NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
277 reportsClear category filter99,500 miles · Jan 30, 2010
Electrical System
THE IGNITION IN MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IS LOCKED UP AND I CANNOT TURN IT OVER AT ALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST YEAR NOW! THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED, MY HUSBAND BOUGHT A NEW IGNITION ONLINE FROM AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP, DRILLED OUT THE OLD ONE AND INSTALLED THE NEW ONE HIMSELF. THE NEW IGNITION…
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THE IGNITION IN MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IS LOCKED UP AND I CANNOT TURN IT OVER AT ALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST YEAR NOW! THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED, MY HUSBAND BOUGHT A NEW IGNITION ONLINE FROM AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP, DRILLED OUT THE OLD ONE AND INSTALLED THE NEW ONE HIMSELF. THE NEW IGNITION WE BOUGHT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FREE OF THE DEFECT THAT WAS CAUSING THE IGNITION FAILURE. WE HAVE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND THE AMOUNT OF FOCUS OWNERS AFFECTED BY THIS IS WIDESPREAD. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON ONE OF THE COLDEST DAYS OF WINTER WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON. FORD WILL NOT COVER THESE REPAIRS BECAUSE MY CAR IS OBVIOUSLY OUT OF THE STANDARD WARRANTY PERIOD, HOWEVER, I'M LEFT TO PAY FOR THE SAME COSTLY REPAIR TIME AND TIME AGAIN. MEANWHILE, REMAINING CONSTANTLY WORRIED ALL THE TIME IF MY CAR WILL LEAVE ME STRANDED. PLEASE HELP US FORD FOCUS OWNERS AND PUSH FORD TO RECALL THIS APPARENT AND IMMEDIATE SAFETY DEFECT!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303359
135,000 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE IGNITION REMAINED LOCKED. THE CONTACT TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK THE IGNITION AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TAPPED ON THE IGNITION AND UNLOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE IGNITION REMAINED LOCKED. THE CONTACT TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK THE IGNITION AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TAPPED ON THE IGNITION AND UNLOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LUBRICATED THE IGNITION SWITCH; YET, THE IGNITION LOCKED AGAIN. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT ORDER THE PART FOR THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A GOOD FAITH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK AND THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING STRANDED IF THE FAILURE RECURS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #10301714
90,000 miles · Dec 28, 2009
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
I DROVE MY CAR (A 2002 FORD FOCUS) TO A RESTAURANT ON DEC. 28TH, 2009 AT 7:15 PM. WHEN I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I TURNED THE WHEEL TO RELEASE IT FROM THE "LOCKED" WHEEL POSITION, BUT THE KEY STILL WOULD NOT TURN. I WAITED IN MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THEN ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE KEY ONCE…
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I DROVE MY CAR (A 2002 FORD FOCUS) TO A RESTAURANT ON DEC. 28TH, 2009 AT 7:15 PM. WHEN I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I TURNED THE WHEEL TO RELEASE IT FROM THE "LOCKED" WHEEL POSITION, BUT THE KEY STILL WOULD NOT TURN. I WAITED IN MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THEN ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE KEY ONCE MORE IN THE IGNITION WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I WAS FORCED TO CALL A FRIEND AND WAIT IN MY CAR WITH NO HEAT. THE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AS I WAITED FOR NEARLY HALF AN HOUR TO BE PICKED UP, THEN DROPPED OFF AT HOME BY A COWORKER. HE WILL HAVE TO PICK ME UP FOR WORK TOMORROW AS ALL REPAIR FACILITIES ARE CLOSED FOR THE EVENING. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ONCE I GOT HOME AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS AND SPECIFICALLY FORD FOCUS MODELS FROM 2000-2003 YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL POSTED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS TO AN INFERIOR PART THAT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297242
20,000 miles · Dec 8, 2009
Electrical System
2002 FORD FOCUS BATTERY CABLES WAS BURNING I WAS SMELLING A BURNING SCENT WHEN I STATED THE VEHICLE AN WELL WHEN I DROVE THE CAR. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE BATTERY HARNESS IN THIS CAR FRAYED AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE ALTERNATOR. FORD SAID THIS WAS NOT A RECALL PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10294962
