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1990 Ford Thunderbird problems

The most common problem on the 1990 Ford Thunderbird is electrical system. It has 4.1 times the complaints of a typical Thunderbird model year.

Typical year4.1x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
140
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
35
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
18-20mpg

The worst 1990 Ford Thunderbird problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1990 Ford Thunderbird

ABS 17Fire or smoke 13Seat belt 9Headlights 7Brake failure 6

Recalls 3

Electrical system: ignitionReported April 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Recall number 96V071000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported May 6, 1991 · 125,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Apply torque retention material to wiper motor studs and nuts and retorque.

Recall number 91V076000 · Recall details

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported February 12, 1990 · 72 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Battery to starter cables are longer than specified; excessive cable length could contact engine damper pulley.
Risk
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.

Recall number 90V026000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1990 Ford Thunderbird

Defect investigations

Faulty seatbelt bucklesOpened March 27, 1995, closed July 31, 1995

There is no summary currently available

PE95019

Thrttl vlv linkage bushingOpened December 30, 1993, closed December 30, 1994

There is no summary currently available

EA93033

Thrttl vlv linkage bushingOpened August 30, 1993, closed December 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

PE93075

Hood latches failOpened June 26, 1990, closed February 25, 1992

There is no summary currently available

EA90034

Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Ford Thunderbird 35

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 35 bulletins for the 1990 Ford Thunderbird

1990 Ford Thunderbird fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.8L 6‑cylRWD15-1721-2418-20

What 1990 Ford Thunderbird owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 27, 2023 · Tires · 151,000 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Jun 14, 2014 · 15,000 miles · GA

[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)

Filed Oct 16, 2006 · Acceleration, Electrical · 155,000 miles · IL

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 the federal safety agency recall#96v071000 regarding electrical system: ignition on the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 14, 2005 · Electrical · 74,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Electrical · 87,000 miles · NJ · fire

Engine fire

Filed Mar 19, 2005 · Fuel system · 8,500 miles · NC

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 .

Filed Jan 28, 2005 · Acceleration · 54,000 miles · AL · crash

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.

Filed Jun 13, 2004 · Tires · 144,780 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jan 13, 2004 · Brakes · 93,664 miles · CA

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)

Filed May 2, 2003 · Acceleration · MN · crash

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.

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Compare the 1990 Ford Thunderbird

Other model years

19901991199219931994199519961997199819992002200320042005

Questions about the 1990 Ford Thunderbird

Is the 1990 Ford Thunderbird reliable?

Owners have filed 140 complaints about the 1990 Ford Thunderbird, 4.1 times a typical Thunderbird model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1990 Ford Thunderbird?

Electrical system, with 38 complaints. Next is brakes (34).

How many recalls does the 1990 Ford Thunderbird have?

3 recalls, covering electrical system and visibility.

What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford Thunderbird get?

Official estimates for the 1990 Ford Thunderbird range from 18 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.8L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15-17 city and 21-24 highway.

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