1991 Ford THUNDERBIRD: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000441 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
HEADLIGHT FAILURE INTERMITTENT OPERATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 165,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013562 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 73,000 ON MY 1991 TBIRD WITH THE 3.8 V6. LOOKS LIKE FORD IS TRYING TO COVER THIS UP! *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013562 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 10098259 · 2004-11-04 (November 4, 2004)
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.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098261 · 2004-11-04 (November 4, 2004)
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.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10234763 · 2008-07-18 (July 18, 2008)
CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234763 at NHTSA ↗
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 ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
91V048000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 1991-03-18 (March 18, 1991)
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.
Consequence: IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.
Remedy: REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V076000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Reported: 1991-05-06 (May 6, 1991)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V071000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 1996-04-25 (April 25, 1996)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