1989 Ford Thunderbird Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 124 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the fuel system of the 1989 Ford Thunderbird, 5% of the 124 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Consumer states that the fuel hose rubs on the driveshaft, causing large amounts of gasoline to spew out and blow down onto the exhaust system . Dealer fixed the vehicle. Owner contacted the manufacturer, and was not satisfied with the service received from the representative.”
NHTSA complaint #816569, filed 1997-09“Plastic fuel lines chaffed against body causing fuel leak. Replaced with steel lines and installed chafing guard. Recall on other model years, however consumer's vehicle is not included.”
NHTSA complaint #526177, filed 1997-12Related recalls
- 88V165000Oct 18, 1988Plastic rollover valve mounting plate may not be properly sealed to the plastic fuel tank.Covers: Ford Thunderbird 1989, Mercury Cougar 1989
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 19% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 9% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 1997 | 13 | 8% |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% |
| 1995 | 6 | 2% |
| 1994 | 10 | 3% |
| 1993 | 16 | 4% |
| 1992 | 25 | 14% |
| 1991 | 10 | 9% |
| 1990 | 6 | 4% |
| 1989 | 6 | 5% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
| 1987 | 4 | 7% |
| 1986 | 2 | 9% |
| 1985 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1989 Ford Thunderbird
26 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Ford Thunderbird
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology