IllustrationSUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE PULLING INTO A LEVEL PARKING STALL AT A SHOPPING MALL. VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A PLANTER HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY *LA *MR
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 reportsMY 2002 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD A NO START AND STALLING PROBLEM SINCE 9-28-03.I HAVE TAKEN IT TO ELITE FORD IN COVINA CA. THIRTY TIMES OR MORE AND THEY CANT SEEM TO DIAGNOIS THE PROBLEM.I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT END MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND,THEY SAID IT WAS A SWAY BAR THAT WAS LOOSE AND THEY TIGHTENED IT.THAT PROBLEM STILL E…
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MY 2002 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD A NO START AND STALLING PROBLEM SINCE 9-28-03.I HAVE TAKEN IT TO ELITE FORD IN COVINA CA. THIRTY TIMES OR MORE AND THEY CANT SEEM TO DIAGNOIS THE PROBLEM.I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT END MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND,THEY SAID IT WAS A SWAY BAR THAT WAS LOOSE AND THEY TIGHTENED IT.THAT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS ALSO.*AK
2002 FORD FOCUS, 48,000 MILES AND I AM NOW ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES ON THE FRONT. CAR SUSPENSION IN FRONT IS VERY LOOSE, EXPECIALLY DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, THROUGH SMALL PUDDLES OF WATER CAR SEEMS TO HYDRO-PLANE, AND ON ICE OR SNOW. THE CAR AT TIMES SEEMS TO BE ALL OVER THE ROAD AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD NE…
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2002 FORD FOCUS, 48,000 MILES AND I AM NOW ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES ON THE FRONT. CAR SUSPENSION IN FRONT IS VERY LOOSE, EXPECIALLY DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, THROUGH SMALL PUDDLES OF WATER CAR SEEMS TO HYDRO-PLANE, AND ON ICE OR SNOW. THE CAR AT TIMES SEEMS TO BE ALL OVER THE ROAD AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD NEW BRAKES, TIRES, AND ALIAGNMENT, AND THE STRUTS CHECKS, AND THE RPOBLEM STILL EXISTS AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. PLEASE ADVISE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A BUILDING HEAD ON. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *PH WHEN THE CONSUMER DISENGAGED THE TRANSMISSION, THE ENGINE BEGAN RACING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY OMISSION IN THE LOGIC DESIGN OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. *SC
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE BRAKES ARE SHOT ON THIS THING AT ONLY 26000 MILES. CONTACTED FORD ON THE THIS, TO NO AVAIL. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB AFTER MY CONTACT WITH FORD, AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THAT HAVE A FORD FOCUS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS NO WAY A VEHICLE SHOULD HAV…
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I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE BRAKES ARE SHOT ON THIS THING AT ONLY 26000 MILES. CONTACTED FORD ON THE THIS, TO NO AVAIL. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB AFTER MY CONTACT WITH FORD, AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THAT HAVE A FORD FOCUS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS NO WAY A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BAD BRAKES AT 26000 MILES. IN SOME CASES AS LOW AS 15000 MILES. FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE TO MUCH ABOUT THIS, AT LEAST THATS THE IMPRESSION THAT I GOT WHEN I TALKED WITH THEM. THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU PEOPLE CAN DO ABOUT IT. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DEMOLISHED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER. *NM
INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO NEUTRAL THEN BACK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
WENT TO START CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. WHEN I TURNED THE RADIO ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON, WHEN I TURNED THE WIPERS ON THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OFF. FORD DEALER TRIED TO SAY THAT THE CAUSE WAS RELATED TO A REMOTE STARTER THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND IT WAS FOUND TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE…
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WENT TO START CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. WHEN I TURNED THE RADIO ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON, WHEN I TURNED THE WIPERS ON THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OFF. FORD DEALER TRIED TO SAY THAT THE CAUSE WAS RELATED TO A REMOTE STARTER THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND IT WAS FOUND TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING. ALSO HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCK ON THE TRUNK. *JB
AFTER HAVING MY 2002 FORD FOCUS FOR 4 MONTHS THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL WILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE RADIO WOULD CUT OUT, THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING ON AND OFF, AND SOMETIMES THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DROP TO ZERO AND POP BACK UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE PROBLEMS GOT WORSE AFTER AWEEK OR SO. I TOO…
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AFTER HAVING MY 2002 FORD FOCUS FOR 4 MONTHS THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL WILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE RADIO WOULD CUT OUT, THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING ON AND OFF, AND SOMETIMES THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DROP TO ZERO AND POP BACK UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE PROBLEMS GOT WORSE AFTER AWEEK OR SO. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULDN'T DO IT FOR THEM SO THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. IT WOULD STOP DOING IT FOR A MONTH OR SO AND DO IT AGAIN ONCE OR TWICE THEN STOP AGAIN, BUT EVENTUALLY IT GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN THREE TIMES AND THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT ANYTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE SPOKEN TO AN ATTORNEY AND AM BEGINING LEMON LAW PROCEEDINGS AGAINST FORD.*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