Illustration2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5. BRAKES GRIND AND SQUEAL. AT 10,777 MILES (10,000-MILE SERVICE), FORD DEALERSHIP SAID FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $500. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT REPLACING BRAKES.*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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
64 reportsMY 2002 FORD FUCUS ZX3 NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AFTER A MERE 22,000 MILES!! THIS SERVICE COST ME $280 AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER FORD'S WARRANTY. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM IF A CAR NEEDS NEW ROTORS BEFORE THE FIRST SET OF TIRES WEAR OUT.*AK
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 14,000 MILES. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM!*AK
HAVE ONLY 23,000 MILES ON MY FORD FOCUS 2002 WAGON AND IT NEEDS FRONT PADS AND ROTORS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT NEEDED ROTORS AT 23,000 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY AND DESIGN DEFECT. *LA
TODAY IS THE FOURTH TIME MY CAR HAS BEEN TOWED FOR SERVICE FOR A RECURRING PROBLEM: BRAKE SENSOR FAILS AND CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK - DISABLING THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM LAST HAD ME STRANDED IN TENNESSEE. I FEEL THIS IS A VEHICLE FAILURE RATHER THAN DEALERSHIP FAILURE. I AM CONCERNED WHERE I WILL BE STRANDED NEXT. I BELI…
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TODAY IS THE FOURTH TIME MY CAR HAS BEEN TOWED FOR SERVICE FOR A RECURRING PROBLEM: BRAKE SENSOR FAILS AND CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK - DISABLING THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM LAST HAD ME STRANDED IN TENNESSEE. I FEEL THIS IS A VEHICLE FAILURE RATHER THAN DEALERSHIP FAILURE. I AM CONCERNED WHERE I WILL BE STRANDED NEXT. I BELIEVE MY CAR MIGHT BE A LEMON. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT MY VEHICLE FAILS, IS REPAIRED AND FAILS AGAIN WITH NO WARNING. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR NOT KNOWING WHERE I WILL BE NEXT WHEN IT DOES NOT WORK. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE TO INSURE THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED; AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IN THE EVENT I CANNOT BE GUARANTEED THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. *JB
ON 2 OCCASIONS I COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP RE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE POWDER ON THE FRONT WHEELS - THESE WERE ON THE FIRST TWO OIL CHANGE VISITS. BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL (HUB CAPS WERE DARK CHARCOAL). TOOK CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP ON 2/14/04 FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACE…
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ON 2 OCCASIONS I COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP RE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE POWDER ON THE FRONT WHEELS - THESE WERE ON THE FIRST TWO OIL CHANGE VISITS. BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL (HUB CAPS WERE DARK CHARCOAL). TOOK CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP ON 2/14/04 FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THAT THE ROTORS HAD NOT BEEN AFFECTED. CAR HAD ONLY 14,300 MILES, EXTREMELY LOW MILEAGE FOR PADS TO BE WORN OUT. REP TOLD ME TO BRING CAR BACK FOR THEM TO CHECK FOR DEFECT IN BRAKES. I TOOK THE CAR BACK 5 DAYS LATER AND WAS TOLD THAT NOT ONLY WERE THE PADS BAD, BUT THAT A MISTAKE WAS MADE IN ROTOR READING SATURDAY AND THAT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THERE WERE SERIOUS COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS WHICH WERE LATER RESOLVED, BUT I WOUND UP PAYING MEINEKE FOR PADS ($133.00 INCL LABOR) FOR A LIFETIME GUARANTEE INSTEAD OF FAIRWAY FORD'S PRICE - $145 FOR 12,000 MILE PADS (SAME BRAND INSTALLED BY THE FACTORY) OR $195 FOR FORD PRODUCT. THAT NIGHT (2/19) I CALLED FORD HEADQUARTERS TO INQUIRE ABOUT WHETHER THEY HAD HAD PREVIOUS, SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF SUCH COMPLAINTS AND THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME; THAT THEY HAVE TO RELY ON THE JUDGMENT OF THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THAT PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP AND I SHOULD CONTACT HIM. I WOUND UP INVOLVING MY ATTORNEY AND WRITING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO INVESTIGATED AND FOUND IN MY FAVOR. THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS FOR FREE. MY CONCERN IS THAT FORD IS OBVIOUSLY USING AN INFERIOR PRODUCT; THAT I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THE WEB ABOUT THE FOCUS BRAKE PADS; THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT STILL IN THE DISCOVERY STAGE CONCERNING THE 2000 AND 2001 FOCUS BRAKES; AND THAT I BELIEVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. I APPRECIATE THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER WOUND UP APOLOGIZING AND REPLACING THE ROTORS FOR FREE, BUT THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE.*AK
WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WORE OUT PREMATURELY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK
WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 24600 MILES ON THE CAR. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WHERE GONE WHEN I TOOK THE AUTO INTO THE SHOP.*AK
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE BRAKES ARE SHOT ON THIS THING AT ONLY 26000 MILES. CONTACTED FORD ON THE THIS, TO NO AVAIL. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB AFTER MY CONTACT WITH FORD, AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THAT HAVE A FORD FOCUS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS NO WAY A VEHICLE SHOULD HAV…
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I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE BRAKES ARE SHOT ON THIS THING AT ONLY 26000 MILES. CONTACTED FORD ON THE THIS, TO NO AVAIL. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB AFTER MY CONTACT WITH FORD, AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THAT HAVE A FORD FOCUS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS NO WAY A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BAD BRAKES AT 26000 MILES. IN SOME CASES AS LOW AS 15000 MILES. FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE TO MUCH ABOUT THIS, AT LEAST THATS THE IMPRESSION THAT I GOT WHEN I TALKED WITH THEM. THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU PEOPLE CAN DO ABOUT IT. *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