Total Complaints
116 filings
FORD THUNDERBIRD · model year
116 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002FORDTHUNDERBIRD carries 116 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 THUNDERBIRD is electrical system with 18 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (12) and engine (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2002 THUNDERBIRD, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
116 filings
Crashes Reported
6 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 18 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 12 |
| ENGINE | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 10 |
| AIR BAGS | 10 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 8 |
| STEERING | 4 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
| STRUCTURE | 3 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 2 |
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CONTACTED THE SEAT RECLINER DURING A 35 MPH NCAP FULL-FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE
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 he restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle stalled after driving approximately 3-feet. The contact stated that he restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle stalled while driving. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Mileage: 75,000
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 failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Mileage: 70,000
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 failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Mileage: 70,000
THE CLUSTER LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT ON MY 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHEN THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED I REALLY DON'T KNOW SINCE THE CAR IS MAINLY A SHOW CAR AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT DUSK COMING BACK FROM A CAR SHOW THE CLUSTER LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON. WE PARKED THE CAR AND ONLY DROVE IT DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. THEN THE FUEL SYSTEM QUIT WORKING SO WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE HEADLIGHT FAILURE, TAILLIGHT FAILURE, TURN SIGNAL FAILURE, TILT STEERING WHEEL FAILURE, PARKING LIGHTS FAILURE, AND DRIVING LIGHTS FAILURE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT YOU CANNOT TELL HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING AND YOU ALSO HAVE THE RISK OF YOUR TURN SIGNALS, HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS GOING OUT. YOU CAN GOOGLE FORD THUNDERBIRD AND FIND INFORMATION WHERE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I BELIEVE THIS CAR NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL SINCE THEY CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT OR REALLY ANYTIME. WHICH IS A RISK NOT ONLY TO ME BUT ANY OTHER VEHI
Mileage: 18,775
THE CLUSTER LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT ON MY 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHEN THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED I REALLY DON'T KNOW SINCE THE CAR IS MAINLY A SHOW CAR AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT DUSK COMING BACK FROM A CAR SHOW THE CLUSTER LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON. WE PARKED THE CAR AND ONLY DROVE IT DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. THEN THE FUEL SYSTEM QUIT WORKING SO WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE HEADLIGHT FAILURE, TAILLIGHT FAILURE, TURN SIGNAL FAILURE, TILT STEERING WHEEL FAILURE, PARKING LIGHTS FAILURE, AND DRIVING LIGHTS FAILURE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT YOU CANNOT TELL HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING AND YOU ALSO HAVE THE RISK OF YOUR TURN SIGNALS, HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS GOING OUT. YOU CAN GOOGLE FORD THUNDERBIRD AND FIND INFORMATION WHERE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I BELIEVE THIS CAR NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL SINCE THEY CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT OR REALLY ANYTIME. WHICH IS A RISK NOT ONLY TO ME BUT ANY OTHER VEHI
Mileage: 18,775
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD EQUIPPED WITH A FIRESTONE TEMPA SPARE TIRE, SIZE: T185-60-R17 (NA). WHILE CLEANING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE SPARE TIRE THAT WAS STORED IN THE TRUNK WAS BLOWN OUT AND THE TIRE WIRES, RUBBER, AND CORDS WERE EXPOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO VISIT FIRESTONE TO HAVE THE TIRE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS NO TIRE AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2. *DT*JB
Mileage: 3,500
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON 09 -06 -2016 IN A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEPLOY & SHE WAS SEVERELY INJURED AS A RESULT. SHE WAS ON INTERSTATE 95N NEAR MANNING, SC WHEN A SEMI TRUCK DID NOT SEE HER & CAME INTO HER LANE GRAZING THE CAR. SHE HAD TO GO OFF THE ROAD OR THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE CRUSHED HER. THE THUNDERBIRD ROLLED OVER & SHE WAS SEVERELY INJURED.
