IllustrationVEHICLE WAS PARKED AT STATE EMPLOYEE'S RESIDENCE FOR ABOUT 10 HOURS WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPT. RESPONDED AND EXTINGUISHED FIRE. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSE.
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WENT FLYING OFF CAR. NO TROUBLE PRIOR TO THIS DATE. THE BEARINGS WERE REPLACED WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR.
I WAS SITTING AT MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL, I TRIED TO ROLL DOWN THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW I HERD A LOUD NOISE LIKE GLASS BREAKING. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND SEEN THAT THE WINDOW HAD GONE ALL THE WAY DOWN, WHEN I TRIED TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO RAISE THE WINDOW I KEPT HEARING A STRANGE NOISE AND NOTICED THE WINDO…
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I WAS SITTING AT MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL, I TRIED TO ROLL DOWN THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW I HERD A LOUD NOISE LIKE GLASS BREAKING. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND SEEN THAT THE WINDOW HAD GONE ALL THE WAY DOWN, WHEN I TRIED TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO RAISE THE WINDOW I KEPT HEARING A STRANGE NOISE AND NOTICED THE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR HAD GONE OUT AND THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FOR OVER $ 400.00 BECAUSE MY WARRENTY HAD GONE OUT 3 DAYS EARLIER. I WAS VERY UPSET TO LEARN MY WARRENTY WAS OUT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. I HAD SPOKE TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE AND THEY HAD ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER WINDOWS, SO I SHOCKED WHEN I CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN OHIO THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HAD ANY COMPLAINTS BEFORE ABOUT THE ISSUE.*AK
THE HOUSING ON THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT MELTED WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE LIGHT BULB OVERHEATING. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHT TO FAIL. CONSUMER INFORMED OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO STOP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE TRUNK LID FAILED TO LOCK PROPERLY . THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO SLAM TRUNK LID BEFORE IT WOULD LOCK. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HOOD LEVER DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK …
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DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE TRUNK LID FAILED TO LOCK PROPERLY . THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO SLAM TRUNK LID BEFORE IT WOULD LOCK. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HOOD LEVER DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK *JB *NM
MY IGNITION LOCKED UP AND I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT AFTER PURCHASING A 2002 FORD, FOCUS LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. I HAD TO HITCH A RIDE HOME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A TOW. THE NEXT DAY, I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. EVIDENTLY THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM, PEOPLE GETTING STRANDED DUE TO A FAU…
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MY IGNITION LOCKED UP AND I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT AFTER PURCHASING A 2002 FORD, FOCUS LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. I HAD TO HITCH A RIDE HOME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A TOW. THE NEXT DAY, I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. EVIDENTLY THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM, PEOPLE GETTING STRANDED DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. WHO IS MAKING THE FORTUNE ON ALL THESE PART REPLACEMENTS???? IS IT FORD???? WHO MAKES THESE FAULTY IGNITIONS???? THEY ARE PROBABLY STILL MAKING A FORTUNE AND STILL MAKING THESE BAD PARTS. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PLEASE GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED!*AK
MY IGNITION LOCKED UP AND I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT AFTER PURCHASING A 2002 FORD, FOCUS LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. I HAD TO HITCH A RIDE HOME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A TOW. THE NEXT DAY, I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. EVIDENTLY THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, PEOPLE GETTING STRANDED DUE TO A FAULT…
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MY IGNITION LOCKED UP AND I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT AFTER PURCHASING A 2002 FORD, FOCUS LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. I HAD TO HITCH A RIDE HOME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR A TOW. THE NEXT DAY, I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. EVIDENTLY THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, PEOPLE GETTING STRANDED DUE TO A FAULTY IQNITION SWITCH. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. WHO IS MAKING THE FORTUNE ON ALL THESE PART REPLACEMENTS???? IS IT FORD???? WHO MAKES THESE FAULTY IGNITIONS???? THEY ARE PROBABLY STILL MAKING A FORTUNE AND STILL MAKING TTHESE BAD PARTS. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PLEASE GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED! *AK
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION. EVERY TIME I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WILL GO IN, BUT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. I NEED TO SEE WHAT I NEED TO DO TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANYTHING YET BECAUSE I WAS HOPING THEY WOULD CONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS PART. SO FAR I HAVE JUST…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION. EVERY TIME I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WILL GO IN, BUT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. I NEED TO SEE WHAT I NEED TO DO TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANYTHING YET BECAUSE I WAS HOPING THEY WOULD CONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS PART. SO FAR I HAVE JUST BEEN FORCING MY KEY TO TURN AND ON APRIL 13, 2005 IT HAPPENED SO I WENT AND GOT SOME KEYS MADE AND IT STILL WOULD NOT WORK. THE NEXT DAY ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF WORK IT FINALLY TURNED AND GOT STARTED UP. FOR RIGHT NOW I AM LEAVING A KEY IN THE IGNITION TO KEEP UP FROM GETTING STUCK AGAIN.*AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN IGNITION. PROBLEM. OWNER HAD PARKED VEHICLE AND WENT INSIDE OF A BUILDING FOR AN HOUR. UPON RETURNING, OWNER PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING SERVICED. *AK
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER SAW THE SEPARATION OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SIDEWALL TIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE TIRE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK *NM
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