Defect
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
1990 Ford Thunderbird Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1990 Ford Thunderbird has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,025,072 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 179 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Defect
BATTERY TO STARTER CABLES ARE LONGER THAN SPECIFIED; EXCESSIVE CABLE LENGTH COULD CONTACT ENGINE DAMPER PULLEY.
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1crashes3injuries
SEAT BELTS
1fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4crashes2injuries
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
7fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
4fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Total complaints179
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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…”
“[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 [REDACTED] more information robert hassell campus police car was parked and locked student[xxx] car was taken not returned asking for car recall [xxx]…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Engine fire”
“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.*ak”
“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.*ak”
Defect investigations
Investigation EA90034 Opened 1990-06-26 · closed 1992-02-25
HOOD LATCHES FAIL
There is no summary currently available
Investigation EA93033 Opened 1993-12-30 · closed 1994-12-30
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
There is no summary currently available
Investigation PE93075 Opened 1993-08-30 · closed 1993-12-30
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
There is no summary currently available
Investigation PE95019 Opened 1995-03-27 · closed 1995-07-31
FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES
There is no summary currently available
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1990 Ford Thunderbird as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.