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
85,000 miles · Mar 11, 2009
Electrical System
THE KEY DOES NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SO THE CAR WON'T START. MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURS IN AN REMOTE AREA ESPECIALLY ON A COLD DAY/NIGHT SUCH AS TONIGHT. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR IS IN OUR DRIVEWAY BUT IT WAS PURE LUCK THAT IT HAPPENED THERE INSTEAD OF SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT COUL…
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THE KEY DOES NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SO THE CAR WON'T START. MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURS IN AN REMOTE AREA ESPECIALLY ON A COLD DAY/NIGHT SUCH AS TONIGHT. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR IS IN OUR DRIVEWAY BUT IT WAS PURE LUCK THAT IT HAPPENED THERE INSTEAD OF SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT COULD HAVE LEFT HER STRANDED INDEFINITELY IN SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES OR IN A SECLUDED AREA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261592
95,000 miles · Mar 9, 2009
Suspension
LOUD 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
NHTSA ODI #10261330
67,000 miles · Mar 8, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS TWICE IN APPROXIMATELY A 4 MONTH PERIOD DUE TO CRACKING AND COMPLETE BREAKING, A PARTIAL BREAK IN ONE AND GENERAL OVERALL WEAKENING. MY MECHANIC ONLY CHARGED ME THE FIRST TIME FOR THE MOUNTS AND INSTALLATION (THE SECOND TIME WAS A FREE REPLACEMENT--AS THE MOUNTS FAILED, AND AS IT CAME ONLY A F…
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I HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS TWICE IN APPROXIMATELY A 4 MONTH PERIOD DUE TO CRACKING AND COMPLETE BREAKING, A PARTIAL BREAK IN ONE AND GENERAL OVERALL WEAKENING. MY MECHANIC ONLY CHARGED ME THE FIRST TIME FOR THE MOUNTS AND INSTALLATION (THE SECOND TIME WAS A FREE REPLACEMENT--AS THE MOUNTS FAILED, AND AS IT CAME ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST REPLACEMENT). MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FOCUS VEHICLES DUE TO THE LACK OF STABILITY IN THE MOTOR MOUNT AREA. BASICALLY, HE SAID THAT THERE ISN'T MUCH STRUCTURAL SUPPORT FOR THE ENGINE AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS GET STRESSED AS A RESULT OF THE VIBRATIONS AND CONSTANT TENSION ON THEM. HE TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT SOME POINT. I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SOME TYPE OF JURY RIG DEVICE TO REINFORCE THE STABILITY OF THE AREA. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261070
72,000 miles · Mar 8, 2009
Seat Belts
MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SHREDDED. I HAD TO REPLACE IT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND PURCHASE A NEW ONE FROM FORD. MY AUTO MECHANIC INSTALLED THE NEW SEAT BELT FOR ME. THE BELT NEEDED REPLACING, AS IT WAS CONTINUING TO SHRED (IN STRANDS) AND ONLY HAD ABOUT ONE-THIRD TO HALF OF ITS WIDTH REMAINING. THE LENGTH OF THE SHREDDING WAS AP…
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MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SHREDDED. I HAD TO REPLACE IT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND PURCHASE A NEW ONE FROM FORD. MY AUTO MECHANIC INSTALLED THE NEW SEAT BELT FOR ME. THE BELT NEEDED REPLACING, AS IT WAS CONTINUING TO SHRED (IN STRANDS) AND ONLY HAD ABOUT ONE-THIRD TO HALF OF ITS WIDTH REMAINING. THE LENGTH OF THE SHREDDING WAS APPROXIMATELY 12 TO 14 INCHES LONG. IT DEFINITELY POSED A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM LIKE THIS BEFORE, EVEN IN VERY OLD AUTOMOBILES THAT I OWNED. SEAT BELT MATERIAL FADING FROM SUNLIGHT, YES, SHREDDING, NEVER. MY AUTO MECHANIC AT MY REPAIR SHOP HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE EITHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261069
122,700 miles · Feb 20, 2009
Electrical System
I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND MY IGNITION HAS LOCKED UP AND I HAVE TO LEAVE MY KEY IN THE IGNITION OR IT WILL LOCK UP. I AM PRESENTLY SEARCHING FOR A MECHANIC OR LOCKSMITH WHO CAN HELP IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259490
81,085 miles · Feb 7, 2009
Electrical System
UPON INSERTION OF THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS TO ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT UNLOCK, IF IT IS LOCKED. "TAPPING" THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. CURSORY INTERNET SEARCHES REVEAL THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR OWNERS …
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UPON INSERTION OF THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS TO ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT UNLOCK, IF IT IS LOCKED. "TAPPING" THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. CURSORY INTERNET SEARCHES REVEAL THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. SOME OWNERS REPORT HAVING HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED 4 TO 5 TIMES AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THIS INDICATES THAT FORD HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, EVEN AT THE COST OF THE OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257806
78,450 miles · Feb 4, 2009
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND SMELL OF BURNING FLUID. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT BEYOND 2ND GEAR. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE 3RD AND 4TH GEARS WERE BURNT UP. REQ'D REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION AT COST OF $4,000. VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 78K AND WELL MAINTAINED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257502
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
FORD FOCUS 2002 WOULD NOT START THE IGNITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256995
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS IN FL. WHILE DRIVING IT TO MY HOME IN TN, I EXPERIENCED STALLING AT HWY SPEEDS. I CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER AND CONTINUED ON MY TRIP. IT STALLED AGAIN AND WOULDN'T RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER THAT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. I REPLACED THEM BOTH. THE CAR STAR…
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I PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS IN FL. WHILE DRIVING IT TO MY HOME IN TN, I EXPERIENCED STALLING AT HWY SPEEDS. I CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER AND CONTINUED ON MY TRIP. IT STALLED AGAIN AND WOULDN'T RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER THAT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. I REPLACED THEM BOTH. THE CAR STARTED AND I BEGAN MY TRAVEL BACK HOME. UPON MY RETURN HOME, WHEN I WOULD UTILIZE THE CAR, I WOULD EXPERIENCE STALLING UNDER VARYING CONDITIONS. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT FIND THAT PROBLEM, BUT DID REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT. TYPICALLY THE CAR WOULD RUN FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THE STALLING WOULD BEGIN. I COULD USUALLY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO COOL FOR APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MINUTES AND THE CAR WOULD START. I COULD DRIVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD STALL AGAIN. MY LATEST EXPERIENCE HAPPENED AT HWY SPEEDS. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF TRAVEL THE CAR STALLED AND HAS NOT RESTARTED SINCE. I CONTACTED FORD WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THEIR "RECALL (S)" DUE TO WHERE IT WAS ASSEMBLED. I FIND IT VERY "COINCIDENTAL" THAT MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEMS THAT THE "RECALLED" CARS EXPERIENCED. IS THERE A COURSE ON ACTION THAT I SHOULD TAKE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256624
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2009
Exterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages
REAR DOOR WONT LATCH RIGHT AND DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WONT WORK. *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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