1990 Ford Thunderbird Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 8%of 140 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1990 Ford Thunderbird, 8% of the 140 complaints for this model year. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“The headlight cover just fell off some where. The head gaskets -- we took the car back to the Ford store and they fixed them for us under our warranty but they are blow again less than 6 monthes later.”
NHTSA complaint #717279, filed 2000-01“I did not know who to contact about this; I have angered a vigilante group. The group, which I believe to be the klan, are driving their open bed pickup trucks in front of me with open containers of something, I suspect to be a cancer causing pesticide. It is plugging up my air filters, which I have saved. I want you to take this complaint seriously and test the air filters to determine the agent that is being used to accost me. It won't cost you very much and it could point out a problem that could save many lives.”
NHTSA complaint #736539, filed 2000-11“Vehicle parked in driveway 4 days. It caught fire. Fire dept distinguished the flames. Indication of fire origin was in the ignition switch fixed wires. Contacted Ford. Indicated recall was sent out. Been having problems with vehicle skipping & missing. Took to service dept & informed head gaskets had blown & water leaked into cylinder. No technical service bulletin for Thunderbird about head gaskets.”
NHTSA complaint #873227, filed 2000-10“Crankshaft sensor. Crankshaft sensor causes safety hazzard by failng and stalling care making it unable to restart while driving at speed. Car must be pulled or pushed off of road and towed. This causes danger to passengers of this vehicle and to other vehicles on the road. Also recall 99s30 covers vehicles manufactured after 1992 even though vehicles built after 1989 had the same faulty switches in them.”
NHTSA complaint #721545, filed 2000-04“While driving engine overheated. Vehicle was serviced. Technician stated engine head gasket needed to be replaced. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8002376, filed 2002-01Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 11% |
| 2004 | 5 | 15% |
| 2003 | 3 | 9% |
| 2002 | 24 | 26% |
| 1997 | 54 | 32% |
| 1996 | 65 | 28% |
| 1995 | 49 | 19% |
| 1994 | 61 | 20% |
| 1993 | 171 | 40% |
| 1992 | 27 | 15% |
| 1991 | 14 | 13% |
| 1990 | 11 | 8% |
| 1989 | 13 | 10% |
| 1988 | 7 | 8% |
| 1987 | 4 | 7% |
| 1986 | 7 | 30% |
| 1985 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 6 | 23% |
Other parts of the 1990 Ford Thunderbird
38 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsSeat belts
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Ford Thunderbird
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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