2002 FORD Thunderbird Problems & Complaints

HAD NUMBER 8 IGNITION COIL REPLACED AUGUST 1ST 2011,OTHER PARTS AND LABOR ($1007.02). SEVEN DAYS LATER,AUGUST 8TH 2011 HAD NUMBER 2 IGNITION COIL REPLACED ($210.91). BECAUSE THIS IS A 2002 THUNDERBIRD THESE REPAIRS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY ARE FOR 2003 UP. WHY? THIS MAKES ME THINK ABOUT BUYING ANOTHER BRAND OF CAR, DON'T THINK IT COULD BE ANY WORSE. *JS

THIS IS A COPY OF A THUNDERBIRDNEST.COM FORUM MEMBERS COMPLAINT, WHICH THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME CONDITION. I COULD NOT SAY IT BETTER SO IM USING IT. THIS COULD BE REAL SCARY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAYS. I AM WRITING TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT A DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS SITUATION. I OWN A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND OTHERS LIKE IT HAVE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CAR(S) TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS. THE COILS ARE PRONE TO CEASE FUNCTIONING AT ANY MOMENT, THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY LOSE POWER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AT BEST AT LOW SPEEDS, AND DEADLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED A LETTER STATING THAT 2003-2005 THUNDERBIRDS CAN HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED TO INCLUDE THE OWNERS OF 2002 MODELS IN THIS ACTION. THE RESULT OF THIS IS THAT 2002 OWNERS CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED DUE TO THE EXPENSE (BETWEEN $1500 AND $2500). THIS PLACES THOUSANDS OF CARS ON THE ROAD THAT ENDANGER NOT ONLY THEIR OWN OCCUPANTS, BUT THOSE OF OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. SINCE FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COILS (THE 2002 USES THE SAME AS THOSE BEING REPLACED FOR FREE), I IMPLORE YOU TO USE WHATEVER INFLUENCE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. MANY POTENTIAL DEATHS COULD BE AVOIDED IF FORD WOULD SIMPLY INCLUDE THE 2002 MODEL THUNDERBIRD IN THE LIST OF APPROVED VEHICLES FOR COIL REPLACEMENT AT NO COST. I PERSONALLY OWN A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD MYSELF AND ONLY HAVE APPROX. 4,500 MILES ON IT. THIS WEEK I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE MISS-FIRING. I ALSO HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I IMMEDIATELY HAD IT CHECKED AND THE TEST DETECTED THE #5 CYLINDER IS MISFIRING. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER SEEN RAIN OR SNOW. WHY CAN'T WE GET FORD TO DO SOMETHING? *TR

COIL AND PLUG FAILURE IN TRAFFIC - MY CAR EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT STALLING IN TRAFFIC AND MISFIRING ON THE HIGHWAY.LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO START THE FORD CAR AND MOVE ME AND THE FORD CAR OUT OF HARMS WAY.FORD RECOGNIZES THE ISSUE WITH THE 2003 AND IN MAY OF 2008 FORD COVERED THE 2004 AND 2005 THUNDERBIRDS BUT IS IGNORING THE 2002. I HAD TWO OF THE EIGHT COIL ON PLUG ASSEMBLES REPLACED AND I AM CONCERNED THAT ANY ONE OF THE NEXT SIX WILL AGAIN FAIL ON THE ROAD. *TR

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. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION COIL WAS FAILING. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MIS-FIRE AND SPORADICALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS NOT COVERED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 20,000.

STEREO CUTS ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME AND SOMETIMES THE CAR ALARM GOES OFF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

