IllustrationLOUD SNAP FROM UNDER HOOD , FOLLOWED BY RUMBLING SOUND WHEN TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT. CAR WILL PULL IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS , RELATING TO THE LAST DIRECTION STEERED. THE CAR DOES SET LOWER NOW BUT IS NOT RUBBING . THE CAUSE IS A BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING , AND POSSIBLY OTHER DAMAGE. *TR
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
Suspension complaints
109 reportsFORD FOCUS 2002 ZX3 HAD TO HAVE THE COIL/SPRING ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO THE SPRING RESTING ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. FROM ALL THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE ON THE WEB, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. I FOUND THE INFORMATION FOR THE 2000 FORD FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE JUST TO REFERENCE HO…
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FORD FOCUS 2002 ZX3 HAD TO HAVE THE COIL/SPRING ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO THE SPRING RESTING ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. FROM ALL THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE ON THE WEB, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. I FOUND THE INFORMATION FOR THE 2000 FORD FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE JUST TO REFERENCE HOW MANY PROBLEMS THERE ARE WITH THESE COIL/SPRING ASSEMBLIES. BEFORE FORD HAS ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH DEATHS OCCURRING WITH FAULTY PROBLEMS, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT INVESTIGATED. AND TO MY DISSATISFACTION FORD DID NOT SEND ANY WARNING OUT NOR CONTACT ME VIA THEIR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM THAT WAS OFFERED TO THE DEALERSHIPS. FURTHERMORE, I DID NOT EVEN KNOW THAT I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. *TR
THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED. THE BOTTOM OF THE UPPER PIECE OF THE COIL CAME DOWN AND RESTED ON THE TOP OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND DESTROYED THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED AND THERE WAS NO INCIDENT. BUT EVEN AT LOW SPEED, THE TIRE WAS DESTROYED IN ONLY A FEW FEET. HAD TH…
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THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED. THE BOTTOM OF THE UPPER PIECE OF THE COIL CAME DOWN AND RESTED ON THE TOP OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND DESTROYED THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED AND THERE WAS NO INCIDENT. BUT EVEN AT LOW SPEED, THE TIRE WAS DESTROYED IN ONLY A FEW FEET. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE NEAR SIMULTANEOUS PULL, SUSPENSION SAG, AND TIRE DESTRUCTION COULD EASILY CAUSED A WRECK. FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THESE SPRINGS IN EARLY MY FOCI AND EXTENDS THE WARRANTY ON THESE SPRINGS. WHAT THEY DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE IS THE POTENTIAL HAZARD FROM SUCH A SPRING FAILURE. *TR
THE FRONT SPRINGS ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS ARE FAULTY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING WAS CRACKED , AND TOOK THE CAR TO GOODYEAR TO GET REPAIRED, SINCE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY (INCLUDING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED). I THEN LETTERED FORD, AND THEY SAID IN NOVEMBER 2004 THEY MAILED A NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS ( WHICH I NEVER RECEIVE…
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THE FRONT SPRINGS ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS ARE FAULTY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING WAS CRACKED , AND TOOK THE CAR TO GOODYEAR TO GET REPAIRED, SINCE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY (INCLUDING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED). I THEN LETTERED FORD, AND THEY SAID IN NOVEMBER 2004 THEY MAILED A NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS ( WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED) NOTIFYING THEM OF F THE PROBLEM WITH THE SPRINGS. THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL, BUT THEY ARE REPAIRING UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM. THEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED FOR FREE. THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME. I EVEN TRIED TO NEGOTIATE AND ASKED THEM TO AT LEAST REIMBURSE ME WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE PAID THEIR DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED. THIS CAR ALSO HAS DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND ROTORS. WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER THE ORIGINAL 3 YR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY , THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD SAID THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE ROTORS OR CUT THEM, AND BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE WARRANTY. IT COST ME OVER $ 500 FOR BRAKES AND ROTORS ON A LESS THAN 2 YEAR OLD CAR. A FEW YRS LATER, SAME THING, FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS , AND AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THE ROTORS CAN'T BE CUT, THEY ALWAYS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I-95 THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING SUDDENLY FRACTURED AND IN THE PROCESS WEDGED INTO THE TIRE DESTROYING IT AND THE STRUT. LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY FOCUS'. *TR
THE 2002 FORD FOCUS SE COMFORT WAGON HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM OF NOT STAYING IN ALIGNMENT (NAMED THE REAR WHEELS WORST THAT THE FRONT) FOR MORE THAN 5000 MILES BEFORE NEEDING ADDITION ADJUSTMENTS. TIRES HAVE LASTED LESS THAN 20,000 MILES (REGARDLESS OF MANUFACTURER) BEFORE TOTALLY WORN OUT AND NEEDING REPLACEMENT. *TR
2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS FIRESTONE TIRES WITH FLAT SPOTS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FLAT SPOTS WOULD MAKE A NOISE AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY NO LONGER CARRIED FIRESTONE TIRES AND THEY COULDN'T HELP HIM. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE TIRE PRO-RATED, HOWEVER THE NEW TIRES STARTED TO EXPERIENCE CUPPI…
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2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS FIRESTONE TIRES WITH FLAT SPOTS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FLAT SPOTS WOULD MAKE A NOISE AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY NO LONGER CARRIED FIRESTONE TIRES AND THEY COULDN'T HELP HIM. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE TIRE PRO-RATED, HOWEVER THE NEW TIRES STARTED TO EXPERIENCE CUPPING. THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS LOOSE, THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, FRONT LINK PINS, REAR SUSPENSION BAR, REAR SIDE BRACKET AND FRONT STRUTS WERE ALL REPLACED. *JB
LEFT FRONT STRUT COIL SPRING BROKE AT APPROX. 45,000 MILES CAUSING THE FOCUS TO BECOME UNDRIVABLE. IF THE BROKEN SPRING WOULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE TIRE, IT WOULD HAVE ALSO DESTROYED THE TIRE. THE COIL SPRING IT'S SELF COULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE STRUTS MUST BE REPLACED IN PAIRS. BOTH FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED AT A COS…
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LEFT FRONT STRUT COIL SPRING BROKE AT APPROX. 45,000 MILES CAUSING THE FOCUS TO BECOME UNDRIVABLE. IF THE BROKEN SPRING WOULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE TIRE, IT WOULD HAVE ALSO DESTROYED THE TIRE. THE COIL SPRING IT'S SELF COULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE STRUTS MUST BE REPLACED IN PAIRS. BOTH FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $595. *JB
THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE COIL SPRING DUG INTO FRONT TIRE. LOCKING OF FRONT TIRE FORCED ME OFF THE ROAD. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A REST IN THE BORROW PIT. *AK
FRONT SPRINGS ASSEMBLY POPPED OUT OF PLATE AND PUNCTURED MY TIRES. *TR
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