NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
112.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
112.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
112.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
225.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
112.5%
150,000+ miles
225.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1995peak 9Jun 2015
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 Ford Thunderbird
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA93033Opened 30 Dec 1993Closed 30 Dec 1994VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
PE93075Opened 30 Aug 1993Closed 30 Dec 1993VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
Recalls on the 1991 Ford Thunderbird
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
09E012000
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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
96V071000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
91V076000
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.
Risk: CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
91V048000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.
Risk: IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1995212834,368 units in Canada
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Recall 1992077464,543 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
NOTE: ALSO INCLUDES SOME MEDIUM AND HEAVY TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE MAY MALFUNCTION WHICH CAN RESULT IN DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT DIM, FLICKER OR GO OFF OR IN SOME INSTANCES MAY REMAIN ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. CORRECTION: DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 19910736,677 units in Canada
Visual System
THE NUTS WHICH HOLD THE WIPER MOTOR TO THE WIPER MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AND MAY LOOSEN OR COME OFF. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE WIPER PATTERN MAY SHIFT OR, IN SOME CASES, THE WIPER MAY JAM OF TWO OF THE THREE NUTS HAVE COME OFF. JAMMED WIPERS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. CORRECTION: MOUNTING NUTS/STUDS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LOCTITE AND WILL BE REINSTALLED AND TORQUED WITH LOCTITE IF REQUIRED.
Recall 1991056391 units in Canada
Powertrain
THE AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A PARK ROD ASSEMBLY THAT INCLUDES A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS. THIS COULD RESULT IN HIGH PARK DISENGAGEMENT FORCES OR IN NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS IN TURN COULD RESULT IN AN UNPOWERED VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE OFF. CORRECTION: PARK ROD ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Temecula, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME TO LET A CAR IN OUR LANE. WE WERE GOING AROUND 15 MPH. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, I JUST KEPT ON GOING AND HIT THE TRUCK IN THE REAR. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND GOT OUT AND WENT OVER TO THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK TO MAKE SURE HE WAS OK. HE TOLD ME HE WAS FINE,AT WHICH POINT I TOLD HIM THE DAMAGE DONE WAS TO MY CAR AND HIS TRUCK WAS FINE. HE SAID FINE AND WENT ON HIS WAY. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND FOUND MY BRAKE PEDDLE HAD BROKEN OFF THE ARM AND WAS ON THE FLOOR. THE METAL PART OF PEDDLE SNAPPED RIGHT OFF THE BRAKE ARM.
NHTSA complaint #710522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terrehaute, INCrash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #710109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Falls Church, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING SHE SMELLED SMOKE. PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THEY DISCONNECTED ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAN MOTOR . FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #839791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noble, OK1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DURING VEHICLE COLLISION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOTORELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #543835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT. MECHANIC STATED THAT CAR HAS HAD OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. CONSUMER ALSO INDICATED THAT MASTER CYLINDER LOCKED UP TWICE, AS WELL AS STEERING COLUMN AND ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT OUT. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. THEN THE ENGINE WIRES SHORTED OUT. CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO POUR DOWN TO EXHAUST SYSTEM ONTO THE ENGINE MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN A FIRE. WAS FORCED TO SHUT DOWN VEHICLE BECAUSE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO SHE WAS ALMOST KILLED TWICE. THE DEALERSKIP KOONS FORD INC STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON CAR FOR IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONSUMER WANTS HER CAR TO BE FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #828589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Foothills Ranch, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE ENTERING A PARKING LOT, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, NEAR IGNITION, PARKED VEHICLE, EVERYONE OUT OF VEHICLE; WENT TO MAKE PHONE CALL, VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES; CALLED 911; SOMEONE WAS PUTTING FLAMES OUT BEFORE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED.
NHTSA complaint #809986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 175,000 milesFelton, DE
SERVICE BRAKES
LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST ON SUPER COUPE. PEDAL BECAME HARD TO PRESS. BOTH BRAKE AND ABS ANNUNCIATORS ILLUMINATING. TROUBLESHOOTING INDICATES BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH FAILING TO SIGNAL PUMP TO CHARGE SYSTEM OR ACCUMULATOR HAS FAILED. MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS SYSTEM ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THUS 24 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10724856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesAugusta, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10234763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesGreenwich, CT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DEFECTIVE HEADLAMP CIRCUIT BREAKER CAUSES HEADLIGHTS TO FLASH OFF AND ON REPEATEDLY. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN CAR WAS 2 YEARS OLD, SECOND FAILURE IN THE LAST YEAR. CAR HAS LESS THAN 57,000 MILES. 1991 SUPERCOUPE MODEL HAS FOGLAMPS AS DO THE 1992 AND LATER THUNDERBIRD MODELS FOR WHICH A RECALL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10098259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesGreenwich, CT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
PLASTIC BUSHINGS IN BOTH ENDS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER TIE-ROD COMPONENT HAVE WORN. CAUSES WIPERS TO MOVE LESS, SKIP, AND LOSE ABILITY TO CLEAR ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. TIE-ROD MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM MOTOR END OR FROM WIPER END. CAR HAS LESS THAN 57000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10098261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockbridge, GA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
3.8L V6 ENGINE OVER-HEATED DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN #4 CYLINDER. BOTH HEADS WERE REWORKED AND GASKETS REPLACED. AFTER REPAIR ENGINE STARTED STALLING. IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS THEN REPLACED. NOW THERE IS A FLUCTUATION IN OIL PRESSURE. PRIOR TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE, POWER STEERING PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10088583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockbridge, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3.8L V6 ENGINE OVER-HEATED DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN #4 CYLINDER. BOTH HEADS WERE REWORKED AND GASKETS REPLACED. AFTER REPAIR ENGINE STARTED STALLING. IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS THEN REPLACED. NOW THERE IS A FLUCTUATION IN OIL PRESSURE. PRIOR TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE, POWER STEERING PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10088583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,500 milesBrownsville, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OVERHEATING AT FIRST THEN AFTER THE HEADGASKETS WERE REPLACED THE ROD BEARINGS FAILED WHICH ADDED ANOTHER 1200.00 TO THE 1645.00 OF THE FIRST REPAIR AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10069277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesTroy, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 73,000 ON MY 1991 TBIRD WITH THE 3.8 V6. LOOKS LIKE FORD IS TRYING TO COVER THIS UP! *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10013562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesDurham, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT FAILURE INTERMITTENT OPERATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10000441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Augusta, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
PART TO REPAIR NOT AVAILABLE. DT
NHTSA complaint #770610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, MI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FREEZE UP WHEN WIPERS ARE TURNED ON HIGH. THIS IS A SIMILAR DEFECT TO THE "NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V076000" PROBLEM I CAN NOT USE THE MY CAR WIPERS ON HIGH IN THE RAIN.
