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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.

About this comparison →
93Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
199993
200233
200334
200427
2005
Compare all Thunderbird years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
24Electrical System
21Air Bags
13Engine
12Vehicle Speed Control
11
All reported categories
Exterior Lighting
4Steering
4Structure
4Seat Belts
3Fuel System, Gasoline
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Power Train
2Seats
2Unknown Or Other
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Parking Brake
1Service Brakes
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Suspension
1Tires
1Visibility
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Seat Belts complaints

3 reports
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53,000 miles · Jan 8, 2009
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS CUT. THE VEHICLE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V169000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING). THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE CUT…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS CUT. THE VEHICLE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V169000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING). THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE CUTS ON THE SEAT BELT WEBBING WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 01/29/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/30/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10254226

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2003
Seat Belts

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10012481

5,509 miles · Jan 13, 2003
Seat Belts

AFTER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT HAD BEEN FASTENED, IT WOULD ALLOW ANY MOVEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10003667

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.