Illustration2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER BUSTED. GOT STUCK FOR 3 HOURS BEFORE GETTING THE CAR TOWED.
2002 Ford Focus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Ford Focus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 864.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Focus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1480–25K
13425–50K
13950–75K
8375–100K
74100–150K
26150K+
604 reports with mileage · 335 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 277 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
82 crash reports20 fire reports60 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
277 reportsI PICKED MY CAR UP FROM CLEVELAND HOPKINS AIRPORT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2004. I DROVE TO MY SISTER IN-LAW'S HOUSE TO PICK UP MY HUSBAND AND 2YR OLD DAUGHTER. WE STAYED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS AND THEN LEFT. WHEN I TRIED TO START MY 2002 FORD FOCUS I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND WOULD ONLY…
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I PICKED MY CAR UP FROM CLEVELAND HOPKINS AIRPORT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2004. I DROVE TO MY SISTER IN-LAW'S HOUSE TO PICK UP MY HUSBAND AND 2YR OLD DAUGHTER. WE STAYED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS AND THEN LEFT. WHEN I TRIED TO START MY 2002 FORD FOCUS I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND WOULD ONLY MOVE A FEW INCHES IN EITHER DIRECTION. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR I JUST DROVE MY HUSBAND'S MOTHER'S CAR HOME. THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO LIBERTY FORD IN MAPLE HTS. I WAS TOLD SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS BEFOREHAND. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND I ONLY NEEDED TO "JIGGLE" THE KEY AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK IT. I WAS TOLD I HAD A BAD KEY AND NEEDED A NEW ONE. WELL NONE OF THAT WAS TRUE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID I HAD TO HAVE MY ENTIRE IGNITION REPLACED AND IT COST $342. I HAVE NOT PICKED UP THE CAR YET, BUT WILL TRY TO GET THE OLD PART.*AK
JUST PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS AND EVERYTHING WORKED JUST FINE UNTIL THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE LONGEST I HAVE SAT AND TRIED TO GET THE KEY OUT IS HALF AN HOUR AND FINALLY I JUST LEFT THE KEY IN THERE BECAUSE IT WAS RIDICULOUS. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OUT THE NEXT DAY BUT THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM AND…
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JUST PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS AND EVERYTHING WORKED JUST FINE UNTIL THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE LONGEST I HAVE SAT AND TRIED TO GET THE KEY OUT IS HALF AN HOUR AND FINALLY I JUST LEFT THE KEY IN THERE BECAUSE IT WAS RIDICULOUS. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OUT THE NEXT DAY BUT THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM AND IVE HEARD OTHERS TELL ME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THEIR FOCUS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD, NOT BY THOSE OF US HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PRODUCT.*AK
I WAS SHOPPING WITH MY 16 MON. OLD SONS AND AFTER WE WERE IN THE CAR I TRIED TO TURN THE KEY ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE IGNITION IS LOCKED. I'M TOLD THAT THIS IS COMMON IN THE FOCUS. I CALLED FORD AND AM TAKING MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED. IT WILL COST $300- $400.*AK
APPROXIMATELY EVERY FIFTH TIME I DRIVE MY 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. SUBSEQUENTLY, I'M ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION (AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING MINDLESSLY FOR A FEW MILES). THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE LOCK CYLINDER TWICE TO N…
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APPROXIMATELY EVERY FIFTH TIME I DRIVE MY 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. SUBSEQUENTLY, I'M ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION (AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING MINDLESSLY FOR A FEW MILES). THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE LOCK CYLINDER TWICE TO NO AVAIL. WITHIN DAYS OF GETTING "FIXED", THE PROBLEM SPROUTS UP AGAIN, LEAVING ME WITHOUT KEYS, WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO LOCK THE CAR (THAT WOULD LOCK MY KEYS IN THE CAR), AND FORCING ME TO PLAN AHEAD AND TAKE A SPARE KEY WITH ME WHEREVER I GO (SO I CAN LOCK THE KEYS IN THE CAR, STILL IN THE IGNITION -- A PRIME CANDIDATE FOR VEHICLE THEFT). THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON NUMEROUS WEB SITES, AND THERE ARE CLEARLY PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM EMPLOYED BY FORD. *JB
