IllustrationTHIS IS THE THIRD OCCASION THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. NEITHER THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY OR MY FORD DEALER ARE ABLE TO EXPLAIN OR OFFER ANY RECTIFICATION OF THIS PARTICULARY DANGEROUS PROBLEM.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
103 reportsWITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND WENT INTO A STALL. I THOUGH I DID SOMETHING WRONG AND DIDN'T REPORT IT. AT 1800 MILES I DROVE HOME FROM WORK MADE A BRIEF STOP AND WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR NOTHING WORKED. THE DASHBOARD WHEN BLANK. VEH HAD TO BE TOWED & WAS KEPT FOR 5 DAYS A FUEL PUMP …
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WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND WENT INTO A STALL. I THOUGH I DID SOMETHING WRONG AND DIDN'T REPORT IT. AT 1800 MILES I DROVE HOME FROM WORK MADE A BRIEF STOP AND WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR NOTHING WORKED. THE DASHBOARD WHEN BLANK. VEH HAD TO BE TOWED & WAS KEPT FOR 5 DAYS A FUEL PUMP WAS PUT IN. AT 2874 MILES A MONTH LATER I STOPPED FOR GAS AND VEHICLE AGAIN WOULDN'T START DASH BOARD WENT BLANK. VEH TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP & KEPT 3 DAYS. A NEW STARTER WAS PUT IN. JULY 15 ENGINE LIGHT & GAS LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OFF (WAS TOLD NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT KEEP ON DIRIVNG) TOOK VEH FOR REPAIR LIGHT WENT OFF. 8/2/02 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, RUSH HOUR ON INTERSTATE 295 AT 60 MPH. DASH BOARD WENT DEAD ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & VEH LOST ALL POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT AND FEW MINUTES. HAD NO CELL PHONE & WAS IN A DANGEROUS ON RAMP I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEH MOVING. AGAIN AFTER A SHORT DISTANCE EVERYTHING WHEN DEAD. I WAITED AND AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT HOME. I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND CALL DEALERSHIP. I ATTEMPED TO GET VEH TO DEALERSHIP, BUT VEHICLE AGAIN DIED IN THE ROAD. ALL LIGHTS CAME ON THE VEH WOULD START. AFTER WAITING I WAS EVENUTALLY ABLE TO GET CAR TO DEALERS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I FEEL I AM PUTTING MY LIFE AND OTHERS AT RISK WITH THIS CAR ON THE ROAD. I AM HANDYCAPPED AND PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR SAFETY REASONS. IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. HOW CAN I GET RID OF THIS VEHICLE AND GET IT REPLACED? I AM TRUELY CONCERNED FOR MY LIFE IN THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT I FEEL THEY JUST FIX THINGS BUT DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP?*AK
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING FROM 35 OR MORE MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER FEELS EXCESSIVE HEAT ON HIS FEET WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ALL SHIELDS ARE IN PLACE, SUNROOF …
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CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING FROM 35 OR MORE MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER FEELS EXCESSIVE HEAT ON HIS FEET WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ALL SHIELDS ARE IN PLACE, SUNROOF BUTTON IS IONPERATIVE. *NLM
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JUST STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WILL START BACK UP AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR. CONTACTED DEALER. CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*JB CONSUMER STATED THAT ALL ELECTRICAL PARTS FAIL TO OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALL. THE DEALER REPLACED MANY PARTS BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. *YH
AT APPROX THREE HOURS AFTER PURCHASING OUR NEW FOCUS, WE WHERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 60 TO 140, AND RETURNED TO ZERO. THE VEHICLE THEN CAME TO A STALL. WE THEN NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE FUEL CAP, AND THE ENGINE SERVICES SOON. WE WERE ABLE TO RE…
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AT APPROX THREE HOURS AFTER PURCHASING OUR NEW FOCUS, WE WHERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 60 TO 140, AND RETURNED TO ZERO. THE VEHICLE THEN CAME TO A STALL. WE THEN NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE FUEL CAP, AND THE ENGINE SERVICES SOON. WE WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT APPROX 5 MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. WE THEN RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE SERVICES DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAUSES WAS A LOOSE GROUNDS, AND INCOMPLETE CIR. THE SERVICES DEPARTMENT CORRECTIONS WERE DIAG. LED TO LOOSE GROUND CONNECTIONS NEAR BATTERY. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO START, AND IT TOOK 2 ATTEMPT'S TO START THE VEHICLE.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE MAKING TURNS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND VEHICLE WAS RETURNED BACK TO DEALER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MECHANIC HAS SERVICED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, CANNOT SEEM TO FIND OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK
VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE, AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED, CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK
DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AT 70, ENGINE CUT OUT COMPLETELY. WAS ABLE TO RESTART BRIEFLY, BUT ENGINE DIED AFTER IDLING FOR 20 SECONDS. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WORK. ENGINE TURNS OVER, BUT WILL NOT FIRE. NOT A PROBLEM WITH FUEL CAP, NO FUEL OR FUEL SHUTOFF VALVE.*AK
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