1989 Ford Thunderbird
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Thunderbird › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Ford Thunderbird. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1989 Ford Thunderbird. Newest first.
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 conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Improperly heat treated rear suspension knuckles could experience high mileage fatigue cracks and eventual fracture.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could result in rear suspension failure at theaffected wheel with an adverse affect on control of the car, which couldcause an accident.
Remedy
Replace knuckles that have the affected lot codes.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause a reduction in brake performancethat could result in an accident.
Remedy
Install acorn type front suspension strut nuts to eliminate stabilizer bar to brake caliper contact.
Plastic rollover valve mounting plate may not be properly sealed to the plastic fuel tank.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel or vapor could leak, which could result in a vehiclefire.
Remedy
Replace fuel tank.
Owner complaints
124 complaints15 involved a crash24 involved a fire10 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
Car accelerated when brake pedal was fully depressed to floor...smashed into corner of house, damaging brickwork and front, right corner of the car. Vehicle IS inoperable but not yet towed due to financial restrictions (unable to attach photos...please provide email address where I can send photos.)
- Seat belts
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. please note that the speed and mileage are stated as approximates by counsel , will supplement if necessary. The driver was operating the vehicle at a lawful speed within the speed limit. *Tr
- Suspension › Front
While driving approximately 40 mph a loud snap came from the front passenger's side wheel. This caused the vehicle not to be able to turn left, and then ended up crashing with the guard rail. The cause was undetermined.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Steering · Unknown or other
Bought brand new in 1989. first early problems with cigarette lighter/electrical/heating up inside dash.- serviced 3-4 times, under warranty. freon leaks in air conditioner - repaired twice. Fuel line replaced. steering colum jam of somesort - no key access. replaced 3 alternators. cannot…
Bought brand new in 1989. first early problems with cigarette lighter/electrical/heating up inside dash.- serviced 3-4 times, under warranty. freon leaks in air conditioner - repaired twice. Fuel line replaced. steering colum jam of somesort - no key access. replaced 3 alternators. cannot shift transmission into overdrive. Rebuilt by aamco. Blew head gasket. radiator coolant comming out from muffler. got rid of car at this time.
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
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. there were no injuries or fatalities. the consumer had the cruise control disconnected. the dealer was notified. *ak *ph *nlm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Intermittently when brakes were applied, pedal became hard, resulting in extended stopping distance due to master cylinder. dealer and manufacturer were notified. dealer has informed consumer that the part needed to repair vehicle was no longer manufactured. *Ak brakes fail intermittently…
Intermittently when brakes were applied, pedal became hard, resulting in extended stopping distance due to master cylinder. dealer and manufacturer were notified. dealer has informed consumer that the part needed to repair vehicle was no longer manufactured. *Ak brakes fail intermittently, they are leaking brake fluid and the ford dealerships cannot repair it. there are no rebuild kits available for this vehicle. consumer was informed to purchase a master cylinder from a junk yard. consumer feels fords responsibilty IS to repair or replace the vehicle. *jg
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Head gaskets failed.
- Vehicle speed control
While backing out, vehicle accelerated and hit a fence. Consumer never applied the gas pedal. brakes would not stop vehicle. *jg *ak
- Vehicle speed control
When brakes were applied, engine accelerated suddenly. consumer had to stand on brakes and shift vehicle into park to stop. this has been an intermittent problem. dealer has been contacted. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Dunlop, g t qualifier, p215/65r15, dot#dbbfa13047; left rear tire separated on side of tread. Dunlop was notified. *Ak another tire had experienced tread separation prior to this, replacement tires had less than 30000 miles on it. *slc
- Tires › Tread/belt
Dunlop GT qualifier, dot#dbbfa13047 p215/65r15; tread separated at middle of tread right front at 70 mph, causing damage. Dunlop has been notified. *Ak two tires have experienced tread separation, replacement tires had less than 30000 miles. *slc
- Wheels
Left front wheel collapsed while driving. *Ak
- Seat belts · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Passenger's side automatic seatbelt does not retract. Also, none of seatbacks stay in a locked position. Consumer feels this IS a very unsafe way to drive a vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Car destroyed due to a fire in the steering column-possible ignition switch. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Two of the michelin XH4 as ws 205 70 R15 tires on the vehicle experienced tread separation and were replaced, later the two of the four that were replaced experienced separation also. *mjs
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
20 minutes after parking vehicle exploded, vehicle was totalled. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system · Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Steering › Rack and pinion · Structure › Body › Door
No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
- Unknown or other
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
While driving at any rate of speed vehicle will completely shutdown without warning, due to a malfunction within the ignition module. *ak the vehicle does not restart at all now. *yh
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While driving at about 20 mph, consumer heard horns blowing. Consumer pulled over, and opened hood, and noticed flames. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
In our local paper on 8/31/2000, there was a story about the alameda county (calf) superior court judge's preliminary decision concerning a posssible recall of of ford vehicles in the model years 1983-1995 concering the thick film ignition (tfi) module being placed on the distributor near the…
In our local paper on 8/31/2000, there was a story about the alameda county (calf) superior court judge's preliminary decision concerning a posssible recall of of ford vehicles in the model years 1983-1995 concering the thick film ignition (tfi) module being placed on the distributor near the engine block where it overheats and casues the car to stall. Can you give me any updates as to where this situation IS currently and will I be notified in case of a recall by ford. I saw this story after I spent over $700.00 getting my fuel pump and fuel pump module replaced by a local mechanic who thought that would stop the stalling. It didn't. once my car car reaches a certain temperature, it stalls. thanks for your help and if you need any further information, please don't hesitate to contact me. ken kelly
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
The car has serious problems with the throttle, when the air conditioner has used throttle will stick and the car will go racing down the road. The brake has to be applied frequently to stay within the spped limit. *Et
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Gasket in middle section of engine was so narrow it failed completely. the car over heated many times and no problem could be found at times it over heated. replaced many parts thermastat, radiator,catilitic converter tested. when mid section disassembled the gasket was shown to me and it was undoutedly a poor design. Too narrow to hold on any vehicle.
- Vehicle speed control
Car excelerated to very high speed when any exceration was applied, would not disengage until I turned the key off or shifted into neutral
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Faulty seatbelt buckles
There is no summary currently available
- Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
There is no summary currently available
- Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
There is no summary currently available
- Hood latches fail
There is no summary currently available
- Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
- Throttle sticking
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Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3010700Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 53660Vehicles exhibiting a "squeaking" or "chirping" from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds.
- 51990Blower motor- "chirping" or "squeaking" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 46471A 'groaning' noise may come from the front power windows after the glass IS powered full up. This noise IS caused by improper lubrication on the window regulator mechanism sliding surfaces. The grease gets wiped off from sliding surfaces during normal operation. Apply teflon lubricant (d2az-19590-a) to the window regulator mechanism.
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39717Wiper motor replacement - upgraded service kits.
Every Ford Thunderbird model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.