IllustrationTHE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED . AS A RESULT, THE OCCUPANT WAS TRAPPED INSIDE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE REAR DOOR LATCH, BUT THE FRONT DOORS WERE NO INCLUDED. *AK
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 reports(1) I FIRST NOTICED UNUSUAL STAINS ON THE CARPET UNDERNEATH THE CLUTCH PEDAL DURING DECEMBER, 2004, BUT ASSUMED INITIALLY THAT IT WAS FROM SOMETHING ON MY SHOES. (2) ON 03/21/05, THE CLUTCH PEDAL PAD FELL OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, DISTRACTING ME, BUT FORTUNATELY DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. (3) ON 03/28/05 I SEARCHED …
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(1) I FIRST NOTICED UNUSUAL STAINS ON THE CARPET UNDERNEATH THE CLUTCH PEDAL DURING DECEMBER, 2004, BUT ASSUMED INITIALLY THAT IT WAS FROM SOMETHING ON MY SHOES. (2) ON 03/21/05, THE CLUTCH PEDAL PAD FELL OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, DISTRACTING ME, BUT FORTUNATELY DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. (3) ON 03/28/05 I SEARCHED THE NHTS ODI COMPLAINT DATA BASE AND FOUND AN IDENTICAL COMPLAINT, ODI ID NUMBER:10107639, DATE OF FAILURE: 01/20/05. I WILL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE THIS WEEK AND THIS INFORMATION TO THE AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPAIR ALTHOUGH THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE WAS ON 01/31/02, BUT I WILL CLAIM THE PROBLEM STARTED IN DECEMBER 2004 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN WARRANTY. *JB
MY FORD FOCUS ZTX HAS 4 FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA 02 P205/50R15 M+S 86H TIRES ON IT AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 20,119 MILES ON IT. I ROTATED THE TIRES EVERY 6,000 MILES AS RECOMMENDED AND ON TH ELAST OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATIN APPOINTMENT, THE FIRESTONE DEALER ADIVSED ME NOT TO ROTATE THE TIRES BECAUSE THEIR ARE DEFECTS IN THE TIRES…
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MY FORD FOCUS ZTX HAS 4 FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA 02 P205/50R15 M+S 86H TIRES ON IT AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 20,119 MILES ON IT. I ROTATED THE TIRES EVERY 6,000 MILES AS RECOMMENDED AND ON TH ELAST OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATIN APPOINTMENT, THE FIRESTONE DEALER ADIVSED ME NOT TO ROTATE THE TIRES BECAUSE THEIR ARE DEFECTS IN THE TIRES AND THE REAR TIRES ROTATED TO THE FRONT WOULD CAUSE MORE ROAD NOISE. THE AUTO IS UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE TIRES BECAUSE THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY DO NOT CARRY FIRESTONE TIRES ANYMORE EVEN THOUGH THESE WERE THE BRAND INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE BY THE FACTORY. *A
I DRIVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS LX. I HAS APPOXIMATLEY 56,000 MILES. I HAD BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE BODY WORK DONE ON THE FENDER. I WAS TOLD THE THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE, AND I LEFT WITH MY CAR. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, GOING FIFTY FIVE MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPED. AFTER WE …
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I DRIVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS LX. I HAS APPOXIMATLEY 56,000 MILES. I HAD BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE BODY WORK DONE ON THE FENDER. I WAS TOLD THE THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE, AND I LEFT WITH MY CAR. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, GOING FIFTY FIVE MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPED. AFTER WE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER, WE PUSH-STARED THE CAR AND DROVE DIRECTLY BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TOLD ME THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND FUEL INJECTOR LINES WERE BROKEN. THIS OCCURS IMMEDIATLEY AFTER I HAD BODY WORK DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. IN FACT, IT WAS THE SAME HOUR OF THE SAME DAY I LEFT !! *AK
MY CAR STALLED WHEN DRIVING ANYWHER FROM 20 - 70MPH. THE GAUGES GO HAYWIRE THE LIGHT CUT OFF AND ON , THE CLOCK RESETS, THE SPEEDOMETER GOES CRAZY, AND I HAVE A YOUNG DAUGHTER THAT RIDES IN THIS CAR. THIS STARTED IN OCTOBER AND IS STILL GOING ON TO DATE. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS 4-DOOR SEDAN. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 45000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLS PARTICULARLY WHEN THE ELECTRIC PARTS ARE TURNED ON. YOU CAN JUMP THE CAR AND GET IT TO START, BUT THE SAME THING KEEPS HAPPENING. *AK ALSO, WHEN YOU TURN ON THE RADIO, IT MAKES A BUZZING NOISE AS IF THER…
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I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS 4-DOOR SEDAN. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 45000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLS PARTICULARLY WHEN THE ELECTRIC PARTS ARE TURNED ON. YOU CAN JUMP THE CAR AND GET IT TO START, BUT THE SAME THING KEEPS HAPPENING. *AK ALSO, WHEN YOU TURN ON THE RADIO, IT MAKES A BUZZING NOISE AS IF THERE IS INTERFERENCE FROM THE MOTOR. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE. ALSO, THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME SORT OF A NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE WHEN STOPPING. IT IS NOT THE SOUND OF WORN-OUT BREAKS BUT AS IF THERE IS AN AXLE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MY REAR RIGHT TIRE REPLACED TWICE.
THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. UNABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. CROW- MODDIE BURLINGTON KS. NOT FIXED YET.*JB
2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS AND WILL NOT START THE CAR. *NM
UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLEAND ENGAGING THE KEY ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. ALSO, THE KEY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILURE. *AK
I HAD A FRONT END COLLISION HIT A DITCH HARD. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. SLICK TIRES SHARP CURVE AND BAD WEATHER CAUSED THE ACCIDENT.*AK
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