Ford / Thunderbird / 2002
2002 Ford Thunderbird problems
Owners have filed 116 complaints about the 2002 Ford Thunderbird with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 20.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 19%.
Complaints116
Crashes6
Fires0
Injuries5
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 20.7% · 24
Electrical system 19.0% · 22
Air bags 11.2% · 13
Engine 10.3% · 12
Vehicle speed control 9.5% · 11
Steering 3.4% · 4
Structure 3.4% · 4
Exterior lighting 3.4% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 6 describe a crash, 5 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 9 model years of the Ford Thunderbird in this data, 2002 draws comparatively few complaints; 1993 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 12 in the last three years against 19 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 33,266 miles.
In owners' own words
I have a 2002 Ford t-bird with approx 60k milies, original owner. I've had three coils replaced at my expense. On 25 aug 2011, while diving in the fast lane (three lanes) at approx 60 mph, the engine suddenly quit, causing a loss of brakes and steering. I was fortunate to be able to muscle the car into the break down lane and stop. The car started without issue after putting it in park. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. While driving 5 mph, the service engine light illuminated after the vehicle had been serviced for its 30,000 mile routine maintenance. The dealer stated that the manifold gasket leaked oil onto the coils and spark plugs. All of the failures needed to be repaired. The failure mileage was 76,000 and current mileage was 76,050. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 76,000 miles
Engine failure. While driving approx 40 mph. Slowed to stop for an animal in the road and engine failed. I shifted to neutral and restarted w/o problem. Had this occured in a busy intersection, it could have resulted in serious injury and/or death. Please investigate and notify Ford. This is not the first complaing you hav recieved regarding this problem. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 4,800 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Ford Thunderbird years
1992 234 complaints · 19.2% exterior lighting 1993 559 complaints · 34.7% engine and engine cooling 1994 426 complaints · 23.9% power train 1995 353 complaints · 33.4% service brakes, hydraulic 1996 295 complaints · 23.1% engine and engine cooling 1997 228 complaints · 25.0% engine and engine cooling