1989 Dodge Spirit vs 1989 Ford Thunderbird
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1989 Dodge Spirit | 1989 Ford Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 21 | 124 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 28 | 27 |
| Investigations | 1 | 6 |
| Crash reports | 0 | 15 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 24 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–24 | 17–20 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Dodge Spirit | Ford Thunderbird |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | 26 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 23 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 22 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 13 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 17 |
| Power Train | 5 | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 6 |
| Suspension | 3 | 3 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Brake problems | 0 | 7 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 6 |
1989 Dodge Spirit
1989 Ford Thunderbird
Compare all Dodge Spirit vs Ford Thunderbird years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.