IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED HEAVILY. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE WHEEL BEARING. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *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 reportsON THE MORNING OF 14 FEBRUARY 2005 MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH IN AN INTERSECTION. OUR 2002 FORD FOCUS WAS TOTALED (IT HAS 37,000 MILES ON IT, AND I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM A FORD LOT.) THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF! BOTH MY SON AND HIS PASSNGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES.*AK
FORD FOCUS ZX3 IGNITION FAILURE- STEERING COLUMN LOCKS, CAR WON'T START. STUCK IN AN UNSAFE AREA WITH NO HELP. *JB
ON JANUARY 14, 2005 I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO PAUL HARVEY FORD FOR MAINTANENCE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, MOST WAS COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SERVICE TECH. GARY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED ALL NEW TIRES, AND FURTHER SAID HE COULD NOT WARRANT ANY WORK DONE UNLESS I REPLACED T…
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ON JANUARY 14, 2005 I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO PAUL HARVEY FORD FOR MAINTANENCE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, MOST WAS COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SERVICE TECH. GARY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED ALL NEW TIRES, AND FURTHER SAID HE COULD NOT WARRANT ANY WORK DONE UNLESS I REPLACED THEM. SO I GAVE HIM PREMISSION TO DO SO. FEBURARY 7TH, 2005 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I WAS INFORMED BY A PASSERBY THAT MY TIRE WAS EXTREMELY LOW ON THE BACK DRIVER SIDE. I CONTACT GARY AT PAUL HARVEY FORD REGARDING THE FLAT AND HE ASK IF THERE WAS SOMEONE WHO COULD FIX IT. I REMINDED HIM THAT I JUST PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES FROM PAUL HARVEY FORD AND THAT I PLANNED TO BRING THE CAR AND TIRE IN. I TOOK IT IN THE NEXT MORNING WITH MY HUSBAND WHO SPOKE WITH GARY REGARDING THE TIRE. GARY SAID HE WOULD HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT IT WHILE WE WAITED. GARY RETURNED AND SAID THAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE HOLE WAS ON THE INSIDE AREA OF THE TIRE AND THAT IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW TO REPAIR, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PRUCHASE ANOTHER. I REFUSED TO DO SO AND I'M STILL SEEKING REMENDY.*AK
NO START, NO CRANK. RANDOMLY CAR WILL NOT START, AND THERE IS NO CRANKING EITHER. HAPPENS ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. SHOWS DASHES ON THE DIGIT DISPLAY. CAR MAY START AFTER 10 MINUTES OR 3 HOURS - CAN'T TELL. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ONCE. PROBLEM NOT REPLICATED, BUT SERVICE FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE VIN, AND 2001…
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NO START, NO CRANK. RANDOMLY CAR WILL NOT START, AND THERE IS NO CRANKING EITHER. HAPPENS ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. SHOWS DASHES ON THE DIGIT DISPLAY. CAR MAY START AFTER 10 MINUTES OR 3 HOURS - CAN'T TELL. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ONCE. PROBLEM NOT REPLICATED, BUT SERVICE FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE VIN, AND 2001, 2002 MODELS WHICH SPECIFIED THIS EXACT PROBLEM, SUGGESTING REPLACEMENT OF A SPECIFIC PART FOR SUPPOSEDLY A DPFE SHORTENING. EVEN THOUGH THIS PART ALONE WAS CHANGED, PROBLEM RECURRED JUST AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS. VEHICLE NOW AGAIN AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A REALLY ANNOYING PROBLEM, AND I'M NOW AFRAID TO TAKE THE CAR ANYWHERE, EVEN IF IT COMES BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP SUPPOSEDLY AFTER BEING 'FIXED', AS THERE'S NO TELLING WHEN THE PROBLEM WILL RECUR, OR IF THE CAR COULD EVEN STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREEWAY!. HAVE REQUESTED DEALERSHIP TO KEEP THE CAR FOR HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT SURE IF THEY'LL DO IT. *JB
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION HAS FAILED. I STICK THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR MAKES THE BEEPING SOUND AND WILL NOT TURN. I HAVE TRIED TURNING THE WHEEL AND TURNING THE KEY AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE TRIED TURNING THE KEY TO THE OTHER SIDE AND THEN TURNING IT AND I HAVE ALSO MADE SURE IT WAS IN PARK, …
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THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION HAS FAILED. I STICK THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR MAKES THE BEEPING SOUND AND WILL NOT TURN. I HAVE TRIED TURNING THE WHEEL AND TURNING THE KEY AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE TRIED TURNING THE KEY TO THE OTHER SIDE AND THEN TURNING IT AND I HAVE ALSO MADE SURE IT WAS IN PARK, TRIED TO MESS WITH THE TILT OF THE WHEEL NOTHING WORKS. THIS TIME THAT IT HAPPENED I GOT STRANDED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A DARK PARKING LOT WHERE THERE WAS NO ONE AROUND. THERE WERE NO OTHER STORES OR ANYTHING AROUND. I AM NOW GOING TO HAVE TO GET MY VEHICLE TOWED AND SPEND ANOTHER 250 TO GET THIS FIXED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES AND I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR A YEAR. FORD NEEDS TO CONSIDER RECALLING THIS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS MADE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS. IF THIS IS NOT RECALLED I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN AND NEITHER WILL MY FAMILY AND WE BUY AN AWFUL LOTS OF FORDS IN OUR FAMILY AND MY HUSBANDS FAMILY. *JB
ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE AND LURCH FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. NO INCIDENT OCCURRED AT THIS TIME. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS CLUTCH FLUID. FLUID RUNS DOWN STEM OF CLUTCH PEDAL, LOOSENING THE RUBBER PEDAL PAD, WHICH PROCEEDS TO FALL OFF IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ALSO CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER FLUID IS SUPPLIED BY BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR!!! THIS LEAK CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE AS FLUID…
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CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS CLUTCH FLUID. FLUID RUNS DOWN STEM OF CLUTCH PEDAL, LOOSENING THE RUBBER PEDAL PAD, WHICH PROCEEDS TO FALL OFF IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ALSO CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER FLUID IS SUPPLIED BY BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR!!! THIS LEAK CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE BRAKE FAILURE AS FLUID LEAKS OUT OF BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. *JB
MULTIPLE FAILURES; CONTINUAL ISSUES WITH BRAKES. CORRECT WATER LEAK AND PATCH TIRE. *BF THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINS THE COILS SPRING RECALL AS IF IT'S NOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *NM *SC *JB
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