2002 Ford Thunderbird Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,506miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Ford Thunderbird, 4% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,506 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11244929, filed 2019-08, 18,775 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10156178, filed 2006-04, 8,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10884413, filed 2016-07, 8,237 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 3% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% |
| 1995 | 16 | 6% |
| 1994 | 7 | 2% |
| 1993 | 119 | 28% |
| 1992 | 40 | 22% |
| 1991 | 10 | 9% |
| 1990 | 7 | 5% |
| 1989 | 2 | 2% |
| 1988 | 11 | 12% |
| 1987 | 3 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Thunderbird
24 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Thunderbird
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology