IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 35 MPH RIGHT TIRE COLLAPSED INWARD. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RIGHT RIM HIT SOMETHING AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BE BENT INWARD.*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
Wheels complaints
36 reportsWHILE DRIVING, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE RIM WAS BENT AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
THE CAP WHICH PRESSES ON OVER THE LUG NUT ON THE WHEEL WAS JUST PRESSED ON, AND CAME OFF EASILY. CONSUMER STATED THERE 3 CAPS WERE LOST WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK
PURCHASED CAR NEW MAY 2002. FOCUS ZTS. IN AUGUST TOOK CAR TO ONTARIO CANADA ON ROADTRIP FROM MISSOURI. WAY BACK FROM TRIP, NOTICED VIBRATIONS FROM BACK OF CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BECAUSE OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH ESCORT. TOOK CAR ON TRIP TO MYRTLE BEACH IN MAY 2003 AND THE VIBRATION WAS MORE THEN OBVIOU…
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PURCHASED CAR NEW MAY 2002. FOCUS ZTS. IN AUGUST TOOK CAR TO ONTARIO CANADA ON ROADTRIP FROM MISSOURI. WAY BACK FROM TRIP, NOTICED VIBRATIONS FROM BACK OF CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BECAUSE OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH ESCORT. TOOK CAR ON TRIP TO MYRTLE BEACH IN MAY 2003 AND THE VIBRATION WAS MORE THEN OBVIOUS AT 55MPH. WHEN RETURNED FROM TRIP TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE. DRIVER SIDE REAR BUSHING ON TIRE ARM WAS WORN. WHEEL WAS TILTED AND TIRE WAS WEARING WRONG. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ARM AND TIRE. TOOK CAR ON ANOTHER TRIP MARCH 2004 NOTICED EXTREME VIBRATION STILL COMING FROM SAME SIDE/BACK OF CAR. SHAKES PLASTIC BAGS IN BACKSEATS. VIBRATES DRIVER SEAT AND STEERINGWHEEL. BECAUSE MOST OF MY DRIVING IS ON REGULAR ROADS IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT BECOMES OBVIOUS RIGHT AWAY. WILL BE TAKING CAR IN AGAIN ASAP. ALSO HAD A PROBLEM RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR WITH THE PASSERNGER SIDE FRONT FLOOR WET AFTER HUGE RAIN. TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND I DON'T THINK THERE HAS BEEN A NOTICEABLE PROBLEM SINCE.*AK
FORD FOCUS RIMS. THE CAR HAS LESS THEN 25,000 MILES. WE TOOK IT TO BE LOOKED AT DUE TO A SHAKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WE WERE INFORMED THAT IT HAS THREE BENT RIMS. ALSO WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURE WAS GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE CAR IS DRIVEN ONLY BY A STAY AT HOME MOTHER AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCID…
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FORD FOCUS RIMS. THE CAR HAS LESS THEN 25,000 MILES. WE TOOK IT TO BE LOOKED AT DUE TO A SHAKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. WE WERE INFORMED THAT IT HAS THREE BENT RIMS. ALSO WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURE WAS GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE CAR IS DRIVEN ONLY BY A STAY AT HOME MOTHER AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. NOR HAS IT COME INTO CONTACT WITH LARGE POT HOLES.*AK
IN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLY FROM MY CAR, I FOUND THIS TO BE IMPOSSIBLE-APPARENTLY ,THE CAST WHEEL METAL HAD CORRODED TO THE HUB. THIS MADE AN IMPOSSIBLY DIFFICULT AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM OF A NORMALLY ROUTINE ONE. *JB
THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL BEARING AND HUB WENT OUT AT ABOUT 7,000. THE CAR MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE. FORD REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM. CAR HAD TO HAVE BRAKE PADS AT 28,000 MILES. THE WEAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WAS MUCH WORST THAN THE OTHERS. REPAIR PERSON SAID THAT THE CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. COST 100. DOLLARS. THE FRONT PAS…
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THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL BEARING AND HUB WENT OUT AT ABOUT 7,000. THE CAR MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE. FORD REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM. CAR HAD TO HAVE BRAKE PADS AT 28,000 MILES. THE WEAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WAS MUCH WORST THAN THE OTHERS. REPAIR PERSON SAID THAT THE CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE. COST 100. DOLLARS. THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING AND HUB WENT OUT AT 29,000. I PAID FOR REPAIR OF WHEEL $150. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS GOING OUT AGAIN. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THIS CAR. I AM NOW FACED WITH REPAIRS OF THE OTHER SIDE FOR A SECOND TIME AND THE CAR IS ONLY 18 MONTHS OLD. I AM WORRIED THAT THE WHEELS WILL COME OFF.
