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2002 Ford Focus Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 939 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Focus, most often about the electrical (30% of complaints, typically around 63,500 miles). It is 9th of 19 Focus model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.

Complaints939
Recalls1
Crashes reported82
Fires reported20
Injuries reported781 death reported

Most common 2002 Ford Focus problems

  1. Electrical

    277 complaints · 30%

    Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator.

    I have had my car for 4 years. Just recenty the ignition switch failed. I can put the key in the ignition, but it won't turn. After just a few minutes on the internet, I found that this is a major problem with focii, but Ford refuses to address it. I am now without a car for the weekend. This is in addition to finding…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 63,488 miles
    Ignition switch in my 2002 Ford Focus has quit working for the 4th time. If you go to this ite you will see this is a very bad problem Ford is having with the Focus and is very dangerous.http://www.automotiveforums.com/t158426.html.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 64,000 miles

  2. Engine

    119 complaints · 13%

    Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.

    On 3/12/09, while driving my 2002 Ford Focus se wagon on main street (ri-3) in ashaway, rhode island, at about 35 MPH, hit a small bump with the right front wheel. A loud scraping noise immediately ensued. Was able to stop within a few feet. Inspection revealed that both mounting studs on the passenger side engine…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 62,500 miles
    A screw was dislodged from the engine, ricocheting through out the engine causing damage beyond repair. The engine ceased working without any preparation. The engine needed to be replaced completely.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 60,996 miles

  3. Suspension

    109 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear, multiple axle.

    While my wife was driving on I-95 the right front coil spring suddenly fractured and in the process wedged into the tire destroying it and the strut. Luckily she was able to get to the side of the highway. The vehicle is a 2002 Ford Focus. Ford knows about this problem and it has happened to many Focus'.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 50,000 miles
    2002 Ford Focus zx3 front passenger side coil spring failure...top 7" of spring snapped off making the car dangerous to drive. Incident occurred 1 block from house but not immediately investigated until I found broken spring piece in the road after work. Highway travel to and from work could have resulted in a bad…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 50,000 miles

  4. Wheels and tires

    89 complaints · 10%

    Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim, tread/belt, sidewall, hub.

    The tread on the tires has already worn down and the metal is visiable on both rear tires. Driving down the road the car started shaking uncontrollably and returned home to have it towed to the dealer saying that the problem was just the tires, there is no known cause to cause wear.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 18,000 miles
    On my 2002 Focus se my passanger front tire had a bubble- my car only has 17,000 miles on it. When I called the dealership I found it wasn't under warranty. The tires are seperate and had to be prorated for wear. The cost of the same tire plus the cost of the labor was almost a hundred dollars. I can't believe I am…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 17,000 miles

  5. Brakes

    72 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 23,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc, pedals and linkages.

    While driving applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor and there were no brakes. As result, consumer's vehicle collided with a guard rail. Dealer could not duplicate or correct the problem.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 23,000 miles
    Have only 23,000 miles on my Ford Focus 2002 wagon and it needs front pads and rotors. I have never had a car that needed rotors at 23,000 miles. This is a major safety and design defect.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 23,000 miles

  6. Air bags

    72 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.

    A deer was struck with relatively minor damage to the hood and grill. Gun powder smelled in vehicle after collision. Suspect it was airbag propellant. Airbags did not deploy.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 38,000 miles
    On the morning of 14 february 2005 my son was involved in a head on crash in an intersection. Our 2002 Ford Focus was totaled (it has 37,000 miles on it, and I bought it brand new from a Ford lot.) the air bags did not go off! Both my son and his passnger sustained neck and back injuries.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 37,000 miles

  7. Fuel system

    67 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.

    The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact was driving approximately 5 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent where the engine restarted. The technician was unable to duplicate the problem. The similar failure recurred; although the engine restarted.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 49,728 miles
    Car sputtered, stalled, and died in traffic on two different occasions (one month apart), requiring towing. I would describe the symptom as "fuel starvation", like a bad fuel pump or filter. Both times, it occurred with a warm engine, 1/4 tank of gas, and accelerating normally from a stop. Mechanic subsequently…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 52,000 miles

  8. Transmission

    58 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 40,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission, axle assembly.

    Clutch master cylinder leaks clutch fluid. Fluid runs down stem of clutch pedal, loosening the rubber pedal pad, which proceeds to fall off in certain situations while vehicle is in motion. Also clutch master cylinder fluid is supplied by brake master cylinder reservoir!!! This leak can potentially cause brake failure…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 39,700 miles
    Clutch leaks fluid. Fluid runs down stem of clutch pedal, loosening the rubber pedal pad, which proceeds to fall off in certain situations while vehicle is in motion. Also clutch fluid is supplied by brake fluid reservoir!!! This leak can potentially cause brake failure as fluid leaks out.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 41,000 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 recalls

  1. Doors and locks: latch

    NHTSA 05V030000 · February 1, 2005 · 589,932 vehicles

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2002 Ford Focus

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Focus?
By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (277 complaints, typically around 63,500 miles); engine (119 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles); suspension (109 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Focus have?
1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 1, 2005 (doors and locks). 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?
It is 9th of 19 Focus model years by number of complaints, with 939 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 years

Ford Focus problems by year