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1991 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe 5MT

The 1991 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe 5MT is a 210-hp 3.8-liter supercharged V6 coupe with a 5-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $21,233 MSRP and is rated at 18 mpg combined.

It makes 210 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 315 lb-ft of torque at 2600 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (18 mpg combined).

The Thunderbird measures 198.7 inches long on a 113.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,550 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$21,233 ($50,666 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.8L Essex supercharged & intercooled OHV V6
Displacement3.8 L
Horsepower210 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque315 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm
ValvetrainOHV, 2 valves/cylinder
Compression Ratio8.2:1
Injection TypeFuel injection (EFI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual (Mazda M5R2)
1st Gear3.75
2nd Gear2.32
3rd Gear1.43
4th Gear1
5th Gear0.75
Fuel Economy
City15 MPG
Highway22 MPG
Combined18 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium unleaded
Tank Capacity19 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16"
Wheels Rear16"
Dimensions & Weight
Length198.7 in
Width72.7 in
Height52.7 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb Weight3,550 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.1 in
Headroom Rear37.5 in
Legroom Front42.5 in
Legroom Rear35.8 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1991 Ford Thunderbird 2-DR.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1991 Ford THUNDERBIRD. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

NHTSA campaign 09E012000

Apr 25, 1996 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA campaign 96V071000

May 6, 1991 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

THE NUTS WHICH HOLD WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR TO THE WIPER MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED AND MAY LOOSEN OR COME OFF. THIS CAUSES CHANGED WIPER PATTERNS, OR THE WIPERS MAY JAM IF TWO OF THE THREE NUTS COME OFF.

Consequence: CHANGES IN THE WIPER PATTERN OR JAMMING OF THE WIPERSWOULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILTY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Remedy: APPLY TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL TO WIPER MOTOR STUDS AND NUTS AND RETORQUE.

NHTSA campaign 91V076000

Mar 18, 1991 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.

Consequence: IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.

Remedy: REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.

NHTSA campaign 91V048000

116 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1991 Ford THUNDERBIRD

Owner Complaints

116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Ford THUNDERBIRD (7 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 5 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Service Brakes19
Hydraulic18
Engine And Engine Cooling15
Seat Belts15
Electrical System12
Exterior Lighting10
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jun 11, 2015 · Service Brakes
“LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST ON SUPER COUPE. PEDAL BECAME HARD TO PRESS. BOTH BRAKE AND ABS ANNUNCIATORS ILLUMINATING. TROUBLESHOOTING INDICATES BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH FAILING TO SIGNAL PUMP TO…”
Jul 18, 2008 · Vehicle Speed Control
“CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. *TR”
Aug 1, 2005 · Vehicle Speed Control
“WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STRUCK. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE APPLIED. *AK *NM”
Nov 4, 2004 · Visibility
“PLASTIC BUSHINGS IN BOTH ENDS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER TIE-ROD COMPONENT HAVE WORN. CAUSES WIPERS TO MOVE LESS, SKIP, AND LOSE ABILITY TO CLEAR ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. TIE-ROD MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM MOTOR…”
Nov 4, 2004 · Exterior Lighting
“DEFECTIVE HEADLAMP CIRCUIT BREAKER CAUSES HEADLIGHTS TO FLASH OFF AND ON REPEATEDLY. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN CAR WAS 2 YEARS OLD, SECOND FAILURE IN THE LAST YEAR. CAR HAS LESS THAN 57,000 MILES…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1991 FORD THUNDERBIRD. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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