IGNITION COILS MALFUNCTION REPLACEMENT NEEDED. ENGINE MISFIRE AT LOWER SPEEDS. *TR

I AM WRITING TODAY TO EXPRESS GRAVE CONCERNS FOR MY 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR MODEL YEARS 2003-2005 FOR THE COIL OVER PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEM, BUT HAS CHOSEN TO OMIT THE 2002 MODEL YEAR EVEN THOUGH A MAJORITY OF 2002-2005 THUNDERBIRDS WERE PRODUCED IN MODEL YEAR 2002. MY CONCERN IS THAT MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002 MODEL YEAR HAVE EXPERIENCED COP FAILURES WHICH HAVE RENDERED THEIR CARS VIRTUALLY INOPERABLE WITHOUT NOTICE OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. TO TAKE THIS A STEP FURTHER, IMAGINE DRIVING ON A HIGH SPEED INTERSTATE AND HAVE THE SYSTEM FAIL. THE CAR IS DESIGNED TO GO INTO "LIMP" MODE WHEREBY THE CAR CANNOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 25 MPH. THIS IS A DISASTEROUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN! NOT ONLY IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT THE REPAIRS ARE COSTING OWNERS OF MY 2002 CARS IN EXCESS OF $1,500 WHERE OWNERS OF NEWER MODELS ARE COVERED FOR 10 YEARS/100,000 MILES FREE OF CHARGE FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THIS INEQUITY MUST SERIOUSLY BE INVESTIGATED AND CORRECTED BY THE NHTSA! *TR

I AM WRITING TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT A DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS SITUATION. I OWN A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND OTHERS LIKE IT HAVE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CAR(S) TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS. THE COILS ARE PRONE TO CEASE FUNCTIONING AT ANY MOMENT, THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY LOSE POWER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AT BEST AT LOW SPEEDS, AND DEADLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED A LETTER STATING THAT 2003-2005 THUNDERBIRDS CAN HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED TO INCLUDE THE OWNERS OF 2002 MODELS IN THIS ACTION. THE RESULT OF THIS IS THAT 2002 OWNERS CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED DUE TO THE EXPENSE (BETWEEN $1500 AND $2500). THIS PLACES THOUSANDS OF CARS ON THE ROAD THAT ENDANGER NOT ONLY THEIR OWN OCCUPANTS, BUT THOSE OF OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. SINCE FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COILS (THE 2002 USES THE SAME AS THOSE BEING REPLACED FOR FREE), I IMPLORE YOU TO USE WHATEVER INFLUENCE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. MANY POTENTIAL DEATHS COULD BE AVOIDED IF FORD WOULD SIMPLY INCLUDE THE 2002 MODEL THUNDERBIRD IN THE LIST OF APPROVED VEHICLES FOR COIL REPLACEMENT AT NO COST. *TR --------------------

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND I WANT TO KNOW IF I HAVE A TAKATA AIRBAG. IF SO HOW TO I GET IT FIXED?

AIR BAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND FORD HAS NO REPAIR PARTS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *JS

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?

TL* 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.

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 $700.00. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN IDLING ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE WHERE THE EMPLOYEE FOUND THAT CYLINDERS 3, 4, AND 7 WERE MISFIRING, AS WELL AS A RANDOM MISFIRE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE SPARK PLUG WELL AND OPENED THE COIL PACK. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL PACK WERE COVERED IN OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER SPOKE TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD COME PICK UP THE VEHICLE IF THE CONTACT DECIDED TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE ABNORMALLY WHILE THE MISFIRED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COULD NOT DESCRIBE THE FAILURE IN GREAT DETAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND COIL PACK FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND MISFIRED, AND A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,200.

RE:2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD AT 43,237 MILES THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND MISFIRING.THE PASSENGER AREA IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO FILL WITH EXHAUST FUMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT DID NOT FLASH TO INDICATE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. UPON LETTING THE TOP DOWN THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN TO A NEARBY FORD DEALERSHIP. THE CYLINDER EIGHT COIL AND SPARK PLUG WERE REPLACED WHICH SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AT 45,280 MILES THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED AND THE CYLINDER SIX COIL AND SPARK PLUG WERE REPLACED. AT 47,459 MILES THE SAME THING OCCURRED YET AGAIN AND CYLINDER COILS TWO AND THREE WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS FOUR SPARK PLUGS. DESPITE THE COST INVOLVED IN THE NECESSARY REPAIR WORK AND THE FACT THAT ALL OF THE ABOVE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WELL WITHIN THE MILEAGE OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY I MAINTAINED THROUGH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THE COMPANY ADVISED THAT THE TIME LIMIT ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THE COMPANY IS NOT WILLING TO REPLACE THE REMAINING CYLINDER COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AS A RESULT OF THE PASSENGER AREA FILLING WITH EXHAUST FUMES WHEN THE ENGINE BEGINS RUNNING ROUGH. I DO KNOW HOWEVER THAT WHEN AN ENGINE BEGINS MISFIRING, RAW GASOLINE POURS INTO THE COMBUSTION SYSTEM AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE, I ALSO KNOW THAT CARBON MONOXIDE IF NOT DETECTED QUICKLY CAN BE FATAL TO HUMAN BEINGS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE ABOVE INCIDENTS ARE NECESSARILY A WARRANTY ISSUE. THEY ARE HOWEVER A HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE SYSTEMIC IN NATURE AND RELATED TO DESIGN PROBLEMS OF THE 3.9L V8 ENGINE UTILIZED IN THE 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. I RECOMMEND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL THE 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD AND REPLACE ALL COILS AND SPARK PLUGS WITH RELIABLE PARTS AS I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY A FORD SERVICE EMPLOYEE THAT THE REPLACEMENT COILS SOMETIMES FAIL AND MUST BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. *TR

