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NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 1990 Ford Thunderbird.
| Trim | City | Hwy | Combined | Annual fuel $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6 cyl Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,000 |
| 3.8L 6 cyl Automatic 4-spd | 15 | 21 | 18 | $3,850 |
| 3.8L 6 cyl Manual 5-spd | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,850 |
| Overall Rating | Not Rated |
| Frontal Crash | Not Rated |
| Side Crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
Component: 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 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.
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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 THE THREE NUTS COME OFF.
Consequence: CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Remedy: APPLY TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL TO WIPER MOTOR STUDS AND NUTS AND RETORQUE.
The contact owns a 1990 Ford Thunderbird equipped with Goodyear Tire, Tire Line: Viva 3 A/S, Tire Size: 250/70/R15, DOT Number: PJ34KB1R0219. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she became aware that the rear driver’s side tire was shaking abnormally. The contact took the vehicle to the Walmart where the tires were purchased and was informed that there were blisters on each tire and the tires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
[XXX] NEED YOUR HELP HER CAR WAS STOLEN AND NOT RETURNED WITNESS [XXX][XXX] AND WITNESS ABS ORDER[XXX] LOCATION CAMPUS POLICE FSU SBA BUILDING 1(910)672-1726 MORE INFORMATION ROBERT HASSELL CAMPUS POLICE CAR WAS PARKED AND LOCKED STUDENT[XXX] CAR WAS TAKEN NOT RETURNED ASKING FOR CAR RECALL [XXX] [XXX] TO START PROCESS VICTIM[XXX] IS WAITING FOR SETTLEMENT AT [XXX] OR [XXX] THANKS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH ON DRY FLAT ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND KEPT THE VEHICLE FROM FURTHER ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE PULLED OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE COOL DOWN FOR AN HOUR, AND THEN DROVE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A NHTSA RECALL#96V071000 REGARDING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT MANY FUSES HAVE BLOWN OUT DUE TO THIS IGNITION PROBLEM, AND SOMETIMES A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN MAKING TURNS TO EITHER SIDE.
The 1990 Ford Thunderbird has 4 NHTSA recalls and 167 consumer complaints on file. It received an overall safety rating of Not Rated out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
Enter a specific VIN to get the full report — specs, recalls, safety ratings, complaints, investigations, and technical service bulletins.
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.
Consequence: CABLE PROTECTIVE COVERING AND INSULATION COULD WEAR THROUGH AND CAUSE A DIRECT SHORT TO GROUND, RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND POSSIBLY A UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE BATTERY TO STARTER CABLE WITH CORRECT LENGTH CABLE.
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
1. JUST SUDDENLY STARTED OCCURRING. 2. RE: CAMPAIGN ID # 96V071000, I HAVE AN IGNITION PROBLEM WITH MY 1990 FORD THUNDERBIRD BUT WAS TOLD BY FORD MY VIN DOES NOT APPLY TO RECALL. ALTHOUGH NO FIRE, I BELIEVE THERE IS SOME SORT OF SHORT CIRCUIT IN MY IGNITION SWITCH. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT-BELT WILL, AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES, NOT MOVE INTO POSITION WHEN IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED AND AT THE SAME TIME THE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER NORMALLY BUT WILL NOT START. "EVERY TIME" SEAT BELT DOESN'T WORK, ENGINE WILL NOT START. 3. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS, YET. *JB
FUEL LEAK FROM FUEL TANK WHEN FULL . DANGEROUS , COULD CAUSE A FIRE . AUTO IS PARKED IN A GARAGE INSIDE OF MY HOUSE . UNABLE TO FILL TANK BECAUSE OF CONDITION . FORD WILL NOT REPAIR . AROUND 45,000 MILES , NEVER IN ACCIDENT & FUEL SYSTEM NEVER WORKED ON . I THINK THIS IS VERY NEGLIGENT ON FORD'S PART .*AK
CAR WAS BACKED OUT OF GARAGE. WHILE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE BEGAN RACING WIDE OPEN, WENT ACROSS 2 DRIVEWAYS AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP IT AND WOULD NOT GO OUT OF REVERSE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS IMPACT AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE IN ABOUT 3 SECONDS.*AK
TIRE FAILURE OF A FIRESTONE FR410, P215/70R15 97S, DOT HYME 41A 159. NO ROAD HAZARD. RF TIRE EXPLODED. 32-35 PSI CHECKED 7 DAYS PRIOR. FIRESTONE INVESTIGATION CLAIMS PUNCTURE CAUSED FAILURE. PUNCTURE OCCURRED FROM TIRE MATERIAL WHEN STOPPING.*AK
YOUR ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED IN RESOLVING THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM WITH A DANGEROUS AND CLAIMED UNREPAIRABLE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS 1990 FORD THUNDERBIRD SUPER COUPE VIN#[XXX]. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH AN ABS BRAKING SYSTEM THAT IS DANGEROUS UPON FAILURE. THIS ABS SYSTEM UPON FAILURE RESULTS IN THE "COMPLETE" LOSS OF BRAKING ON THIS VEHICLE AND POSES A SERIOUS THREAT OF INJURY TO UNSUSPECTING OCCUPANTS OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE EARLY TEVIS II ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN DESCRIBED BY FORD BRAKE TECHNICIANS AS THE "WORST" BRAKING SYSTEM EVER INSTALLED ON A VEHICLE TO REPAIR. UNLIKE OTHER ABS BRAKING SYSTEMS, WHICH ALLOW A VEHICLE'S HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM TO CONTINUE TO FUNCTION WITH A FAILURE IN THE ABS PORTION OF THE SYSTEM, THIS VEHICLE'S "ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS" WITH THE LOSS OF ITS ABS COMPONENT. FORD WAS APPARENTLY AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND APPARENT DANGER, BECAUSE THIS SYSTEM WAS UPGRADED ONLY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3-YEARS OF PRODUCTION. I HAVE SPENT OVER $2,000.00 OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS ON THIS BRAKING SYSTEM. I INITIALLY TOOK IT TO A PEARSON'S FORD IN SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA IN 2001 FOR BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIR AND UPON RECEIVING THE VEHICLE FROM DEALER, I EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMING ON PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UPON PEARSON FORD'S RECOMMENDATION UNTIL I EXPERIENCED A FULL SYSTEM FAILURE. THEODORE ROBBINS FORD OF COSTA MESA CALIFORNIA HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIRS AND THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED AFTER EACH REPAIR. THEY STILL HAVE THE VEHICLE. FORD STATES THEY NO LONGER SUPPORT THIS BRAKE SYSTEM AND DID NOT SEE A NEED TO ISSUE ANY ALERTS OR RECALLS ON THIS SYSTEM, WHICH DISCONTINUED. YOUR ASSISTANCE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE. *AK
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE THROUGH A GARAGE SMASHING THE WALL. *NLM
THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. *NLM
WHEN COMING TO A STOP DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WILL LOCK UP WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
WIRES IN STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK DURING THE FIRE THE CONSUMER SON WAS INJURED. *YH
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. TECHNICIAN STATED ENGINE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Showing 15 of 167 complaints