NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
58 reportsClear category filter2,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
THERE IS A LINE THAT WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE ENGINE'S INTAKE THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING FLUID SINCE 2,000 MILES AND WAS INSPECTED BY DELER WHO TOLD TO ME THAT IT WAS NOTHING. BUT THE ENGINE CASE SHOULD NOT HAVE A LARGE LEAK OF FLUID THAT SOON. FINALLY NOW, THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING ON THIS AND REPLACED THE HOSE, AS IT WAS SEEN ONCE MOR…
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THERE IS A LINE THAT WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE ENGINE'S INTAKE THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING FLUID SINCE 2,000 MILES AND WAS INSPECTED BY DELER WHO TOLD TO ME THAT IT WAS NOTHING. BUT THE ENGINE CASE SHOULD NOT HAVE A LARGE LEAK OF FLUID THAT SOON. FINALLY NOW, THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING ON THIS AND REPLACED THE HOSE, AS IT WAS SEEN ONCE MORE AND KNOWS OF ALL THE TIMES REPORTED. I HOPE THIS IS JUST NOT A EASY FIX OR THIS NOW HASN'T CAUSED ANY DAMANGE TO THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE ITSELF, AS THE ENGINE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR RIDING ROUGH. THEY TOLD ME LAST TIME THAT THE PART OF THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS FIXED WOULD FIX THIS. I THINK IT IS DUE TO THE OIL LEAK ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE CASE SINCE IT WAS NEW. A NEW CAR SHOULD NEVER HAVE A OIL LEAK ON A ENGINE CASE.
NHTSA ODI #10071080
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING MY 2002 SVT FOCUS. RANDOM STALLS, LEAKS, AND NOISES. SHIFT LINKAGE FAILURE, WHEEL BEARING FAILURE, POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS. INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE, WRONG IDLE SPEED, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. 35 DAYS IN THE SHOP SO FAR AND COUNTING, ALL WITHIN 11MO OF PURCHASE. DON'T BUY A…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING MY 2002 SVT FOCUS. RANDOM STALLS, LEAKS, AND NOISES. SHIFT LINKAGE FAILURE, WHEEL BEARING FAILURE, POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS. INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE, WRONG IDLE SPEED, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. 35 DAYS IN THE SHOP SO FAR AND COUNTING, ALL WITHIN 11MO OF PURCHASE. DON'T BUY A FORD CAR, YOU'LL REGRET IT.
NHTSA ODI #10070695
11,870 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train
EXCESSIVE GEAR CHATTERING HAS NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FINAL DRIVE GEAR. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT FINAL DRIVE GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND A REDESIGN WAS PLACED IN VEHICLE. BECAUSE OF REDESIGN I NEEDED NEW DRIVE AXLES. TORQUE CONVERTER WAS ALSO SHOT AND A NEW DIFFERENTIAL WAS PUT INTO VEHICLE. NEW BEARINGS HAD TO BE ORDE…
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EXCESSIVE GEAR CHATTERING HAS NECESSITATED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FINAL DRIVE GEAR. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT FINAL DRIVE GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND A REDESIGN WAS PLACED IN VEHICLE. BECAUSE OF REDESIGN I NEEDED NEW DRIVE AXLES. TORQUE CONVERTER WAS ALSO SHOT AND A NEW DIFFERENTIAL WAS PUT INTO VEHICLE. NEW BEARINGS HAD TO BE ORDERED BUT WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THEY ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER UNTILL DECEMBER OF 2004. YES IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT, 20 MONTHS FROM NOW. DEALERSHIP IS ORDERING BEARINGS THAT ARE CLOSE TO THE BACKORDERED PARTS, AND MEASURING FOR FIT. TOTAL TIME IN SHOP: 32 DAYS AND COUNTING. COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CAR BEING ON LIFT FOR 21 DAYS IS $13,860 EXCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR OF THE MASTER MECHANIC.