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2009
Electrical System
PARKED MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ON THE STREET, WHEN I CAME BACK THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION AND THE WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. CALLED THE FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO YANK ON THE WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD WHILE TURNING THE KEY, THIS WORKED AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BUT AFTER I TURNED IT OFF, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, YANKIN…
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PARKED MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ON THE STREET, WHEN I CAME BACK THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION AND THE WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. CALLED THE FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO YANK ON THE WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD WHILE TURNING THE KEY, THIS WORKED AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BUT AFTER I TURNED IT OFF, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, YANKING THE WHEEL FOR 10 MINS IT WORKED. NOW I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION SO IT WONT LOCK UP ON ME. I AM LITERALLY SCARED TO TURN ON MY CAR BECAUSE WHEN I TURN A CORNER IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE TO TURN THE WHEEL WAY AROUND. I AM A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WORKS LATE, AND I RELY ON MY CAR TO GET ME HOME SAFELY..I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10294099
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2009
Electrical System
THE IGNITION ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS LOCKED UP. IT HAPPENED OUT OF NOWHERE. I WAS COMPLETELY STRANDED AND IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO GET SOMEONE TO COME HELP ME. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND KNOWN ABOUT. I WOULD HOPE THIS WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL SINCE IT PO…
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THE IGNITION ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS LOCKED UP. IT HAPPENED OUT OF NOWHERE. I WAS COMPLETELY STRANDED AND IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO GET SOMEONE TO COME HELP ME. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND KNOWN ABOUT. I WOULD HOPE THIS WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL SINCE IT POSES THE POTENTIAL TO STRAND PEOPLE IN LESS THAN DESIRABLE CONDITIONS WHEN THE ONLY PROBLEM PRESENT IS THE IGNITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292488
94,726 miles · Nov 5, 2009
Electrical System
I WENT TO MY BABYSITTERS TO PICK UP MY CHILD AND I TURN OFF MY CAR WHICH IS A 2002 FORD FOCUS TOT GO INSIDE. I COME BACK OUT 5 MINS LATER AND TRY TO START IT AND THE IGNITION WAS STUCK. SO IT WAS TOWED AND FIXED FOR 400 DOLLARS. AND JUST A BIG PAIN IN THE '!@#$%. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291106
120,000 miles · Oct 14, 2009
Electrical System
2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON REAR HATCH WIRING HARNESS FRAYED WIRES AND NO BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10287410
160,000 miles · Oct 12, 2009
Electrical System
I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION, THEREFORE THE CAR WILL NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH. TODAY OCT 12, 2009 THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START SO MY CHILD MISSED SCHOOL TODAY BECAUSE OF THIS. THIS IS GETTING FRUSTRATING I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR SIN…
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I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION, THEREFORE THE CAR WILL NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH. TODAY OCT 12, 2009 THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START SO MY CHILD MISSED SCHOOL TODAY BECAUSE OF THIS. THIS IS GETTING FRUSTRATING I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR SINCE APRIL OF 2009 AND THIS IS CAUSING ME GRIEF. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD FOCUS DUE TO THIS FRUSTRATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10287124
120,000 miles · Oct 5, 2009
Electrical System
IGNITION IS LOCKED. KEY WILL NOT TURN, BRAKES ARE LOCKED, GEARS ARE LOCKED. COSTS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO BE REPLACED AND I WAS STRANDED FOR HOURS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME. FORD REPLACES THE IGNITION KEY WITH THE EXACT IGNITION KEY AS BEFORE, CREATING DEJAVU FOR MOST CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286322
Official recalls
1Feb 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
Illustration