I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ON THE WAY OUT OF THE SUPERMARKET, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION ONLY TO FIND IT WOULD NOT TURN! IT WAS JAMMED. I COULD PULL MY KEY IN AND OUT, BUT NO AMOUNT OF SHAKING THE WHEEL OR TWISTING THE KEY COULD FREE THIS FROZEN IGNITION. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HAVE IT FIXED …
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I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ON THE WAY OUT OF THE SUPERMARKET, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION ONLY TO FIND IT WOULD NOT TURN! IT WAS JAMMED. I COULD PULL MY KEY IN AND OUT, BUT NO AMOUNT OF SHAKING THE WHEEL OR TWISTING THE KEY COULD FREE THIS FROZEN IGNITION. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HAVE IT FIXED AT THE FORD DEALER IN YUCCA VALLEY, CA. $650.00!!! IS WHAT IT COST TO REPAIR! I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR, SOME HAVING IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR! THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! EVEN THE MECHANICS KNEW AFTER TELLING THEM WHAT MODEL IT WAS, WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS! HOW CAN YOU JUSTIFY OWNING A 2 YEAR OLD NEW CAR AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION EVERY 3 YEARS?? OR MORE? THIS IS BS! *NM
CONSUMER STATED THE KEY STUCK UPON PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO FREEZE. CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. CONTACTED THE DEALER. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK.
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS FROM DON HINDS FORD IN FISHERS, IN ON 9/28/02. THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING IS THAT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER SO THAT THE ENGINE CAN BE STARTED. THE KEY ROUTINELY BALKS AND JAMS. IT FAILED TO TURN OVER 1 WEEK AFTER THE PURCHASE. THE FORD 800 ASSISTANCE # RECOMMENDED PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK…
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I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS FROM DON HINDS FORD IN FISHERS, IN ON 9/28/02. THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING IS THAT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER SO THAT THE ENGINE CAN BE STARTED. THE KEY ROUTINELY BALKS AND JAMS. IT FAILED TO TURN OVER 1 WEEK AFTER THE PURCHASE. THE FORD 800 ASSISTANCE # RECOMMENDED PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK & FORTH WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY TRYING TO TURN THE KEY OVER. THAT WORKED, THEY DID NOT OFFER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I GOT THE SELLING DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER TUMBLER AT 19,000 MI UNDER WARRANTY. BALKING/JAMMING CONTINUED, AT 38,000 THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. AFTER TOWING IT TO A PRIVATE AUTO REPAIR SHOP, THEY REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN. 1 MONTH LATER IT NEARLY DIDN'T START AGAIN. FORD IN GREENSBURG, IN REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN UNDER A "GOOD WILL" POLICY. 9/10/04 THE CAR STRANDED ME AGAIN DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER TOWING TO AN INDIANAPOLIS, IN FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN. THAT'S THE FIFTH TUMBLER IN THAT CAR IN 43,000. I DON'T THINK THE 5TH ONE WILL FIX IT ANY MORE THAN THE FIRST 4 TUMBLERS DID. *JB
UPON TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION LOCKED. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER COULD NOT TURN THE KEY. THE CONSUMER TRIED BOTH KEYS TO THE VEHICLE, AND NEITHER WORKED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
IGNITION CYLINDER IS BROKEN AGAIN AFTER REPAIR. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! BEING UNABLE TO START THE CAR AT RANDOM IS UNSAFE!*AK
Official recalls
105V030000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Feb 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
EA02022 · Engine Stalling
Opened Sep 9, 2002 · Closed Jan 16, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.
EA02023 · Front Susp Collapse/wheel Separation
Opened Sep 9, 2002 · Closed Feb 19, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Suspension:front:control Arm
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
Suspension:front
SEE ATTACHED REPORT.
EA02014 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jul 31, 2002 · Closed Nov 13, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE02044 · Front Suspension Lower Control Arm
Opened May 1, 2002 · Closed Sep 9, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available