IllustrationIGNITION FAILED , KEY WILL NOT TURN. *AK
2002 Ford Focus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Ford Focus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 864.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Focus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsI OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND THE KEY GOT STUCK AND I COULDN'T START IT OR TAKE THE KEY OUT. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER SINCE FORD HAD MADE IT SO DIFFICULT FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON TO WORK ON IT. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AND LEFT A METAL SHAVING MESS IN THE CAR AT MY COST. IS THIS HOW ALL FORD VEHICLES AND D…
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I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND THE KEY GOT STUCK AND I COULDN'T START IT OR TAKE THE KEY OUT. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER SINCE FORD HAD MADE IT SO DIFFICULT FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON TO WORK ON IT. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AND LEFT A METAL SHAVING MESS IN THE CAR AT MY COST. IS THIS HOW ALL FORD VEHICLES AND DEALERS WERE NOW. I ALSO MISSED WORK DUE TO THIS INCIDENT. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH CONSTANTLY LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT TURN. WHEN SHE PLACES THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT ALSO FAILS TO TURN. SHE HAS HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR. FORD STATED THAT THE IGNITIONS WERE RE-MODIFIED DUE TO A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH CONSTANTLY LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT TURN. WHEN SHE PLACES THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT ALSO FAILS TO TURN. SHE HAS HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR. FORD STATED THAT THE IGNITIONS WERE RE-MODIFIED DUE TO A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY IF SHE WANTED A NEW ONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT HE HAD TO HAVE THE BEARINGS REPLACED. WHILE RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, HE DISCOVERED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS FIRST NOTICED IN 2000. FORD ADVISED HIM TO CALL NHTSA SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE ENG…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT HE HAD TO HAVE THE BEARINGS REPLACED. WHILE RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, HE DISCOVERED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS FIRST NOTICED IN 2000. FORD ADVISED HIM TO CALL NHTSA SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE ENGINE SIZE AND A VALID VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
IGNITION LOCKED WITH KEY IN IT. TOWED TO FORD DEALER AND IGNITION DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED AT AROUND $300. HAPPENED A SECOND TIME. LOCKSMITH CALLED. IGNITION DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED FOR AROUND $50.00. HASN'T HAPPENED AGAIN IN ABOUT 3 YEARS.*AK
FRONT SPRINGS ASSEMBLY POPPED OUT OF PLATE AND PUNCTURED MY TIRES. *TR
1) NO WARNING SYMPTOMS 2) FAILURE IS THAT IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN. CAR WILL NOT START. THIS IS A MASS DEFECT, BUT FORT APPARENTLY IS NOT ISSUING RECALL. 3) HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING. CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME, AND IS SITTING THERE USELESS. DEALERSHIPS TELL ME IT WILL COST $300 TO FIX, BUT FORD SHOULD REPAIR THIS FOR FREE. *JB
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2002 FORD FOCUS WAS IINVOLVED IN A CRASH ON 03/2006, WHICH HAD THE PASSENGER FRONT STRUT PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE NOW HAD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL TIRE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE TIE ROD HAD…
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2002 FORD FOCUS WAS IINVOLVED IN A CRASH ON 03/2006, WHICH HAD THE PASSENGER FRONT STRUT PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE NOW HAD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL TIRE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE TIE ROD HAD BACKED ITSELF OUT OF ITS POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT CAUSED THE TIRE ROD TO SLIP. HE DID HAVE THE STABILIZING LINK REPAIRED AFTER THE CRASH. *AK
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON WITH A CURRENT ODOMETER READING OF 57,5000 MILES. ON MARCH 13, WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON DRY PAVEMENT THE CONTACT TRIED TO DECELERATE BY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WAS PUSHED TWO TO THREE TIMES UNTIL COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, NARROWLY AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICL…
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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON WITH A CURRENT ODOMETER READING OF 57,5000 MILES. ON MARCH 13, WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON DRY PAVEMENT THE CONTACT TRIED TO DECELERATE BY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WAS PUSHED TWO TO THREE TIMES UNTIL COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, NARROWLY AVOIDING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. ALSO, ON MARCH 19, 2007 WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE MORNING THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, THE CONTACT MADE A HARD RIGHT HAND TURN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE'S REAR END TO SWING TO THE LEFT, WHILE THE FRONT END CONTINUED TO SWING RIGHT TOWARD THE GUARD RAIL. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD, BUT REQUIRED NO ADDITIONAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57000. *AK
Official recalls
105V030000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Feb 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