Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,384 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Ford Thunderbird seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Ford Thunderbird:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Ford Thunderbird Owner Comments

problem #10

Sep 062016

Thunderbird

  • 50 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My daughter was in a rollover accident on 09 -06 -2016 in a 2002 Ford Thunderbird convertible. The air bag did not sufficiently deploy & she was severely injured as a result. She was on interstate 95N near manning, SC when a semi truck did not see her & came into her lane grazing the car. She had to go off the road or the truck would have crushed her. The Thunderbird rolled over & she was severely injured.

- Saint Simons, GA, USA

problem #9

May 142018

Thunderbird

  • miles
My airbag light is on and I want to know if I have a takata airbag. If so how to I get it fixed?

- Forest Lake, MN, USA

problem #8

Apr 122018

Thunderbird 8-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
Air bag needs to be replaced and Ford has no repair parts available to provide occupant protection in the event of a crash.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #7

Apr 202018

Thunderbird

  • 56,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Air bag warning light appeared on instrument panel and owner's manual instructed to return to dealer. Dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty air bag that should be replaced. Ford Motor Co. Said service parts are not available and dealer did not repair the air bag. I was allowed to leave the service department with no idea if the air bag would function in a crash. Is the vehicle safe to drive and should Ford Motor Co. Have done more to assure the vehicle is safe to drive?

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #6

Apr 012003

Thunderbird

  • 800 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the air bag indicator illuminated without warning. Lou fusz Ford in chesterfield, Missouri was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 800.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #5

Jul 012013

Thunderbird 8-cyl

  • 69,130 miles
Air bag light will not go off. Was told by dealer caused by a defective clockspring. More than likely this cause air bag not to be deployed if needed.. I feel this is a safety issue and Ford should address this problem. From other sources on line this appears to be a major problem with this make and model. Ford refuses to accept responsibility and leaves it up to the owner to have repaired $700.

- Chattanooga , TN, USA

problem #4

May 012012

Thunderbird 8-cyl

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Clock spring, on both of my 02 tbirds, VIN# [xxx] [xxx] I think this is a very poor part installed in my birds, since I paid top dollar for these cars, $4000 over list price each at the dealer autoway for in bradenton Florida. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #3

Jun 022011

Thunderbird

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that the drivers side air bag warning light had been illuminated on the instrumenatl panel for approximately two months. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and they stated that the drivers side air bag had a high resistance failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. Updated 09/19/11 updated 2/22/12

- Cameron Park, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 012009

Thunderbird

  • 26,000 miles
The most recent problem started in June 2009 when the airbag indicator light came on for no reason and wouldn't go off (is it working or not" safety issue") then within a matter of weeks everything on the steering column controls quit working or went berserk. The cruise controls suddenly went haywire accelerating when any button was pushed now they don't work at all (safety issue). A car pulled out in front of me, I slammed on the brakes and laid on the horn and nothing!!! a terrible crash was missed by literally inches( safety issue)...30 minutes later the horn worked. The next day I tried about 30 times and I got it to beep twice. The radio/cd controls sometimes work and sometimes don't. change from radio to cd and suddenly the volume is blasting (shocked enough for it to be a safety issue). I was told over the phone it is a clock spring issue and the estimate was $450!!!!! in addition my 2002 Thunderbird was purchased Jan 2,2003. It was one of the last cars off of the line before the 2002 model switch to 2003. I have had the same coil on plug issues that were recalled on 2003's, yet dealer would do nothing for me.it started only 2,000 mls out of initial warranty. I have replaced 3 of the coils/gasket cover and now the 4th coil is bad with gasket leaking. The design is unchanged from 2002 to 2003, why not fix mine? twice I have lost power when accelerating and the car hesitated or stalled in middle of driving. If you don't consider that a safety issue then try pulling out in atlanta traffic and see what you think. In addition now the passenger side auto door latch won't work. This is by far the worst car I have ever had in my life. I had purchased three prior Ford vehicles at the same dealership and they would do nothing for me. I never had the first complaint on any other Ford vehicles.... now the dealer has gone out of business...... please I am begging you see if you can get these issues fixed I have poured enough money into this car and it isn't fair!

- Lawrenceville, Ga, GA, USA

problem #1

Jul 102009

Thunderbird

  • 55,861 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. While driving at an unknown speed, the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 55,861.

- Castaic, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?