NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
64 reportsClear category filter17,282 miles · Oct 6, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 FOCUS SE. APRIL 2003, I PASSED NY STATE INSPECTION W/O ANY PROBLEMS. AUGUST 2003 I BRING MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND I AM TOLD THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED ASAP B/C THEY ARE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE ROTOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE …
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 FOCUS SE. APRIL 2003, I PASSED NY STATE INSPECTION W/O ANY PROBLEMS. AUGUST 2003 I BRING MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND I AM TOLD THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED ASAP B/C THEY ARE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE ROTOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE DEALER ALSO TELLS ME IT WILL COST ME $600.00 TO REPAIR! I CALLED FORD IN DETROIT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A HIGH PRICE, BUT THEY DON'T CONTROL DEALER'S PRICES. THEY ALSO TELL ME THAT THERE IS NO REPORTED PROBLEMS W/THE BRAKES, SO IT MUST BE ME. I DO NOT BRAKE HARD. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR HAS BEEN THROUGH SOFT DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL CAR REPAIR WHO TOLD ME NOT ONLY DO I NEED FRONT/BACK BRAKES, BUT THAT CARS AREN'T DESIGNED TO WEAR BRAKES DOWN AT THE SAME RATE. AT THIS SHOP IT COST ME $325. I JOINED THE CLASS ACTION SUIT W/ FORDFOCUSBRAKEPROBLEMS.COM . *JB
NHTSA ODI #10041316
16,000 miles · Sep 26, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10040768
13,040 miles · Sep 11, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS SE W/ 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE CONTROL PLUS OTHER OPTIONS. ON DATE LISTED, I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON A 4 LANE HWY APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CAR WAS IN 5TH GEAR W/ THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. UPON TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BEGIN BRAKING, NEITHER EVEN…
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I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS SE W/ 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE CONTROL PLUS OTHER OPTIONS. ON DATE LISTED, I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON A 4 LANE HWY APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CAR WAS IN 5TH GEAR W/ THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. UPON TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BEGIN BRAKING, NEITHER EVENT HAPPENED. I TRIED 3X TO GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO TURN OFF BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD. IT FAILED ALL THREE TIMES. BY THEN, I WAS RAPIDLY APPROACHING A GROUP OF CARS IN BOTH NORTHBOUND LANES OF GA HWY 365 COMPLETELY STANDING STILL WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. IN RESPONSE TO A RUNAWAY CAR, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE OFF THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD; HOWEVER, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF ME DID THE SAME. I STRUCK HER CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE WITH THE LEFT SIDE OF MY 2002 FORD FOCUS SE. MY PASSENGER REACHED OVER & TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF. I WAS ABLE THEN TO BRAKE THE CAR TO A STOP A FEW FEET FROM A CONCRETE CULVERT. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OF MY CAR WAS FOLDED APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREE ANGLE AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS DOWN ON THE GROUND. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. NEITHER CAR WAS DRIVEABLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CAR HAS FAILED ON TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. FURTHER, THE BRAKE WEAR INDICATOR HAD BEGUN SQUELING RECENTLY. THE CAR HAD 13040 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS PURCHASED ONE YEAR EARLIER. WILLARD FERGUSON
NHTSA ODI #10038698
14,692 miles · Sep 9, 2003
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 FORD FOCUS HAS FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS, NEEDS REPLACING OF ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS UNDER WARRANTY BUT DEALER REFUSES TO AGREE TO THIS ESTIMATE BY MASTER BRAKE. DEALER SAYS I ONLY NEED PADS AND ROTORS MACHINED. CAR ONLY HAS 14,692 MILES ON IT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037532
13,700 miles · Aug 18, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TO MY FOCUS IN TO SERVICE JAN 2003 FOR SQUEAKING BRAKES, ROTORS WERE WARPED, BRAKE SQUEAKING SAID TO BE "NORMAL". THEY MACHINE STRAIGHTENED THE ROTORS AND SAID FORD ENGINEERING LOOKING INTO SQUEAKS. AUG. 2003 TAKE FOCUS IN FOR LOUD VIBRATING SOUND. BRAKES AND ROTORS COMPLETELY SHOT. $440 TO FIX. 13700 MILES ON CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10033064
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10031724
14,053 miles · Jul 8, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AT 14053 MILES, THE ROTORS ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS HAD TO BE REMACHINED, NOW AT 20K MILES, I HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME BRAKE PROBLEM FIXED AGAIN. OBVIOUSLY THE ROTORS ARE EITHER SUBSTANDARD OR DEFECTIVE AND OR THERE IS A LARGER PROBLEM, MASTER CYLINDER ETC. ALSO THE REAR BRAKES TEND TO LOCK UP PERIODICALLY.1ST INCIDENT-JAN 03.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10025610
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING OUT, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, VEHICLE WILL HAVE A HEAVY VIBRATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10026544
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PADS ARE WARPED AND WEAR OUT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.EVERY 20,000 MILES HAD TO REPLACE THEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10024176
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2003
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
I BOUGHT MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER A NEW FOCUS BECAUSE I FELT NEW CARS WERE SAFER AND MORE RELIABLE. TODAY, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. SHE HAS HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING NOISE AND NOT BEING RESPONSIVE. ON HER WAY TO HAVE THEM LOOKED AT AGAIN, SHE MADE A LEFT ONTO A MAJOR ROAD AND THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF H…
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I BOUGHT MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER A NEW FOCUS BECAUSE I FELT NEW CARS WERE SAFER AND MORE RELIABLE. TODAY, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. SHE HAS HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING NOISE AND NOT BEING RESPONSIVE. ON HER WAY TO HAVE THEM LOOKED AT AGAIN, SHE MADE A LEFT ONTO A MAJOR ROAD AND THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF HER WAS AT A DEAD STOP. IT WAS THE RAV 4 IN FRONT OF HER, NOT HER BRAKES, THAT STOPPED HER CAR DEAD. THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS HURT. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THE AIRBAG I FELT WOULD PROTECT HER DID NOT DEPLOY. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THINGS GET ADDRESSED BY A MANUFACTURER? TO THINK I BOUGHT MY ONLY DAUGHTER A CAR WITH UNRELIABLE BRAKES AND AIRBAGS THAT DON'T WORK. UNFORTUNATELY, LIKE A LOT OF OTHER CONSUMERS, WE FOUND THIS OUT THE HARD WAY. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023081
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