1990 Ford Thunderbird: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Ford Thunderbird: 3 recalls, 140 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #90V026000 · 1990 · 72 vehicles
What's wrong: Battery to starter cables are longer than specified; excessive cable length could contact engine damper pulley.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Replace battery to starter cable with correct length cable.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #91V076000 · 1991 · 125,000 vehicles
What's 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.
Why it matters: Changes in the wiper pattern or jamming of the wiperswould result in reduced driver visibilty in inclement weather conditions.
The fix: Apply torque retention material to wiper motor studs and nuts and retorque.
Electrical Vehicle recall #96V071000 · 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Why it matters: This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 19 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (38): the most common themes are fire / smoke (20), electrical failure (11), stalls / loses power (6).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (34): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (8), warning light on (6).
- Seat belts (23): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Speed control / throttle (17): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (4).
The 1990 Ford Thunderbird has 140 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 14 Thunderbird model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 144). Complaints peaked in 1996 (31 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 87,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (112 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 18 | Premium |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Ford Thunderbird.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Ford Thunderbird have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Ford Thunderbird, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Ford Thunderbird problems?
Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (38), brakes (hydraulic) (34), seat belts (23).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford Thunderbird get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Ford Thunderbird repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.