IllustrationKEY STICKS IN IGNITION. 2002 FORD FOCUS, 83,000 MILES. WE JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR USED ON SATURDAY AND HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. *TR
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
Electrical System complaints
277 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO STALL. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO STALL. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A SECOND MECHANIC WHO ADVISED REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR. THE ALTERNATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 8/9/10 *CN UPDATED 08/11/10.*JB
WE JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS CAR (2002 FORD FOCUS) AND SO I DO NOT KNOW THE HISTORY OF IT, HOWEVER THE CAR JUST STARTED LOCKING UP OUT OF NOWHERE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WITH MY HUSBAND AND LUCKILY HE DID NOT HAVE ANY OF OUR CHILDREN WITH HIM. THE IGNITION KEEPS LOCKING AND WE HAVE TO KEEP ON HAVING IT TOWED HOME. WE HAV…
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WE JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS CAR (2002 FORD FOCUS) AND SO I DO NOT KNOW THE HISTORY OF IT, HOWEVER THE CAR JUST STARTED LOCKING UP OUT OF NOWHERE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WITH MY HUSBAND AND LUCKILY HE DID NOT HAVE ANY OF OUR CHILDREN WITH HIM. THE IGNITION KEEPS LOCKING AND WE HAVE TO KEEP ON HAVING IT TOWED HOME. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ABOUT 2 AND 1/2 MONTHS AND SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. SO WE HAVE HAD TO PAY $160 IN TOWING COSTS. WE HAVE A FRIEND THAT SOMEHOW FIXED IT AND MY HUSBAND SPENDS HOURS OUTSIDE MESSING WITH IT TO GET IT WORKING. THIS TIME IS WONT START AT ALL AND ITS THE WORST TIMING EVER WE HAVE A PREMATURE BABY AND 4 OTHER CHILDREN THAT NEED TO GET TO SCHOOL AND DAYCARE. *TR
I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD FOCUS JUST 5 MONTHS AGO (DECEMBER 2009). WHEN TRYING TO START MY CAR AT A RESTAURANT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER A FULL HOUR OF TRYING TO FIX IT, I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION WITH A FORD PART THAT I …
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I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD FOCUS JUST 5 MONTHS AGO (DECEMBER 2009). WHEN TRYING TO START MY CAR AT A RESTAURANT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER A FULL HOUR OF TRYING TO FIX IT, I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION WITH A FORD PART THAT I FEAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION COST ME OVER $400, AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A LONG-TERM SOLUTION. ACCORDING TO MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS, THE NEW IGNITION WILL FAIL TO THE SAME PROBLEM IN TIME. I AM LIMITED BY OTHER OPTIONS, AS NON-FORD PARTS AND LOCKSMITH WORK DOES NOT COME WITH THE 12 MONTH-WARRANTY THAT FORD OFFERS. MY BEST OPTION IS TO SELL THE CAR AGAIN BEFORE IT HAPPENS, OR BEFORE MY WARRANTY IS UP-- NEITHER OF WHICH ARE A SOLUTION, BUT PUTTING THE PROBLEM ONTO SOMEONE ELSE. THIS IS A SERIOUS TRAGEDY AND IN FAULTY DESIGN. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE FRIENDS TO HELP ME IN THIS SITUATION, BUT THE EMBARRASSMENT AND FEAR OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN ARE NOT WORTH IT. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! *TR
2002 ZTS HAD PROBLEMS WHERE IGNITION GOT STUCK COULD NOT REMOVE OR START THE CAR HAD TO HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED IT COST ME IN EXCESS OF $300.00 EVIDENTLY THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT FORD IS NOT DEALING WITH. *TR
FAULTY IGNITION IN 2002 FORD FOCUS WAS STRANDED FOR FIVE HOURS HAVE NOT YET FIXED THE PROBLEM DUE TO FORDS HIGH COST TO FIX THERE DEFECT. *TR
IGNITION LOCKS UP, WILL NOT TURN REGARDLESS OF EFFORT, PUSHING, PULLING, BEATING, OR TWISTING YOUR TONGUE JUST THE RIGHT WAY. HOWEVER, ONE TAP ON THE EDGE OF THE KEY WHILE IT IS IN THE IGNITION WORKS. NO AMOUNT OF WD-40 OR PARTS CLEANER FIXES THE PROBLEM THOUGH. *TR
FORD FOCUS 2002 ZTS KEY IGNITION FAILED AT 80,000 MILES FOR OVER A YEAR BEFORE THE TOTAL FAILURE THERE WERE AT LEAST 12 TIMES THAT THE IGNITION FAILED BUT FINALLY WORKED AFTER A FEW TRIES. I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON MORE THEN ON OCCASION DUE TO THIS FAILURE AND LAST TIME HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WA…
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FORD FOCUS 2002 ZTS KEY IGNITION FAILED AT 80,000 MILES FOR OVER A YEAR BEFORE THE TOTAL FAILURE THERE WERE AT LEAST 12 TIMES THAT THE IGNITION FAILED BUT FINALLY WORKED AFTER A FEW TRIES. I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON MORE THEN ON OCCASION DUE TO THIS FAILURE AND LAST TIME HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AT THE FORD DEAL SHIP AND COST ME 450.00. I HAD TO GET A NEW KEY AND A NEW IGNITION. I CAN FEEL THAT ONCE AGAIN THE KEY IS RUBBING THE IGNITION THE WAY IT WAS BEFORE THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND AM SURE THAT IN THE FUTURE I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE PART ONCE AGAIN. I JUST HOPE THIS TIME I WON'T BE STRANDED. *TR
MY 2002 FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION! I SEE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE STRANDED WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR ON A BLUSTERY WINTER DAY! I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY BASICALLY SAID IT WAS MY RESPONSI…
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MY 2002 FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION! I SEE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE STRANDED WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR ON A BLUSTERY WINTER DAY! I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY BASICALLY SAID IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. *TR
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION, UNABLE TO REMOVE IT. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR THE FORD FOCUS CARS, RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK YOU CAR HAVING TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. REPLACEMENT IGNITIONS DON'T FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY FAIL ALSO. *TR
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