NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
939 reports79,900 miles · Jul 13, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 80,000 MILES STALLS WHEN GOING HIGH SPEEDS, AND IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, TO DATE. THE LAST TIME I WAS GOING 55 MPH ON AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE FREEWAY, WITH OVER 1/4 TANK OF GAS WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED, VEHICLE LOST POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND STOP IN "V" WHERE ROAD S…
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MY 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 80,000 MILES STALLS WHEN GOING HIGH SPEEDS, AND IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, TO DATE. THE LAST TIME I WAS GOING 55 MPH ON AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE FREEWAY, WITH OVER 1/4 TANK OF GAS WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED, VEHICLE LOST POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND STOP IN "V" WHERE ROAD SPLIT, CAME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP AT RECOMMENDATION OF FORD, DETERMINED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE FIRST PERSON WE TALKED TO AT FORD SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT ONCE WE TOOK IT IN AND PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC, THE SECOND PERSON WE CALLED AT FORD AFTER TAKING IT IN SAID IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE PART. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO LOSE STEERING AND POWER AT HIGH SPEEDS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10162319
22,678 miles · Jul 12, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT OPERATED AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKS OF ANY KIND, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10162200
65,000 miles · Jul 11, 2006
Electrical System
2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION PROBLEM. KEY WILL NOT TURN. MY DAUGHTER, 17 YEARS OLD WAS STUCK IN PARKING LOT, LATE IN THE EVENING! THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10162139
40,010 miles · Jul 10, 2006
Electrical SystemEquipment
IGNITION LOCK WAS JAMMED ON MY FORD FOCUS 2002 AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT TWICE SO FAR. IT COST ME CLOSE TO $400 CANADIAN. I ONLY HAVE 40,000 MILES ON IT . THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A FREQUENT EVENT. FORD IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY YET. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10161951
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2006
Unknown Or Other
PAINT CRACKING UNDERNEATH CLEAR COAT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10161625
35,000 miles · Jul 3, 2006
Suspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AT 45 MPH, THE SUSPENSION FAILED, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BEND ON IMPACT WITH THE ROAD. THE BENT WHEEL AND ALL SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION DIRECTING THE DEALER TO REPLACE SPRINGS ONLY IF BROKEN. …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AT 45 MPH, THE SUSPENSION FAILED, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BEND ON IMPACT WITH THE ROAD. THE BENT WHEEL AND ALL SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION DIRECTING THE DEALER TO REPLACE SPRINGS ONLY IF BROKEN. WHEN THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED, REPLACEMENT SPRINGS WERE OFFERED AT COST.
NHTSA ODI #10161315
40,000 miles · Jul 3, 2006
Electrical System
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH ON A MAJOR ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AS IF IT WERE GOING TO STALL. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL THROUGH AN INTERSECTION HOWEVER IT EVENTUALLY COMPLETELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE COMP…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH ON A MAJOR ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AS IF IT WERE GOING TO STALL. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL THROUGH AN INTERSECTION HOWEVER IT EVENTUALLY COMPLETELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE COMPLETELY DARKENED. A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED BY THE CONTACT AND THE VEHICLE DRIVEN HOME. ABOUT FOUR HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AGAIN AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE STALLED FOUR TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WHEN THIS OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CABLE WIRE WAS NOT CONNECTED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE CABLE WIRE MAY NOT BE THE PROBLEM AND WILL CHECK TO SEE IF THE ALTERNATOR MAY BE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10161272
47,000 miles · Jun 26, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN TURNING ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3, IT TENDS TO HAVE A VERY ROUGH IDLE, SPUTTERING AND STALLING. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK CABLES, PCV VALVE AND MY IGNITION COIL. BUT EVEN AFTER ALL OF THAT MY CAR STILL SPUTTERS, STALLS AND HAS A ROUGH IDLE....I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT OUT OF …
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WHEN TURNING ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3, IT TENDS TO HAVE A VERY ROUGH IDLE, SPUTTERING AND STALLING. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK CABLES, PCV VALVE AND MY IGNITION COIL. BUT EVEN AFTER ALL OF THAT MY CAR STILL SPUTTERS, STALLS AND HAS A ROUGH IDLE....I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT OUT OF MY HOME STATE OF MICHIGAN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO AUTO ZONE AND HAD IT HOOKED UP TO THE CODE READER AND THE ATTENDANT SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE... THIS IS MY LAST STRAW.. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10160764
38,000 miles · Jun 23, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP. THE KEY FIT IN THE KEY SLOT BUT KEY AND STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE INVOICES FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE IGNITION SWITCH ARE …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP. THE KEY FIT IN THE KEY SLOT BUT KEY AND STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE INVOICES FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE IGNITION SWITCH ARE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10160606
21,800 miles · Jun 21, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DRIVING MY 2002 ZX5 FORD FOCUS AROUND PITTSBURGH, WITH LESS THAN A 1/4 TANK THE ENGINE STARTED STUTTERING. THEN THE CAR STALLED. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND DROVE ABOUT A 1/4 MILE WHEN IT STARTED STUTTERING AND SHAKING PRETTY BAD AGAIN. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THERE WAS NO POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. I WAITED A LITTLE BE…
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DRIVING MY 2002 ZX5 FORD FOCUS AROUND PITTSBURGH, WITH LESS THAN A 1/4 TANK THE ENGINE STARTED STUTTERING. THEN THE CAR STALLED. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND DROVE ABOUT A 1/4 MILE WHEN IT STARTED STUTTERING AND SHAKING PRETTY BAD AGAIN. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THERE WAS NO POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. I WAITED A LITTLE BEFORE TURNING IT BACK ON. IT DID THE SAME THING TWICE MORE; ONCE IT STALLED WHEN I WAS DOING A LEFT TURN AT A BUSY TRAFFIC INTERSECTION AND THE OTHER WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CROWDED AVENUE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE 2-HOUR TRIP BACK HOME WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER AND ALSO PERFORM A FUEL FLUSH. THE TOTAL COST IS ROUGHLY $600.00. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING IN THE INTERNET AND THERE IS A HISTORY OF FAILURES WITH THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE ON 2000-2001 FOCUS. FORD HAS CLAIMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED IN 2002. MY BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY EXPIRED THIS PAST JANUARY AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT SINCE MY CAR IS 2002 THE EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM 03N01 DOES NOT APPLY IN MY CASE, THUS I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I DISAGREE AND I DO NOT FEEL THAT THE COST SHOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. MY CAR SHOWS ALL THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ON THE 03N01 DOCUMENT, WHICH IS A QUALITY ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE RESOLVED AND CLEARLY HAS NOT. IT IS UNSAFE DRIVING A CAR THAT CAN STALL WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING THE DRIVER STUCK IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10160351
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