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2002 Ford Thunderbird

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Thunderbird.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2002 Ford Thunderbird is a passenger car paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, EPA-rated at 15/22/17 mpg, and its engine oil service calls for 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. Within the model’s 1990–2005 complaint history, the 2002 model accounts for 93 owner complaints—well below the 482-complaint peak of 1993 but above the two-complaint low of 1999—with Engine & Engine Cooling cited as the top problem area and two recalls on file. That places the 2002 in the middle of the pack within that span, signaling a more moderate complaint burden than the worst years but not the cleanest record in the run.

Model year2005 2004 2003 2002 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/22/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 66 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 66 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP235-50VR17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	186.2 in
Overall width	72 in
Overall height	52 in
Wheelbase	107.1 in
Curb weight	3600 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 22 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Thunderbird of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0–7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2002 Premium Convertible

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2002	Premium Convertible 3.9L V8	7.00 sec	15.28 sec	252 hp	RWD
2002	Premium Convertible 3.9L V8	7.70 sec	15.80 sec	252 hp	RWD
2004	Premium Convertible 3.9L V8	6.50 sec	15.00 sec	280 hp	RWD
1996	LX Coupe 4.6L V8	7.90 sec	15.80 sec	205 hp	RWD
1995	SC Coupe 3.8L Supercharger V6	7.00 sec	15.20 sec	230 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 17.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	302 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	760 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	10 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.75 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	66
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	650 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	187-194 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30.0-65.0

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	76 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	100 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.004 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.12 in / 0.74 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

37 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	finger tighten
2	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
3	26 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
4	33 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees	90 degrees
6	90

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Ford Thunderbird recorded 93 complaints, 2 recalls, 0 investigations and 63 TSBs, placing it well below the 1993 peak of 482 complaints but above the very low levels seen in 1998‑1999 (3 and 2 complaints). Complaint counts then continued to fall through the generation, dropping to 73 in 2003, 34 in 2004 and 27 in 2005, while recalls fell from 2 in 2002 to none in 2003 and occasional single recalls in 2004‑2005. Investigations were absent from 2002 onward, contrasting with the occasional investigations recorded in the early‑to‑mid‑1990s. TSB activity also declined after 2002, indicating a general improvement in reported issues across the model years. Taken together, the data suggest that while the 2002 model is acceptable, later years (2003‑2005) exhibit fewer complaints and recalls, making them a somewhat safer choice for a used purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

4 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99’02’03 ’04 ’05

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 93 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling20

Electrical System13

Air Bags8

Engine8

Vehicle Speed Control8

Seat Belts3

Structure3

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E056000Fuel System, GasolineReported 13/06/2006

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… Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

02V169000Seat Belts:Front:WebbingReported 14/06/2002

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

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 63 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
0708	2007-04-19	Power Train	AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOLENOID EMISSIONS WARRANTY EXTENSION. SAMPLE CONSUMER LETTER…
0295	2005-11-14	Electrical System	EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CURRENT DRAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DISCHARGED BATTERY AND A…
02162	2005-06-07	Structure	WATER/MOISTURE IN COP WELLS - DTC P0301-P0308 - 3.9L ENGINE - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH…
18615	2005-05-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE OR ENGINE KNOCK CONCERNS DUE TO REGULAR FUEL. *TT
18515	2005-03-01	Structure	MOISTURE IN STORAGE COMPARTMENT. *EH

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Thunderbird. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 66 battery Vehicles taking 6.0 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Thunderbird take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Thunderbird have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Thunderbird get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined mpg.