CarRecallWatchThe 1989 Ford Thunderbird has 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA, including 14 crashes, 24 fires, 10 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Vehicle Speed Control (26 reports).
1989 Ford Thunderbird recalls
Most common 1989 Ford Thunderbird problems
Problem areas named in the 124 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 26 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 25 |
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Seat Belts | 20 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Seats | 3 |
What owners report
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.)
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
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
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.
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
1989 Ford Thunderbird questions
Does the 1989 Ford Thunderbird have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 1989 Ford Thunderbird: Electrical System:Ignition; Suspension:Rear:Springs; Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Caliper; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Ford Thunderbird?
Based on 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Vehicle Speed Control (26), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (25), Electrical System (23).
How do I check if a recall on my 1989 Ford Thunderbird has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.