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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

58 reports
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45,000 miles · Dec 11, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR, AND HAD JUST TURNED FROM THE PARKING LOT TO THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. FORD HAS TOLD US THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS LES…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR, AND HAD JUST TURNED FROM THE PARKING LOT TO THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. FORD HAS TOLD US THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211452

73,180 miles · Oct 16, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING , SURGING, AND THEN LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A WHILE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS I…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING , SURGING, AND THEN LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A WHILE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS IT WAS PAID FOR BY THE CONTACT. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FAILED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION (EA02022) THAT WAS OPENED AND CLOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,380 UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10205883

46,855 miles · Jul 31, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

2002 FORD FOCUS ZTW WAGON. DIVING ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. PULLED FROM HIGHWAY AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER. REPAIR FACILITY REPLACED FUEL FILTER EXPLAINING SYMPTOMS WERE CONSISTENT WITH RESTRICTED FUEL SYSTEM. THREE DAYS LATER VEHICLE EXHIBITS SAME PROBLEM. TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER WHERE A PLUGGED/CLOG…

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2002 FORD FOCUS ZTW WAGON. DIVING ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. PULLED FROM HIGHWAY AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER. REPAIR FACILITY REPLACED FUEL FILTER EXPLAINING SYMPTOMS WERE CONSISTENT WITH RESTRICTED FUEL SYSTEM. THREE DAYS LATER VEHICLE EXHIBITS SAME PROBLEM. TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER WHERE A PLUGGED/CLOGGED FUEL PUMP SCREEN WAS FOUND. REPAIR FACILITY STATED THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE ON PRIOR YEAR (2000 - 2001) FOCUS. RECEIPTS AND USED PARTS AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10197909

75,000 miles · Jul 18, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAR WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHILE IDLING. WAS FINE WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHEN GAS WAS NOT APPLIED IT WOULD SHAKE AND DIE. DEALERSHIP QUOTED $80 JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE FOR FREE COMPUTER ANALYSIS, WHICH SAID OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED. I REPLACED IT, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. A RANDOM GENTLEMAN AT AUTO ZONE…

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CAR WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHILE IDLING. WAS FINE WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHEN GAS WAS NOT APPLIED IT WOULD SHAKE AND DIE. DEALERSHIP QUOTED $80 JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE FOR FREE COMPUTER ANALYSIS, WHICH SAID OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED. I REPLACED IT, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. A RANDOM GENTLEMAN AT AUTO ZONE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE AN AIR LEAK. I USED STARTER FLUID TO LIGHTLY SPRAY ON HOSES IN ENGINE TO FIND A LEAK (ENGINE REVS WHEN YOU HIT A HOSE WITH A HOLE). I SPENT 4 DOLLARS REPLACING A SMALL RUBBER ELBOW AND FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE EXISTING ELBOW RIGHT IN THE BACK CENTER OF THE ENGINE WAS BURNT COMPLETELY THROUGH WITH ABOUT A 2 INCH HOLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196665

80,000 miles · Mar 14, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 80,000 STALLED ON FREEWAY AT SPEED OF 60 MPH WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. POTENTIALLY VERY SERIOUS SITUATION, BUT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. WE ARE TRYING TO GET FORD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP AS …

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2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 80,000 STALLED ON FREEWAY AT SPEED OF 60 MPH WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. POTENTIALLY VERY SERIOUS SITUATION, BUT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. WE ARE TRYING TO GET FORD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP AS A WARRANTY, BUT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED THUS FAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10185040

46,300 miles · Nov 21, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP QUIT ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS - CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC. THIS SAME PROBLEM ON YEAR 2000 AND 2001 FORD FOCUS HAVE BEEN GIVEN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NOT THE 2002. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10173920

40,435 miles · Oct 31, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

(1) VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 40K MILES EXHIBITED HARD STARTING AND OCCASIONAL STUMBLE FOR 6-8 WEEKS. (2) FAILURE WAS CLOGGED FUEL PUMP AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. (3) CORRECTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP WITH UPDATED UNIT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172282

28,000 miles · Jul 25, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

2002 FORD FOCUS STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY AND FUEL PUMP RELAY. *KB ***NAR*** *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163717

79,900 miles · Jul 13, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 80,000 MILES STALLS WHEN GOING HIGH SPEEDS, AND IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, TO DATE. THE LAST TIME I WAS GOING 55 MPH ON AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE FREEWAY, WITH OVER 1/4 TANK OF GAS WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED, VEHICLE LOST POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND STOP IN "V" WHERE ROAD S…

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MY 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 80,000 MILES STALLS WHEN GOING HIGH SPEEDS, AND IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, TO DATE. THE LAST TIME I WAS GOING 55 MPH ON AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE FREEWAY, WITH OVER 1/4 TANK OF GAS WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED, VEHICLE LOST POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND STOP IN "V" WHERE ROAD SPLIT, CAME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP AT RECOMMENDATION OF FORD, DETERMINED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE FIRST PERSON WE TALKED TO AT FORD SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT ONCE WE TOOK IT IN AND PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC, THE SECOND PERSON WE CALLED AT FORD AFTER TAKING IT IN SAID IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE PART. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO LOSE STEERING AND POWER AT HIGH SPEEDS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162319

22,678 miles · Jul 12, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT OPERATED AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKS OF ANY KIND, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10162200

Official recalls

1

05V030000 · 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

5

AQ10001 · 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