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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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11,155 miles · Mar 28, 2003
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE, STARTER SHORTED AND DESTROYED FLYWHEEL. LATER IT WAS FOUND THAT WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER WAS TAKEN INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE DOOR SEALS. I WAS NOT STOPPED IN THE PUDDLE, ONLY MOVED THROUGH IT. DUE TO THE WATER INCURSION INTO THE CAB O…

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WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE, STARTER SHORTED AND DESTROYED FLYWHEEL. LATER IT WAS FOUND THAT WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION, A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER WAS TAKEN INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE DOOR SEALS. I WAS NOT STOPPED IN THE PUDDLE, ONLY MOVED THROUGH IT. DUE TO THE WATER INCURSION INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE. THEY FEAR ELECTRICAL DAMAGE COULD RESULT. I AM CONCERNED THAT ANYONE GOING THROUGH STANDING WATER (THIS WAS NOT A HUGE PUDDLE) WOULD FIND THEMSELVES WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10013598

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2003
Structure

THE REAR DOOR ON THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB THE REAR HATCH DOOR OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. SCC

NHTSA ODI #10014629

150 miles · Feb 28, 2003
Structure

EVERY TIME IT RAINED THE CAR WOULD LEAK WATER ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR FROM BEHIND GLOVE BOX. DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO FIX 5 TIMES. FORD AGREED CAR WAS A LEMON AND BOUGHT IT BACK AFTER 6 MONTHS AND 31 DAYS OF BEING OUT OF SERVICE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10008254

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2002
Structure

DASH BOARD STICKS OUT SO FAR THAT I HIT MY LEG ON IT WHEN ENTERING THE CAR. MR

NHTSA ODI #768366

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2002
Structure

THE REMOTELY CONTROLLED DOOR LOCKS SPONTANEOUSLY LOCK WHILE THE DRIVER IS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IF THERE WERE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR, OR AN ELDERLY DISABLED PERSON, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO GET BACK IN. IF THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF WHILE A LONE DRIVER WAS IN A DANGEROUS DESOLATE AREA, THIS TOO WOULD BE…

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THE REMOTELY CONTROLLED DOOR LOCKS SPONTANEOUSLY LOCK WHILE THE DRIVER IS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IF THERE WERE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR, OR AN ELDERLY DISABLED PERSON, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO GET BACK IN. IF THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF WHILE A LONE DRIVER WAS IN A DANGEROUS DESOLATE AREA, THIS TOO WOULD BE A HAZARD. I KNOW OF ANOTHER WOMAN WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER FORD. HER DEALER SAID THAT SINCE HER CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT COULD BE FIXED FOR $75.00. MY DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND CANNOT BE FIXED. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #767374

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2002
Structure

WATER INTRUSION NOTICED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASHBOARD. APPROXIMATELY 1" OF WATER COLLECTED IN BOTTOM LEFT CORNER OF FOOTWELL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #766438

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureVisibility

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING FROM 35 OR MORE MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER FEELS EXCESSIVE HEAT ON HIS FEET WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ALL SHIELDS ARE IN PLACE, SUNROOF …

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CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING FROM 35 OR MORE MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER FEELS EXCESSIVE HEAT ON HIS FEET WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ALL SHIELDS ARE IN PLACE, SUNROOF BUTTON IS IONPERATIVE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #8015339

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2002
StructureTires

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOUD EXPLOSIVE NOISE WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING AND MAKING A TURN. THEN, ANOTHER EXPLOSIVE NOISE OCCURRED INVOLVING THE REAR TIRE. *YH *SCC

NHTSA ODI #566980

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2002
Structure

WHILE GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE STILL RUNNING, DRIVER'S DOOR HAD AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ENTRANCE UNTIL SPARE KEY WAS USED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *TT

NHTSA ODI #8014210

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2002
Child SeatEquipmentPower Train

THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE TIRES (205/50R16) WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTEADY ON BUMPY, WET OR SNOW COVERED ROADS, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE REAR TIRES VIBRATE AND CHATTER WHEN DRIVING ON WIND ROADS AND ON OPEN ROADS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALSO THE REAR TIRES WERE SHOWING IRREGULAR AND PREMATURE WEAR. THE…

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THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE TIRES (205/50R16) WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTEADY ON BUMPY, WET OR SNOW COVERED ROADS, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE REAR TIRES VIBRATE AND CHATTER WHEN DRIVING ON WIND ROADS AND ON OPEN ROADS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALSO THE REAR TIRES WERE SHOWING IRREGULAR AND PREMATURE WEAR. THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES STATED THAT IMPROPER FACTORY ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATION WERE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. AUTO DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONS. THE REAR HATCH DOOR WAS MISALIGNED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, THE REAR WINDOW WASHER WOULD NOT SPRAY PROPERLY AND THE REAR WINDOW WASHER NOZZLE FAILED, THERE WAS AN ODOR COMING FROM HEATING OR A/C SYSTEM, THE POWER STEERING LINE WAS LEAKING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR AND REVERSE WHEN IT WAS COLD, THE CHILD RESTRAINT BRACKETS WAS PUTTING DENTS IN THE REAR SEAT *YH

NHTSA ODI #8009263

Official recalls

1

05V030000 · 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

5

AQ10001 · 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