NHTSA ODI #10070256
38,000 miles · Jan 11, 2004
Power Train
CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS CLUTCH FLUID. FLUID RUNS DOWN STEM OF CLUTCH PEDAL, LOOSENING THE RUBBER PEDAL PAD, WHICH PROCEEDS TO FALL OFF IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10052839
21,470 miles · Nov 7, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ENGINE STALLED AFTER I HAD DRIVEN TWO MILES WITH NO WARNING. I HAD JUST DOWN-SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR AS I WAS SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN AND THE CAR STALLED ACROSS TWO TRAFFIC LANES AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE OIL LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, AND ONE OTHER LIGHT CAME ON (ALTERNATOR I THINK). THE CAR WAS MANUALLY PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIC LANES…
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ENGINE STALLED AFTER I HAD DRIVEN TWO MILES WITH NO WARNING. I HAD JUST DOWN-SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR AS I WAS SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN AND THE CAR STALLED ACROSS TWO TRAFFIC LANES AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE OIL LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, AND ONE OTHER LIGHT CAME ON (ALTERNATOR I THINK). THE CAR WAS MANUALLY PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIC LANES IN NEUTRAL GEAR BY TWO MOTORISTS WHO STOPPED TO HELP. THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES THE ENGINE STARTED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND AFTER 5 DAYS THE DEALERSHIP STILL CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. APPARENTLY THE ONBOARD COMPUTER DID NOT CAPTURE THE PROBLEM. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES AN HOUR. HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE AS SCHEDULED (I WAS RUNNING LATE AND HAD TO DROP MY DAUGHTER OFF BEFORE GOING HOME TO PICK UP MY LAPTOP) I WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I HAD NO TIME TO MANEUVER OUT OF TRAFFIC AFTER THE ENGINE STALLED. IT WAS 75 DEGREE DAY (MONDAY 11/3/03) SO OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN A FACTOR. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045723
17 miles · Aug 14, 2003
Electrical SystemPower Train
ON AUGUST 11, 2003 I TOOK MY CAR INTO KOONS FORD OF ANNAPOLIS, TO HAVE THE HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH TOOK AT, BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS TOLD MY SERVICE MANAGER MIKE SHECKELLS, THE SERVICE ADVISOR PETE, AND FACTORY TECH: 063 - RANDALL BOUNDS, AND A CASHIER THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MOST OF THE FORD FOCUS,…
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ON AUGUST 11, 2003 I TOOK MY CAR INTO KOONS FORD OF ANNAPOLIS, TO HAVE THE HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH TOOK AT, BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS TOLD MY SERVICE MANAGER MIKE SHECKELLS, THE SERVICE ADVISOR PETE, AND FACTORY TECH: 063 - RANDALL BOUNDS, AND A CASHIER THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MOST OF THE FORD FOCUS, I FEEL THIS I SHOULD BE ON A RECALL NOTICE IF ITS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUSES. THAT THE CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THESE VECHICLE. ALSO, I HAD MY FOCUS IN KOONS FOR OF ANNAPOLIS, ON MAY 10, 2003, TO HAVE NEW BRAKES, OIL CHANGE AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ON THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BECAUSE IT WAS A INTERMITTENT THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY THING.*AK ON JULY 25, 2003, I LEFT MY CAR FOR SERVICE ON THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR COMPLETELY. THEY HAD THE CAR UNTIL AUGUST 7, 2003, WHICH THEY PUT IN A REMFG TRANSMISSION AND C. I LEFT KOONS FOR WITH 1.5 MILES ON THE TRIP METER, I WENT ANOTHER 17.1 MILES WENT THE TRANSMISSIONS SURGED, I E-MAILED MIKE SHECKELL ON AUGUST 8, 2003 WHICH HE DID NOT ANSWER AS OF THIS DAY. I TALKED TO MIKE SHECKELL ON AUGUST 11, ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THE ANSWER I GET IS THEY CAN NOT DO ANY EXCEPT TO LET SOME ONE GO ON AT TEST DIVE WITH ME. THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER BECAUSE IT'S A INTERMITTEN PROBLEM AND SOME ONE WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE IT FOR A FEW DAY BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SURGED AGAING. I HAVE KEPT RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM IS SURGED AT 18.5 MILES, 93 MILES AND AT 250.0 MILES ON THE TRIP METER. I FEEL THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FIXED AND FIXED RIGHT AND ALSO, FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE DONE BUSINESS WITH KOONS FOR OF ANNPOLIS FOR OVER 20 YEARS. MY DAUGHTER IS SCARED TO RIDE IN THIS CAR NOW, AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR NEITHER. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF BAD SERVICE OR INCOMPETENT SERVICE BEFORE, I ALSO FEEL THEY ARE JUST TELLING ME ANYTHING, BECAUSE OF BEING A FEMALE.
NHTSA ODI #10032822
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2003
Power Train
MY 2002 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON PURCHASED 1 YEAR AGO HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER OVER A WEEK. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING ;CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ARE REPLACING IT. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS I HAVE BEEN DRIVINF FORDS FOR THE LAST 17 YEARS. ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LOCKS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030642
23,840 miles · Jul 24, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AFTER OWNING THE FORD FOCUS ZX3 FOR LESS THAN A YEAR, AND IS GOING BACK FOR REPAIR AGAIN 2 1/2 MONTHS LATER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10029138
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2003
Power Train
CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026558
28,290 miles · May 21, 2003
Power Train
THE VEHICLES CLUTCH MADE LOUD NOISES WHEN THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10020295
Official recalls
1Feb 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