IllustrationTHE VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE DIVIDER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
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 reportsAIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING COLLISION AT 35 MPH. COLLISION RESULTED IN SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND PASSENGER HEAD INJURY, NEITHER PASSENGER NOR DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB
EVERY TIME IT RAINED THE CAR WOULD LEAK WATER ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR FROM BEHIND GLOVE BOX. DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO FIX 5 TIMES. FORD AGREED CAR WAS A LEMON AND BOUGHT IT BACK AFTER 6 MONTHS AND 31 DAYS OF BEING OUT OF SERVICE.*JB
THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. *JB
THE CAP WHICH JUST PRESSES ON OVER THE LUG NUT ON THE TIRE IS JUST PRESSED ON, AND COMES OFF EASILY, LEAVING JUST THE LUG NUT WHICH THE TIRE WRENCH IS TO LARGE TO REMOVE JUST THE NUT. *TS
THE RIM WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO LOSE AIR.*JB
FORD FOCUS ZX5 2002 - DRAMATICALLY POOR HANDLING ON SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACE. ? FAULTY BRAKING SENSOR / ? POOR SUSPENSION / ?? CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL NUMEROUS TIMES ON FLAT EVEN HIGHWAY SURFACE. ON PATCHES OF ICE - BACK END OF CAR VEERS BADLY TO LEFT (SIDEWAYS NOT FRONT END). IN SNOW COVERED SECTIONS BACK END FISHTAILS EXCESSIVEL…
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FORD FOCUS ZX5 2002 - DRAMATICALLY POOR HANDLING ON SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACE. ? FAULTY BRAKING SENSOR / ? POOR SUSPENSION / ?? CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL NUMEROUS TIMES ON FLAT EVEN HIGHWAY SURFACE. ON PATCHES OF ICE - BACK END OF CAR VEERS BADLY TO LEFT (SIDEWAYS NOT FRONT END). IN SNOW COVERED SECTIONS BACK END FISHTAILS EXCESSIVELY EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS (20 MPH). FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE BEHAVIOUR ON DRY CLEAR ROAD SURFACE.
I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS THAT I PURCHASED LAST JUNE. I HAD WENT INTO THE WALMART , AND WHEN I CAME OUT I SAW A CAR WHICH I THOUGHT WAS MINE BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE I HAD PARKED THAT CLOSE TO THE CAR-I PROCEEDED TO THE CAR UNLOCKED THE TRUNK WITH MY KEY-PUT MY GROCERIES IN THE TRUNK AND OPENED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR-WHICH THEN I NO…
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I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS THAT I PURCHASED LAST JUNE. I HAD WENT INTO THE WALMART , AND WHEN I CAME OUT I SAW A CAR WHICH I THOUGHT WAS MINE BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE I HAD PARKED THAT CLOSE TO THE CAR-I PROCEEDED TO THE CAR UNLOCKED THE TRUNK WITH MY KEY-PUT MY GROCERIES IN THE TRUNK AND OPENED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR-WHICH THEN I NOTICED SHOES IN THE FLOORBOARD ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE AND REALIZED MY KEYS HAD JUST OPENED THE DOOR AND THE TRUNK TO SOMEONE ELSE'S FORD FOCUS-SO I GRABBED A BUGGY REAL QUICK GOT MY STUFF OUT OF THE CAR-LOCKED THE DOORS AND WENT AND FOUND MY CAR. MY HUSBAND CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY JUST LAUGHED AND SAID THAT YOU HAVE A ONE IN A MILLION CHANCE SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN -THEY COULD CHANGE THE LOCKS BUT DIDIN'T THINK IT WAS NECESSARY-WOULD PROBABLY NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN-I EMAILED THE FORD COMPANY. THEY CALLED MY HUSBAND TALKED TO THEM-THEY SAID THEY WOULD MAKE A REPORT AND TO CALL THE DEALER BACK AND SEE WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO ABOUT IT. AFTER MY HUSBAND TALKED TO BOTH OF THESE PARTY'S IT WAS DECIDED THEY WEREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET A BURGULAR ALARM-SO I WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SOMEONE GETTING IN MY CAR , STEALING ITEMS IF SHOPPING,ETC,ETC,ETC. MOSTLY WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE AND SEE IF YOU HAVE HAD ANY OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING. YOU PAY A LOT FOR A CAR-FOR EVERYONE WHO OWNS ONE LIKE IT TO BE ABLE TO GET IN YOUR CAR. SCARES ME TOO=THAT CAR THIEVES MAY CATCH ON TO THIS
THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH. SCC *JB
WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT, MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE, CHECK BATTERY AND CHECK OIL LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP NOTED ON THE INVOICE THAT THEY HAD CHECKED THE BATTERY AND CHARGE, AND ALL WAS "OK." HOWEVER, WHEN I ASKED THEM WHY IT STALLED AS IT DID, I RECEIVED A…
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WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT, MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE, CHECK BATTERY AND CHECK OIL LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP NOTED ON THE INVOICE THAT THEY HAD CHECKED THE BATTERY AND CHARGE, AND ALL WAS "OK." HOWEVER, WHEN I ASKED THEM WHY IT STALLED AS IT DID, I RECEIVED A SHORT ANSWER THAT THEY "COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING" THAT WOULD LEAD TO THAT. THE STALLING WAS NOT NOTED ON THE REPAIR INVOICE. I'M AFRAID OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN, PARTICULARLY WHEN COMMUTING. THE FOCUS HAS 15,000 MILES ON IT.
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