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
53,980 miles · Oct 12, 2004
Electrical System
I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ON THE WAY OUT OF THE SUPERMARKET, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION ONLY TO FIND IT WOULD NOT TURN! IT WAS JAMMED. I COULD PULL MY KEY IN AND OUT, BUT NO AMOUNT OF SHAKING THE WHEEL OR TWISTING THE KEY COULD FREE THIS FROZEN IGNITION. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HAVE IT FIXED …
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I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ON THE WAY OUT OF THE SUPERMARKET, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION ONLY TO FIND IT WOULD NOT TURN! IT WAS JAMMED. I COULD PULL MY KEY IN AND OUT, BUT NO AMOUNT OF SHAKING THE WHEEL OR TWISTING THE KEY COULD FREE THIS FROZEN IGNITION. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HAVE IT FIXED AT THE FORD DEALER IN YUCCA VALLEY, CA. $650.00!!! IS WHAT IT COST TO REPAIR! I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR, SOME HAVING IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR! THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! EVEN THE MECHANICS KNEW AFTER TELLING THEM WHAT MODEL IT WAS, WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS! HOW CAN YOU JUSTIFY OWNING A 2 YEAR OLD NEW CAR AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION EVERY 3 YEARS?? OR MORE? THIS IS BS! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10095662
50,000 miles · Oct 12, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages
THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ORDERED A NEW LATCH ASSEMBLY WHICH CONSUMER HAD TO PAY OUT OF HER POCKET. ALSO, THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A NEW LATCH ASSEMBLY WAS BEING ORDERED FOR WHICH THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY. *AK *SC
NHTSA ODI #10091922
71,000 miles · Oct 7, 2004
Suspension
REAR INNER TIRE WEAR. THE CONTROL ARMS ON TOP WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO RUB AGAINST THE BODY AND REAR TO SWIRVE WHEN RIDING OVER A BUM OR POT HOLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10095347
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2004
Electrical System
CONSUMER STATED THE KEY STUCK UPON PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO FREEZE. CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. CONTACTED THE DEALER. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK.
NHTSA ODI #10095344
47,700 miles · Oct 6, 2004
Steering
AFTER WORK ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2004, I GOT IN MY VEHICLE AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY AS TO START THE CAR. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE FUNNY SO I WIGGLED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE KEY AND STILL NOTHING. I FELT SICK BECAUSE I HAD NO IDEA W…
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AFTER WORK ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2004, I GOT IN MY VEHICLE AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY AS TO START THE CAR. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE FUNNY SO I WIGGLED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE KEY AND STILL NOTHING. I FELT SICK BECAUSE I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. LUCKILY THERE WERE STILL CO-WORKERS IN THE BANK WHERE I WORK SO I WAS ABLE TO USE THE PHONE. FIRST I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM IN ABOUT THREE SECONDS. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THEY SAID THE ONLY THING I COULD DO WOULD BE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THEM AND IT WOULD COST AROUND $400.00. I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST DIE. I AM A SINGLE PARENT ON A VERY TIGHT BUDGET. I HAVE VERY LITTLE ROOM FOR SUCH REPAIRS BEING THAT I AM MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR I BOUGHT NEW TO TRY AND AVOID REPAIRS ON AN OLD VEHICLE. I HAD TO WAIT FOR A FRIEND OF MINE TO DRIVE OUT FROM IRVINE, CA (ABOUT 70 MILES AWAY) TO HELP ME. HE HAD AUTO CLUB SO I WAS ABLE TO TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DRIVER OF THE TOW TRUCK INFORMED ME THAT HE TOWS AROUND 12 TO 15 OF THE SAME CARS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ONCE A MONTH. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO NOT WORK ON IT IF IT WAS GOING TO COST ANYTHING BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD HOLD OFF TO SEE WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO. OVER THE WEEKEND I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEMS OTHERS WERE HAVING WITH THEIR FORD FOCUS. THERE ARE COUNTLESS WEBSITES WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WRITING WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING. YOU CAN CALL ANY FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT AND INQUIRE ABOUT THE IGNITION PROBLEM AND BEFORE YOU CAN FINISH THEY TELL YOU HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS AND THAT IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR ABOUT $300.00 TO $400.00. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10093736