DRIVING 45 TO 50 MPH, ENGINE STARTS CUTTING OUT, RUNNING ROUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING WHICH REQUIRED THE COIL PACK TO BE REPLACED BY FORD. THIS IS A CONSTANT ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR FORD THUNDERBIRD. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND YET FORD HAS NOT REDESIGNED THE COIL PACK FOR THIS CAR AND THE COIL PACK CONTINUES TO FAIL TIME AND TIME AGAIN. I'M JUST GRATEFUL THAT I WAS NOT ON SOME REMOTE HIGHWAY STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHY THE 2002 THUNDERBIRD COIL, SPARK PLUGS AND CONNECTORS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL OF THE 2003-5 IS BEYOND ME. FORD DID AN INJUSTICE TO 2002 OWNERS OF THE THUNDERBIRD BY NOT ACCEPTING THAT THEY HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS ISSUE REMEDIATED. *TR

I WENT TO PARK THE CAR AND THE CAR WENT RACING INTO THE SPOT AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE IT STOP. I THROUGH THE CAR INTO PARK AND EVEN THEN I WAS SURE IT WAS GOING TO STOP. IF I DIDN'T HAVE AN EMPTY PARKING LOT I DON'T THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THEN I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME WHICH I DIDN'T WANT TO DO, BECAUSE THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. THEN DRIVING HOME AT THE STOP LIGHT I JUST PUT THE CAR IN PARK BECAUSE IT WAS STILL RACING AND I DIDN'T THINK PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WOULD HAVE KEPT IT IN A STOPPED POSITION. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO TAKE OFF IT ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL. NOT A COOD FEELING AT ALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 10,000. UPDATED 08/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/04/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD. FOUR YEARS PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AND THE IAC CONTROL WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,332 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,745. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ

2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. DRIVING ON THE ON RAMP TO GET ONTO HIGHWAY ACCELERATING TO GET INTO TRAFFIC. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE A FULL SPEED. APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR WAS STILL DOING 60 MPH WITH THE BRAKES ON. HAD TO STAND ON BRAKES TO GET OFF THE NEXT EXIT RAMP. COULD NOT BRING IT TO A FULL STOP SO I THREW IT INTO PARK. IT WAS TERRIFYING BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THE ACCELERATOR. TURNED OFF THE CAR. RESTARTED IT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL SCREAMING. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE BRAKE. I ONLY USE MY RIGHT FOOT FOR THESE PEDALS. MY FEET ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH TO HAVE ONE FOOT ON BOTH. THE MAT WAS NOT STUCK UNDER ANYTHING. AFTER SITTING FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES I RESTARTED THE CAR IN PARK AND IT SEEMED TO IDLE NORMALLY. I PUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND DROVE HOME SLOWLY AND BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER (DON DAVIS AUTO GROUP IN ARLINGTON, TX) THE NEXT MORNING. THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND CANNOT "DUPLICATE" THE INCIDENT. THEY SPOKE TO FORD AND THEY WANT ME TO PICK UP THE CAR BECAUSE "THEY CAN'T JUST START THROWING PARTS ON IT WHEN THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IF IT RECURRS SOMEONE COULD BE KILLED. PLEASE ADVISE ME. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE SET THE CRUISE CONTROL IT WOULD NOT STAY ENGAGED. ALSO, THE CONTACT HAD PROBLEMS TURNING THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE CRUISE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH BEING INOPERATIVE. A NEW SWITCH WAS INSTALLED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR INVOICE. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, HE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS CUT. THE VEHICLE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V169000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING). THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE CUTS ON THE SEAT BELT WEBBING WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 01/29/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/30/09. *JB

