IllustrationFORD ISSUED A REAR DOOR RECALL, WHICH WAS NOT FOUND AT THIS TIME. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THERE WERE NO AVAILABLE PARTS IN ORDER TO DO REPAIR, WHICH IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE DOORS COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.*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
Structure complaints
51 reportsMULTIPLE FAILURES; CONTINUAL ISSUES WITH BRAKES. CORRECT WATER LEAK AND PATCH TIRE. *BF THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
THE HATCHBACK DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE, ONCE CLOSED IT IS STILL NOT SECURE. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO FORCE THE DOOR SO MANY TIMES THAT IT WAS DENTED IN SEVERAL PLACES FROM THE FORCE.*AK
WATER LEAKS INTO TRUNK AND FLOOR CAR WAS TORN APART IN ATTEMPT TO FIX WATER LEAKS. HOOD, RIGHT FENDER,FRONT WINDSHIELD,REAR WINDOW,DASHBOARD,STEERING WHEEL. LL REMOVED FROM CAR THEN REINSTALLED, TO TRY TO FIX WATER LEAKS.*AK WE NOW FILL NOTHING WILL WORK CORRECTY AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, SINCE STEERING WHEEL WAS REMOVED …
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WATER LEAKS INTO TRUNK AND FLOOR CAR WAS TORN APART IN ATTEMPT TO FIX WATER LEAKS. HOOD, RIGHT FENDER,FRONT WINDSHIELD,REAR WINDOW,DASHBOARD,STEERING WHEEL. LL REMOVED FROM CAR THEN REINSTALLED, TO TRY TO FIX WATER LEAKS.*AK WE NOW FILL NOTHING WILL WORK CORRECTY AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, SINCE STEERING WHEEL WAS REMOVED THEN REINSTALLED, FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID ALL THIS WORK. CAR IS A LEMON.
WATER LEAKES. *AK
THE TRUNK LID HAS RUST APPEARING ALONG THE CHROME TRIM PIECE AT ONLY 32000 MILES. VEHICLE IS STORED INDOORS. THIS WAS REPAIRED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND IT HAS RE-APPEARED EVEN WORSE (AT 35000 MILES). FORD WILL NOT REPLACE UNLESS PERFORATION OCCURS.*AK
MY 2002 FORD FOCUS LEAKS, STALLS, CREAKS WHEN TURNING, THE HATCHBACK DOOR OCCASIONALLY COMES OPEN. *AK
WATER LEAK INTO THE TRUNK FROM BODYSEAM, AND WATER LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOOR FROM COWL PANEL SEAMS AND FRESH AIR VENT::: FUEL PUMP - ELECTRIC ( IN TANK ) REPLACE::: VEHICLE HAS A BAD JERKING PROBLEM, SERVICE DEPT. CAN'T CORRECT PROBLEM::: LR WINDOW SCRATCHED REPLACED WINDOW::: REAR VIEW MIRROR DOOR MOUNT …
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WATER LEAK INTO THE TRUNK FROM BODYSEAM, AND WATER LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOOR FROM COWL PANEL SEAMS AND FRESH AIR VENT::: FUEL PUMP - ELECTRIC ( IN TANK ) REPLACE::: VEHICLE HAS A BAD JERKING PROBLEM, SERVICE DEPT. CAN'T CORRECT PROBLEM::: LR WINDOW SCRATCHED REPLACED WINDOW::: REAR VIEW MIRROR DOOR MOUNT REPLACED::: PREMATURE TIRE WEAR::: ECT.
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.
I HAVE HAD THE CAR. FOR ONLY 4 MONTHS. I HAD PROBLEM WITH IT IN OCTOBER IT WAS THE CAR MOVING WHEN I AM DRIVING IT MOVES LIKE A SWERVING MOTION AND THEN IN DECEMBER 13, 2002. I TOOK IT BACK IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE BACK SWAYS WHEN HITTING BUMPS AND THE TIRE ROD WAS LOOSE. THE REPAIR WAS 1,140 ON A NEW CAR. I HAD WATER COM…
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I HAVE HAD THE CAR. FOR ONLY 4 MONTHS. I HAD PROBLEM WITH IT IN OCTOBER IT WAS THE CAR MOVING WHEN I AM DRIVING IT MOVES LIKE A SWERVING MOTION AND THEN IN DECEMBER 13, 2002. I TOOK IT BACK IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE BACK SWAYS WHEN HITTING BUMPS AND THE TIRE ROD WAS LOOSE. THE REPAIR WAS 1,140 ON A NEW CAR. I HAD WATER COMING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. ON DEC 31, 2002 IT RAINED AND MY WHOLE FLOOR IS WET. I AM VERY DISCUSSED WITH THIS CAR. BECAUSE IT IS A BRAND NEW CAR. AND I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OUT OF IT GOING ON TWO TIMES WITH THE WATER, TWO TIMES WITH THE HITTING OF BUMPS AND THE CAR MOVING SIDE WAYS ALMOST INTO ANOTHER LANE ,AND ONE MORE THING I TOOK THE CAR IN TO FORD ON 12/26/02 TO TALK TO THE SALES PERSON ABOUT MY PROBLEMS I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH AND HOW VERY DISSATISFIED I AM THE CAR HAS BEEN STILL SWAYING WHEN I AM DRIVING AND COMING ACROSS BUMPS RAILROAD TRACKS AND ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PUT MONEY DOWN FOR ANOTHER CAR, WHICH IS SO UNFAIR BECAUSE IT IS A NEW CAR AND THEY SHOULD PUT ME IN ANOTHER CAR IF THEY SEE THE PROBLEMS. I WILL NEVER SEND ANY ONE TO BUT A CAR FROM THEM BECAUSE THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THERE PROMISE WHEN THEY EXPRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF CUSTOMER SATIATION WHEN THEY SEE THAT THE CAR IS A PROBLEM
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