Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Ford Thunderbird

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 116 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V169000

Seat belts: front: webbing

Component
Seat belts: front: webbing
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
15,355
Reported to NHTSA
2002-06-14
Owners notified
2002-06-21

Defect description

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

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system1842,000 mi
Engine1231,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1239,436 mi
Air bags1055,861 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1021,000 mi
Vehicle speed control828,000 mi
Steering470,000 mi
Air bags: frontal326,000 mi
Structure31,000 mi
Exterior lighting28,237 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights28,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump222,456 mi
Fuel/propulsion system212,000 mi
Power train240,000 mi
Seat belts25,509 mi
Seats2—
Unknown or other298,300 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control215,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition151,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring192,578 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline164,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe176,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages126,000 mi
Parking brake: indicator light1—
Seat belts: front: webbing153,000 mi
Service brakes132,533 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic126,000 mi
Structure: body150 mi
Suspension1—
Tires13,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal113,217 mi
Visibility14,900 mi
Wheels1119,500 mi

The 2003 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.