MYRModel Year Report

1989 Ford Thunderbird

● Typical for this model
1989 Ford Thunderbird
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:01:39.694Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
125
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Vehicle speed control

21% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 26 complaints 1985: 14 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 63 complaints 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 125 complaints 1989 125 1990: 141 complaints 1991: 112 complaints 1992: 186 complaints 1992 1993: 425 complaints 1994: 315 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 233 complaints 1997: 169 complaints 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2002: 93 complaints 2003: 33 complaints 2003 2004: 34 complaints 2005: 27 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 26 complaints 1984 1985: 14 complaints 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 63 complaints 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 125 complaints 1989 125 1990: 141 complaints 1991: 112 complaints 1992: 186 complaints 1992 1993: 425 complaints 1994: 315 complaints 1994 1995: 261 complaints 1996: 233 complaints 1996 1997: 169 complaints 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2002: 93 complaints 2002 2003: 33 complaints 2004: 34 complaints 2004 2005: 27 complaints
1980: 3 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 26 complaints 1984 1985: 14 complaints 1985 1986: 23 complaints 1986 1987: 63 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1988 1989: 125 complaints 1989 125 1990: 141 complaints 1990 1991: 112 complaints 1991 1992: 186 complaints 1992 1993: 425 complaints 1993 1994: 315 complaints 1994 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 233 complaints 1996 1997: 169 complaints 1997 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2002: 93 complaints 2002 2003: 33 complaints 2003 2004: 34 complaints 2004 2005: 27 complaints 2005

1989: 125 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19803
19810
19820
19833
198426
198514
198623
198763
198892
1989125
1990141
1991112
1992186
1993425
1994315
1995261
1996233
1997169
19983
19992
200293
200333
200434
200527

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Vehicle speed control

21% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Car accelerated when brake pedal was fully depressed to floor...smashed into corner of house, damaging brickwork and front, right corner of the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-11-07

Sudden acceleration, vehicle went open throttle position impact 12:00 position speed 20 MPH. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-09-28

Cruise control was set on 65 MPH. Without prior warning the vehicle suddenly accelerated to a speed of almost 85 MPH and the brakes would not function. The driver turned the vehicle off, while in motion, and pulled over to the shoulder.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-11

Service brakes

18% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Electrical system

18% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While driving owner noticed fowl smell pulled over opened hood vehicle on fire. Possible faulty wires of alternator. Please describe details.…

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-21

Seat belts

14% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Driver was restrained by seatbelt. During collision, seatbelt became unanchored from the floor and came loose causing driver to be thrown into steering wheel, under dashboard and into windshield.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-09-03

Drivers side seat belt failure, automatic belts failed. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-06-23

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Intake manifold gasket leaked.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-08

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1988-10-07Fuel system, gasoline88V165000 Plastic rollover valve mounting plate may not be properly sealed to the plastic fuel tank.

    Remedy: Replace fuel tank.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1989-06-09Service brakes, air89V081000 Due to contact between the brake caliper of the inboard front wheel and the front stabilizer bar, there may be increased brake pedal travel following low speed turning maneuvers.

    Remedy: Install acorn type front suspension strut nuts to eliminate stabilizer bar to brake caliper contact.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1989-06-09Suspension89V080000 Improperly heat treated rear suspension knuckles could experience high mileage fatigue cracks and eventual fracture.

    Remedy: Replace knuckles that have the affected lot codes.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1989-10-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-02-02 Throttle sticking
  5. I
    1990-02-08Engineering analysisClosed 1991-02-28 Throttle sticking
  6. I
    1990-06-26Engineering analysisClosed 1992-02-25 Hood latches fail
  7. I
    1993-08-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-12-30 Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
  8. I
    1993-12-30Engineering analysisClosed 1994-12-30 Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
  9. I
    1995-03-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-07-31 Faulty seatbelt buckles
  10. R
    1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Ford Thunderbird — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Vehicle speed control: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 23 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 88V165000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 89V081000 · Service brakes, air
  • Recall 89V080000 · Suspension
  • Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1989 Ford Thunderbird reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Ford Thunderbird is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Ford Thunderbird?
The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Ford Thunderbird have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.