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
What owners actually said
939 reports
38,000 miles · Nov 25, 2009
Power Train
THE GEAR SHIFT SWITCH THAT LOCKS THE CAR INTO PARK AND ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO REMOVE THE KEY IS FAULTY. THE DRIVER CAN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN PULL THE GEARSHIFT BACK TO REVERSE WITHOUT HAVING TO ENGAGE THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT. ALSO, THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A FIX OR …
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THE GEAR SHIFT SWITCH THAT LOCKS THE CAR INTO PARK AND ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO REMOVE THE KEY IS FAULTY. THE DRIVER CAN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN PULL THE GEARSHIFT BACK TO REVERSE WITHOUT HAVING TO ENGAGE THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT. ALSO, THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A FIX OR RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE, IT IS NOT SAFE AND THE CAR IS JUST NOT THAT OLD TO HAVE SUCH PROBLEMS. THE SAFETY FEATURE HAS FAILED AND MADE THE CAR UNSAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293516
54,000 miles · Nov 25, 2009
Power Train
THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT AT THE REAR OF THE CAR, FAILED AND DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION DOWN ON TO THE REAR-TRANSAXLE AND DAMAGED MOTOR MOUNTS. THE BRACKET APPEARS TO BE MADE OF VERY FLIMSY METAL AND IS NOT AN ADEQUATE PIECE OF MACHINING FOR THE TASK HOLDING THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293513
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
52,000 miles · Oct 13, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CAR STARTED TO PUTT PUTT AND THEN IT STALLED OUT I HAD A HAFL OF TANK OF GAS WHEN I HAD TO GET THIS TOWED COME TO FINE OUT THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WAS CLOGGED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10287235
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
65,000 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE LATCH AND STRIDE WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65000. UPDATED 10/29/09 *CN UPDATED 10/29/09.*JB THE PART HAS NOT REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10286890
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
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2009
Electrical System
THE KEY IN MY FORD FOCUS WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE AND WAS FIXED AFTER HOURS OF PLAYING AROUND WITH IT. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN, WITHOUT AS MUCH LUCK. LUCKILY, I HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO OR AT HOME WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD EASILY MAKE ME STRANDED ONE DAY. …
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THE KEY IN MY FORD FOCUS WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE AND WAS FIXED AFTER HOURS OF PLAYING AROUND WITH IT. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN, WITHOUT AS MUCH LUCK. LUCKILY, I HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO OR AT HOME WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD EASILY MAKE ME STRANDED ONE DAY. NO WARRANTY IS AVAILABLE AND MY ONLY OPTION IS TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED. *TR
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
5
AQ10001 · 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.
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.
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