Mileage: 50
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON 09 -06 -2016 IN A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT SUFFICIENTLY DEPLOY & SHE WAS SEVERELY INJURED AS A RESULT. SHE WAS ON INTERSTATE 95N NEAR MANNING, SC WHEN A SEMI TRUCK DID NOT SEE HER & CAME INTO HER LANE GRAZING THE CAR. SHE HAD TO GO OFF THE ROAD OR THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE CRUSHED HER. THE THUNDERBIRD ROLLED OVER & SHE WAS SEVERELY INJURED.
Mileage: 50
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I WANT TO KNOW IF I HAVE A TAKATA AIRBAG. IF SO HOW TO I GET IT FIXED?
AIR BAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND FORD HAS NO REPAIR PARTS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *JS
Mileage: 56,000
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 NO IDEA IF THE AIR BAG WOULD FUNCTION IN A CRASH. IS THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE AND SHOULD FORD MOTOR CO. HAVE DONE MORE TO ASSURE THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE?
Mileage: 56,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. LOU FUSZ FORD IN CHESTERFIELD, MISSOURI WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 800.
Mileage: 800
1ST HAD TO HAVE 8 COILS REPLACED ,2002 NOT COVERED ON RECALL, BUT 2003 AND AFTER WERE. YESTERDAY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER, CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER A DIAGNOSIS, FOUND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACED AND FUEL FILTER. THE COST WAS $1500.00. THERE WERE 4 OTHER T-BIRDS THERE PLUS MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT NEXT? DO I NEED A TOW TRUCK TO FOLLOW ME ALL THE TIME.
Mileage: 30,500
1ST HAD TO HAVE 8 COILS REPLACED ,2002 NOT COVERED ON RECALL, BUT 2003 AND AFTER WERE. YESTERDAY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER, CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER A DIAGNOSIS, FOUND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACED AND FUEL FILTER. THE COST WAS $1500.00. THERE WERE 4 OTHER T-BIRDS THERE PLUS MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT NEXT? DO I NEED A TOW TRUCK TO FOLLOW ME ALL THE TIME.
Mileage: 30,500
MY CAR WAS RUNNING AND I EXITED THE VEHICLE TO PUT GARAGE DOOR DOWN. I PUT VEHICLE IN PARKED WITH IT RUNNING AND DOOR SHUT AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE VEHICLE ALL THE DOORS WERE LOCKED AND CAR WAS RUNNING. VERY DANGEROUS I WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO VEHICLE ALL DOORS LOCKED WITH CAR RUNNING. I NEVER LOCKED THE DOOR WHEN I EXITED.
Mileage: 98,300
STEREO CUTS ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME AND SOMETIMES THE CAR ALARM GOES OFF.
Mileage: 98,200
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN IDLING ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE WHERE THE EMPLOYEE FOUND THAT CYLINDERS 3, 4, AND 7 WERE MISFIRING, AS WELL AS A RANDOM MISFIRE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE SPARK PLUG WELL AND OPENED THE COIL PACK. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL PACK WERE COVERED IN OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER SPOKE TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD COME PICK UP THE VEHICLE IF THE CONTACT DECIDED TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
Mileage: 31,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THE ALUMINUM ON THE WHEELS CORRODED AND LEAKED AIR. THE DEALER SANDED DOWN THE INNER WHEELS AND COATED THEM WITH A SOLUTION TO PREVENT RUST/CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,500. UPDATED 05/10/17*LJ *CN
Mileage: 119,500
TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A OIL CHANGE THE DEALER WROTE UP A LIST OF PROBLEMS NEED TO REPAIR ON THIS CAR .THIS CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE AND DRIVEN WEEKLY IT ONLY HAS 30,600 MILES ON IT. I THINK IT WILL COST ME 2500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS CAR. I NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE WITH A CAR.
TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A OIL CHANGE THE DEALER WROTE UP A LIST OF PROBLEMS NEED TO REPAIR ON THIS CAR .THIS CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE AND DRIVEN WEEKLY IT ONLY HAS 30,600 MILES ON IT. I THINK IT WILL COST ME 2500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS CAR. I NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE WITH A CAR.
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.