IllustrationCONSUMER NOTICED THAT PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WAS OPEN. UPON LOCKING DOOR LATCH IT WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE, CAUSING, CONSUMER TO SECURE VEHICLE. *AK
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
Latches/locks/linkages complaints
45 reportsFORD FOCUS: BACK DOOR WILL NOT ALWAYS LATCH. MY SON ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE CAR, THANKFULLY HE WAS STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT. I SHUT THE DOOR AND WAS DRIVING AWAY WHEN THE DOOR FLEW OPEN. FOCUS IS WHITE,ONLY 1 1/2 OLD AND HAS RUST SPOTS ALL OVER THE CAR. THE TRUNK OF THE CAR HAS THE MOST RUST.THE RADIO DIAL HAS MELTED FEELS LIK…
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FORD FOCUS: BACK DOOR WILL NOT ALWAYS LATCH. MY SON ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE CAR, THANKFULLY HE WAS STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT. I SHUT THE DOOR AND WAS DRIVING AWAY WHEN THE DOOR FLEW OPEN. FOCUS IS WHITE,ONLY 1 1/2 OLD AND HAS RUST SPOTS ALL OVER THE CAR. THE TRUNK OF THE CAR HAS THE MOST RUST.THE RADIO DIAL HAS MELTED FEELS LIKE YOU ARE PLAYING WITH BUBBLE GUM. HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS KEEPING THE CAR ON THE ROAD IN RAIN AND SNOW. I TAKE THE TURNPIKE TO WORK AND FEEL THAT I AM GOING TO SLIDE INTO ANOTHER CAR IF I GO FASTER THEN 25 MILES AN HOUR IN THE RAIN OR SNOW.*AK
THE DEALER HAD TO REMOVE THE REAR SEATS AND TRUNK LOCK TO GET THE TRUNK TO OPEN. *NLM *SCC *JB
IT ALL STARTED ON CHRISTMAS DAY OF 2002. MY CAR WAS ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD AND THE STARTER WENT OUT. ABOUT FOUR MONTHS LATER I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS. SOMETIMES THE DOORS WOULD LOCK ALL BY THEMSELVES AND AT OTHER TIMES THEY WOULD NOT LOCK AT ALL. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REP I…
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IT ALL STARTED ON CHRISTMAS DAY OF 2002. MY CAR WAS ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD AND THE STARTER WENT OUT. ABOUT FOUR MONTHS LATER I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS. SOMETIMES THE DOORS WOULD LOCK ALL BY THEMSELVES AND AT OTHER TIMES THEY WOULD NOT LOCK AT ALL. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS IT WAS ACTING UP AT THE TIME I BROUGHT IT IN. WELL, BY THE TIME I WOULD GET TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERYTHING WAS OK AGAIN. ON THE 7TH OF JULY I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP ALL THE GAUGES ON MY DASH WERE FLIPPING ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT AND COMING BACK AGAIN. AND MY BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON. I WENT RIGHT BACK TO SERVICE DEPT. THEY DROVE THE CAR AND (SURPRISE!) IT WOULD NOT DO IT AGAIN. THEY SAID THEY MAY HAVE SPILLED SOME COOLANT ON THE BELT AND IT WAS JUST LOSING VOLTAGE. AS SOON AS THE COOLANT WORE OFF IT SHOULD NOT DO IT AGAIN. ON JULY17 I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND I LOOKED AT MY GAGES AND NONE OF THEM WERE WORKING. IT WAS JUST LIKE THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN STARTED. I MADE A U-TURN AND WENT TO THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IN THE NEXT DAY AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR UNTIL THEY COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. THE SAME AFTERNOON THEY CALL ME AND TELL MY CAR IS READY. I ASK IF THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM AND THE REP INFORMS ME THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR (AFTER ONLY ONE DAY WITH IT!). WELL THEY MUST THINK I'M SOME KIND OF HYPOCHONDRIAC FOR MY CAR! I TOLD HER THAT I WAS NOT COMING TO GET THAT CAR UNTIL THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND FIXED IT. I CAN NOT TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING AND I'M SURE THEY WOULDN'T LIKE TO PAY FOR ANY SPEEDING TICKETS.*AK
AT FIRST I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE HIT THE HATCH RELEASE WHEN I UNLOCKED THE VEHICLE USING THE KEY FOB. AS I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PULLED AWAY, THE DOORS LOCKED AND I HAD TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND NOTICED THE REAR HATCH WAS UP. THE SECOND TIME WAS WHEN MY DOG STARTED BARKING AND THERE WAS THE HATCH UP. I HAD TO PULL OVER, I'M LUCKEY…
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AT FIRST I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE HIT THE HATCH RELEASE WHEN I UNLOCKED THE VEHICLE USING THE KEY FOB. AS I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PULLED AWAY, THE DOORS LOCKED AND I HAD TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND NOTICED THE REAR HATCH WAS UP. THE SECOND TIME WAS WHEN MY DOG STARTED BARKING AND THERE WAS THE HATCH UP. I HAD TO PULL OVER, I'M LUCKEY I DID NOT LOSE THE DOG. I STARTED USING THE KEY AFTER THAT. AS SOON AS I PULL AWAY, AND AFTER THE DOORS LOCK A WHILE LATER THE HATCH IS OPEN. THIS ONLY HAPPENS NOW AND THEN. EVERY OTHER MONTH OR SO. I HAVE CHECKED THE REAR HATCH PRIOR TO DRIVING. THIS HATCH CAN ONLY BE RELEASED BY THE BUTTON ON DASH OR BY USING THE KEY FOB. NO KEY. THE THIRD TIME I HAD GROCERY'S ALL OVER THE PLACE. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE REAR HATCH. SIDE DOORS ONLY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.*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