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE. *JB

AFTER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT HAD BEEN FASTENED, IT WOULD ALLOW ANY MOVEMENT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE SOFT CONVERTIBLE LOCK MECHANISM BROKE. *AK THE TOP FLEW UP WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GRAB THE LOCKING MECHANISM WHEN IT BROKE. *SCC *JB

THE SUN VISORS COULD NOT BE TILTED TOWARD THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER WINDOWS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE. *JB *NLM

WATER LEAKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WITH THE HARDTOP INSTALLED, PASSENGER SEAT AND FLOOR WERE VERY WET. CONSUMER WAS CONCERN ABOUT THE AIR BAG IN PASSENGER SEAT AS WELL AS ELECTRONICS UNDER PASSENGER SEAT.*JB

THE CLUSTER LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT ON MY 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHEN THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED I REALLY DON'T KNOW SINCE THE CAR IS MAINLY A SHOW CAR AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT DUSK COMING BACK FROM A CAR SHOW THE CLUSTER LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON. WE PARKED THE CAR AND ONLY DROVE IT DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. THEN THE FUEL SYSTEM QUIT WORKING SO WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE HEADLIGHT FAILURE, TAILLIGHT FAILURE, TURN SIGNAL FAILURE, TILT STEERING WHEEL FAILURE, PARKING LIGHTS FAILURE, AND DRIVING LIGHTS FAILURE. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT YOU CANNOT TELL HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING AND YOU ALSO HAVE THE RISK OF YOUR TURN SIGNALS, HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS GOING OUT. YOU CAN GOOGLE FORD THUNDERBIRD AND FIND INFORMATION WHERE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I BELIEVE THIS CAR NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL SINCE THEY CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT OR REALLY ANYTIME. WHICH IS A RISK NOT ONLY TO ME BUT ANY OTHER VEHICLE AROUND ME. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER TO GET THE CAR LOOK AT AND FOR THEM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A NETWORK PROBLEM AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO DIAGNOSE. HE SAID IT COULD TAKE HOURS TO DAYS TO FIGURE IT OUT CONSIDERING THE COMPUTER AND NETWORK SYSTEM ON THE CAR. THE SERVICE MAN ALSO TOLD ME THEY DID NOT LIKE TO WORK ON THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. HE ALSO STATED THAT WAS THE REASON FORD QUIT MAKING THIS VEHICLE. I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THE SAFETY ISSUES THIS VEHICLE CREATES. FROM SPEAKING WITH OTHER DEALERS FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THERE IS A WEBSITE ABOUT THE CLUSTER PROBLEMS IT IS : WWW.THUNDERBIRDSPECIALTIES.COM/2002-2005THUNDERBIRD-INSTRUMENT-CLUSTER-PROBLEMS/. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR.

THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FOR SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, TEMP AND FUEL GAUGES FAIL TO TURN ON WITH HEADLIGHTS. THE DIMMER SWITCH IS FUNCTIONAL SINCE OTHER LIGHTS FOR ODOMETER, RADIO, A/C FUNCTION CORRECTLY. FUSES CHECK OUT. CANNOT VIEW SPEED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS MAKES DRIVING AT NIGHT DANGEROUS. FORD DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE CLUSTER FOR THE DASH MIGHT NEED TO BE CHANGED. HOWEVER, NONE ARE AVAILABLE ANYMORE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 8237 MILES ON IT.

VEHICLE STALLS AND WONT RESTART UNLESS YOU PUT IN A NEW 15 AMP FUSE FOR THE FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT. FUEL PUMP IS FAILING. THIS IS A KNOWN PRODUCT PROBLEM ON THE FORUMS AND FORD HAS NOT ANNOUNCED A RECALL. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID SORRY NOTHING WE CAN DO. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 400 MILES. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,079. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,676. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 09/19/11

MULTIPLE ENGINE IGNITION COIL FAILURES IN MY 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. IN SPITE OF A DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED COMMON PROBLEM WITH FREQUENT COIL FAILURES BY 50,000 TO 60,000 MILES, FORD REFUSES TO WARRANTY THESE VEHICLES. THEY DO WARRANTY THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE 2003, 2004, 2005 THUNDERBIRDS. WHAT'S GOING ON? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT A COIL AND A SPARK PLUG WERE DEFECTIVE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A COIL AND A SPARK PLUG WERE DEFECTIVE AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR ONCE AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,705 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS 8 COILS, ONE FOR EACH CYLINDER/SPARK PLUG TWO OF THE COILS HAVE FAILED. UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB

THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS HAVE CRACKED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. IT IS NOT RIGHT THAT FORD WILL NOT COVER THIS AFTER THE WARRANTY. MY CAR IS A 2002 THEY CHANGED THE DESIGN IN 2003 SO IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO IT IS NOT LIKE WE TYPICALLY DRIVE THESE AS AN EVERYDAY CAR. MINE HAS ONLY 13,000 MILES. *NM

THE HEADLIGHT BRACKETS ON THE 2002 THUNDERBIRD CRACK AT THE REAR, WHERE THE HEADLIGHT ATTACHES TO THE FRAME WITH A BOLT. ALSO CRACKS IN THE ENTIRE REAR BODY OF THE HEADLIGHT... DESIGN WAS CHANGED IN 2003, FORD WILL ONLY REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, AFTER WARRANTY FORD WILL NOT REPLACE OR ADMIT THIS IS A PROBLEM... THERE ARE OVER 280 MESSAGES AT WWW.THUNDERBIRDNEST.COM RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. *JB

BOTH FRONT SEATBACKS TILT FOWARD WITHOUT PRESSING THE ADJUSTER. CONSUMER STATED THE BACKS SHOULD BE IN THE LOCK POSITION UNTIL RELEASED BY THE ADJUSTER. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. DEALER STATED THEY ALL ARE LIKE THAT. JB

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ADVISING THAT FORD IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL TO INSTALL AN INSERT BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT LOWER TRIM ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER VISITED THE FORD DEALER AND LEARNED THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FORD ORDER THE PARTS AND SEND THEM TO HIS DEALER. *JG

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to turn the steering wheel while using excessive force and veered to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that he restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle stalled after driving approximately 3-feet. The contact stated that he restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle stalled while driving. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH and making a left turn, the power steering suddenly failed and the steering wheel would not turn in either direction, before the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 70,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD EQUIPPED WITH A FIRESTONE TEMPA SPARE TIRE, SIZE: T185-60-R17 (NA). WHILE CLEANING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE SPARE TIRE THAT WAS STORED IN THE TRUNK WAS BLOWN OUT AND THE TIRE WIRES, RUBBER, AND CORDS WERE EXPOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO VISIT FIRESTONE TO HAVE THE TIRE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS NO TIRE AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2. *DT*JB

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.

1ST HAD TO HAVE 8 COILS REPLACED ,2002 NOT COVERED ON RECALL, BUT 2003 AND AFTER WERE. YESTERDAY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER, CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER A DIAGNOSIS, FOUND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACED AND FUEL FILTER. THE COST WAS $1500.00. THERE WERE 4 OTHER T-BIRDS THERE PLUS MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT NEXT? DO I NEED A TOW TRUCK TO FOLLOW ME ALL THE TIME.

MY CAR WAS RUNNING AND I EXITED THE VEHICLE TO PUT GARAGE DOOR DOWN. I PUT VEHICLE IN PARKED WITH IT RUNNING AND DOOR SHUT AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE VEHICLE ALL THE DOORS WERE LOCKED AND CAR WAS RUNNING. VERY DANGEROUS I WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO VEHICLE ALL DOORS LOCKED WITH CAR RUNNING. I NEVER LOCKED THE DOOR WHEN I EXITED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THE ALUMINUM ON THE WHEELS CORRODED AND LEAKED AIR. THE DEALER SANDED DOWN THE INNER WHEELS AND COATED THEM WITH A SOLUTION TO PREVENT RUST/CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,500. UPDATED 05/10/17*LJ *CN

TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A OIL CHANGE THE DEALER WROTE UP A LIST OF PROBLEMS NEED TO REPAIR ON THIS CAR .THIS CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE AND DRIVEN WEEKLY IT ONLY HAS 30,600 MILES ON IT. I THINK IT WILL COST ME 2500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS CAR. I NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE WITH A CAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY AFTERWARDS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE PAST APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. AFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL ON PLUG WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT ALL EIGHT VEHICLE COIL ON PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVENTUALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON STATE ROUTE 179 MY VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH THAN STALLED COMPLETELY MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AND STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED, IT WAS IN A CURVE AND I BARELY WAS ABLE TO KEEP FROM GOING OFF THE ROADWAY. I SHUDDER TO THINK OF WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUMBER 8 COIL AND SPARK PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,533.

