IllustrationVEHICLE 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. *JB
2002 Ford Thunderbird
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Thunderbird years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
250–25K
2425–50K
1750–75K
675–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
2 reportsTL*THE 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 FUEL PUMP …
Read full complaint
TL*THE 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 FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,079. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,676. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 09/19/11
Official recalls
102V169000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.