MYRModel Year Report

1991 Ford Thunderbird

● Typical for this model
1991 Ford Thunderbird
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:52:59.069Z

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
112
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

18% 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 1990: 141 complaints 1991: 112 complaints 1991 112 1992: 186 complaints 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 1988 1989: 125 complaints 1990: 141 complaints 1991: 112 complaints 1991 112 1992: 186 complaints 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 1990: 141 complaints 1990 1991: 112 complaints 1991 112 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

1991: 112 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

18% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Loss of hydraulic brake assist on super coupe. Pedal became hard to press. Both brake and ABS annunciators illuminating. Troubleshooting indicates brake pressure switch failing to signal pump to charge system or accumulator has failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-06-11

Seat belts

14% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and webbing.

INJURY

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Electrical system

12% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing switch and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle fire under/around dash and steering column. (Attorney for client)

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-10-05

Exterior lighting

9% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Headlight failure intermittent operation. Ts

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-31

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1991-05-24Visibility91V076000 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…

    Remedy: Apply torque retention material to wiper motor studs and nuts and retorque.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1991-07-22Power train91V048000 The park rod assembly contains a park cam with inadequate surface hardness, which could lead to park disengagement or no park engagement when the lever is placed in park.

    Remedy: Replace park rod assembly on automatic transmissions.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1993-08-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-12-30 Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
  4. I
    1993-12-30Engineering analysisClosed 1994-12-30 Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
  5. 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 →

  6. 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

1991 Ford Thunderbird — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 14 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 91V076000 · Visibility
  • Recall 91V048000 · Power train
  • 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 1991 Ford Thunderbird reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Ford Thunderbird is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Ford Thunderbird?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Ford Thunderbird have?
4 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.