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2002 Ford Thunderbird Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Thunderbird, most often about the engine (39% of complaints, typically around 38,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Thunderbird model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2002 Ford Thunderbird problems
Engine
36 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated the oil and gas are mixing in the valve. The rings were replaced but the problem persisted. The contact called the Ford manufacturer and was told there is no recall or warranty on this problem and that they would have to repair the problem themselves. The…
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to misfire. The failure became progressively worse. After a period of time, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis where the contact was informed that the valve…
Electrical
21 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles. Parts named most often: horn, starter assembly, ignition, wiring.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the number 8 coil and spark plug needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure…
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed to illuminate. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…
Air bags
13 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. While driving at an unknown speed, the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 55,861.
Air bag warning light appeared on instrument panel and owner's manual instructed to return to dealer. Dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty air bag that should be replaced. Ford motor co. Said service parts are not available and dealer did not repair the air bag. I was allowed to leave the service department with…
Speed control
11 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 27,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.
2002 Ford Thunderbird. Driving on the on ramp to get onto highway accelerating to get into traffic. When I took my foot of the gas pedal the car continued to accelerate a full speed. Applied brakes and the car was still doing 60 MPH with the brakes on. Had to stand on brakes to get off the next exit ramp. Could not…
When the consumer attempted to apply the brakes, the vehicle surged forward about two car lengths. The consumer stated the back tires spin and there was a smell of rubber. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to find anything wrong.
Body and structure
4 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: body.
Water leaked on the passenger side, with the hardtop installed, passenger seat and floor were very wet. Consumer was concern about the air bag in passenger seat as well as electronics under passenger seat.
While driving at 65 MPH, the soft convertible lock mechanism broke. The top flew up while the vehicle was in motion on the freeway. The consumer attempted to grab the locking mechanism when it broke.
Lights
4 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: headlights.
The headlight brackets on the 2002 Thunderbird crack at the rear, where the headlight attaches to the frame with a bolt. Also cracks in the entire rear body of the headlight... Design was changed in 2003, Ford will only replace under warranty, after warranty Ford will not replace or admit this is a problem... There…
The front headlights have cracked and will need to be replaced soon. It is not right that Ford will not cover this after the warranty. My car is a 2002 they changed the design in 2003 so it is obvious that they were aware of the problem. Also it is not like we typically drive these as an everyday car. Mine has only…
Steering
4 complaints · 4%The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to turn the steering wheel while using excessive force and veered to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that…
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH and making a left turn, the power steering suddenly failed and the steering wheel would not turn in either direction, before the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: delivery.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who stated that the fuel pump caused the failure to occur. The fuel pump was replaced. The failure occurred again after driving approximately 400 miles. The…
Vehicle stalls and wont restart unless you put in a new 15 amp fuse for the fuel pump circuit. Fuel pump is failing. This is a known product problem on the forums and Ford has not announced a recall. I called Ford and they said sorry nothing we can do.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Ford Thunderbird recalls
Seat belts: webbing
Risk: The edge of the recliner mechanism caused a partial cut in the lap portion of the webbing. If the webbing is cut, it increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install an insert behind the driver side seat lower trim panel. Owner notification began june 21, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the driver's side seat belt contacted the seat recliner during a 35 MPH ncap full-frontal barrier impact test.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 Ford Thunderbird
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Thunderbird?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (36 complaints, typically around 38,000 miles); electrical (21 complaints, typically around 44,500 miles); air bags (13 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Thunderbird have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 14, 2002 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Ford Thunderbird?
- It is the most complained-about Thunderbird model year since 2000, with 93 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.