1991 Ford THUNDERBIRD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
72 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
83,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 72 complaints (13.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 15.3% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 5.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 3 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 64 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 16 |
| 1996 | 19 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 16; 1996: 19; 2000: 15; 2001: 8; 2002: 6; 2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2008: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10724856 · 2015-06-11 (June 11, 2015)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10724856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508216 · 1996-09-04 (September 4, 1996)
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069277 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 87,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088583 · 2004-08-25 (August 25, 2004)
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.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10088583 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501268 · 1996-02-01 (February 1, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS CAUSED FIRE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982903 · 1996-04-18 (April 18, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506621 · 1996-07-25 (July 25, 1996)
FUEL PUMP FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 735165 · 2000-10-26 (October 26, 2000)
MAJOR FUEL LEAK WHEN FILLED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484694 · 1995-08-01 (August 1, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 721804 · 2000-04-22 (April 22, 2000)
THE BUSHING KEEPS BREAKING ABOUT EVERY 9 MONTHS. WHEN IT DOES WITH OUT WARNING YOU DON'T HAVE A CLUTCH. IF YOU HAVE THE CLUTCH PUSHED IN AND CAR IN GEAR THE ROD CAN POP OUT ENGAGING CLUTCH AND MOVING CAR. IF YOU DON'T BRAKE QUICK ENOUGH AND PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL FAST ENOUGH IT WILL CAUSE A WRECK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 721804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978018 · 1996-01-23 (January 23, 1996)
THE VEHICLE STALLED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION DUE POSSIBLY TO FUEL LINE INTERFERENCE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978018 at NHTSA ↗