NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Seat Belts complaints
10 reportsClear category filter30,000 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE U-TURN AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO A NEARBY EMERGENCY ROOM TO BE TREATED WITH BACK, SHOULDE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE U-TURN AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO A NEARBY EMERGENCY ROOM TO BE TREATED WITH BACK, SHOULDER AND NECK INJURES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10604779
121,006 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Seat Belts
FAILED TO RETRACT TO THE RATCHET. LEFT WITH LOOSE NON FUNCTIONAL LENGTHY BELT NOT PROTECTING ME FROM POSSIBLE CRASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10451554
59,000 miles · Jan 19, 2012
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTW. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT EXTENDED OUTWARD AND FAILED TO SECURE PROPERLY. THE CRASHED CAUSED ONE INJURY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTW. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT EXTENDED OUTWARD AND FAILED TO SECURE PROPERLY. THE CRASHED CAUSED ONE INJURY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,000.
NHTSA ODI #10444569
72,000 miles · Mar 8, 2009
Seat Belts
MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SHREDDED. I HAD TO REPLACE IT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND PURCHASE A NEW ONE FROM FORD. MY AUTO MECHANIC INSTALLED THE NEW SEAT BELT FOR ME. THE BELT NEEDED REPLACING, AS IT WAS CONTINUING TO SHRED (IN STRANDS) AND ONLY HAD ABOUT ONE-THIRD TO HALF OF ITS WIDTH REMAINING. THE LENGTH OF THE SHREDDING WAS AP…
Read full complaint
MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SHREDDED. I HAD TO REPLACE IT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND PURCHASE A NEW ONE FROM FORD. MY AUTO MECHANIC INSTALLED THE NEW SEAT BELT FOR ME. THE BELT NEEDED REPLACING, AS IT WAS CONTINUING TO SHRED (IN STRANDS) AND ONLY HAD ABOUT ONE-THIRD TO HALF OF ITS WIDTH REMAINING. THE LENGTH OF THE SHREDDING WAS APPROXIMATELY 12 TO 14 INCHES LONG. IT DEFINITELY POSED A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM LIKE THIS BEFORE, EVEN IN VERY OLD AUTOMOBILES THAT I OWNED. SEAT BELT MATERIAL FADING FROM SUNLIGHT, YES, SHREDDING, NEVER. MY AUTO MECHANIC AT MY REPAIR SHOP HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE EITHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261069
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2008
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT, MONDAY FEB 11TH AT 7:15 AM. MY SEATBELT WAS BROKEN DURING THE IMPACT AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR IS CONSIDERED A "TOTAL LOSS", THEREFORE I CAN NOT FIX THE DAMAGES TO IT. IF MY SEATBELT BROKE DUE TO THE IMPACT, THEN WHY DIDN'T MY AIR BAGS DEPLOY? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10218015
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2005
Latches/locks/linkagesSeat Belts
DT:CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REAR DOOR PROBLEMS. THE TWO REAR PASSENGER DOORS WERE FIXED AS PART OF RECALL. CONSUMER SAID THAT ON REAR DOOR ONE THE LATCHES BROKE,, AND IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD THE REAR DOOR WILL COME OPEN. WHEN CLOSING THE REAR DOOR IT MUST BE SLAMMED SEVERAL TIMES …
Read full complaint
DT:CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REAR DOOR PROBLEMS. THE TWO REAR PASSENGER DOORS WERE FIXED AS PART OF RECALL. CONSUMER SAID THAT ON REAR DOOR ONE THE LATCHES BROKE,, AND IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD THE REAR DOOR WILL COME OPEN. WHEN CLOSING THE REAR DOOR IT MUST BE SLAMMED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE DOOR WILL STAY SHUT, AND EVEN THEN WHILE DRIVING IF VEHICLE WAS JARRED BY A BUMP OR HOLE, DOOR WILL STILL COME OPEN. ALSO, SEAT BELTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, THEY WILL NOT LATCH MOST THE TIME. BUT WHEN THEY DO LATCH THEY WILL NOT COME UNLATCHED TO RELEASE PASSENGER. DEALER SAID THAT CONSUMER MUST PAY TO HAVE SEAT BELTS REPAIRED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10126127
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2004
Air BagsSeat BeltsSuspensionCrashInjury
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, BALL JOINT AREA ON MY FORD FOCUS 2002 CAME LOOSE AND WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. WHEN CAR HIT WALL THE AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN AND SEATBELT DID NOT TIGHTEN. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE ACCIDENT. THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10086749
23,820 miles · Nov 6, 2003
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
WHILE SLOWING DOWN DUE TO INTENSE TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY WE WERE VIOLENTLY HIT BY A CAR DRIVING BEHIND US. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT THE CAR WAS DEMOLISHED - THE BOTTOM REAR OF THE CAR AND TIRES WERE TOTALLY CRUSHED, THE ROOF WAS BENT IN THE MIDDLE, ALL WINDOWS BURST, AND DOORS WERE JAMBED SHUT. WE WERE PUSHED INTO THE CAR AH…
Read full complaint
WHILE SLOWING DOWN DUE TO INTENSE TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY WE WERE VIOLENTLY HIT BY A CAR DRIVING BEHIND US. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT THE CAR WAS DEMOLISHED - THE BOTTOM REAR OF THE CAR AND TIRES WERE TOTALLY CRUSHED, THE ROOF WAS BENT IN THE MIDDLE, ALL WINDOWS BURST, AND DOORS WERE JAMBED SHUT. WE WERE PUSHED INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF US. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT INFLATE. PASSENGER SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES AND DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO CHEST. WE DO NOT BELIEVE THE SEAT BELTS CONSTRAINED US IN THIS CRASH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10045564
1,000 miles · Feb 6, 2003
Seat BeltsCrash
VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS IMPACTED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 50 MPH IN THE REAR END. THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T RETRACT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH
NHTSA ODI #10006710
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2002
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
VEHICLE HIT A RETAINING WALL AT 65 MPH, THEN ROLLED A FEW TIMES. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER, AND DRIVER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8015303
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
Illustration