MYRModel Year Report

1991 Ford Thunderbird

● Typical for this model
1991 Ford Thunderbird
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:46:30.901Z

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, 1991 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 1991: 112 complaints 1991 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
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%

18% of complaints: service brakes — 20 distinct reports on file, 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, 20150611

SEAT BELTS 14%

14% of complaints: seat belts — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and webbing.

INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%

13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE FIRE UNDER/AROUND DASH AND STEERING COLUMN. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19951005

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 9%

9% of complaints: exterior lighting — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

HEADLIGHT FAILURE INTERMITTENT OPERATION. TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20021231

SAFETY TIMELINE

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

R 19910722 — power train

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.

Campaign 91V048000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19930830 — PE (closed 19931230)

THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING

I 19931230 — EA (closed 19941230)

THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING

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

1991 Ford Thunderbird — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 91V076000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V048000 (power train) 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 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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.