The 1989 Ford Thunderbird's elevated safety profile includes 3 recall campaigns and 135 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

135

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

89V0810001989-19-05

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER

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.

THIS COULD CAUSE A REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCETHAT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

View at NHTSA

89V0800001989-19-05

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLES COULD EXPERIENCE HIGH MILEAGE FATIGUE CRACKS AND EVENTUAL FRACTURE.

THIS COULD RESULT IN REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE AT THEAFFECTED WHEEL WITH AN ADVERSE AFFECT ON CONTROL OF THE CAR, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

View at NHTSA

88V1650001988-18-10

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

PLASTIC ROLLOVER VALVE MOUNTING PLATE MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED TO THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK.

FUEL OR VAPOR COULD LEAK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLEFIRE.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 1989 Ford Thunderbird has accumulated 135 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with vehicle speed control leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Vehicle Speed Control24

02Electrical System24

03Service Brakes, Hydraulic21

04Seat Belts18

05Engine And Engine Cooling13

135 total across 1 model years (1989–1989)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Ford Thunderbird Fuel Economy

17–20mpg combined

15-17city

21-25hwy

$3,100-$4,450/yr

With 3 configurations tested, the 1989 Ford Thunderbird ranges from 17 to 20 MPG combined. That's a 3 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Thunderbird - Automatic 4-spd

20mpg

3.8L 6-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

17 city25 hwy~$3,100/yr-1/10 Poor

Thunderbird - Manual 5-spd

18mpg

3.8L 6-cyl Supercharged · Rear-Wheel Drive

15 city22 hwy~$4,200/yr-1/10 Poor

Thunderbird - Automatic 4-spd

17mpg

3.8L 6-cyl Supercharged · Rear-Wheel Drive

15 city21 hwy~$4,450/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 1989 Ford Thunderbird

33States

25%in top 3

If you're near California, you're in luck: 11% of listings are there. But with 33 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

CACalifornia

2911%

TXTexas

218%

ILIllinois

197%

PAPennsylvania

197%

FLFlorida

135%

MIMichigan

135%

NCNorth Carolina

124%

TNTennessee

114%

AZArizona

104%

MOMissouri

93%

GAGeorgia

83%

OKOklahoma

83%

DEDelaware

73%

MNMinnesota

73%

ALAlabama

73%

WAWashington

62%

DCWashington DC

62%

NENebraska

52%

NJNew Jersey

52%

NYNew York

52%

OHOhio

52%

COColorado

52%

KY4

MA3

MD3

UT3

NH3

NM3

NV3

WI3

OR3

CT3

IA2

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 1989.

1989 Ford Thunderbird: Questions Buyers Ask

Pricing, reliability, and ownership answers

Is the 1989 Ford Thunderbird a good car to buy?

The 1989 Ford Thunderbird has its strengths and its watch-outs. 3 recalls have been issued, so verify completion with the dealer. Owners report vehicle speed control as the area to watch most closely. Check the safety section for recall details and the pricing data to see if the numbers work for you.

Are there recalls on the 1989 Ford Thunderbird?

Yes, 3 recalls on record. The good news: recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Check the safety report for specifics, and always run the VIN before buying.

What's the gas mileage of the 1989 Ford Thunderbird?

Depending on configuration, the 1989 Ford Thunderbird delivers 17–20 MPG combined. Choose wisely. The full comparison shows how engine choice affects your wallet.

What are common problems with the 1989 Ford Thunderbird?

Out of 135 owner complaints, vehicle speed control issues lead the pack. Get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers this area. The known issues breakdown has all the details.

How does the 1989 compare to other Ford Thunderbird years?

Each Ford Thunderbird model year has different pricing, recall counts, and owner satisfaction patterns. Compare all available years on the Ford Thunderbird overview page.