IllustrationAIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON BLINKS THEN STAYS ON. *TR
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLENISHING THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID, THE HOOD LID CLOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUT BUSHING DETERIORATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLENISHING THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID, THE HOOD LID CLOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUT BUSHING DETERIORATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
HATCH SWITCH FAILED .GHOST ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAVING WIPER COME ON AT TIMES.WIRING HARNESS INSIDE RUBBER BOOT LOCATED WHERE HINGES BETWEEN HATCH AND VEHICLE BODY DEVELOPE BARE AND BROKEN WIRES. FOUND THIS AFTER CHECKING ALL FUSES AND SWITCHES. THIS IS APPARENTLY COMMON AS SEEN ON YOU TUBE AND SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPOR…
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HATCH SWITCH FAILED .GHOST ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAVING WIPER COME ON AT TIMES.WIRING HARNESS INSIDE RUBBER BOOT LOCATED WHERE HINGES BETWEEN HATCH AND VEHICLE BODY DEVELOPE BARE AND BROKEN WIRES. FOUND THIS AFTER CHECKING ALL FUSES AND SWITCHES. THIS IS APPARENTLY COMMON AS SEEN ON YOU TUBE AND SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED. PLEASE REPLY AS TO WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. SURELY DEALERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS DEFECT. LIKE ONE INDIVIDUAL SAID HIS DOG COULD HAVE FLEW OUT THE REAR GOING 70. NOT TO MENTION FIRE.MINE BLEW NO FUSES. *TR
EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS CAR AND SINCE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT IN 2005, I HAVE NOTHING BUT REPAIRS. FIRST, THE RADIO NEEDED TO BE REPLACES, THEN THE BRAKES, THEN THE LOCKS ON BOTH DOORS AND THEN THE BRAKES AGAIN, HIGH BEAM LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF, ALWAYS ON AND NOW THE RADIATOR. THIS CAR IS 12 YEARS OLD, HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES O…
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EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS CAR AND SINCE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT IN 2005, I HAVE NOTHING BUT REPAIRS. FIRST, THE RADIO NEEDED TO BE REPLACES, THEN THE BRAKES, THEN THE LOCKS ON BOTH DOORS AND THEN THE BRAKES AGAIN, HIGH BEAM LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF, ALWAYS ON AND NOW THE RADIATOR. THIS CAR IS 12 YEARS OLD, HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. I LIVE ON A LIMITED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD ALL THESE REPAIRS AND FORD COULD CARE LESS. IF I EVER BUY ANOTHER CAR, IT WILL NOT BE A FORD. THIS IS WHY THE NAME STANDS FOR: FIX OR REPAIR DAILY. I AM NOT ASKING FOR MONEY BUT IF YOU WANT TO THROW SOME MY WAY THANKS AND IF NOT THANKS. *TR
I SIMPLY WANT TO KNOW IF MY CAR IS INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT MASSIVE AIR BAG RECALL. I ALREADY CHECKED BY VIN NUMBER. HOWEVER, I AM NOT SURE IF I WENT THROUGH THE CURRENT SOURCE OF INFORMATION REGARDING THE CURRENT BIG AIRBAG RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
IGNITION CYLINDER IN STEERING COLUMN IS FROZEN. KEY INSERTS BUT WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. CANNOT START THE CAR, SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, ETC. *TR
IN TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP FAILURE DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT FAILED AND CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP DEAD. FORTUNATELY THE DRIVER HAD NOT AS YET ENTERED THE MOVING TRAFFIC LANE! FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS FUEL PUMP AND YET WOULD RATHER SPEND MILLIONS IN TV ADS THEN REPAIR OR REPLACE FAULTY SAFETY HAZARD ITEMS IN THEIR P…
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IN TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP FAILURE DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT FAILED AND CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP DEAD. FORTUNATELY THE DRIVER HAD NOT AS YET ENTERED THE MOVING TRAFFIC LANE! FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS FUEL PUMP AND YET WOULD RATHER SPEND MILLIONS IN TV ADS THEN REPAIR OR REPLACE FAULTY SAFETY HAZARD ITEMS IN THEIR PRODUCTS! JUST TAKE A COUNT OF ALL THE AUTOS MADE BY FORD WITH THIS FAULTY FUEL PUMP AT AN AVERAGE DOLLAR COST ( SO FAR NO LOST OR CRIPPLED LIVES) OF $1000 PER AND DETERMINE THAT BY NOT RUNNING ONE PRIME TIME HALFTIME NATIONAL FOOTBALL GAME AD THEY COULD EASILY REPAIR ALL THOSE VEHICLES, HAVE A CLEAR CONSCIENCE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR PRODUCT USERS AND GAIN PRICELESS VALUE WORTH MAYBE 10 TIMES THE COST OF THE SINGLE AD? THEY DID IN FACT ALLEGEDLY ISSUE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY 2002 FORD FOCUS THAT STATED REPLACE ON FAILURE UP TO 100,000 MILES BUT ALAS THEY NOW DENY THIS. I ALSO WONDER WHY AN ELECTRIC ITEM WOULD BE SUBMERGED IN A FUEL CELL AND WONDER WHY THEY HAVE BEEN SO LUCKILY AS TO NOT HAVE ANY FUEL TANKS EXPLODE AS OF NOW? " MY POINT" DRIVING AN AUTO THAT MAY STOP RUNNING (WITHOUT WARNING) DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE (AT THE VERY LEAST) REPAIRED AT COMPANY COST NOT PASSED ON THE OWNER WHO MAY HAVE ALREADY SURVIVED A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE WHEN THEIR CAR DIED AT 60 MPH WITH SEMI TRUCKS ALL AROUND? NOT OUR CASE BUT NEXT TO WORST CASE AFTER TANK EXPLOSION! JUST BECAUSE IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET IS NO EXCUSE TO NOT TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. NO PART ON ANY MODERN AUTO (DUE TO NORMAL USE) SHOULD FAIL ( AS IF IT HAD A CLOCK BUILT IN) JUST PAST THE 60,000 MILE MARK EVEN IF IT TOOK 12 YEARS TO REACH THE MILES UNDER THE 36 MONTH 60,000 MILE SO CALLED FACTORY WARRANTY? *TR
ALTERNATOR PULLING TO MUCH FIRE FROM THE BATTERY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
CAR WHEN WARMED UP AND DURING INTERCITY DRIVING WILL RANDOMLY CUT OUT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT DEPRESSED. CAR SHUTS OFF AND BECOMES HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO THE CAR HAS THE UPDATED THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND THE THERMOSTAT STILL TENDS…
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CAR WHEN WARMED UP AND DURING INTERCITY DRIVING WILL RANDOMLY CUT OUT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT DEPRESSED. CAR SHUTS OFF AND BECOMES HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO THE CAR HAS THE UPDATED THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND THE THERMOSTAT STILL TENDS TO OVERHEAT. HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND CALL CENTER EMPLOYEE DID NOT SEEM TOO ENTHUSIASTIC TO HELP. OFFERED TO FIND ME A FORD DEALER BUT NOT SOMEONE FROM THEIR SAFETY OFFICE. ALSO, CAR HAD OLD STYLE IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH LOCKED BACK IN FEBRUARY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM... AFTERMARKET HAVE THE SAME DESIGN. *TR
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