2002 Ford Thunderbird: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Ford Thunderbird: 1 recall, 93 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #02V169000 · 2002 · 15,355 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the driver's side seat belt contacted the seat recliner during a 35 mph ncap full-frontal barrier impact test.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install an insert behind the driver side seat lower trim panel. Owner notification began June 21, 2002.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Equipment recall #06E056000 · 2006 · 58,640 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n f65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect design, the quick connectors May not fully seat with the tube interface, even though the person making the connection May believe that the quick connector is fully attached.
Why it matters: Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
The fix: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (24): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), warning light on (3).
- Electrical (21): the most common themes are warning light on (2), electrical failure (2), stalls / loses power (2).
- Airbags (13): the most common themes are warning light on (6).
- Engine (12): the most common themes are warning light on (7), stalls / loses power (3).
The 2002 Ford Thunderbird has 93 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 14 Thunderbird model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 144). Complaints peaked in 2003 (14 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 35,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (33 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Ford Thunderbird.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Ford Thunderbird have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2002 Ford Thunderbird, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Ford Thunderbird problems?
Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (24), electrical (21), airbags (13).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Ford Thunderbird get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (3.9 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Ford Thunderbird repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.