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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

Visibility complaints

28 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING MY 2002 SVT FOCUS. RANDOM STALLS, LEAKS, AND NOISES. SHIFT LINKAGE FAILURE, WHEEL BEARING FAILURE, POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS. INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE, WRONG IDLE SPEED, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. 35 DAYS IN THE SHOP SO FAR AND COUNTING, ALL WITHIN 11MO OF PURCHASE. DON'T BUY A…

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I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING MY 2002 SVT FOCUS. RANDOM STALLS, LEAKS, AND NOISES. SHIFT LINKAGE FAILURE, WHEEL BEARING FAILURE, POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS. INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE, WRONG IDLE SPEED, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. 35 DAYS IN THE SHOP SO FAR AND COUNTING, ALL WITHIN 11MO OF PURCHASE. DON'T BUY A FORD CAR, YOU'LL REGRET IT.

NHTSA ODI #10070695

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE FAILURE AT 55 MPH WITH NO WARNING SIGN. IT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. SUNROOF WAS STUCK IN OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY UNLESS MANIPULATED BY HAND. DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM THE FOLLOWING DAY.

NHTSA ODI #10069131

14,000 miles · Nov 13, 2003
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesSuspension

WHILE DRIVING I LOST ALL POWER TO THE CAR. IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND I COULD NOT START IT. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED TWICE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR WITH MY KIDS IN IT. I DON'T THINK THE PROBLEM IS FIXED AND I'M WAITING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN. NOW I NEED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AG…

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WHILE DRIVING I LOST ALL POWER TO THE CAR. IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND I COULD NOT START IT. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED TWICE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR WITH MY KIDS IN IT. I DON'T THINK THE PROBLEM IS FIXED AND I'M WAITING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN. NOW I NEED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN BECAUSE THERE IS A BAD VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. I HAD IT THERE PREVIOUSLY FOR THIS ALSO, AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED THE TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED. EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THEY CHARGED ME $36.00....THE VIBRATION IS WORSE NOW SO OBVIOUSLY THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. OH I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE TRUNK WON'T LATCH PROPERLY AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T GO THE WHOLE WAY DOWN WHEN YOU TURN THEM OFF. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP ACTS LIKE THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY COMPLAINTS WITH THIS CAR! *LA

NHTSA ODI #10046832

12,000 miles · Jun 4, 2003
Visibility

CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS LEAKING WATER FROM SUNROOF. THE CARPET IS LOOSE DUE TO CONSTANT REMOVAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10022338

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2002
Visibility

THERE IS A STRONG MILDEW SMELL WHEN DEFROST IS TURNED ON. TOOK TO DEALER, DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS A BACTERIA PRODUCING AGENT IN THE DEFROST SYSTEM. DEALER STATES ALL NEW CARS ARE LIKE THIS. CONSUMER HAS A BREATHING PROBLEM AND THIS MILDEW SMELL MAY CREATE A BIGGER PROBLEM. TS

NHTSA ODI #8023645

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2002
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID DISAPPEARS WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR. I PUT IN OVER 3 GALLONS, EVEN THOUGH WE DID NOT USE THE WASHER. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE HOW MUCH FLUID IS IN THE CONTAINER AS IT IS HIDDEN IN THE WHEEL WELL. WE VISITED THE DEALER 4 TIMES. ALTHOUGH HE SAYS HE REPLACED THE SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. IN THE NORTHEAS…

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WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID DISAPPEARS WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR. I PUT IN OVER 3 GALLONS, EVEN THOUGH WE DID NOT USE THE WASHER. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE HOW MUCH FLUID IS IN THE CONTAINER AS IT IS HIDDEN IN THE WHEEL WELL. WE VISITED THE DEALER 4 TIMES. ALTHOUGH HE SAYS HE REPLACED THE SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. IN THE NORTHEAST, WE HAVE SEVERE SNOW AND ICE STORMS. FAILURE OF THE WASHER SYSTEM DURING AN ICE STORM WOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. IT WOULD REQUIRE STOPPING THE CAR AT FREQUENT INTERVALS ON A DANGEROUS INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TO CLEAD THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALERS SOLUTION: "CARRY A GALLON OF WIPER FLUID IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES." HE CAN'T FIX IT. SAYS IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. CAN YOU FORCE FORD TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS? NOTE: THIS FORM SAYS THE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. IT WAS NOT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #767372

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 · 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