IllustrationI HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5 AND MY IGNITION LOCKED UP. DEALER SAID IT IS NOT ON ANY RECALL LIST AND THEREFORE I NEED TO PAY TO HAVE A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER PUT IN IT. COST IS $200-250. *TR
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
What owners actually said
939 reportsMY FOOT PAD ON MY CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME SLIPPERY DUE TO LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID OUT OF MY CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING , SURGING, AND THEN LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A WHILE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING , SURGING, AND THEN LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD BEFORE IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A WHILE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS IT WAS PAID FOR BY THE CONTACT. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FAILED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION (EA02022) THAT WAS OPENED AND CLOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,380 UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN
HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS THAT HAS HAD THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AGAIN. LAST TIME I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL HARD ENOUGH TO GET THE KEY TO TURN AND START THE CAR. THIS TIME NO SUCH LUCK. RIGHT NOW IT'S SITTING IN THE PARKING GARAGE AT WORK. GUESS I'LL HAVE TO CALL SAM PACKS FORD TO COME FIX $$$$$. *JB
LEFT FRONT STRUT COIL SPRING BROKE AT APPROX. 45,000 MILES CAUSING THE FOCUS TO BECOME UNDRIVABLE. IF THE BROKEN SPRING WOULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE TIRE, IT WOULD HAVE ALSO DESTROYED THE TIRE. THE COIL SPRING IT'S SELF COULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE STRUTS MUST BE REPLACED IN PAIRS. BOTH FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED AT A COS…
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LEFT FRONT STRUT COIL SPRING BROKE AT APPROX. 45,000 MILES CAUSING THE FOCUS TO BECOME UNDRIVABLE. IF THE BROKEN SPRING WOULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE TIRE, IT WOULD HAVE ALSO DESTROYED THE TIRE. THE COIL SPRING IT'S SELF COULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE STRUTS MUST BE REPLACED IN PAIRS. BOTH FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $595. *JB
FORD FOCUS 2002, 69,000 MILES. ON 8/22/07 DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR STALL IT WAS TOWED AWAY. FORD CALLED ME AND TOLD ME IT COULD BE MY ENGINE THAT'S RUINED DUE TO THE TIME CHAIN. *TR
BOTH REAR PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THE WINDOWS WERE NEVER ABUSED / MIS-USED IN ANY WAY. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FLAW, YET I HAD TO PAY FOR THE ENTIRE COST OF REPLACING THE REGULATORS. FORD WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE BUT DECLINED TO OFF…
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BOTH REAR PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THE WINDOWS WERE NEVER ABUSED / MIS-USED IN ANY WAY. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FLAW, YET I HAD TO PAY FOR THE ENTIRE COST OF REPLACING THE REGULATORS. FORD WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE BUT DECLINED TO OFFER ANY. *JB UPDATED 03/05/08. *LJ
THE CAR WAS RUNNING HOT HAD TO USE A/C TO KEEP THE FANS TO COOL CAR I TOOK CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THAT THE SWITCHES FOR THE FANS AND THE REST OF THE CAR WAS BURNED OUT AND WOULD HAVE CAUSE A FIRE IF I HAD NOT BROUGHT THE CAR FOR A CHECKUP IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I AM 3 MONTHS PREGNANT. 2002 FORD FOCUS .THE MECH…
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THE CAR WAS RUNNING HOT HAD TO USE A/C TO KEEP THE FANS TO COOL CAR I TOOK CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THAT THE SWITCHES FOR THE FANS AND THE REST OF THE CAR WAS BURNED OUT AND WOULD HAVE CAUSE A FIRE IF I HAD NOT BROUGHT THE CAR FOR A CHECKUP IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I AM 3 MONTHS PREGNANT. 2002 FORD FOCUS .THE MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND THE WHOLE WIRE SYSTEM IT COST ME $225.00 I AM SCARED IF I DID NOT TAKE THE CAR FOR A CHECKUP TO SEE WHY THE FANS WERE NOT WORKING I DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5- ONE OF THE CENTER CAPS ON THE 16" WHEELS FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CAPS ARE DEFECTIVE SINCE THE TABS THAT HOLD IT ONTO THE WHEEL SEEM TO JUST BREAK OFF (CHEAP). THE CAP COVERS THE LUG NUTS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACES THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY FAILS TO TURN AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT LOCKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A FAILED MECHANISM INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH IS COMMON IN VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR, M…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACES THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY FAILS TO TURN AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT LOCKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A FAILED MECHANISM INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH IS COMMON IN VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE IGNITION REPAIR WOULD COST AN ESTIMATED $350. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
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