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
35,000 miles · Oct 31, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR POWER LOCK FAILED DUE TO A PROBLEM INSIDE THE LOCK ITSELF. WHEN THE LOCK FAILED YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR BY THE POWER SWITCH OR MANUALLY. OUR 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF HER CAR SEAT AND EXIT THE STREET SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR UNTIL YOU GET THE LOCK FIXED. THIS …
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THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR POWER LOCK FAILED DUE TO A PROBLEM INSIDE THE LOCK ITSELF. WHEN THE LOCK FAILED YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR BY THE POWER SWITCH OR MANUALLY. OUR 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF HER CAR SEAT AND EXIT THE STREET SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR UNTIL YOU GET THE LOCK FIXED. THIS CREATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION FOR PASSENGERS RIDING IN THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE FIRES WHICH MAKES THE SITUATION MORE DANGEROUS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THE LOCK MODULE WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $400.00. 10/19/2008, THE FRONT PASSENGER POWER LOCK MODULE HAS FAILED MAKING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNUSABLE. IT IS BEING REPAIRED TODAY AND I WILL SAVE THE OLD PART. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN ONE SMALL ACCIDENT(LESS THAN $500) DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER. NO DOOR DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED TO CAUSE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. DUE TO THE COST FACTOR OF THE REPAIRS, NOT ALL PEOPLE CAN HAVE THIS ISSUE REPAIRED, MAKING THIS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR PASSENGERS TO ESCAPE IN AN EMERGENCY. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILE ON IT. THE DOORS SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO UNLOCK AND OPEN MANUALLY IF THE POWER LOCK FAILS . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247337
72,100 miles · Oct 26, 2008
Electrical System
IGNITION KEY LOCK. THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE CAR LOCKS UP AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE CAR ON. JIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AND TURNING THE KEY AT THE SAME TIME DOES NOT WORK. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246746
53,000 miles · Oct 26, 2008
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND MY IGNITION WON'T TURN. IT JUST FROZE. IT WAS OK. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HAD AN INTERVIEW TO GET TO AND GOT IN MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE KEY JUST WOULDN'T TURN. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I WAS AT HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED. I THINK IT IS A DISGRACE THAT FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WON'T DO A…
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I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND MY IGNITION WON'T TURN. IT JUST FROZE. IT WAS OK. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HAD AN INTERVIEW TO GET TO AND GOT IN MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE KEY JUST WOULDN'T TURN. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I WAS AT HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED. I THINK IT IS A DISGRACE THAT FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WON'T DO A RECALL. A RECALL SHOULD NOT BE COMPLETELY ABOUT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT ABOUT PROVIDING THE PUBLIC WITH QUALITY IN THE CARS. OBVIOUSLY, THE CONSUMER IS OF NO IMPORTANCE TO FORD. I THINK THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE HAS MADE ME DECIDE TO NEVER TRUST A FORD AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO TWO MECHANICS WHICH TOLD ME IT WOULD BE A FEW DAYS TO GET THE DEALER PARTS AND THE REPAIR WILL COST OVER $400.00. IT IS A DISGRACE THAT FORD KNOWS THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246731
121,000 miles · Oct 24, 2008
Electrical System
I WAS STRANDED WHEN MY KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. THIS WAS A SERIOUS INCIDENT BECAUSE I NEEDED TO BE HOME TO GET MY 6 YEAR OLD OFF THE BUS AND LET HIM IN THE HOUSE. I WAS UNABLE TO DO SO AND MY SON WAS EXTREMELY DISTRAUGHT. AND THEN I FIND OUT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT THIS VEHICLE HA…
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I WAS STRANDED WHEN MY KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. THIS WAS A SERIOUS INCIDENT BECAUSE I NEEDED TO BE HOME TO GET MY 6 YEAR OLD OFF THE BUS AND LET HIM IN THE HOUSE. I WAS UNABLE TO DO SO AND MY SON WAS EXTREMELY DISTRAUGHT. AND THEN I FIND OUT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT THIS VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF THIS. VERY DISAPPOINTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246604
60,996 miles · Oct 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
A SCREW WAS DISLODGED FROM THE ENGINE, RICOCHETING THROUGH OUT THE ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE BEYOND REPAIR. THE ENGINE CEASED WORKING WITHOUT ANY PREPARATION. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246114
126,000 miles · Oct 15, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN INSIDE THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN INSIDE THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA ODI #10245575
69,390 miles · Oct 13, 2008
Suspension
FORD FOCUS 2002 ZX3 HAD TO HAVE THE COIL/SPRING ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO THE SPRING RESTING ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. FROM ALL THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE ON THE WEB, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. I FOUND THE INFORMATION FOR THE 2000 FORD FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE JUST TO REFERENCE HO…
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FORD FOCUS 2002 ZX3 HAD TO HAVE THE COIL/SPRING ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO THE SPRING RESTING ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. FROM ALL THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE ON THE WEB, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. I FOUND THE INFORMATION FOR THE 2000 FORD FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE JUST TO REFERENCE HOW MANY PROBLEMS THERE ARE WITH THESE COIL/SPRING ASSEMBLIES. BEFORE FORD HAS ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH DEATHS OCCURRING WITH FAULTY PROBLEMS, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT INVESTIGATED. AND TO MY DISSATISFACTION FORD DID NOT SEND ANY WARNING OUT NOR CONTACT ME VIA THEIR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM THAT WAS OFFERED TO THE DEALERSHIPS. FURTHERMORE, I DID NOT EVEN KNOW THAT I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245271
66,720 miles · Oct 7, 2008
Electrical System
THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER TO START THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244639
22,815 miles · Oct 6, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED AIR COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, WHICH SHE HAD BEEN AWARE OF SINCE FIRST PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN SIX TIMES, REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD EITHER HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER OR SER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED AIR COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, WHICH SHE HAD BEEN AWARE OF SINCE FIRST PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN SIX TIMES, REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD EITHER HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER OR SERVICE PERSONNEL WOULD COME TO HER AND REPLACE THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE DEALER WAS NEVER ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED ONCE IN JANUARY OF 2008, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT SENT LETTERS AND EMAILS TO THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,686 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,815.
NHTSA ODI #10244539
108,000 miles · Sep 26, 2008
Electrical System
I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR FOUR MONTHS. FIRST THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED AFTER TWO DAYS. THEN A MONTH LATER I BEGAN HAVING DIFFERENT LIGHTS COME OFF AND ON WITH LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP AND TO FORD WHO COULD NEVER REPEAT THE CODES. I REPLACE THE BATTERY AND THIS STOPPED FOR A MONTH. IT IS NOW DOING THE SAME T…
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I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR FOUR MONTHS. FIRST THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED AFTER TWO DAYS. THEN A MONTH LATER I BEGAN HAVING DIFFERENT LIGHTS COME OFF AND ON WITH LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP AND TO FORD WHO COULD NEVER REPEAT THE CODES. I REPLACE THE BATTERY AND THIS STOPPED FOR A MONTH. IT IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. STALLING OR ACTING AS IF IT WILL. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART IT SEVERAL TIMES TO RESET THE COMPUTER TO GET IT TO DRIVE CORRECTLY. I AM FRUSTRATED BECAUSE NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY BUT WHEN IT DOES IT CAN BE OVER 10 TIMES A DAY. *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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