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
What owners actually said
939 reports
70,000 miles · Jun 30, 2009
Steering
DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE NOISE WHEN THE WHEELS WERE TURNED. CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND BELT, AND ADDED MORE POWER STEERING FLUID. THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. THE POWER STEERING LINE WAS RUBBING ON THE FRAME OF THE CAR, AND RUB OPEN CAUSING A LEAK IN THE LINE. THIS STOPPED THE POWER STEERING FROM WORKING. WE…
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DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE NOISE WHEN THE WHEELS WERE TURNED. CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND BELT, AND ADDED MORE POWER STEERING FLUID. THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. THE POWER STEERING LINE WAS RUBBING ON THE FRAME OF THE CAR, AND RUB OPEN CAUSING A LEAK IN THE LINE. THIS STOPPED THE POWER STEERING FROM WORKING. WE TOOK THE LINE OUT, WITH A LOT OF EFFORT, AND TIME. THEN BOUGHT A NEW PART FOR $55 AND THEN HAD TO PUT IT IN. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NOT GOT THE PART YET, BUT IT SEEMS AS IF PUTTING IT BACK IN WILL NOT BE EASY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275391
60,000 miles · Jun 26, 2009
StructureSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION. HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION. HE CALLED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $800. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION. HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION. HE CALLED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $800. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS POSSESSION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE EXCESSIVE CORROSION WAS THE RESULT OF NOT HAVING ADEQUATE CORROSION PROTECTION AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING AND IT WAS IN DANGER OF FAILING. UPDATED 07/31/09.,*JB
NHTSA ODI #10275035
91,002 miles · Jun 14, 2009
Electrical System
ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEREBY LOCKS THE CAR IN ITS PRESENT POSITION. THE CAR CAN'T BE MOVED SO THE DRIVER IS PRONE TO BE STRANDED AND THE CAR COULD BE TOWED OR VANDALIZED IF ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN A CITY STREET PARKING SPACE. THIS COULD ALSO BE DANGEROUS IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND …
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ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEREBY LOCKS THE CAR IN ITS PRESENT POSITION. THE CAR CAN'T BE MOVED SO THE DRIVER IS PRONE TO BE STRANDED AND THE CAR COULD BE TOWED OR VANDALIZED IF ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN A CITY STREET PARKING SPACE. THIS COULD ALSO BE DANGEROUS IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND THE DRIVER NEEDS TO GET SOMEWHERE QUICKLY. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273731
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2009
Electrical System
THE IGNITION LOCK ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IS DEFECTIVE. IT TAKES A LOT OF JIGGLING OF THE KEY TO GET IT TO TURN. SOMETIMES IT TAKES UP TO 10 MINUTES TO GET THE KEY TURNED. I'M AFRAID AT SOME POINT I WON'T BE ABLE TO TURN IT PERIOD. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT FORD FOCUS BETWEEN 2000 AND 2003 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272830
119,000 miles · Jun 2, 2009
Electrical System
DROVE TO THE STORE, TURNED THE CAR OFF BUT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272724
129,000 miles · May 22, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ON MAY 20, 2009, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLATCH THE LOCK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH MOTOR FAILED. A NEW MOTOR WOULD COST $400. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ON MAY 20, 2009, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLATCH THE LOCK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH MOTOR FAILED. A NEW MOTOR WOULD COST $400. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 129,000.
NHTSA ODI #10269690
135,000 miles · May 14, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
2002 FORD FOCUS BOUGHT THE END OF MARCH 2009, NOW SITS IN DRIVEWAY, BECAUSE FORD WILL NOT FIX FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FAILURE, BECAUSE OF VIN# NOT ON LIST AS BEING ONE OF THE 671000 UNITS AFFECTED. THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING AS ALL THE OTHER 671000 THAT WERE AFFECTED, SURGING, LOSS OF POWER, STALLING, HESITATION. WE WERE GO…
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2002 FORD FOCUS BOUGHT THE END OF MARCH 2009, NOW SITS IN DRIVEWAY, BECAUSE FORD WILL NOT FIX FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FAILURE, BECAUSE OF VIN# NOT ON LIST AS BEING ONE OF THE 671000 UNITS AFFECTED. THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING AS ALL THE OTHER 671000 THAT WERE AFFECTED, SURGING, LOSS OF POWER, STALLING, HESITATION. WE WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, CHANGED LANES AND IT STARTED DOING THIS, NOW I HAVE HAD 3 MECHANICS WORK ON THIS CAR, NO HELP REPLACED FUEL PUMP, BATTERY, FUEL FILTER ETC, NO LUCK. IT STARTS WHEN IT WANTS WILL RUN THEN IT STARTS LOSING POWER, STALLS. WE DID EXPECT PROBLEMS WITH USED CAR, BUT NOT ONE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND FIXED. IF ACCIDENT HAPPENS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM FORD WILL BE AT FAULT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268787
83,000 miles · May 12, 2009
Visibility
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY LEFT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN I24. THE SOUND OF THE WINDOW SLAMMING DOWN SCARED ME SO BAD I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD AT 70MPH WITH 3 KIDS IN THE CAR. THE SOUND WAS LIKE A GUNSHOT. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT THIS TIME …
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I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY LEFT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN I24. THE SOUND OF THE WINDOW SLAMMING DOWN SCARED ME SO BAD I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD AT 70MPH WITH 3 KIDS IN THE CAR. THE SOUND WAS LIKE A GUNSHOT. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING MY 3 YEAR OLD SON TO THE BABYSITTER. THE SOUND WAS SO LOUD I SWERVED ALMOST HITTING THE CAR NEXT TO ME. I GOT BOTH WINDOWS FIXED FOR ABOUT 350.00. A WEEK AGO THE LEFT WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT AGAIN. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR FOR FEAR THE NEXT WINDOW WILL GO OUT AND STARTLE ME INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268454
105,000 miles · Apr 27, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS SUDDENLY STALLED IN HEAVY, FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO WRESTLE THE CAR TO THE CURB WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME AVOIDING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST ESTIMATE IS NEARLY $800. THIS IS A COMMON …
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MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS SUDDENLY STALLED IN HEAVY, FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO WRESTLE THE CAR TO THE CURB WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME AVOIDING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST ESTIMATE IS NEARLY $800. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2001 AND 2000 MODELS AND THIS PART IS EVEN COVERED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THOSE YEARS. HOWEVER, THE 2002 IS NOT COVERED. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFELY CONCERN FOR FORD BUT I THINK THEY ARE DOING THE BARE MINIMUM. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. NO WONDER THEY ARE HAVING SUCH DIFFICULT TIMES AT FORD! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266858
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2009
Suspension
DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE AND I HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE STATION THEY LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SAID IT IS A BROKEN SPRING AND IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR
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.
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.
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