2002 Ford Thunderbird recalls and problems

The 2002 Ford Thunderbird has 1 recall and 93 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

How the 2002 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 4 Thunderbird model years — the most of any year.

1recalls

93complaints

4crashes

0fires

4injuries

35,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

1 recall

Seat Belts

Jun 14, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V169000 · 15,355 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the driver's side seat belt contacted the seat recliner during a 35 MPH ncap full-frontal barrier impact test.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Risk: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Engine36

Electrical System21

Air Bags13

Vehicle Speed Control11

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2002 vs. other Ford Thunderbird years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2002. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2002 Ford Thunderbird have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2002 Ford Thunderbird, the latest from Jun 14, 2002 (seat belts). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Thunderbird?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (36), electrical system (21), air bags (13). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.