1989 Ford Thunderbird
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Ford Thunderbird is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1989 Ford Thunderbird at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1989 Ford Thunderbird recalls 5
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLES COULD EXPERIENCE HIGH MILEAGE FATIGUE CRACKS AND EVENTUAL FRACTURE.
Fix: REPLACE KNUCKLES THAT HAVE THE AFFECTED LOT CODES.
DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER OF THE INBOARD FRONT WHEEL AND THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR, THERE MAY BE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL FOLLOWING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS.
Fix: INSTALL ACORN TYPE FRONT SUSPENSION STRUT NUTS TO ELIMINATE STABILIZER BAR TO BRAKE CALIPER CONTACT.
PLASTIC ROLLOVER VALVE MOUNTING PLATE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK.
Fix: REPLACE FUEL TANK.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1989 Ford Thunderbird common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 135 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1989 Ford Thunderbird MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1989 Ford Thunderbird costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1989 Ford Thunderbird — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 6
FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES Closed
NHTSA #PE95019 · Seat Belts · opened Mar 1995 · closed Jul 1995THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING Closed
NHTSA #EA93033 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Dec 1993 · closed Dec 1994THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING Closed
NHTSA #PE93075 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Aug 1993 · closed Dec 1993HOOD LATCHES FAIL Closed
NHTSA #EA90034 · Structure · opened Jun 1990 · closed Feb 1992THROTTLE STICKING Closed
NHTSA #EA90009 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Feb 1990 · closed Feb 1991THROTTLE STICKING Closed
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NHTSA #PE90001 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Oct 1989 · closed Feb 1990An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 27
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 27.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT
Bulletin 002310 · Power Train · Nov 2000INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
Bulletin 99196 · Equipment · Sep 1999INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT
Bulletin 99152 · Power Train · Jul 1999FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOW RECOMMENDS SAE 5W-30 VISCOSITY GRADE FOR SERVICING ANY FORD GASOLINE-POWERED VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF MODEL YEAR. *TT
Bulletin 99816 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 1999INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
Bulletin 9888 · Power Train · Apr 1998A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC
Bulletin 9874 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 1998Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the THUNDERBIRD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 8
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1989 Ford Thunderbird. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Transport Canada #1995212 · Nov 1995Emissions
Certain Cougar XR-7, Tunderbird turbo, and Merkur XR4TI vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1103 - Exhaust Emissions. Correction: Dealers will replace the exhaust system catalyst and a vacuum delay valve will be installed in the EGC vacuum line.
Transport Canada #1994162 · Oct 1994Seats And Restraints
NOTE: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES RECALL 91066 (91S32). A CABLE IN THE TENSION RELIEVER MECHANISM IN EITHER THE SAFETY BELTS PROVIDED IN THE KITS FOR RECALL 91066 (91S32) OR THE FACTORY INSTALLED FRONT SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY BREAK OR BIND CAUSING A MALFUNCTION IN THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE FRONT SAFETY BELTS MAY NOT RETRACT AFTER FULL EXTENSION. IN THIS COND…
Transport Canada #1992108 · Sep 1992Lights And Instruments
NOTE: ALSO INCLUDES SOME MEDIUM AND HEAVY TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE MAY MALFUNCTION WHICH CAN RESULT IN DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT DIM, FLICKER OR GO OFF OR IN SOME INSTANCES MAY REMAIN ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. CORRECTION: DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Transport Canada #1992077 · Jun 1992Emissions
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 1105 - EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS. FUEL VAPOUR HOSE MAY NOT BE CONNECTED AT THE FUEL TANK VAPOUR VALVE. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND FUEL TANK VAPOUR HOSE WILL BE RECONNECTED WHERE NECESSARY.
Transport Canada #1992036 · Mar 1992Seats And Restraints
NOTE: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 92-108. THE FRONT SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RETRACT AFTER EXTENSION DUE TO A BROKEN TENSION ELIMINATOR CABLE WHICH IS TOO LONG AND PRONE TO BREAKAGE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE SEAT OCCUPANT BEING INADEQUATELY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. CORRECTION: NEW FRONT SEAT LAP-SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT HAVE A SHORTER TENSION ELIMINATOR CABLE…
Transport Canada #1991066 · Apr 1991Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Ford Thunderbird
The Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury car manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company for model years 1955 to 2005, with a hiatus from 1998 to 2001.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.