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,$4000.00 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). *TR

I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON IT. MY 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD BEGAN HAVING THIS PROBLEM AT 43,700 MILES. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND IT WAS INTERMITTENT. WITHIN THE PAST MONTH (SEPTEMBER, 2011), I HAVE PERSONALLY REPLACED ALL EIGHT PLUGS, BOOTS AND COILS. WHILE DOING THIS I FOUND THREE PLUGS THAT WERE OIL FOULED. AFTER COMPLETING THIS REPAIR THE CAR CONTINUES TO DRIVE ROUGH. THE TACH WILL RACE, THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY OR AT ALL WHILE TRYING TO ENTER A HIGHWAY AND BEHAVES POORLY ON BOTH NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS AND THE HIGHWAY. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE DEALER MAKE THE REPAIRS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, JUST A WEEK BEFORE I REPLACED THE PLUGS, BOOTS AND COILS, I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT THE DEALER. THEY CHANGED THE OIL, ROTATED THE TIRES, REPLACED THE OIL FILTER AND AIR FILTER AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY CHARGED ME $151 FOR THIS. I THINK THAT IS ROBBERY!! WHEN I CHECKED OUT, THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT APPEARS I HAVE A "COIL" PROBLEM. HMMM. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND KNOW THAT FORD WILL NOT ADMIT NOR INCLUDE THE 2002 IN THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM. THIS IS SHAMEFUL! THIS COIL ON BOOT PROBLEM IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND MANY FOLKS CAN BE HURT OR KILLED BECAUSE OF HOW THE CAR BEHAVES WHEN THIS PROBLEM ARISES. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT FORD CORPORATE TO ATTEMPT TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON SAID "WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT WITH THIS MODEL". WELL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN ADMISSION OF GUILT TO ME. I AM HOPING THAT PERHAPS YOU CAN ASSIST ALL OF US WHO OWN 2002 T-BIRDS GET JUSTICE FROM FORD AND HAVE THEM ADMIT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND FIX IT! EXTEND OUR WARRANTIES BEFORE ANOTHER OWNER HAS AN ACCIDENT OR DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE 1000S OF US! I'VE OWNED SEVEN FORDS AND NEVER HAVE I HAD AN ISSUE OR TREATMENT LIKE THIS BEFORE. *TR

HAD THE VEHICLE TUNED-UP. AFTER A FEW DRIVEN MILES THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS LIT. THE PROBLEM "DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG HIGH RESISTANCE" CAUSES "A POOR CONNECTION WHERE THE CLOCKSPRING CONNECT INTO THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS." COST TO REPLACE/REPAIR $681. THIS IS A DEFECT SAFETY PRODUCT. FORD REFUSED TO PAY STATING, "THERE IS NO EXTENDED COVERAGE OR RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE." THERE ARE NOT "SUFFICIENT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS" REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT DEALING WITH A SAFETY ISSUE WITH FORD REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE AS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. *KB

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! *TR

MOST 2002-2005 THUNDERBIRD HAVE HAS COP IGNITION FAILURES. FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB AND HAS AUTHORIZED FREE REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS ON 2003-2005 THUNDERBIRD BUT NOT 2002 MODELS. THERE ARE MORE 2002 MODELS THAN ANY OTHER YEAR, YET FORD IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM. A CHECK ON ANY THUNDERBIRD FORUM WILL SHOW THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM, HTTP://WWW.THUNDERBIRDNEST.COM/FORUMS/FORUMDISPLAY.PHP?F=172 IS A GOOD PLACE TO START. I HAVE HAD 2 REPLACED AND NOW HAVE 2 MORE THAT NEED REPLACING. FORD MUST HE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A POOR DESIGN OR A SUB-STANDARD PART. *TR

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES ABRUPTLY THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB *NM

THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

THE VEHICLES VISOR(S) DID NOT MOVE TO THE SIDE WINDOW(S). THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM SCC