1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD PROBLEMS

Model Trims
Thunderbird 3.8 i V6 (141 Hp)
Thunderbird 3.8i V6 Super (234 Hp)

Issues by Year
Click on the chart bars to get detailed information about years to avoid
Malfunction Modules
Complaints and Common Faults
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1. Fire-related problems:
- Vehicle exploded and totalled 20 minutes after parking
- Horn started blowing and black smoke poured out after driving and parking
- Vehicle started smoking and caught on fire after returning home
- Fire under hood while driving, no injuries
- Alternator fire
- Fire in steering column, possible ignition switch issue
- Electrical system failure resulting in vehicle fire
- Vehicle caught on fire from wiring harness under hood
- Sudden acceleration resulting in collision
- Ignition switch failure causing vehicle fire
- Vehicle exploded and totalled 20 minutes after parking
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2. Brake-related problems:
- ABS braking problems
- Brake calipers defective, causing issues with braking
- Brake rotors warped causing vibration when braking
- Brakes failed to stop vehicle in accident
- Brakes failed intermittently with extended stopping distance
- Brakes failed to engage fully, causing accident
- Brakes make loud noise, ventilation not working properly
- Cruise control causing brakes to not disengage
- Vehicle accelerated suddenly, brakes ruined trying to stop
- ABS braking problems
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3. Transmission-related problems:
- Transmission failure
- Transmission passing gears engaged causing sudden acceleration and crash
- Transmission failure
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4. Seatbelt-related problems:
- Automatic seat belt sticks/noisy
- Driver's side lap seatbelt malfunctioned
- Seatbelt buckle does not stay fastened
- Passenger side seat belt failed, red release button broken
- Automatic seat belt sticks/noisy
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5. Acceleration-related problems:
- Vehicle accelerated to high speed on its own, causing crash
- Vehicle accelerated suddenly, reaching almost 100mph
- Vehicle accelerated to high speed on its own, causing crash
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6. Other mechanical issues:
- Engine head gasket failure
- Heater fan switch parts melted together
- Steering column loose due to broken tapered pin
- Wheel bearing failed
- Throttle sticking, causing car to accelerate on its own
- Vehicle shut down while driving due to malfunction in ignition module
- Headlight switch becoming hot and causing flickering of headlights
- Engine caught on fire while driving
- Engine head gasket failure
Other Models
- Aerostar Number of complaints: 3018
- Aspire Number of complaints: 278
- Bronco Number of complaints: 1374
- Bronco II Number of complaints: 257
- Bronco Sport Number of complaints: 534
- C-Max Number of complaints: 363
- C-Max Energi Number of complaints: 127
- C-Max Hybrid Number of complaints: 172
- Contour Number of complaints: 4342
- Crown Victoria Number of complaints: 3490
- E-150 Number of complaints: 1375
- E-250 Number of complaints: 427
- E-350 Number of complaints: 1416
- E-450 Number of complaints: 483
- E-550 Number of complaints: 91
- EcoSport Number of complaints: 1081
- Edge Number of complaints: 13049
- Escape Number of complaints: 27892
- Escape Hybrid Number of complaints: 1666
- Escort Number of complaints: 4937
- Escort ZX2 Number of complaints: 91
- Excursion Number of complaints: 1344
- Expedition Number of complaints: 9654
- Explorer Number of complaints: 34754
- Explorer Sport Number of complaints: 895
- Explorer Sport Trac Number of complaints: 881
- F-150 Number of complaints: 38224
- F-250 Number of complaints: 10492
- F-250 Super Duty Number of complaints: 3446
- F-350 Number of complaints: 5984
- F-350 Super Duty Number of complaints: 2099
- F-450 Number of complaints: 127
- F-450 Super Duty Number of complaints: 555
- F-550 Number of complaints: 74
- F-550 Super Duty Number of complaints: 550
- F-650 Number of complaints: 54
- F-650 Super Duty Number of complaints: 43
- F-750 Number of complaints: 11
- F-750 Super Duty Number of complaints: 9
- Festiva Number of complaints: 170
- Fiesta Number of complaints: 3686
- Five Hundred Number of complaints: 1466
- Flex Number of complaints: 1775
- Focus Number of complaints: 26424
- Focus Electric Number of complaints: 285
- Focus RS Number of complaints: 5
- Freestar Number of complaints: 3143
- Freestyle Number of complaints: 4914
- Fusion Number of complaints: 25001
- Fusion Energi Number of complaints: 199
- Fusion Hybrid Number of complaints: 1202
- LTD Number of complaints: 55
- Maverick Number of complaints: 757
- Mustang Number of complaints: 10395
- Mustang GT Number of complaints: 811
- Mustang Mach-E Number of complaints: 561
- Probe Number of complaints: 1452
- Ranger Number of complaints: 9595
- Ranger EV Number of complaints: 30
- Taurus Number of complaints: 22987
- Taurus SHO Number of complaints: 183
- Taurus X Number of complaints: 213
- Tempo Number of complaints: 1602
- Thunderbird Number of complaints: 3011
- Topaz Number of complaints: 19
- Transit Number of complaints: 608
- Transit Connect Number of complaints: 533
- Windstar Number of complaints: 18774