17 of the
179 complaints about the 1990 Ford Thunderbird are about the
throttle and cruise control — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
104,500 miles.
F
17
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
1270.6%
Accelerator Pedal
423.5%
Cables
15.9%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Ford Thunderbird year
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.
NHTSA complaint #10170951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesHelena, ALCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10108133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cannon Falls, MNCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #10018085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Christiansburg, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE STICKS AND CAUSES BRAKES NOTTO WORK. DRIVER HAS TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #871945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL WHEN ENGAGED CAUSES VEHICLE TO INCREASE SPEED. WOULD BE GOING OVER 80MPH AT TIMES. TAPPING BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR FAILED TO DEACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL. FINALLY, MANAGED TO VEER TO SIDE OF ROAD & TURNED VEHICLE OFF. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOCK UP, ENDANGERING VEHICLE & OTHER DRIVERS. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE OR RESOLVE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #859767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Everett, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY FORD THUNDERBIRD, I NOW REFUSE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD CAR AND I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A FORD VEHICLE TO ANYONE. BETWEEN THE POWER WINDOW FAILURES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, AIR COMPRESSOR FAILURE, BATTER FAILURE, FUEL PUMP FAILURE, THROTTLE FAILURE, ETC... I COULD KEEP GOING ON HOW MUCH TROUBLE IT HAS PUT ME THROUGH AND WASTE OF MONEY THAT THIS CAR HAS COST ME. I AM COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED. I WANTED TO PURCHASE AN AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE FOR CERTAIN ASPECTS OF KNOWING I AM HELPING OUT THE US(JOB WISE), BUT MY VIEWS HAVE SINCE CHANGED. BESIDES THE FACT THAT I REFUSE TO BUY ANOTHER FORD CAR, I REALIZE THAT QUALITY AND SAFETY ARE NOT FORD'S STRENGTH AND MAY LEAVE TO PURCHASE A FOREIGN CAR TO WHICH I MAY FIND SOME HAPPINESS. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP EVER OTHER WEEK. IF IT'S NOT ONE PROBLEM, IT IS ANOTHER. I AM TRULY FED UP. AND BY THE WAY, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I KNOW OTHERS, WHO THROUGH BAD EXPERIENCES ALSO REFUSE TO BUY FORD VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #715488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prescott, WA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ALSO, THROTTLE WAS STUCK ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. OCCURRED DURING VERY IN COLD TEMPERATURES. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #834183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
UPON ACCELERATING THE GAS PEDAL BECOMES STUCK, DECREASING CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #526966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Clara, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, GAS PEDAL STUCK, VEHICLE KEPT GOING.
NHTSA complaint #522934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rainier, ORCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE PARKING AND RAN INTO A TREE. SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. 1ST TIME FORD BLAMED OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #812839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Babalon, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON ROAD WHEN GAS PEDAL ACCELERATED INTO HIGH MODE. AFTER KICKING GAS PEDAL, ACCELERATOR POPPED OUT OF ACCELERATOR MODE, SWITCHED MOTOR OFF, RESTARTED, VEHICLE WAS STILL STUCK IN HIGH ACCELERATED MODE.
NHTSA complaint #809572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Park, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE ACCELERATED, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND DEALER TRIED TO IDLE IT DOWN , NO LUCK .
NHTSA complaint #801372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterford, CTCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE VEHICLE WENT INTO HIGH IDLE AND SURGED, AND PUT INTO PARK, AND VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE, IMPACT 6:00 POSITION, RPMS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #800941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
DURING OPERATION OVER 70 MPH. THE GAS PEDAL SEEMS TO STICK AT THE SPEED AND, ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN.
NHTSA complaint #801073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garfield, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CAR WILL SURGE AND GO UP TO SPEEDS OF 80MPH AND WILL NOT STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #975468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Rochelle, NYCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AUTO-TRANS: WHILE COMING OUT OF GARAGE WITH FOOT ON BRAKES TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO HIGH SPEED;HIT TWO PARKED CARS;NO WARNING. TT
NHTSA complaint #965354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sebastian, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN RACING OF THE ENGINE. DRIVER HAS TO RIDE THE BRAKES UNTIL HE SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF. TT
NHTSA complaint #959393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.