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.
FORD FOCUS 2002 ZX5 WITH 16" ALLOY WHEELS AND FIRESTONE TIRES SEEMS TO BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE MORE THAN OTHER CARS I HAVE HAD. ONE BUBBLED TIRE, AND ANOTHER PUNCTURED TIRE WITHIN WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. THE FOCUS ALLOY WHEELS ARE THE WORSE PROBLEMS. AT LEAST TWO HAVE BEEN BENT TO THE POINT OF CAUSING STEERING AN…
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FORD FOCUS 2002 ZX5 WITH 16" ALLOY WHEELS AND FIRESTONE TIRES SEEMS TO BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE MORE THAN OTHER CARS I HAVE HAD. ONE BUBBLED TIRE, AND ANOTHER PUNCTURED TIRE WITHIN WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. THE FOCUS ALLOY WHEELS ARE THE WORSE PROBLEMS. AT LEAST TWO HAVE BEEN BENT TO THE POINT OF CAUSING STEERING AND VIBRATION PROBLEMS ON CAR. ONE WHEEL HAS TWO VISIBLE BUMPS, AND ONE WHEEL HAS A MASSIVE BUMP FROM SOME SURPRISE ROAD HOLES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT HAD SUCH WEAK RIMS. I AM NOT REPLACING THE WHEELS UNTIL I TALK TO EITHER FORD OR A LAWYER.
PROBLEM I'M STILL HAVING AND WAS REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP IS CAR PULLS TO LEFT, ( NOT CORRECTED) BACK END OF CAR OR TIRES BOUNCE ON ROAD AND ESPECIALLY WHEN HITTING A BUMP, CANNOT STAY ON ROAD IN SLUSH OR SNOW, BACK END IS ALL OVER ROAD, ( NOTHING DONE) TIRES ARE COMPLETELY GROVED IN MANY SPOTS ON THE TIRES, CAUSED BY REAR END BOU…
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PROBLEM I'M STILL HAVING AND WAS REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP IS CAR PULLS TO LEFT, ( NOT CORRECTED) BACK END OF CAR OR TIRES BOUNCE ON ROAD AND ESPECIALLY WHEN HITTING A BUMP, CANNOT STAY ON ROAD IN SLUSH OR SNOW, BACK END IS ALL OVER ROAD, ( NOTHING DONE) TIRES ARE COMPLETELY GROVED IN MANY SPOTS ON THE TIRES, CAUSED BY REAR END BOUNCING ON ROAD, FIRESTONE WON'T REPLACE THEY SAY IT IS FOCAS'S REAR END AND IT WEARS OUT THE TIRES, DEALER OR FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT REAR END OR TIRES, CAR VIBRATES BADLY, REAR DOORS BARLEY OPEN ARE SO STIFF, LOOKS LIKE DOOR LOCKS ARE COROADED NOTHING WAS DONE BY DEALERSHIP EVEN THOUGH THEY SAID THEY LUBRICATED, NOTHING IS ON THE LOCKS TO SHOW LUBRICATION OF LOCKS.
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