MYRModel Year Report

1990 Ford Thunderbird

● Typical for this model
1990 Ford Thunderbird
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:26:49.882Z

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, 1990 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: 63 complaints 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 125 complaints 1989 1990: 141 complaints 1990 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 2005
1990: 141 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.

SERVICE BRAKES 31%

31% of complaints: service brakes — 44 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27%

27% of complaints: electrical system — 38 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ENGINE FIRE

NHTSA ODI report, 20050708

VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE SHORT IN ALTERNATOR. RESULTING IN VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950622

SEAT BELTS 18%

18% of complaints: seat belts — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and webbing.

FIRE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12%

12% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cables.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CAR WAS BACKED OUT OF GARAGE. WHILE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE BEGAN RACING WIDE OPEN, WENT ACROSS 2 DRIVEWAYS AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP IT AND WOULD NOT GO OUT OF REVERSE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050128

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE THROUGH A GARAGE SMASHING THE WALL. *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030502

AUTO-TRANS: WHILE COMING OUT OF GARAGE WITH FOOT ON BRAKES TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO HIGH SPEED;HIT TWO PARKED CARS;NO WARNING. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950515

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19900309 — electrical system

BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.

Remedy: REPLACE BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE WITH CORRECT LENGTH CABLE.

Campaign 90V026000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19900626 — EA (closed 19920225)

HOOD LATCHES FAIL

R 19910524 — visibility

THE NUTS WHICH HOLD WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO THE WIPER MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED AND MAY LOOSEN OR COME OFF. THIS CAUSES CHANGED WIPER PATTERNS, OR THE WIPERS MAY JAM IF TWO OF

Remedy: APPLY TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL TO WIPER MOTOR STUDS AND NUTS AND RETORQUE.

Campaign 91V076000 — check if this car was fixed

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

1990 Ford Thunderbird — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (38 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 90V026000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V076000 (visibility) 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 1990 Ford Thunderbird reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Ford Thunderbird is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Ford Thunderbird?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1990 Ford Thunderbird have?

4 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.