NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
939 reports12,700 miles · Nov 22, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE WILL REV WITHOUT WARNING. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS ON MORNING STARTS AND IN COLD TEMPERATURES. HE IMMEDIATELY TURNS OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTS THE VEHICLE. THIS PROCEDURE REMEDIES THE PROBLEM. HE PLANS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE WILL REV WITHOUT WARNING. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS ON MORNING STARTS AND IN COLD TEMPERATURES. HE IMMEDIATELY TURNS OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTS THE VEHICLE. THIS PROCEDURE REMEDIES THE PROBLEM. HE PLANS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10143434
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. IT WAS PUSHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS OR SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS WHERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10143396
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2005
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicStructure
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES, THE RADIO, AND WATER LEAKING IN THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE BRAKES SQUEAK EVERYTIME I APPLY THEM. THE RADIO ONLY WORKS FOR ONE MINUTE AND THEN IT FADES OUT, ALL YOU CAN HEAR IS STATIC. THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE PROBLEMS IS THE LE…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES, THE RADIO, AND WATER LEAKING IN THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE BRAKES SQUEAK EVERYTIME I APPLY THEM. THE RADIO ONLY WORKS FOR ONE MINUTE AND THEN IT FADES OUT, ALL YOU CAN HEAR IS STATIC. THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE PROBLEMS IS THE LEAK. IT HAS RAINED REALLY HARD THREE TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH, AND ALL THOSE TIMES I HAVE FOUND THE CARPET IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SOAKING WET. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I BOUGHT IT, BUT THEY SAY THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 90 DAY WARRANTY. I HAVE REASERCHED ON THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE. THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD BE MADE RESPONSIBLE SINCE THEY ARE THE MANUFACTURERS OF THE CAR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10143381
20,385 miles · Nov 21, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
ENGINE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE SHIFTING FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE (AND VICE VERSA). TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM I MAINTAINED HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE AND TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10143303
12,000 miles · Nov 15, 2005
Tires
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS AND THE FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES HAD PROBLEMS STARTING WITH THE 2ND TIRE ROTATION AT 12,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT A FIRESTONE DEALER AND THE 18,000 MILE ROTATION THE MANAGER RECOMMENDED THAT THE TIRE WEAR WAS SO BAD THAT ROTATING THE TIRES WOULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE AND TO LEAVE TH…
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I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS AND THE FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES HAD PROBLEMS STARTING WITH THE 2ND TIRE ROTATION AT 12,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT A FIRESTONE DEALER AND THE 18,000 MILE ROTATION THE MANAGER RECOMMENDED THAT THE TIRE WEAR WAS SO BAD THAT ROTATING THE TIRES WOULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE AND TO LEAVE THEM WHERE THEY WERE AT. I COMPLAINED TO THE FORD MOTOR DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOTHING, EVEN FORD MOTOR'S CUSTOMER CARE TOLL FREE SERVICE SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. THE CAR HAS ONLY 21,000 TODAY AND THE TIRES SOUND LIKE I AM RIDING ON WOODEN TIRES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10142813
54,000 miles · Nov 3, 2005
Electrical System
2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS LOCKED IGNITION --TUMBLERS WERE OUT OF SYNCH? FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER WON'T AUTHORIZED TO FIX IT WITHOUT CHARGE. PAID $293 FOR REPAIR. SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM WHICH COULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141655
73,000 miles · Oct 23, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
OUR 2002 FORD FOCUS STALLS, HESITATES AROUND 1/4 OF A TANK. SYMPTOMS SIMILAR TO FUEL DELIVERY MODULE COMPLAINT OF PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140538
29,300 miles · Oct 19, 2005
Power Train
DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE CONSUMER MANUALLY PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER 10 TO 20 SECONDS IT WOULD GO BACK INTO DRIVE. AT TIMES WHEN STOPPING A…
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DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE CONSUMER MANUALLY PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER 10 TO 20 SECONDS IT WOULD GO BACK INTO DRIVE. AT TIMES WHEN STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO SURGE FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE THIS COULD NOT BE FIXED. *AK (11/23/05) RECALL CAMPAIGN#03V482000. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10140278
65,000 miles · Oct 11, 2005
Electrical System
FORD FOCUS 2002 ZX5 OVER 65,000 MILES RECENT OFL CHANGE APPROX. 3 WEEKS AGO. ENGINE CUTTING OFF AFTER TURNING OVER WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO DRIVE ALMOST EVERY DAY. ENGINE CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS BUT MOST NOTABLY DURING OR AFTER A TURN - WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING - ABLE TO RESTART IN NEUTRAL WHILE IN MOT…
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FORD FOCUS 2002 ZX5 OVER 65,000 MILES RECENT OFL CHANGE APPROX. 3 WEEKS AGO. ENGINE CUTTING OFF AFTER TURNING OVER WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO DRIVE ALMOST EVERY DAY. ENGINE CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS BUT MOST NOTABLY DURING OR AFTER A TURN - WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING - ABLE TO RESTART IN NEUTRAL WHILE IN MOTION - THIS HAPPENS AN AVERAGE OF EVERY 3-4 DAYS. CONSTANT NOISE FROM THE REAR LEFT TIRE ASSEMBLY. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED ABOUT 1 AND HALF YEARS AGO. RIGHT REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY REPLACED 4 MONTHS AGO ALONG WITH CRACKED THERMAL HOUSING THAT HAD DEVELOPED A LEAK - OVER $900 REPAIR W/LABOR. CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT THAT I AM AWARE OF- OTHER THAN LOSS OF DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WHILE IT WAS PARKED 2 YEARS AGO. OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN W/THE SHIFTING. UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK - W/O USING THE SHIFT RELEASE. REPLACED SHIFTER AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. CAN NOT AFFORD TO TAKE CAR IN AT THIS TIME - WAS TOLD BY SERVICE REP THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC WOULD COST APPROX. $80 ALONE JUST TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. ORIGINAL OWNER. TAKING CAR TO DEALER THIS WEEKEND. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10139236
60,000 miles · Oct 6, 2005
Air BagsCrash
DT: 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOUND THE THERMAL FUSE IN THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIR BAG BLEW OUT, THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE CONSUMER HITTING A DEER ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE DEER HIT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS DI…
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DT: 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOUND THE THERMAL FUSE IN THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIR BAG BLEW OUT, THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE CONSUMER HITTING A DEER ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE DEER HIT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THERE WAS A WHITE SMOKE THAT CAME FROM THE DRIVER'S AREA, AROUND THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE BODY SHOP, AND THEY FOUND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS NO ONE INJURED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN OVER THE PHONE WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT TELL THE CONSUMER WHAT THE SMOKE WAS THAT CAME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THIS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10138767
Official recalls
1Feb 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
Illustration