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.
The worst 1991 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.
- Brakes18
- Seat belts15
- Engine14
- Electrical13
- Acceleration10
- Fuel system10
- Lights10
- Visibility8
- Steering4
- Transmission4
- Suspension3
- Body2
- Wheels2
- Airbags1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1991 Ford Thunderbird
Recalls 3
Electrical system: ignition
- 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: motor
- 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
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Replace park rod assembly on automatic transmissions.
Recall number 91V048000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 1991 Ford Thunderbird
Defect investigations
Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
There is no summary currently available
EA93033
Thrttl vlv linkage bushing
There is no summary currently available
PE93075
Technical service bulletins for the 1991 Ford Thunderbird 35
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks
- Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts
- Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the...
- Subject regarding climate control - eatc - blower motor control service tips
- Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip
- Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses
- Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance...
- Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda
- Information on "whining" / "buzzing" noise coming through entertainment or two-way radio speaker caused by...
- Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on...
1991 Ford Thunderbird fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-17 | 21-24 | 18-20 |
| 5.0L 8‑cyl | RWD | 16 | 22 | 18 |
What 1991 Ford Thunderbird owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Cruise control stopped working.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Head gasket failure at 73,000 on my 1991 tbird with the 3.8 v6. Looks like ford is trying to cover this up!
Headlight failure intermittent operation. Ts
Part to repair not available. Dt
Compare the 1991 Ford Thunderbird
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Questions about the 1991 Ford Thunderbird
Is the 1991 Ford Thunderbird reliable?
Owners have filed 111 complaints about the 1991 Ford Thunderbird, 3.3 times a typical Thunderbird model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1991 Ford Thunderbird?
Brakes, with 18 complaints. Next is seat belts (15).
How many recalls does the 1991 Ford Thunderbird have?
3 recalls, covering electrical system, visibility and power train.
What year does the Ford Thunderbird have bad brakes?
The Ford Thunderbird model years with the most brakes complaints are 1995 (94 complaints), 1994 (75 complaints) and 1996 (46 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1991 Ford Thunderbird get?
Official estimates for the 1991 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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