2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

116

Owner Complaints

6 Crashes 1 Death

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

18

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD

The 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD has received a total of 116 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING. 18 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (18 complaints), Engine (12 complaints), and Engine And Engine Cooling (12 complaints).

Recalls for the 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD

NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD, potentially affecting up to 73,995 vehicles.

Recall 06E056000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

| 58,640 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

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Recall 02V169000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

| 15,355 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CONTACTED THE SEAT RECLINER DURING A 35 MPH NCAP FULL-FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD

116 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11542652 | ENGINE | | 70,000 miles
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.
#11542638 | STEERING | | 75,000 miles
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.
#11542652 | STEERING | | 70,000 miles
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.
#11244929 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 18,775 miles
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 VEHICLE AROUND ME. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER TO GET THE CAR LOOK AT AND FOR THEM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A NETWORK PROBLEM AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO DIAGNOSE. HE SAID IT COULD TAKE HOURS TO DAYS TO FIGURE IT OUT CONSIDERING THE COMPUTER AND NETWORK SYSTEM ON THE CAR. THE SERVICE MAN ALSO TOLD ME THEY DID NOT LIKE TO WORK ON THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. HE ALSO STATED THAT WAS THE REASON FORD QUIT MAKING THIS VEHICLE. I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THE SAFETY ISSUES THIS VEHICLE CREATES. FROM SPEAKING WITH OTHER DEALERS FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THERE IS A WEBSITE ABOUT THE CLUSTER PROBLEMS IT IS : WWW.THUNDERBIRDSPECIALTIES.COM/2002-2005THUNDERBIRD-INSTRUMENT-CLUSTER-PROBLEMS/. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR.
#11244929 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | 18,775 miles
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 VEHICLE AROUND ME. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER TO GET THE CAR LOOK AT AND FOR THEM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A NETWORK PROBLEM AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO DIAGNOSE. HE SAID IT COULD TAKE HOURS TO DAYS TO FIGURE IT OUT CONSIDERING THE COMPUTER AND NETWORK SYSTEM ON THE CAR. THE SERVICE MAN ALSO TOLD ME THEY DID NOT LIKE TO WORK ON THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. HE ALSO STATED THAT WAS THE REASON FORD QUIT MAKING THIS VEHICLE. I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THE SAFETY ISSUES THIS VEHICLE CREATES. FROM SPEAKING WITH OTHER DEALERS FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THERE IS A WEBSITE ABOUT THE CLUSTER PROBLEMS IT IS : WWW.THUNDERBIRDSPECIALTIES.COM/2002-2005THUNDERBIRD-INSTRUMENT-CLUSTER-PROBLEMS/. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR.

View all Electrical System complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Ford Motor Company has issued 18 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

22114 — STRUCTURE:BODY

REMOVBLE ROOF AND CONVERTIBLE TOP. *EH

022114 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

WATER LEAK DIAGNOSIS - REMOVABLE ROOF AND CONVERTIBLE TOP - SERVICE TIP. *TT

16168 — STEERING

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK OR RUBBING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT

16084 — SEAT BELTS

INFORMATION ON PASSENGER SEAT BELTS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A PLASTIC BUTTON. *TT

02E21 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

SUBJECT REGARDING CATALYST MONITOR SENSOR CONNECTOR INSPECTION. *JG

15876 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

SUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1129 DURING KEY ON ENGINE RUNNING (KOER) - NO MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. *TT

15924 — STRUCTURE:BODY

CONCERNS REGARDING PAINT PROTECTION FROM REMOVABLE TOP. *TT

15935 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SUBJECT REGARDING SUPPLEMENTAL PARKING LAMPS INSTALLATION FOR VEHICLES NOT ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED. *TT

15806 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT SMALL AMOUNTS OF MOISTURE ENTERING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP STOWAGE COMPARTMENT EVEN THOUGH THE REMOVABLE HARD TOP ROOF IS INSTALLED. *TT

15826 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

SOME VEHICLES, BUILT BETWEEN 10/1/01 AND 1/31/02, WITH A 5R55N TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK AT THE CONVERTER HOUSING. *TT

Showing 10 of 18 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the FORD THUNDERBIRD

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Other FORD Models

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