1991 Ford Thunderbird Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 13%of 112 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1991 Ford Thunderbird, 13% of the 112 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,250 miles.
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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10069277, filed 2004-01, 87,500 miles“I am in a club of over 5,000 owners of identical cars and failures have been seen as low as 18,000 miles to my knowledge, and numerous in the 60000 mile range on well maintained cars of headgasket failure which often causes complete engine failure, in my case it caused two connecting rods to fail, a crankshaft bearing due to oil contamination and the crankshaft as a result. …”
NHTSA complaint #758776, filed 2002-02“Head gasket premature failure. Bay Ford replaced head gasket 2 1/2 months and 3,000 miles after we purchased this well maintained used vehicle for over blue book price. The dealer failed to tell us what we now know to be true - all fords with 3.8l engines with the aluminum heads are suffering from this problem, often leading to engine failure and large bills which Ford is not recognizing with their very limited extended warranty. Our engine suffered major lower end failure while on a trip, only 4 months and 3,000 miles after gasket replacement, with 80,000 miles on engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #720938, filed 2000-04“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10088583, filed 2004-08“Antifreeze is leaking through out exhaust system caused by bad head gaskets. Engine overheated, blew a head gasket, and lost antifreeze immediately. Ford dealer is denying any problems they may have with the gaskets.”
NHTSA complaint #890236, filed 2001-06Engine 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 1991 Ford Thunderbird
19 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 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