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2002 Ford Thunderbird

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

73 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

13 reports
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50 miles · Feb 25, 2019
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

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 TRUC…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11182303

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2018
Air Bags

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I WANT TO KNOW IF I HAVE A TAKATA AIRBAG. IF SO HOW TO I GET IT FIXED?

NHTSA ODI #11144677

56,000 miles · May 21, 2018
Air Bags

AIR BAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND FORD HAS NO REPAIR PARTS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11097139

56,000 miles · Apr 23, 2018
Air Bags

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…

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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?

NHTSA ODI #11089780

800 miles · Jan 10, 2018
Air Bags

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 M…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11061933

69,130 miles · Jul 1, 2013
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. WAS TOLD BY DEALER CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING. MORE THAN LIKELY THIS CAUSE AIR BAG NOT TO BE DEPLOYED IF NEEDED. . I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. FROM OTHER SOURCES ON LINE THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. FORD REFUSES TO ACCEP…

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AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. WAS TOLD BY DEALER CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING. MORE THAN LIKELY THIS CAUSE AIR BAG NOT TO BE DEPLOYED IF NEEDED. . I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. FROM OTHER SOURCES ON LINE THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. FORD REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND LEAVES IT UP TO THE OWNER TO HAVE REPAIRED $700.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522704

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CLOCK SPRING ,ON BOTH OF MY 02 TBIRDS,VIN# [XXX] [XXX] I THINK THIS IS A VERY POOR PART INSTALLED IN MY BIRDS,SINCE I PAID TOP DOLLAR FOR THESE CARS,$4000.00 OVER LIST PRICE EACH AT THE DEALER AUTOWAY FOR IN BRADENTON FLORIDA. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT …

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CLOCK SPRING ,ON BOTH OF MY 02 TBIRDS,VIN# [XXX] [XXX] I THINK THIS IS A VERY POOR PART INSTALLED IN MY BIRDS,SINCE I PAID TOP DOLLAR FOR THESE CARS,$4000.00 OVER LIST PRICE EACH AT THE DEALER AUTOWAY FOR IN BRADENTON FLORIDA. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457933

90,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENATL PANEL FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG HAD A HIGH RESISTANCE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENATL PANEL FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG HAD A HIGH RESISTANCE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF UPDATED 2/22/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10416705

92,578 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Air BagsElectrical System

HAD THE VEHICLE TUNED-UP. AFTER A FEW DRIVEN MILES THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS LIT. THE PROBLEM "DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG HIGH RESISTANCE" CAUSES "A POOR CONNECTION WHERE THE CLOCKSPRING CONNECT INTO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS." COST TO REPLACE/REPAIR $681. THIS IS A DEFECT SAFETY PRODUCT. FORD REFUSED TO PAY STATING, "THERE…

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HAD THE VEHICLE TUNED-UP. AFTER A FEW DRIVEN MILES THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS LIT. THE PROBLEM "DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG HIGH RESISTANCE" CAUSES "A POOR CONNECTION WHERE THE CLOCKSPRING CONNECT INTO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS." COST TO REPLACE/REPAIR $681. THIS IS A DEFECT SAFETY PRODUCT. FORD REFUSED TO PAY STATING, "THERE IS NO EXTENDED COVERAGE OR RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE." THERE ARE NOT "SUFFICIENT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS" REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT DEALING WITH A SAFETY ISSUE WITH FORD REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE AS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416703

26,000 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE 2009 WHEN THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND WOULDN'T GO OFF (IS IT WORKING OR NOT? SAFETY ISSUE?) THEN WITHIN A MATTER OF WEEKS EVERYTHING ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS QUIT WORKING OR WENT BERSERK. THE CRUISE CONTROLS SUDDENLY WENT HAYWIRE ACCELERATING WHEN ANY BUTTON…

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THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE 2009 WHEN THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND WOULDN'T GO OFF (IS IT WORKING OR NOT? SAFETY ISSUE?) THEN WITHIN A MATTER OF WEEKS EVERYTHING ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS QUIT WORKING OR WENT BERSERK. THE CRUISE CONTROLS SUDDENLY WENT HAYWIRE ACCELERATING WHEN ANY BUTTON WAS PUSHED NOW THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL (SAFETY ISSUE). A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND LAID ON THE HORN AND NOTHING!!! A TERRIBLE CRASH WAS MISSED BY LITERALLY INCHES( SAFETY ISSUE)...30 MINUTES LATER THE HORN WORKED. THE NEXT DAY I TRIED ABOUT 30 TIMES AND I GOT IT TO BEEP TWICE. THE RADIO/CD CONTROLS SOMETIMES WORK AND SOMETIMES DON'T. CHANGE FROM RADIO TO CD AND SUDDENLY THE VOLUME IS BLASTING (SHOCKED ENOUGH FOR IT TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE). I WAS TOLD OVER THE PHONE IT IS A CLOCK SPRING ISSUE AND THE ESTIMATE WAS $450!!!!! IN ADDITION MY 2002 THUNDERBIRD WAS PURCHASED JAN 2,2003. IT WAS ONE OF THE LAST CARS OFF OF THE LINE BEFORE THE 2002 MODEL SWITCH TO 2003. I HAVE HAD THE SAME COIL ON PLUG ISSUES THAT WERE RECALLED ON 2003'S, YET DEALER WOULD DO NOTHING FOR ME.IT STARTED ONLY 2,000 MLS OUT OF INITIAL WARRANTY. I HAVE REPLACED 3 OF THE COILS/GASKET COVER AND NOW THE 4TH COIL IS BAD WITH GASKET LEAKING. THE DESIGN IS UNCHANGED FROM 2002 TO 2003, WHY NOT FIX MINE? TWICE I HAVE LOST POWER WHEN ACCELERATING AND THE CAR HESITATED OR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF DRIVING. IF YOU DON'T CONSIDER THAT A SAFETY ISSUE THEN TRY PULLING OUT IN ATLANTA TRAFFIC AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK. IN ADDITION NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTO DOOR LATCH WON'T WORK. THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. I HAD PURCHASED THREE PRIOR FORD VEHICLES AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR ME. I NEVER HAD THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON ANY OTHER FORD VEHICLES.... NOW THE DEALER HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS...... PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU SEE IF YOU CAN GET THESE ISSUES FIXED I HAVE POURED ENOUGH MONEY INTO THIS CAR AND IT ISN'T FAIR! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279466

Official recalls

1

02V169000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing

Jun 14, 2002

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 & remedy

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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.