38 of the
179 complaints about the 1990 Ford Thunderbird are about the
electrical system — 21% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
87,000 miles.
F
38
Complaints
0
Crashes
19
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Ignition
1026.3%
Switch
1026.3%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
513.2%
Front Underhood
37.9%
Wiring
37.9%
Interior/Under Dash
37.9%
Module
12.6%
Electrical System
12.6%
Relay
12.6%
Cables
12.6%
Electrical System 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 74,000 milesSacramento, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10142652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesManville, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
ENGINE FIRE
NHTSA complaint #10127886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sauquoit, NYFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WIRES IN STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK DURING THE FIRE THE CONSUMER SON WAS INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #8010346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pomona, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. STOP AND GO IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP WILL PICK IT UP.
NHTSA complaint #896456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Navarre, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MODUAL FIRST FAILED SEP 00. CAR LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AT 60 MPH. CAR WAS PARKED FROM SEP 00 TO 26 JULY 01 WHILE FORD GOT PART. NEW MODUEL WAS INSTALLED 26 JULY 01 AND FAILED 8 AUG 01 AGAIN AT 60 MPH WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. FORD DEALER IS NOW LOOKING FOR A NEW ONE. PART WAS LISTED AT $100.00 AT TIME OF SEP 00 FAILURE. MODUAL OBTAINED IN JUL 01 THAT FAILED IN AUG 01 COST $306.00
NHTSA complaint #750455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tustun, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION FAILS TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #892996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE IS WAITING FOR REPAIRS TO THE IGNITION MODULE, CONSUMER IS WAITING FOR THE PARTS BEFORE THE REPAIR IS MADE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #556770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT ANY INDICATIN VEHICLE WOULD STALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #874217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheaton, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #733832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Missouri City, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY 4 DAYS. IT CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPT DISTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. INDICATION OF FIRE ORIGIN WAS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH FIXED WIRES. CONTACTED FORD. INDICATED RECALL WAS SENT OUT. BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SKIPPING & MISSING. TOOK TO SERVICE DEPT & INFORMED HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN & WATER LEAKED INTO CYLINDER. NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THUNDERBIRD ABOUT HEAD GASKETS.
NHTSA complaint #873227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FORD HAS CEASED MANUFACTURE OF NEEDED PART AND HAS COLLUDED WITH AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURER TO REMOVE ALL SIMILAR PARTS FROM INDEPENDENT PARTS SUPPLIERS. THIS IS A RECALL SITUATION NEEDING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. IT IS ALREADY THE SUBJECT OF A COURT ACTION IN CALIFORNIA WHERE A JUDGE OF THE ALAMEDA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT IS ABOUT TO RULE ON A RECALL OF THIS PARTICULAR IGNITION MODULE. FORD'S DEALERS CLAIM THE PART WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL EARLY 2001!!! THIS SITUATION IS PREPOSTEROUS AND HAS ALREADY COST ME IN EXCESS OF $1500 IN RENTAL CAR BILLS. YOUR IMMEDIATE HELP WITH THIS ,PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #732917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
AUTO'S WARNING SYSTEM WENT OFF ALL AT ONCE,LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL
NHTSA complaint #729667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DRIVING AT 65 MPH,ALL WARNING LIGHTS AND SOUNDS WENT OFF,LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL
NHTSA complaint #729672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
SWITCH HAS FAILED CAUSING SAFETY FEATURES TO FAULT AND NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #725290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lorton, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE ALTENATOR TO CAUGHT FIRE & OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO MALFUNCTION. THIS HAS OCCURED TWICE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #852557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boxborough, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH SHORTED CAUSING WIRING HARNESS TO FRY AND LIGHTS TO GO OUT ON VEHICLE. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT NIGHT AT THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #709681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Sacarmento, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE, WHILE CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, DIDN'T NOTICE ANY SMOKE OR SMELL OF FIRE, CONSUMER HAD REPLACED ALTERNATOR 10 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #832939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
BYPASS RELAY FAILED CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH STARTING VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #542007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE WAS SMOKING WHEN PULLED INTO A GARAGE, AND BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY EXTINGUISHER. FIRE DEPARTMENT MOVED THE CAR FROM GARAGE. ALSO, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. NO WARRANTY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE, AND CANNOT TAKE THE CASE.
NHTSA complaint #828475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Center POI, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #535406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bermingham, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DROVE VEHICLE TO WORK AT 7:30 AM. SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, CAME BACK TO VEHICLE AT 10:00 AM AND DISCOVERED THAT VEHICLE HAD BEEN BURNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE FIRE OUT, AND NOTED IN THE REPORT THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #822491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Alamitos, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
OWNER STATES THAT ECU COMPUTER TAKES OVER VEHICLE AND THAT VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT DRIVER APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL. DEALERS HAVE REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR, BUT PROBLEM REMAINS. OWNER ALSO NOTES OF THROTTLE LINKAGE/ BRAKING. ALSO.ONWER VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #816545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Canaan, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF, AND SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WILL COME ON BY ITSELF. THE OTHER TIMES DRIVER WILL HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO GET IT BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #815416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cheaspeake, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL,HICH STARTED IN THE HARNESS AREA. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #813784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springdale, ARFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH. PARKED VEHICLE AND SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE, THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #804071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salmon, ID
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
COMPUTER PANEL INACCURATE.
NHTSA complaint #504279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ALTERNATOR.
NHTSA complaint #802359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weaverville, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE PARKED ABOUT 15 MINUTES, NEIGHBOR NOTICED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE, OPENED HOOD, UNDERHOOD ENGULFED WITH FLAMES; NO WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #983468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bollhead, AZFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #983481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.