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS IN A CAR CRASH ABOUT A MONTH AGO. IT WAS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE OTHER AUTO SLAMMED INTO MY CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE FRONT WHEE. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I HAD TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE MY SIDE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL; MY KNEES ALSO HIT UNDER THE WHEEL. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED. WHY? DOES A CAR HAVE TO BE HIT …
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I WAS IN A CAR CRASH ABOUT A MONTH AGO. IT WAS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE OTHER AUTO SLAMMED INTO MY CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE FRONT WHEE. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I HAD TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE MY SIDE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL; MY KNEES ALSO HIT UNDER THE WHEEL. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED. WHY? DOES A CAR HAVE TO BE HIT HEAD ON FOR THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY? WHAT IS OEM ON YOUR FORM? I LEFT THE NO AS IT WAS ON THE FORM WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IT MEANT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10093480
23,600 miles · Sep 27, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 23,600 MILES REQUIRED ALL NEW PADS AND ROTORS-- DEALERSHIP HAS SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL...FOR THE FOCUS... AND SUCH WORK IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. TOOK THE CAR TO MIDAS AND HAD FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED (ROTORS COULDN'T EVEN BE TURNED!), MECHANIC AT MIDAS STATED THAT REPLACING PADS AND ROTORS ON A …
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2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 23,600 MILES REQUIRED ALL NEW PADS AND ROTORS-- DEALERSHIP HAS SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL...FOR THE FOCUS... AND SUCH WORK IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. TOOK THE CAR TO MIDAS AND HAD FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED (ROTORS COULDN'T EVEN BE TURNED!), MECHANIC AT MIDAS STATED THAT REPLACING PADS AND ROTORS ON A VEHICLE BEFORE THE WARRANTY HAS EVEN EXPIRED IS NOT NORMAL, TYPICAL, OR TO BE EXPECTED. BEFORE REPLACING THE BRAKES, THERE WAS CHRONICALLY A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST ON THE FRONT WHEELS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093166
500 miles · Sep 16, 2004
Electrical System
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS FROM DON HINDS FORD IN FISHERS, IN ON 9/28/02. THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING IS THAT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER SO THAT THE ENGINE CAN BE STARTED. THE KEY ROUTINELY BALKS AND JAMS. IT FAILED TO TURN OVER 1 WEEK AFTER THE PURCHASE. THE FORD 800 ASSISTANCE # RECOMMENDED PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK…
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I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS FROM DON HINDS FORD IN FISHERS, IN ON 9/28/02. THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING IS THAT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER SO THAT THE ENGINE CAN BE STARTED. THE KEY ROUTINELY BALKS AND JAMS. IT FAILED TO TURN OVER 1 WEEK AFTER THE PURCHASE. THE FORD 800 ASSISTANCE # RECOMMENDED PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK & FORTH WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY TRYING TO TURN THE KEY OVER. THAT WORKED, THEY DID NOT OFFER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I GOT THE SELLING DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER TUMBLER AT 19,000 MI UNDER WARRANTY. BALKING/JAMMING CONTINUED, AT 38,000 THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. AFTER TOWING IT TO A PRIVATE AUTO REPAIR SHOP, THEY REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN. 1 MONTH LATER IT NEARLY DIDN'T START AGAIN. FORD IN GREENSBURG, IN REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN UNDER A "GOOD WILL" POLICY. 9/10/04 THE CAR STRANDED ME AGAIN DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER TOWING TO AN INDIANAPOLIS, IN FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN. THAT'S THE FIFTH TUMBLER IN THAT CAR IN 43,000. I DON'T THINK THE 5TH ONE WILL FIX IT ANY MORE THAN THE FIRST 4 TUMBLERS DID. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10091147
42,000 miles · Sep 15, 2004
Electrical System
UPON TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION LOCKED. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER COULD NOT TURN THE KEY. THE CONSUMER TRIED BOTH KEYS TO THE VEHICLE, AND NEITHER WORKED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10092301
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2004
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
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
5
AQ10001 · 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.
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.
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