NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Latches/locks/linkages complaints
45 reportsClear category filter110,000 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE TAPE IN ORDER FOR THE DOOR TO REMAIN CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE TAPE IN ORDER FOR THE DOOR TO REMAIN CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF UPDATED 06/30/11. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10393942
82,500 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR IS SEIZED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO OPEN THIS DOOR. THIS RESULTS IN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF THE PASSENGER IS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AND APPEARS TO BE PERMANEN…
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I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR IS SEIZED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO OPEN THIS DOOR. THIS RESULTS IN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF THE PASSENGER IS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AND APPEARS TO BE PERMANENT. THE ACTUATOR MUST BE REMOVED AND REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $400.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10389802
131,000 miles · Jan 23, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesUnknown Or Other
I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD FOZUS ZX3 WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE FALL OF 2010. I FOUND MYSELF HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION KEY NOT TURNING ONCE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS OCCURRED QUITE FREQUENTLY (APPROXIMATELY ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS) AND I HAD TO PLAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KEY FOR AT LEAST FIVE MINU…
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I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD FOZUS ZX3 WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE FALL OF 2010. I FOUND MYSELF HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION KEY NOT TURNING ONCE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS OCCURRED QUITE FREQUENTLY (APPROXIMATELY ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS) AND I HAD TO PLAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KEY FOR AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES EVERY TIME. I DID NOT CONSIDER IT TO BE A SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEM UNTIL LAST NIGHT. I WAS AT MY FRIEND'S APARTMENT AND AROUND 1:30 AM I DECIDED TO LEAVE. I GOT IN MY CAR, INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND COULD NOT TURN IT AT ALL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I WAS IN MY FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR, TRYING EVERYTHING I COULD POSSIBLY THINK OF TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK AND THE KEY TO TURN. I ENGAGED THE GEAR RELEASE AND MANUALLY PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, I BLEW ON THE IGNITION WITH MY HAND CUPPED OVER IT, AS I THOUGHT THIS ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. I LOCKED AND UNLOCKED THE DOORS, BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN A SAFETY FEATURE. AFTER A HALF HOUR OF EFFORT WITH NO RESULTS I HAD TO CALL MY PARENTS AND ASK THEM TO COME PICK ME UP, BOTH OF THEM HAD TO WORK IN THE MORNING AND MY 62 YEAR OLD FATHER HAD TO GET OUT OF BED, AND COME GET ME AT 2 IN THE MORNING IN THE MIDDLE OF JAN. I WAS TEN MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE, BUT EVERY OTHER TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED I'VE BEEN APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE OR MORE. THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT AND CAUSE FOR CONCERN, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY FAMILY AND I HAVE GROWN TO TRUST AND DEPEND ON FORD VEHICLES. MY OLDEST BROTHER'S FIRST CAR WAS A MUSTANG, MY OTHER BROTHER'S FIRST CAR WAS A THUNDERBIRD AND HE NOW DRIVES AND ESCAPE. MY FATHER CURRENTLY DRIVES A RANGER, MY MOTHER'S LAST VEHICLE WAS A WINDSTAR, AND MY FIRST CAR WAS AN EXPLORER. IT SERVED ME WELL AND WHEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY ANOTHER FORD I DIDN'T HAVE TO THINK TWICE, BUT THIS LATEST EXPERIENCE HAS MADE ME SERIOUSLY SECOND GUESS WHAT I HAD THOUGHT TO BE AN AMERICAN NAME I COULD TRUST. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10378332
75,000 miles · Jan 12, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
(2002 FORD FOCUS SE) HAS AUTO LOCKING DOORS NOW THESE DOORS SOMETIMES STAY LOCK PRESS ALL BUTTONS AND NOT A THING HAPPENS.NOW SOMETIMES I CAN BE INSIDE THE CAR 5-7 MINUTES PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTONS BUT THE DOORS WONT OPEN. ONE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS TYPE OF DOORS IS ALL POWER OPERATED AND THEY DON'T HAVE MANUAL RELEASE LATCH. P…
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(2002 FORD FOCUS SE) HAS AUTO LOCKING DOORS NOW THESE DOORS SOMETIMES STAY LOCK PRESS ALL BUTTONS AND NOT A THING HAPPENS.NOW SOMETIMES I CAN BE INSIDE THE CAR 5-7 MINUTES PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTONS BUT THE DOORS WONT OPEN. ONE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS TYPE OF DOORS IS ALL POWER OPERATED AND THEY DON'T HAVE MANUAL RELEASE LATCH. PLEASE NOTE IN A EMERGENCY IF THIS HAPPENS NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WITHOUT HAVING SOMETHING TO BREAK THE GLASS. THESE DOOR SHOULD HAVE A MANUAL RELEASE LATCH WHEN THE POWER FAILS. THIS KEEPS ON HAPPENING VERY OFTEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376331
80,000 miles · Dec 5, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
COMPLETE IGNITION LOCK FAILURE. CAN NOT TURN KEY IN IGNITION TO START THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369274
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION OF MY 2002 FORD FOCUS -- IT'S LOCKED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352490
67,500 miles · Jul 26, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS SE AND FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS WE'VE BEEN FORCED TO "ENTICE" OUR KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TO TURN IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. FINALLY, TODAY, 07/25/2010, WE HAD TO LEAVE IT WHILE VISITING A FRIEND BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, NO MATTER WHAT WE DID. WE WILL BE TOWING IT AND FIXING THE PROBLEM AND, T…
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I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS SE AND FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS WE'VE BEEN FORCED TO "ENTICE" OUR KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TO TURN IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. FINALLY, TODAY, 07/25/2010, WE HAD TO LEAVE IT WHILE VISITING A FRIEND BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, NO MATTER WHAT WE DID. WE WILL BE TOWING IT AND FIXING THE PROBLEM AND, THROUGH RESEARCH, WE HAVE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT WOULD COST $300+ TO DO SO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345416
110,000 miles · Jun 9, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THIS CAR TWO MONTHS AGO AND IT WORKS GREAT. PROBLEM IS SOMETIMES IGNITION SWITCH GET STUCK AND WONT TURN. NOW MY HUSBAND IS STUCK IN ANOTHER STATE AND STRANDED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335473
83,000 miles · May 31, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
KEY STICKS IN IGNITION. 2002 FORD FOCUS, 83,000 MILES. WE JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR USED ON SATURDAY AND HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10333916
130,000 miles · Feb 27, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
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
NHTSA ODI #10314781
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