Home › Ford › Focus SVT › 2002

2002 Ford Focus SVT Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Focus SVT, most often about the electrical (19% of complaints, typically around 20,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Focus SVT model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.

Complaints32
Recalls1
Crashes reported1
Fires reported0
Injuries reported1

Most common 2002 Ford Focus SVT problems

  1. Electrical

    6 complaints · 19%

    Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, wiring.

    Horn failure after driving through normal rain (no submersion) on roadways. Has occurred on mulitple occasions and horn assemblies have been replaced twice.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 17,359 miles
    Horn failure after driving through normal rain (no submersion) on roadways. Has occurred on multiple occasions and horn assemblies have been replaced. Heat shield on catalytic convertor fell off due to corrosion near mounting bolt holes.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 23,104 miles

  2. Wheels and tires

    5 complaints · 16%

    Parts named most often: sidewall, rim.

    Possible defect in continental's contisport contact OEM tires (size 215/45zr17) that came with my new Ford Focus SVT. I recently had a severe blow out on a highway I-90. Luckily for me, it didn't result in any death, injury or destruction of the property but still there is no excuse for the ultra performance tire to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 6,000 miles
    9 repair issues in 8,000 miles. 1. Grinding brakes. 2. Sunroof failed to close. 3. Engine sensor failed. 4. Tire developed a bubble. 5. Intake runner failed. 6. Stereo jammed. 7. Horn failed. 8. Defective control assembly. 9. Defective manifold assembly.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 9,371 miles

  3. Transmission

    5 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly, manual transmission.

    1. This happened under moderate acceleration to get on the freeway and with no precursors or indicators. 2. The vehicle made a loud pop. Immediately after the pop the engine stalled, and white smoke emitted from under the hood. Upon closer examination after pushing the vehicle off the roadway it was found the factory…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 52,151 miles
    When shifting my six speed manual transmission into first gear, it often goes into reverse. This transmission doesn't have a lockout, but it has some kind of spring resistance that constantly fails, which causes you to shift the car into reverse when you are trying to put it into first gear. This action has almost…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 63,200 miles

  4. Engine

    4 complaints · 13%

    Parts named most often: exhaust system.

    This first incident was rather benign. I noticed my 2002 Ford Focus SVT, at 2400 miles, would not produce sustained heat. After repair, on 12-8-02, the vehicle, with 2800 miles, would not start. It left me stranded and had to be towed. I am told the vehicle requires a new "intake" for repair and was "probably" the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2002, at 2,400 miles
    9 repair issues in 8,000 miles. 1. Grinding brakes. 2. Sunroof failed to close. 3. Engine sensor failed. 4. Tire developed a bubble. 5. Intake runner failed. 6. Stereo jammed. 7. Horn failed. 8. Defective control assembly. 9. Defective manifold assembly.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 9,371 miles

  5. Fuel system

    3 complaints · 9%

    Parts named most often: storage, delivery, fuel injection system.

    This first incident was rather benign. I noticed my 2002 Ford Focus SVT, at 2400 miles, would not produce sustained heat. After repair, on 12-8-02, the vehicle, with 2800 miles, would not start. It left me stranded and had to be towed. I am told the vehicle requires a new "intake" for repair and was "probably" the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2002, at 2,400 miles
    Bolt mounting driver side seat tracks to floor pan loosened. Continued surging and intermittent stalling problem while accelerating and coming to a stop.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 28,249 miles

  6. Suspension

    3 complaints · 9%

    Parts named most often: rear.

    I was making a left turn at 15-20 MPH and felt the front end dipped then the steering wheel jerked out of my hands and the car drove into a curb causing major damage.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 4,400 miles
    I purchased new an 2002 Ford focus with a serious suspension problem. The vehicle has worn through two sets of tires unevenly on the inside of the tread. One set had actually worn down to the steel belt beyond the rubber causing its failure at 18,000 miles. This incident caused damage to the front wheel, which had to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 18,000 miles

  7. Visibility and wipers

    3 complaints · 9%

    Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, sun/moon roof assembly.

    9 repair issues in 8,000 miles. 1. Grinding brakes. 2. Sunroof failed to close. 3. Engine sensor failed. 4. Tire developed a bubble. 5. Intake runner failed. 6. Stereo jammed. 7. Horn failed. 8. Defective control assembly. 9. Defective manifold assembly.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 9,371 miles
    Damage to driver's side power window mechanism failing to raise and/or lower window glass in vehicle. Window operator requires grease to operate properly which was not present after closer examination of parts. Parts were damaged beyond repair and are in need of replacement.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 64,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2002 Ford Focus SVT recalls

  1. Speed control: cruise control

    NHTSA 02V117000 · April 18, 2002 · 534 vehicles

    Risk: If this condition were to occur, it may be necessary to depress the clutch and apply the brake to bring the vehicle to a stop.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the throttle body and check for proper operation. Owner notification began april 25, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

    Full defect summary

    On certain passenger vehicles built with manual transaxles, there is the potential for the speed control cable to hang up at the throttle body bracket during high, wide open throttle operation, preventing the throttle from returning to the closed position when the accelerator is released.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2002 Ford Focus SVT

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Focus SVT?
By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (6 complaints, typically around 20,000 miles); wheels and tires (5 complaints); transmission (5 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Focus SVT have?
1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 18, 2002 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2002 a bad year for the Ford Focus SVT?
It is the most complained-about Focus SVT model year since 2000, with 32 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Ford Focus SVT years

Ford Focus SVT problems by year