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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

Tires complaints

62 reports
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100,000 miles · Aug 30, 2006
Air BagsElectrical SystemEquipment

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5 THAT IS WELL MAINTAINED. WITHIN THE FIRST 2-3 YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. IN 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. IN 2005 I HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW MOTOR. PRESENTLY THE LEFT REAR WINDOW MOTOR ISN'T WORKING; THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP. THE REAR FRONT WINDOW…

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I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5 THAT IS WELL MAINTAINED. WITHIN THE FIRST 2-3 YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. IN 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. IN 2005 I HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW MOTOR. PRESENTLY THE LEFT REAR WINDOW MOTOR ISN'T WORKING; THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP. THE REAR FRONT WINDOW IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED AND STAYS ON. THE CD PLAYER HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2005. IN 2006 ALL FOUR TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF FACTORY DRY ROT. I REGULARLY SERVICE AND MAINTAIN THE CAR, AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES ON IT. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND FEEL THIS CAR IS NOT MADE WITH QUALITY PARTS AND THAT IT IS NOT SAFE. ALTHOUGH I DRIVE AT NORMAL SPEEDS, IT DOES NOT GET THE MILEAGE STATED ON THE STICKER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167055

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, DESTROYING THE FRONT CONTROL PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE INDICATED THE RECOMMENDED PSI AS 34 AND IT HAS BEEN KEPT TO THAT STANDARD. THE TIRE WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR OLD WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL BULGING AND THE …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, DESTROYING THE FRONT CONTROL PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE INDICATED THE RECOMMENDED PSI AS 34 AND IT HAS BEEN KEPT TO THAT STANDARD. THE TIRE WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR OLD WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL BULGING AND THE VEHICLE HAD NO VIBRATION. THERE WAS ALSO NO MORE THAN 15000 MILES ON THE TIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10164834

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2006
Tires

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA P205/50R16, FRONT LEFT TIRE HAS BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE FIRST ONE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10157815

12,000 miles · Nov 15, 2005
Tires

I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS AND THE FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES HAD PROBLEMS STARTING WITH THE 2ND TIRE ROTATION AT 12,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT A FIRESTONE DEALER AND THE 18,000 MILE ROTATION THE MANAGER RECOMMENDED THAT THE TIRE WEAR WAS SO BAD THAT ROTATING THE TIRES WOULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE AND TO LEAVE TH…

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I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS AND THE FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES HAD PROBLEMS STARTING WITH THE 2ND TIRE ROTATION AT 12,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT A FIRESTONE DEALER AND THE 18,000 MILE ROTATION THE MANAGER RECOMMENDED THAT THE TIRE WEAR WAS SO BAD THAT ROTATING THE TIRES WOULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE AND TO LEAVE THEM WHERE THEY WERE AT. I COMPLAINED TO THE FORD MOTOR DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOTHING, EVEN FORD MOTOR'S CUSTOMER CARE TOLL FREE SERVICE SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. THE CAR HAS ONLY 21,000 TODAY AND THE TIRES SOUND LIKE I AM RIDING ON WOODEN TIRES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10142813

32,200 miles · Apr 8, 2005
Tires

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER SAW THE SEPARATION OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SIDEWALL TIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE TIRE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10115058

20,119 miles · Mar 19, 2005
Tires

MY FORD FOCUS ZTX HAS 4 FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA 02 P205/50R15 M+S 86H TIRES ON IT AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 20,119 MILES ON IT. I ROTATED THE TIRES EVERY 6,000 MILES AS RECOMMENDED AND ON TH ELAST OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATIN APPOINTMENT, THE FIRESTONE DEALER ADIVSED ME NOT TO ROTATE THE TIRES BECAUSE THEIR ARE DEFECTS IN THE TIRES…

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MY FORD FOCUS ZTX HAS 4 FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA 02 P205/50R15 M+S 86H TIRES ON IT AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 20,119 MILES ON IT. I ROTATED THE TIRES EVERY 6,000 MILES AS RECOMMENDED AND ON TH ELAST OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATIN APPOINTMENT, THE FIRESTONE DEALER ADIVSED ME NOT TO ROTATE THE TIRES BECAUSE THEIR ARE DEFECTS IN THE TIRES AND THE REAR TIRES ROTATED TO THE FRONT WOULD CAUSE MORE ROAD NOISE. THE AUTO IS UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE TIRES BECAUSE THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY DO NOT CARRY FIRESTONE TIRES ANYMORE EVEN THOUGH THESE WERE THE BRAND INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE BY THE FACTORY. *A

NHTSA ODI #10114348

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2005
Tires

ON JANUARY 14, 2005 I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO PAUL HARVEY FORD FOR MAINTANENCE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, MOST WAS COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SERVICE TECH. GARY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED ALL NEW TIRES, AND FURTHER SAID HE COULD NOT WARRANT ANY WORK DONE UNLESS I REPLACED T…

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ON JANUARY 14, 2005 I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO PAUL HARVEY FORD FOR MAINTANENCE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, MOST WAS COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SERVICE TECH. GARY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED ALL NEW TIRES, AND FURTHER SAID HE COULD NOT WARRANT ANY WORK DONE UNLESS I REPLACED THEM. SO I GAVE HIM PREMISSION TO DO SO. FEBURARY 7TH, 2005 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I WAS INFORMED BY A PASSERBY THAT MY TIRE WAS EXTREMELY LOW ON THE BACK DRIVER SIDE. I CONTACT GARY AT PAUL HARVEY FORD REGARDING THE FLAT AND HE ASK IF THERE WAS SOMEONE WHO COULD FIX IT. I REMINDED HIM THAT I JUST PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES FROM PAUL HARVEY FORD AND THAT I PLANNED TO BRING THE CAR AND TIRE IN. I TOOK IT IN THE NEXT MORNING WITH MY HUSBAND WHO SPOKE WITH GARY REGARDING THE TIRE. GARY SAID HE WOULD HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT IT WHILE WE WAITED. GARY RETURNED AND SAID THAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE HOLE WAS ON THE INSIDE AREA OF THE TIRE AND THAT IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW TO REPAIR, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PRUCHASE ANOTHER. I REFUSED TO DO SO AND I'M STILL SEEKING REMENDY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10110274

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2005
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

MULTIPLE FAILURES; CONTINUAL ISSUES WITH BRAKES. CORRECT WATER LEAK AND PATCH TIRE. *BF THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10109526

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2004
Tires

WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE LUG NUT AND BOLTS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10097171

17,000 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Tires

ON MY 2002 FOCUS SE MY PASSANGER FRONT TIRE HAD A BUBBLE- MY CAR ONLY HAS 17,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I FOUND IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. THE TIRES ARE SEPERATE AND HAD TO BE PRORATED FOR WEAR. THE COST OF THE SAME TIRE PLUS THE COST OF THE LABOR WAS ALMOST A HUNDRED DOLLARS. I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM FIXING SOM…

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ON MY 2002 FOCUS SE MY PASSANGER FRONT TIRE HAD A BUBBLE- MY CAR ONLY HAS 17,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I FOUND IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. THE TIRES ARE SEPERATE AND HAD TO BE PRORATED FOR WEAR. THE COST OF THE SAME TIRE PLUS THE COST OF THE LABOR WAS ALMOST A HUNDRED DOLLARS. I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM FIXING SOMETING I DIDN'T CAUSE. FORD WON. I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE BUT FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI #10090952

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