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
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2007
Visibility
THE WINDOW REGULATORS ARE DEFECTIVE FOR THE TWO REAR WINDOWS IN MY 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WHEN THE BACK LEFT WINDOW JUST FELL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE WINDOWS ARE NEVER LOWERED SINCE WE LIVE IN FLORIDA AND ALWAYS USE THE A/C. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT…
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THE WINDOW REGULATORS ARE DEFECTIVE FOR THE TWO REAR WINDOWS IN MY 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WHEN THE BACK LEFT WINDOW JUST FELL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE WINDOWS ARE NEVER LOWERED SINCE WE LIVE IN FLORIDA AND ALWAYS USE THE A/C. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW ABOUT 6 MTHS AGO. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A CAMPAIGN OR SPECIAL POLICY. THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE THE COST IS EXCESSIVE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. FORD SHOULD STEP UP AND RELEASE A SPECIAL POLICY TO COVER THIS UNNECESSARY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200882
99,000 miles · Aug 11, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
2002 FORD FOCUS SE 4 CYLINDER SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. DASH BOARD GOES OUT AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND IT IS STILL DOING IT. SOMETIMES IT STARTS BACK UP IF I LET IT SIT FOR AWHILE, BUT SOMETIMES I HAVE TO GET IT JUMPED. VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10199323
200,000 miles · Aug 7, 2007
Electrical System
FUSE WAS CONSTANTLY BLOWN FOR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, LOSS OF POWER DOOR LOCK FUNCTION VIA THE KEY FOB OR DOOR SWITCHES, FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM WHEN DRIVING, AND LOSS OF USE OF TRUNK/DECKLID RELEASE USING THE KEY FOB OR DASH SWITCH. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE BROKEN AND SHORTED OUT WIRES LEADING…
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FUSE WAS CONSTANTLY BLOWN FOR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, LOSS OF POWER DOOR LOCK FUNCTION VIA THE KEY FOB OR DOOR SWITCHES, FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SYSTEM WHEN DRIVING, AND LOSS OF USE OF TRUNK/DECKLID RELEASE USING THE KEY FOB OR DASH SWITCH. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE BROKEN AND SHORTED OUT WIRES LEADING FROM THE SIDE OF THE MAIN BODY OF THE VEHICLE TO THE BASE OF THE TRUNK/DECKLID. REPAIR WAS MADE WITH WIRE SPLICES. NOTE: EARLY 2000 SEDAN MODELS WERE RECALLED WITH A SIMILAR ISSUE. QUITE A FEW HATCHBACK AND SEDAN OWNERS AFTER 2000 ARE EXPERIENCING A SIMILAR ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10198800
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2007
Equipment
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. HE WANTED TO PURCHASE A KAYAK HOLDER FROM THULE. THULE ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ROOF RACK FOR HIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL DID NOT PASS THERE CRASH TESTS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10198434
60,000 miles · Aug 3, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10198368
46,855 miles · Jul 31, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
2002 FORD FOCUS ZTW WAGON. DIVING ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. PULLED FROM HIGHWAY AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER. REPAIR FACILITY REPLACED FUEL FILTER EXPLAINING SYMPTOMS WERE CONSISTENT WITH RESTRICTED FUEL SYSTEM. THREE DAYS LATER VEHICLE EXHIBITS SAME PROBLEM. TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER WHERE A PLUGGED/CLOG…
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2002 FORD FOCUS ZTW WAGON. DIVING ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. PULLED FROM HIGHWAY AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER. REPAIR FACILITY REPLACED FUEL FILTER EXPLAINING SYMPTOMS WERE CONSISTENT WITH RESTRICTED FUEL SYSTEM. THREE DAYS LATER VEHICLE EXHIBITS SAME PROBLEM. TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER WHERE A PLUGGED/CLOGGED FUEL PUMP SCREEN WAS FOUND. REPAIR FACILITY STATED THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE ON PRIOR YEAR (2000 - 2001) FOCUS. RECEIPTS AND USED PARTS AVAILABLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10197909
75,000 miles · Jul 18, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
CAR WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHILE IDLING. WAS FINE WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHEN GAS WAS NOT APPLIED IT WOULD SHAKE AND DIE. DEALERSHIP QUOTED $80 JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE FOR FREE COMPUTER ANALYSIS, WHICH SAID OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED. I REPLACED IT, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. A RANDOM GENTLEMAN AT AUTO ZONE…
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CAR WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHILE IDLING. WAS FINE WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHEN GAS WAS NOT APPLIED IT WOULD SHAKE AND DIE. DEALERSHIP QUOTED $80 JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE FOR FREE COMPUTER ANALYSIS, WHICH SAID OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED. I REPLACED IT, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. A RANDOM GENTLEMAN AT AUTO ZONE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE AN AIR LEAK. I USED STARTER FLUID TO LIGHTLY SPRAY ON HOSES IN ENGINE TO FIND A LEAK (ENGINE REVS WHEN YOU HIT A HOSE WITH A HOLE). I SPENT 4 DOLLARS REPLACING A SMALL RUBBER ELBOW AND FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE EXISTING ELBOW RIGHT IN THE BACK CENTER OF THE ENGINE WAS BURNT COMPLETELY THROUGH WITH ABOUT A 2 INCH HOLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10196665
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2007
Electrical System
2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCKS ,CAN'T TURN KEY TO START CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10196042
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY CAR HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER, SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, FLIPPED OVER ONTO ITS HOOD, AND SLID DOWN THE FREEWAY UPSIDE DOWN BEFORE HITTING THE CENTER DIVIDER ON THE DRIVER SIDE ONCE AGAIN. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL CAUSING MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND A FEW OTHER…
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I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY CAR HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER, SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, FLIPPED OVER ONTO ITS HOOD, AND SLID DOWN THE FREEWAY UPSIDE DOWN BEFORE HITTING THE CENTER DIVIDER ON THE DRIVER SIDE ONCE AGAIN. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL CAUSING MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND A FEW OTHER PLACES IN THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10195199
90,000 miles · Jun 19, 2007
SuspensionCrash
THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE COIL SPRING DUG INTO FRONT TIRE. LOCKING OF FRONT TIRE FORCED ME OFF THE ROAD. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A REST IN THE BORROW PIT. *AK
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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