1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
147
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
3
Investigations
Overview of the 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD
The 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD has received a total of 147 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Vehicle Speed Control (19 complaints), Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (11 complaints), and Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood (9 complaints).
Recalls for the 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD, potentially affecting up to 8,040,194 vehicles.
Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 96V071000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
| 7,900,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
View full details →Recall 89V081000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
| 113,200 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 89V080000 — SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
| 10,600 vehicles affected
Defect: IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLES COULD EXPERIENCE HIGH MILEAGE FATIGUE CRACKS AND EVENTUAL FRACTURE.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 88V165000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
| 124 vehicles affected
Defect: PLASTIC ROLLOVER VALVE MOUNTING PLATE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK.
Consequence: FUEL OR VAPOR COULD LEAK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLEFIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD
147 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD
Ford Motor Company has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
95203 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
A '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...
NHTSA Investigations for the 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD
NHTSA has opened 3 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD.
Other Model Years of the FORD THUNDERBIRD
- 1984 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 33 complaints
- 1985 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 16 complaints
- 1986 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 32 complaints
- 1987 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 73 complaints
- 1988 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 116 complaints
- 1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD (current)
- 1990 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 179 complaints
- 1991 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 130 complaints
- 1992 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 234 complaints
- 1993 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 559 complaints
- 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD — 426 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints