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
150,000 miles · Oct 7, 2015
Air BagsInjury
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5, MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT A SPEED OF 35 MPH WITH ABSOLUTELY NO IMPACT TO THE CAR. DUE TO IT DEPLOYING AND GOING OFF IT HAD HIT MY LEFT SHOULDER AND CAUSED ME TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT, IF IT WASN'T FOR THE FACT THAT I WAS ALREADY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE I WOULD'V…
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I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5, MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT A SPEED OF 35 MPH WITH ABSOLUTELY NO IMPACT TO THE CAR. DUE TO IT DEPLOYING AND GOING OFF IT HAD HIT MY LEFT SHOULDER AND CAUSED ME TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT, IF IT WASN'T FOR THE FACT THAT I WAS ALREADY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE I WOULD'VE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS THIS ALSO HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF "RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC". I HAVE READ ON OTHER WEBSITES WHERE 2004 AND 2006'S SAME AIR BAGS HAVE DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON W/O ANY KIND OF IMPACT. THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD IN MY LEFT EAR THAT I COULD NOT HEAR OUT OF IT FOR OVER 45MINS, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THAT WOULD'VE DONE TO MY INFANT IF THEY WOULD'VE BEEN IN THE CAR AT THAT TIME. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER AS I AM 5MONTHS PREGNANT AND IF THE FRONT AIR BAG WOULD'VE GONE OFF IT COULD'VE CAUSED MUCH MORE INJURY TO ME AND MY UNBORN CHILD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND CONSIDER HAVING THIS MODEL PUT ON THE RECALL LIST.
NHTSA ODI #10780660
86,000 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Unknown Or Other
IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN! THEY HAVE KNOWN (FORD) ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ARE REFUSING TO ISSUE A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10764704
160,000 miles · Sep 10, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #10762868
327,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control
I AM WRITING THIS FOR TWO INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN A TWO WEEK TIME FRAME. 1. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE ONE PISTON PIN HAD BROKEN DUE TO WHICH THE WHOLE PISTON HAD BROKEN INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AS PER MECHANICS SUGGESTION. I HAVE THE INVOICE FROM THE MECHANIC SHOP AND THE MECHANIC WOUL…
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I AM WRITING THIS FOR TWO INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN A TWO WEEK TIME FRAME. 1. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE ONE PISTON PIN HAD BROKEN DUE TO WHICH THE WHOLE PISTON HAD BROKEN INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AS PER MECHANICS SUGGESTION. I HAVE THE INVOICE FROM THE MECHANIC SHOP AND THE MECHANIC WOULD GLADLY PROVIDE MORE DETAILS IF NEEDED. 2. THIS WAS SCARY ! WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MILES AN HOUR ON CRUISE,THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL AND CONSTANTLY ACCELERATED EVEN AFTER TRYING TO USE BRAKES. (IDEALLY WHEN YOU FIRST TOUCH THE BRAKES, THE CAR SHOULD COME OUT OF CRUISE) ONCE THE CAR REACHED AT A SPEED OF 80 MILES AND I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT DOWN ABNORMALLY, AND RESTARTED THE ISSUE CONTINUED AND EVEN WHEN IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, IT CONSTANTLY RAVED UP. I SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE RECENTLY FILED COMPLAINS FOR THIS AND EXPECT THE NHTSA TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT URGENTLY AS IN MY OPINION IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS STUCK IN THE HOUSING. CURRENTLY THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED BY MY MECHANIC AND I HAVE BOUGHT A NEW CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM THE DEALER AND HOPE TO GET IT FIXED SOON, HOWEVER EXPECT THE COMPANY TO TAKE CARE OF BOTH OF THE ABOVE ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #10748354
136,000 miles · Aug 11, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGES). THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA ODI #10747822
130,000 miles · Jun 12, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10724913
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ABOUT 45 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 85 MPH. I TRIED TO REDUCE SPEED BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKES STILL WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP I HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCE BRAKE , STEAM WAS COMING OUT OF VEHICLE AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF BUT WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP THE ENGINE IS STILL REVVING…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ABOUT 45 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 85 MPH. I TRIED TO REDUCE SPEED BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKES STILL WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP I HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCE BRAKE , STEAM WAS COMING OUT OF VEHICLE AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF BUT WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP THE ENGINE IS STILL REVVING UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10700812
125,000 miles · Mar 2, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROD BEARING DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROD BEARING DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10691652
120,000 miles · Feb 12, 2015
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR ONLY OPENED WHEN MOVED LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN UNLOCKED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR ONLY OPENED WHEN MOVED LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN UNLOCKED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10682911
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY TO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR. ENGINE FUEL LIGHT WOULD APPEAR. *JS
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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