IllustrationWHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CAUSING A COLLISION. DRIVER SWUNG AROUND, HITTING THE GUARDRAIL. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *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 reportsPROBLEMS WITH 2002 FORD FOCUS STEERING AND SUSPENSION.*MR *CB
2002 FORD FOCUS SE ENGINE STALLED.*MR CONSUMER HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED EXPECTING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ONCE THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE GAS STATION AND BEGAN TO FILL THE GAS TANK THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THE DEALER INSTALLED THE GAS TANK INCORRECTLY WHICH CAUSED THE LEAK. *TS.…
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2002 FORD FOCUS SE ENGINE STALLED.*MR CONSUMER HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED EXPECTING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ONCE THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE GAS STATION AND BEGAN TO FILL THE GAS TANK THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THE DEALER INSTALLED THE GAS TANK INCORRECTLY WHICH CAUSED THE LEAK. *TS. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED AND RESTARTED AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/COOLING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THEN WENT OFF. *JB
STEERING WHEEL LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED. AS RESULT, LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS AND BRAKE WERE DAMAGED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK UPDATED 1/11/2006. THERE WAS POPPING AND CLICKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL AND HIT A CURB. THE IMPACT RESULTED IN A BLOWN TIRE. …
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STEERING WHEEL LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED. AS RESULT, LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS AND BRAKE WERE DAMAGED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK UPDATED 1/11/2006. THERE WAS POPPING AND CLICKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL AND HIT A CURB. THE IMPACT RESULTED IN A BLOWN TIRE. *NM
SEVERE CREAKING/RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM REAR DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE. NOISE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. SOUNDS AS THOUGH DOOR IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT OR IMPROPERLY MOUNTED. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM ON TWO OCCASSIONS (4 DAYS TOTAL OUT OF SERVICE), AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX. DEALE…
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SEVERE CREAKING/RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM REAR DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE. NOISE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. SOUNDS AS THOUGH DOOR IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT OR IMPROPERLY MOUNTED. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM ON TWO OCCASSIONS (4 DAYS TOTAL OUT OF SERVICE), AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX. DEALER MOST RECENTLY STATED THAT SOME CREAKING IS NORMAL DUE TO FLEXING/TWISTING OF FRAME OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. CREAKING/RUBBING, MEANWHILE, IS GETTING WORSE.*AK
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WAS OPEN. UPON LOCKING DOOR LATCH IT WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE, CAUSING, CONSUMER TO SECURE VEHICLE. *AK
TO MY FOCUS IN TO SERVICE JAN 2003 FOR SQUEAKING BRAKES, ROTORS WERE WARPED, BRAKE SQUEAKING SAID TO BE "NORMAL". THEY MACHINE STRAIGHTENED THE ROTORS AND SAID FORD ENGINEERING LOOKING INTO SQUEAKS. AUG. 2003 TAKE FOCUS IN FOR LOUD VIBRATING SOUND. BRAKES AND ROTORS COMPLETELY SHOT. $440 TO FIX. 13700 MILES ON CAR. *AK
ON AUGUST 11, 2003 I TOOK MY CAR INTO KOONS FORD OF ANNAPOLIS, TO HAVE THE HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH TOOK AT, BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS TOLD MY SERVICE MANAGER MIKE SHECKELLS, THE SERVICE ADVISOR PETE, AND FACTORY TECH: 063 - RANDALL BOUNDS, AND A CASHIER THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MOST OF THE FORD FOCUS,…
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ON AUGUST 11, 2003 I TOOK MY CAR INTO KOONS FORD OF ANNAPOLIS, TO HAVE THE HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH TOOK AT, BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I WAS TOLD MY SERVICE MANAGER MIKE SHECKELLS, THE SERVICE ADVISOR PETE, AND FACTORY TECH: 063 - RANDALL BOUNDS, AND A CASHIER THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MOST OF THE FORD FOCUS, I FEEL THIS I SHOULD BE ON A RECALL NOTICE IF ITS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FOCUSES. THAT THE CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THESE VECHICLE. ALSO, I HAD MY FOCUS IN KOONS FOR OF ANNAPOLIS, ON MAY 10, 2003, TO HAVE NEW BRAKES, OIL CHANGE AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ON THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BECAUSE IT WAS A INTERMITTENT THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY THING.*AK ON JULY 25, 2003, I LEFT MY CAR FOR SERVICE ON THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR COMPLETELY. THEY HAD THE CAR UNTIL AUGUST 7, 2003, WHICH THEY PUT IN A REMFG TRANSMISSION AND C. I LEFT KOONS FOR WITH 1.5 MILES ON THE TRIP METER, I WENT ANOTHER 17.1 MILES WENT THE TRANSMISSIONS SURGED, I E-MAILED MIKE SHECKELL ON AUGUST 8, 2003 WHICH HE DID NOT ANSWER AS OF THIS DAY. I TALKED TO MIKE SHECKELL ON AUGUST 11, ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THE ANSWER I GET IS THEY CAN NOT DO ANY EXCEPT TO LET SOME ONE GO ON AT TEST DIVE WITH ME. THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER BECAUSE IT'S A INTERMITTEN PROBLEM AND SOME ONE WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE IT FOR A FEW DAY BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SURGED AGAING. I HAVE KEPT RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM IS SURGED AT 18.5 MILES, 93 MILES AND AT 250.0 MILES ON THE TRIP METER. I FEEL THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FIXED AND FIXED RIGHT AND ALSO, FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE DONE BUSINESS WITH KOONS FOR OF ANNPOLIS FOR OVER 20 YEARS. MY DAUGHTER IS SCARED TO RIDE IN THIS CAR NOW, AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR NEITHER. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF BAD SERVICE OR INCOMPETENT SERVICE BEFORE, I ALSO FEEL THEY ARE JUST TELLING ME ANYTHING, BECAUSE OF BEING A FEMALE.
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE ACCELERATING THE ENGINE DIED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
FORD FOCUS: BACK DOOR WILL NOT ALWAYS LATCH. MY SON ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE CAR, THANKFULLY HE WAS STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT. I SHUT THE DOOR AND WAS DRIVING AWAY WHEN THE DOOR FLEW OPEN. FOCUS IS WHITE,ONLY 1 1/2 OLD AND HAS RUST SPOTS ALL OVER THE CAR. THE TRUNK OF THE CAR HAS THE MOST RUST.THE RADIO DIAL HAS MELTED FEELS LIK…
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FORD FOCUS: BACK DOOR WILL NOT ALWAYS LATCH. MY SON ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE CAR, THANKFULLY HE WAS STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT. I SHUT THE DOOR AND WAS DRIVING AWAY WHEN THE DOOR FLEW OPEN. FOCUS IS WHITE,ONLY 1 1/2 OLD AND HAS RUST SPOTS ALL OVER THE CAR. THE TRUNK OF THE CAR HAS THE MOST RUST.THE RADIO DIAL HAS MELTED FEELS LIKE YOU ARE PLAYING WITH BUBBLE GUM. HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS KEEPING THE CAR ON THE ROAD IN RAIN AND SNOW. I TAKE THE TURNPIKE TO WORK AND FEEL THAT I AM GOING TO SLIDE INTO ANOTHER CAR IF I GO FASTER THEN 25 MILES AN HOUR IN THE RAIN OR SNOW.*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