Thunderbird / 1991
1991 Ford Thunderbird problems
Owners have filed 130 complaints about the 1991 Ford Thunderbird with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 14.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of seat belts at 13.1%.
Complaints130
Crashes7
Fires14
Injuries5
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 14.6% · 19
Seat belts 13.1% · 17
Engine and engine cooling 11.5% · 15
Electrical system 11.5% · 15
Exterior lighting 7.7% · 10
Vehicle speed control 7.7% · 10
Fuel system, gasoline 7.7% · 10
Visibility 6.2% · 8
Severity
Of those complaints, 7 describe a crash, 14 describe a fire and 5 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 9 model years of the Ford Thunderbird in this data, 1991 draws comparatively few complaints; 1993 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 17 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 83,750 miles.
In owners' own words
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. 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. Service brakes, hydraulic
Headlights flicker at night, making it very hard to see. Consumer is having the same problem as discussed in a manufacturer's recall concerning headlamp switch. However, this vehicle is not included. *Ak the head light switch had been replaced twice. The consumer had encountered close calls due to head light failures and indicated the conditon to be dangerous. Exterior lighting
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Ford Thunderbird years
1990 179 complaints · 25.1% 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