NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
103 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 13, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
NAR 03/13/2003 THE CONSUMER HAS REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE GO UNDER EVALUATION BY FORD TO DETECT PROBLEMS ON THE VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AFTER GOING ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, BECAUSE THE CERTIFIED INSPECTOR IDENTIFIED RAW GAS IN THE TAIL PIPE AND THE SMELL WAS BECOMING INTOLERANT. THE CONSUMER WANTS FURTHER INVEST…
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NAR 03/13/2003 THE CONSUMER HAS REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE GO UNDER EVALUATION BY FORD TO DETECT PROBLEMS ON THE VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AFTER GOING ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, BECAUSE THE CERTIFIED INSPECTOR IDENTIFIED RAW GAS IN THE TAIL PIPE AND THE SMELL WAS BECOMING INTOLERANT. THE CONSUMER WANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATING . *CB *JB
NHTSA ODI #10011726
15,100 miles · Feb 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
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.
NHTSA ODI #10007749
8,500 miles · Feb 11, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT RUN IN SUB ZERO WEATHER DUE TO CONDENSATION IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE FIX IS TO DRILL HOLES IN THE EXHAUST AND LET OUT THE WATER. THIS CHANGE IN BACK PRESSURE, SALT IN THE SYSTEM, FUEL EFFICIENCY, AND LEAKAGE OF EXHAUST INTO PASSANGER COMPARTMENT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THIS MODIFICATION SHOULD ONL…
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2002 FORD FOCUS WILL NOT RUN IN SUB ZERO WEATHER DUE TO CONDENSATION IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE FIX IS TO DRILL HOLES IN THE EXHAUST AND LET OUT THE WATER. THIS CHANGE IN BACK PRESSURE, SALT IN THE SYSTEM, FUEL EFFICIENCY, AND LEAKAGE OF EXHAUST INTO PASSANGER COMPARTMENT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THIS MODIFICATION SHOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED AFTER FACTORY CERTIFICATION.
NHTSA ODI #10005693
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I'M CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCING A BURNING SMELL (AS IF SOMETHING IS GETTING VERY HOT) COMING FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 'NEW' APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO. I'VE NOTIFIED THE FORD DEALERSHIP (SELLER) AND RETURN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEM REGARDING THIS …
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I'M CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCING A BURNING SMELL (AS IF SOMETHING IS GETTING VERY HOT) COMING FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 'NEW' APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO. I'VE NOTIFIED THE FORD DEALERSHIP (SELLER) AND RETURN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEM REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. I ADVISED THEM ABOUT NEWS REPORTS WHICH INDICATED THAT OTHERS WITH SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCED A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER THEN CLAIMS THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNTIL FORD MOTOR COMPANY DECIDES TO INITIATE A RECALL NOTICE. DT
NHTSA ODI #770428
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND WILL NOT RESTART. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM TS
NHTSA ODI #8022480
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE RADIATOR FUN. ALSO STATED THAT THIS HAPPEND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FUN ON THE RADIATOR FELL OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHCLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED TO THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT THERE INSURANCE TO FIND OUT IF IT WAS CONSUMER S FALL OR THE MANUFACTURES DIF…
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CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE RADIATOR FUN. ALSO STATED THAT THIS HAPPEND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FUN ON THE RADIATOR FELL OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHCLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED TO THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT THERE INSURANCE TO FIND OUT IF IT WAS CONSUMER S FALL OR THE MANUFACTURES DIFFECT. TS
NHTSA ODI #8022232
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
PULLEY BOLTS ON WATER PUMP LOOSENED, TWO FELL OUT. BELT PULLEY TWISTED, BELT FRAYED AND WATER PUMP FROZE. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP HOUSING, PULLEY, BOLTS, BELT AND ANTI / FZ. MR
NHTSA ODI #768395
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND LOOSENED WHICH CAUSED FAN TO HIT IT CONTINUOUSLY. NOISE IN BRAKE PEDAL, REPORTED 3 TIMES, DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. IT HAS GOTTEN LOUDER. THEY HEAR IT BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS
NHTSA ODI #767039
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
JUST COMPLETED 3 HOUR TRIP IN HEAVY RAIN. HAD DRIVEN THROUGH AREA OF ROAD WITH SEVERAL INCHES OF WATER. WHILE VEHICLE APPROACHED FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTION THE RESULTING SPLASH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. TOWED CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO TOO MUCH WATER IN THE ENGINE. WE ALSO F…
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JUST COMPLETED 3 HOUR TRIP IN HEAVY RAIN. HAD DRIVEN THROUGH AREA OF ROAD WITH SEVERAL INCHES OF WATER. WHILE VEHICLE APPROACHED FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTION THE RESULTING SPLASH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. TOWED CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO TOO MUCH WATER IN THE ENGINE. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE AIR INTAKE VALVE IS LOCATED NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT BUMPER. THIS HAS CAUSED US TO NEED A NEW ENGINE ON A CAR THAT WE HAVEN'T EVEN HAD FOR THREE MONTHS. FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE AND INSISTS IT ISN'T A DESIGN FLAW. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED THAT IT IS ODD THAT THE ENGINE WOULD FAIL DUE TO WATER INTAKE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766898
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
SESSLER DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR DECISION TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. MY FAITH IS SHAKEN IN THE FOCUS COMPLETELY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766093
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