MYRModel Year Report

1989 Ford Thunderbird

● Typical for this model
1989 Ford Thunderbird
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:54:31.613Z

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

Complaints per year, Ford Thunderbird Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 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: 61 complaints 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 124 complaints 1989 1990: 140 complaints 1991: 112 complaints 1992: 184 complaints 1992 1993: 423 complaints 1994: 300 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 2005
1989: 124 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19803
19810
19820
19833
198426
198514
198623
198761
198892
1989124
1990140
1991112
1992184
1993423
1994300
1995261
1996233
1997169
19983
19992
200293
200333
200434
200527

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 15%

15% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 19 distinct reports on file.

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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SEAT BELTS 7%

7% of complaints: seat belts — 9 distinct reports on file.

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

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 (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (9 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.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

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 15% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 Ford Thunderbird have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.