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
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2004
Structure
WATER LEAK INTO THE TRUNK FROM BODYSEAM, AND WATER LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOOR FROM COWL PANEL SEAMS AND FRESH AIR VENT::: FUEL PUMP - ELECTRIC ( IN TANK ) REPLACE::: VEHICLE HAS A BAD JERKING PROBLEM, SERVICE DEPT. CAN'T CORRECT PROBLEM::: LR WINDOW SCRATCHED REPLACED WINDOW::: REAR VIEW MIRROR DOOR MOUNT …
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WATER LEAK INTO THE TRUNK FROM BODYSEAM, AND WATER LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOOR FROM COWL PANEL SEAMS AND FRESH AIR VENT::: FUEL PUMP - ELECTRIC ( IN TANK ) REPLACE::: VEHICLE HAS A BAD JERKING PROBLEM, SERVICE DEPT. CAN'T CORRECT PROBLEM::: LR WINDOW SCRATCHED REPLACED WINDOW::: REAR VIEW MIRROR DOOR MOUNT REPLACED::: PREMATURE TIRE WEAR::: ECT.
NHTSA ODI #10065905
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2004
Electrical System
IGNITION FREEZES AND WON'T TURN. HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TWICE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10065832
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
Air BagsCrash
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10066785
25,000 miles · Apr 5, 2004
Tires
BOTH FRONT TIRES AND RIMS BLEW OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A SMALL POT HOLE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. THE TIRES WRE LOW PROFILE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM RECURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10065493
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TODAY IS THE FOURTH TIME MY CAR HAS BEEN TOWED FOR SERVICE FOR A RECURRING PROBLEM: BRAKE SENSOR FAILS AND CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK - DISABLING THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM LAST HAD ME STRANDED IN TENNESSEE. I FEEL THIS IS A VEHICLE FAILURE RATHER THAN DEALERSHIP FAILURE. I AM CONCERNED WHERE I WILL BE STRANDED NEXT. I BELI…
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TODAY IS THE FOURTH TIME MY CAR HAS BEEN TOWED FOR SERVICE FOR A RECURRING PROBLEM: BRAKE SENSOR FAILS AND CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK - DISABLING THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM LAST HAD ME STRANDED IN TENNESSEE. I FEEL THIS IS A VEHICLE FAILURE RATHER THAN DEALERSHIP FAILURE. I AM CONCERNED WHERE I WILL BE STRANDED NEXT. I BELIEVE MY CAR MIGHT BE A LEMON. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT MY VEHICLE FAILS, IS REPAIRED AND FAILS AGAIN WITH NO WARNING. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR NOT KNOWING WHERE I WILL BE NEXT WHEN IT DOES NOT WORK. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE TO INSURE THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED; AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE IN THE EVENT I CANNOT BE GUARANTEED THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10064541
35,587 miles · Apr 1, 2004
TiresUnknown Or Other
REAR TIRES TRACTION FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE ROADS WERE WET, THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THREE OF THE SIX TIMES THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES, HOWEVER THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10059513
40,000 miles · Mar 30, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages
DOOR LOCK SELF ACTIVATION - WHILE WE WERE IN THE DEALERSHIP, WE WERE THE THIRD PERSON OF THE DAY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. SINCE FORD PUT OUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM IN 2002, I WOULD THINK THEY SHOULD PAY THE $184 FOR PARTS IN ADDITION TO THE $189 LABOR. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THEIR MANUFACTURING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10064184
3,025 miles · Mar 26, 2004
Tires
THE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA-02 ORIGINAL TIRES THAT CAME WITH MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3 APPEAR TO HAVE A FLAW. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY FOCUS, I NOTICED A "BUBBLE" ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE'S SIDEWALL. THE OTHER THREE TIRES HAVE BEEN FINE OVER THE PAST ENSUING 21 MONTHS SO I HAVE TO BE BELIEVE THAT THIS ONE TIRE WAS FLAWED COMING …
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THE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA-02 ORIGINAL TIRES THAT CAME WITH MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3 APPEAR TO HAVE A FLAW. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY FOCUS, I NOTICED A "BUBBLE" ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE'S SIDEWALL. THE OTHER THREE TIRES HAVE BEEN FINE OVER THE PAST ENSUING 21 MONTHS SO I HAVE TO BE BELIEVE THAT THIS ONE TIRE WAS FLAWED COMING OUT OF THE FACTORY. MY FORD DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE IT WITHOUT CHARGING A FULL PRICE SINCE THERE IS NO KNOWN RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR TIRE. YET, I SEE NOW THROUGH THE NHTSA THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL "SIDEWALL BUBBLE" COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS TIRE MODEL. PLEASE ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE LIST, SINCE I HAVE DRIVEN A LOT OF CARS OVER THE YEARS, AND NEVER SAW A "BUBBLE" POP UP LIKE THIS ....SEEMINGLY OUT OF NOWHERE! TOM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063940
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH SMOKE WAS COMING IN TO VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED, NO INJURIES REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063390
60,000 miles · Mar 17, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE DRIVING ON THRUWAY ENGINE QUIT, AND CAR WAS ON FIRE. COURTESY FORD CHECKED CAR AND FOUND PISTON WENT THROUGH BLOCK CAUSING OIL TO CATCH FIRE UNDER CAR AND MELTING FUEL LINES. VEHICLE HAS 60K AND HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. QUOTED OVER $6000.00 AND WAS TOLD WARRANTY ENDED AT 36K. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOU…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THRUWAY ENGINE QUIT, AND CAR WAS ON FIRE. COURTESY FORD CHECKED CAR AND FOUND PISTON WENT THROUGH BLOCK CAUSING OIL TO CATCH FIRE UNDER CAR AND MELTING FUEL LINES. VEHICLE HAS 60K AND HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. QUOTED OVER $6000.00 AND WAS TOLD WARRANTY ENDED AT 36K. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS. *NM
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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