1989 Ford Thunderbird

● Typical for this model

1989 Ford Thunderbird
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:45:32.144Z

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 PER YEAR

1989: 125 complaints

View as data table

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

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 21%

21% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20161107

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, VEHICLE WENT OPEN THROTTLE POSITION IMPACT 12:00 POSITION SPEED 20 MPH. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950928

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, 20030911

SERVICE BRAKES 18%

18% of complaints: service brakes — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 23 distinct reports on file, 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. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950221

SEAT BELTS 14%

14% of complaints: seat belts — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20080903

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILURE, AUTOMATIC BELTS FAILED. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950623

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED.

NHTSA ODI report, 19941108

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19881007 — fuel system, gasoline

PLASTIC ROLLOVER VALVE MOUNTING PLATE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK.

Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK.

Campaign 88V165000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19890609 — service brakes, air

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.

Campaign 89V081000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19890609 — suspension

IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLES COULD EXPERIENCE HIGH MILEAGE FATIGUE CRACKS AND EVENTUAL FRACTURE.

Remedy: REPLACE KNUCKLES THAT HAVE THE AFFECTED LOT CODES.

Campaign 89V080000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19891004 — PE (closed 19900202)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19900208 — EA (closed 19910228)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19900626 — EA (closed 19920225)

HOOD LATCHES FAIL

I 19930830 — PE (closed 19931230)

THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING

I 19931230 — EA (closed 19941230)

THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING

I 19950327 — PE (closed 19950731)

FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES

R 19960607 — electrical system

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Campaign 96V071000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 Ford Thunderbird — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (26 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes issues (23 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (23 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 88V165000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 89V081000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
Verify recall 89V080000 (suspension) has been completed.
Verify recall 96V071000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2003 ▲ 2004 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 1994 ■ 1995

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.