NHTSA complaint #767434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lansdowne, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND NEEDS TO GO IN AGAIN BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET BLOWING OUT. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8011291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Leandon, CA
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING HEARS A LOUD BEEP COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. CAN'T ACTUALLY TELL WHERE BEEP IS COMING FROM. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8009505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I AM IN A CLUB OF OVER 5,000 OWNERS OF IDENTICAL CARS AND FAILURES HAVE BEEN SEEN AS LOW AS 18,000 MILES TO MY KNOWLEDGE, AND NUMEROUS IN THE 60000 MILE RANGE ON WELL MAINTAINED CARS OF HEADGASKET FAILURE WHICH OFTEN CAUSES COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, IN MY CASE IT CAUSED TWO CONNECTING RODS TO FAIL, A CRANKSHAFT BEARING DUE TO OIL CONTAMINATION AND THE CRANKSHAFT AS A RESULT. THIS IS THE THIRD FAILURE ON MY VEHICLE, ONCE I WAS STRANDED ON A DANGEROUS DARK STRETCH OF I-95, ONCE IN THE RAIN AND AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF HEAT (HEADGASKET FAILURE SYMPTOM) I RAN A RED LIGHT AND PROCEDED THE WRONG WAY ON A ONE WAY STREET.
NHTSA complaint #758776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,509 milesHouston, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STRUCK. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE APPLIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #896923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrysville, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
THIS AUTO WAS A LATE BUILD THUNDERBIRD 5-91 IT HAS SOME 92 THUNDERBIRD SYSTEMS INCLUDING RECALLED FUEL LINES OF THE 1992 THUNDERBIRD.
NHTSA complaint #747553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrysville, PA
SUSPENSION:REAR
IT LOOKS LIKE DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE INDEPENDANT REAR SUSPENSION THE REAR WHEELWELL WELDS AND FLOOR PAN APPEAR TO BE TEARING AWAY FROM THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #747554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madera, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER GETS A COOLANT-TYPE SMELL AND THEN BEGINS TO BLOW HOT AIR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT, THE FIRST TIME BEING IN 1996. MOST OF THE TIME THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SOMETIMES, THEY REPLACE "O" RINGS, GASKETS, FREON, ETC. BUT IT STILL DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #746800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melville, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT WITH ANY WARNING OR PRIOR PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE, BUT MANUFACTURER IS NOT COVERING COST.
NHTSA complaint #890422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walkerton, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ANTIFREEZE IS LEAKING THROUGH OUT EXHAUST SYSTEM CAUSED BY BAD HEAD GASKETS. ENGINE OVERHEATED, BLEW A HEAD GASKET, AND LOST ANTIFREEZE IMMEDIATELY. FORD DEALER IS DENYING ANY PROBLEMS THEY MAY HAVE WITH THE GASKETS.
NHTSA complaint #890236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, MI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FREEZE UP WHEN THEY ARE TURNED ON HIGH. THIS IS A SIMILAR DEFECT TO THE "NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V076000" PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #746196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Powderly, KY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WOULD LIKE FOR THESE PROBLEMS TO BE FIXED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #744566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD COME ON. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTS TO SLOW/STOP VEHICLE, THERE IS NO RESISTANCE BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND IT GOES TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES; AT 15-20 MPH RANGE/ 20-30 MPH RANGE, AND AT 40-50 MPH RANGE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC STATED THAT ON A PREVIOUS VEHICLE WITH SAME DEFECT OCCURRED. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON BRAKE SYSTEM AND FOUND NO DEFECTS, BUT REPLACED BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH REPAIRED DEFECT. CONSUMER HAS NOT DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT HE WILL HAVE THIS DONE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD COME ON. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTS TO SLOW/STOP VEHICLE, THERE IS NO RESISTANCE BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND IT GOES TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES; AT 15-20 MPH RANGE/ 20-30 MPH RANGE, AND AT 40-50 MPH RANGE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC STATED THAT ON A PREVIOUS VEHICLE WITH SAME DEFECT OCCURRED. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON BRAKE SYSTEM AND FOUND NO DEFECTS, BUT REPLACED BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH REPAIRED DEFECT. CONSUMER HAS NOT DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT HE WILL HAVE THIS DONE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parma, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK NEW CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WAS INSTALLED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #875233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.