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 · Jun 14, 2003
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
I BOUGHT MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER A NEW FOCUS BECAUSE I FELT NEW CARS WERE SAFER AND MORE RELIABLE. TODAY, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. SHE HAS HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING NOISE AND NOT BEING RESPONSIVE. ON HER WAY TO HAVE THEM LOOKED AT AGAIN, SHE MADE A LEFT ONTO A MAJOR ROAD AND THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF H…
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I BOUGHT MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER A NEW FOCUS BECAUSE I FELT NEW CARS WERE SAFER AND MORE RELIABLE. TODAY, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. SHE HAS HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING NOISE AND NOT BEING RESPONSIVE. ON HER WAY TO HAVE THEM LOOKED AT AGAIN, SHE MADE A LEFT ONTO A MAJOR ROAD AND THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF HER WAS AT A DEAD STOP. IT WAS THE RAV 4 IN FRONT OF HER, NOT HER BRAKES, THAT STOPPED HER CAR DEAD. THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS HURT. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THE AIRBAG I FELT WOULD PROTECT HER DID NOT DEPLOY. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THINGS GET ADDRESSED BY A MANUFACTURER? TO THINK I BOUGHT MY ONLY DAUGHTER A CAR WITH UNRELIABLE BRAKES AND AIRBAGS THAT DON'T WORK. UNFORTUNATELY, LIKE A LOT OF OTHER CONSUMERS, WE FOUND THIS OUT THE HARD WAY. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023081
32,000 miles · Jun 14, 2003
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE PA TURNPIKE GOING 60 MPH IN MY 2002 FORD FOCUS. I HAD JUST PASSED A COP AND HAVE WITNESSES THAT I WAS NOT SPEEDING OR DRIVING ERRATICALLY. IT WAS 8:30 IN THE MORNING AND MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. MY RPM'S DROPPED AND I WAS LOOSING MY SPEED. (THIS HAPPENED ONE MONTH PRIOR AND I TOOK IT TO FORD. THEY R…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE PA TURNPIKE GOING 60 MPH IN MY 2002 FORD FOCUS. I HAD JUST PASSED A COP AND HAVE WITNESSES THAT I WAS NOT SPEEDING OR DRIVING ERRATICALLY. IT WAS 8:30 IN THE MORNING AND MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. MY RPM'S DROPPED AND I WAS LOOSING MY SPEED. (THIS HAPPENED ONE MONTH PRIOR AND I TOOK IT TO FORD. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND TWO OTHER PARTS ON WARRANTY) I HAD TO GET TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, WHICH HAD A WALL RIGHT AFTER IT, BECAUSE I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE WHERE THERE WAS A WALL DIRECTLY TO MY LEFT. IN TRYING TO CROSS THE CAR LOST TRACTION ON THE ROAD AND SHOT ME HEAD FIRST INTO THE WALL. HEAD FIRST AT 55 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS AND FOR THE PAST TEN DAYS I HAVE BEEN IN UNBELIEVABLE PAIN, TO THE ER 3 TIMES. NOW I HAVE PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING IS BETTER. I AM A 19 YEAR OLD FEMALE AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYBODY ELSE HURT IN THIS SORT OF ACCIDENT. I HAVE AN ATTORNEY AND I SUGGEST ANYONE WITH A FOCUS HAVE ONE ON HAND. I WANT EVERYONE TO READ THIS BEFORE THEY BUY ONE! MY NEXT STEP IS TO CONTACT MAGAZINES AND TELEVISION SHOWS. I HAD A GUARDIAN ANGEL WITH ME, SOMEONE MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY! *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023066
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2003
Structure
