RoadVitals

1989 Ford Thunderbird Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Jun 13, 2002
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
19%
of 124 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1989 Ford Thunderbird submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Jun 13, 2002

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, PEDAL BECAME HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE DUE TO MASTER CYLINDER. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. DEALER HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. *AK BRAKES FAIL INTERMITTENTLY, THEY ARE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND THE FORD DEALERSHIPS CANNOT REPAIR IT. THERE ARE NO REBUILD KITS AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED TO PURCHASE A MASTER CYLINDER FROM A JUNK YARD. CONSUMER FEELS FORDS RESPONSIBILTY IS TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE. *JG

NHTSA ID
8011802
Body & structureBrakesFuel system+2 more
Filed Dec 1, 2000
Crash reported

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
737179
Brakes
Filed Mar 2, 2000
Crash reported

CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE APPLIED BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT APPLY FULLY. THEN VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL DOWN AN ENBANKMENT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONED MASTER CYLINDER. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
857821
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 20, 1999

WHILE ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY TWICE IN JACKSONVILLE, FL, AND THE LAST TIME IN KINGSLAND, GA, THE FOOT PEDAL STUCK. IT DID NOT RELEASE ITSELF THE THIRD TIME. AT APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES PER HOUR I FINALLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL ONLYTO FIND OUT THAT MY BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. I HAVE THANKED GOD EVERY DAY SINCE. I WAS HEADED INTO ROAD CONSTRUCTION SITE AND THE STATE LINE BRIDGE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT TRAGEDY TO ALOT OF PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING MY OWN. I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN PUT INFORCE FOR THE LINKAGES ON THE ACCELERATION CABLES TO WHICH THEY BREAK AND GET HUNG UP ON OTHER EQUIPMENT WHICH CAUSES THE ACCELERATION. DOES IT TAKE INNOCENT LIVES BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? IF THERE HASE BEEN A RECALL ON THE PART I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS WOULD SURE LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT IT. MAY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN MAY OF 1989. *AK

NHTSA ID
715072
Incident
Aug 1, 1999
Brakes
Filed Dec 2, 1998

ABS RELAY/MASTER CYLINDER MODULE FAILS OCCASIONALLY WHILE STOPPING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE ABS SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID
542831
Brakes
Filed Nov 19, 1998

THIS CAR HAS ABS ON IT BUT IT FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OCCURING FROM IT ON MY CAR, BUT HAS BEEN A FEW CLOSE CALLS. I HAVE HEARD OF ALOT OF FAILURES OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AND THE MASTER CYLINDER IS A DEALER ONLY ITEM WITH A PRICE TAG OF $1800!!!!!!! IF SOMEONE LIKE ME OWNS THIS CAR, AND HAS A BRAKE PROBLEM, HOW DO I SAVE MY KIDS LIVES AND REPLACE THE FAILING PART IF I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY THE PARTS? THE CLOSE CALLS I HAVE HAD IS IF I SLAM ON THE BRAKES, EITHER THE ABS DOESN'T WORK AT ALL AND THE TIRES LOCK,,, OR THE PEDAL IS REAL SPONGY... LIKE I SAY, THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS YET, BUT AT LEAST 2 CLOSE CALLS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED MUCH EASIER IF THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING RIGHT.

NHTSA ID
700762
Brakes
Filed Mar 10, 1998

BRAKE CALIPERS ARE DEFECTIVE (STICK) CAUSING THE ROTORS TO OVERHEAT, WARP, RESULTING IN VIBRATION.

NHTSA ID
532343
Brakes
Filed Oct 31, 1997

BRAKE CALIPERS STICK, CAUSING DAMAGE TO ROTORS FROM OVERHEATING.

NHTSA ID
524111
Brakes
Filed Aug 26, 1997

BRAKE CALIPERS ARE DEFECTIVE (LOCK UP/STICK) CAUSING NUMEROUS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES.

NHTSA ID
521443
BrakesHeating & air conditioningVisibility
Filed Jun 23, 1997

THE BRAKES MAKE LOUD NOISE. AND THE VENTILATION DOES NOT WORK, NO AIR CONDITIONER. THE DLR HAS FIXED THE BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID
813377
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 16, 1997

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY ALMOST TO 100MPH. THE BRAKES WERE RUINED TRYING TO STOP THE CAR, HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND DOWN SHIFTED IN ORDER TO STOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
813094
Brakes
Filed Jan 21, 1997

DRIVING, HAD APPLIED BRAKES, NO BRAKING (ABS) POWER, VEHICLE CAME TO A ROLLING STOP. HAD NO STOPPING ABILITY. *AK

NHTSA ID
807930
Incident
Aug 18, 1996
Brakes
Filed Dec 12, 1996

ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WRANING , TOOK TO DEALER, REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL RELAY TWICE AND HYDRAULIC PUMPING UNIT. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
806219
Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 1996

RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR RUSTED/SEPARATED.

NHTSA ID
510358
Incident
May 31, 1996
Brakes
Filed Sep 16, 1996

WHEN THE BRAKES WHERE APPLIED AT SOME POINT THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL OFF. PLEASE GIVE MORE DETAIL INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
802397
Incident
Sep 10, 1996
Brakes
Filed Sep 6, 1996

THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA ID
508358
Brakes
Filed Mar 1, 1996

WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHEN CENTER HUB BROKE AWAY FROM ROTOR, CAUSING DEMINISHED BRAKING ABILITY. *AK

NHTSA ID
979984
Brakes
Filed Feb 8, 1996

FRONT BRAKES, WHEN APPLIED, VIBRATE FRONT END. TT

NHTSA ID
501353
Incident
Jan 1, 1989
BrakesSeat belts
Filed Dec 16, 1995
1 injury reported

MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO LOCK IN ACCIDENT, ALLOWING DRIVERS HEAD TO IMPACT STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
490828
Incident
May 27, 1993
Brakes
Filed Dec 4, 1995

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKE FAILED HAVE ABS ANTI LOCK BRAKE . TT

NHTSA ID
976137
Brakes
Filed Nov 28, 1995

ABS BRAKING PROBLEMS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ID
975546
Brakes
Filed May 30, 1995

STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING AS A RESULT OF BRAKE FAILURE. TT

NHTSA ID
966055
Incident
May 1, 1990
Brakes
Filed Mar 14, 1995

BRAKE ROTORS WARPED TWICE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHIMMY WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. *AW

NHTSA ID
482138
Incident
Dec 2, 1994

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .