IllustrationFRONT BRAKES WEAR DOWN TO NOTHING WITHIN 15,000 MILES. *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 reports1. SPINDLE HOLDING BRAKES WAS STRIPPED. 2. REPORTED BY COVINGTON FORD THIRD AUTO THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED 3. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY SPINDLE FAILED. *JB
THIS IS A COMPLAINT MADE TO THE FORD COMPANY ON 11-18-2004. DEAR [XXX], [XXX] HAS FORWARDED TO MY HOME BOTH YOUR LETTERS THAT WERE DATED OCTOBER 12, 2004 AND NOVEMBER 3, 2004. YOUR LETTERS WERE WRITTEN IN ADDRESSING MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT (FILE NO.: [XXX], VIN#: [XXXX]) REGARDING THE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE 2002 FORD FOCUS VEHI…
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THIS IS A COMPLAINT MADE TO THE FORD COMPANY ON 11-18-2004. DEAR [XXX], [XXX] HAS FORWARDED TO MY HOME BOTH YOUR LETTERS THAT WERE DATED OCTOBER 12, 2004 AND NOVEMBER 3, 2004. YOUR LETTERS WERE WRITTEN IN ADDRESSING MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT (FILE NO.: [XXX], VIN#: [XXXX]) REGARDING THE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE 2002 FORD FOCUS VEHICLE MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED FROM THE JACOB TWIN FORD DEALERSHIP, LOCATED AT 6750 W. GRAND AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL UNITED STATES 60707, PHONE (866) 276-4943. I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT I AM NOT ONLY COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ?LEAK? AND RUST? PROBLEM, BUT I ALSO DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT, WHICH I DISCOVERED AFTER I CAME BACK HOME FROM CHICAGO IN SEPTEMBER 2004, THAT THERE IS NO WEATHER STRIP AT ALL UNDER THE HOOD. BECAUSE OF THIS LACKING OF A WEATHER STRIP, THE SALTY VAPORS MAY HAVE BEEN SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DURING THE WINTER SEASONS IN CHICAGO CAUSING RUSTING PROBLEM. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT FORD MUST INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND MAKE UP RECALLS TO INSTALL A WEATHER STRIP TO FIX THIS "SAFETY"-RELATED PROBLEM.*AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
A DEER WAS STRUCK WITH RELATIVELY MINOR DAMAGE TO THE HOOD AND GRILL. GUN POWDER SMELLED IN VEHICLE AFTER COLLISION. SUSPECT IT WAS AIRBAG PROPELLANT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INSIDE OF THE GARAGE TO PARK THE VEHICLE WHEN HE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE IN A CIRCULAR MOTION, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
I HAVE BEEN HAVING REOCCURING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION IN MY VEHICLE. I VISITED THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FOCUS'. I HAVE BEEN CHARGED OVER $300 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RECTIFIED. ONE MAN SAID HE HAD TO HAVE HIS IGNITION REPLACED 3-4 TIMES. DAILY, IT TAKES ME UP TO 30 MINUTES TO START M…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING REOCCURING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION IN MY VEHICLE. I VISITED THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FOCUS'. I HAVE BEEN CHARGED OVER $300 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RECTIFIED. ONE MAN SAID HE HAD TO HAVE HIS IGNITION REPLACED 3-4 TIMES. DAILY, IT TAKES ME UP TO 30 MINUTES TO START MY CAR DUE TO IGNITION MALFUNCTIONS. I DON'T FEEL THAT WE, FOCUS OWNERS, SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. *AK
SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE. THE FORWARD DRIVER SIDE STEEL BRAKE LINEL WAS WORN THROUGH BY THE PLASTIC INNER FENDER WELL CAUSING ALL BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. REPLACED BRAKE LINE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH RIGHT TIRE COLLAPSED INWARD. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RIGHT RIM HIT SOMETHING AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BE BENT INWARD.*AK
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WENT, THIS CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD AND HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT, COST TO REPAIR $298+ THIS IS THE THIRD EXPENSIVE REPAIR ON THIS 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE OTHER TWO WERE WHEEL RELATED AND LOCKING DOOR LOCKS THAT WERE QUITE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AS WELL. *AK
VEHICLE STALLED AND THE IGNITION TUMBLER WAS DEFECTIVE WHEREBY CONSUMER HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. ALSO, FRONT BRAKES SQUEALED, AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. PADS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES.*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