WHILE DRIVING A "POP" NOISE WAS HEARD AND VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. IT LOOKED LIKE THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMING OFF OR LOOSENED. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. NO DETERMINATION OF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN MADE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10024005
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10022977
6,000 miles · Jun 10, 2003
Structure
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON. THE FRONT FOOT WELLS FILL UP WITH WATER IN RAINY CONDITIONS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10021381
14,000 miles · Jun 9, 2003
Electrical System
VEHICLE WON'T START. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS SE. AT 10,956 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES. I WAS BILLED 256.06 FOR THIS REPAIR. I ALSO HAD A WATER LEAK THAT OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE LEAK WAS FIXED. THE PROBLEM WAS SAID TO BE THE POLLEN FILTER. THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS LOOSE, THAT WAS ALSO FIXED ASAP. AND LASTLY THE FUE…
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I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS SE. AT 10,956 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES. I WAS BILLED 256.06 FOR THIS REPAIR. I ALSO HAD A WATER LEAK THAT OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE LEAK WAS FIXED. THE PROBLEM WAS SAID TO BE THE POLLEN FILTER. THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS LOOSE, THAT WAS ALSO FIXED ASAP. AND LASTLY THE FUEL ECONOMY IS FAR FROM WHAT FORD CLAIMS IT TO BE. PLEASE VISIT WWW.FORDFOCUSBRAKEPROBLEMS.COM FOR MORE INFO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10021200
10 miles · Jun 6, 2003
Tires
ON 5/27/03 DURING REG OIL/FILTER/TIRE ROTATION AT FIRESTONE,5417 MCCARDLE,CORPUS CHRISTI,TX I WAS TOLD ONE TIRE HAD A COMPRESSION BUBBLE"IMPACT BREAK ON SIDEWALL".I REPLACED IT.ON 5/29/03 ANOTHER TIRE SELF DESTRUCTED WITH NO APPARENT REASON.I REPLACED IT (50% DISCOUNTTIRES WERE FIREHAWK GTA-02(I DO NOT HAVE TIRES AND DO NOT SEE …
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ON 5/27/03 DURING REG OIL/FILTER/TIRE ROTATION AT FIRESTONE,5417 MCCARDLE,CORPUS CHRISTI,TX I WAS TOLD ONE TIRE HAD A COMPRESSION BUBBLE"IMPACT BREAK ON SIDEWALL".I REPLACED IT.ON 5/29/03 ANOTHER TIRE SELF DESTRUCTED WITH NO APPARENT REASON.I REPLACED IT (50% DISCOUNTTIRES WERE FIREHAWK GTA-02(I DO NOT HAVE TIRES AND DO NOT SEE A DOT# ON THE REMAINING TWO.I CALLED FIRESTONE WARRANTY,SPOKE TO CHUCK AND REQUESTED 2 NEW TIRES AT NO COST AS I DO NOT BELIEVE IN COINCEDENCES AND THE SAFETY ISSUE. I SAID I PAID FOR TWO AND FIRESTONE SHOULD PAY FOR TWO.HE SAID HE WOULD CALL FIRESTONE CC. I CALLED TODAY 6/6/03 .HE SAID HE NEVER CALLED AND HAD NO MEMORY OF PROMISING TO MAKE SUCH A CALL. HE ENDED BY SAYING THAT FIRESTONE WOULD NOT GIVE ME TWO TIRES HE APPARENTLY DOES NOT HAVE A SCREEN FOR INCOMING AS I HAD TO RETELL MY TALE.HIS INITIAL RESPONSE WAS WHEN FIRESTONE HAD COMPLAINTS ON THE 99-2000 HAWKEYE,THEY VOLUNTALILY RECALLED AND REPLACED- YEA SURE; VOLUNTARY VS. ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RESPOND THANK YOU ARTHUR BERMAN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10021143
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2003
EquipmentSuspension
I HAVE HAD MY A/C WORKED ON AT LEAST 3 TIMES. ALSO HAVE HEAVY VIBRATIONS WHEN I JUST HAD IT ALIGNED 5/04/03. AND STILL HAVING HEAVY VIBRATIONS.AK
NHTSA ODI #10021084
12,000 miles · Jun 4, 2003
Visibility
CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS LEAKING WATER FROM SUNROOF. THE CARPET IS LOOSE DUE TO CONSTANT REMOVAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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.
Illustration