2002 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 1,014 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 85 involved a crash and 24 involved a fire. 82 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EquipmentFeb 24, 2012
RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2000 THROUGH 2005 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NUT WITHOUT THE NECESSARY WASHER. THE ABSENCE OF THE WASHER CAN ALLOW THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLY TO PULL APART THE TOP MOUNT.
IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903.
Campaign 12E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchFeb 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 05V030000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
78 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, May 20, 2006
MY NIECE'S 2002 FORD FOCUS PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. FORD SAYS 'SENSOR' INDICATES AN ACCIDENT, BUT THERE WAS NONE, AND CHARGED $95 FOR THIS. FORD REFUSES TO ANALYZE THIS FURTHER, AND REMAINING AIRBAGS NO LONGER FUNCTION. WE BELIEVE THAT AIRBAG SENSORS/SYSTEMS ARE DEFECTIVE. *NM
Air bags, Nov 21, 2005, crash
DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. IT WAS PUSHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS OR SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS WHERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK
Air bags, Oct 6, 2005, crash
DT: 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOUND THE THERMAL FUSE IN THE CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIR BAG BLEW OUT, THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE CONSUMER HITTING A DEER ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE DEER HIT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THERE WAS A WHITE SMOKE THAT CAME FROM THE DRIVER'S AREA, AROUND THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE BODY SHOP, AND THEY FOUND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS NO ONE INJURED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN OVER THE PHONE WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT TELL THE CONSUMER WHAT THE SMOKE WAS THAT CAME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THIS.*AK
Air bags, Jul 18, 2005, crash
I WAS IN A FRONT-END COLLISION TRAVELLING ABOUT 25 - 30 MILES PER HOUR AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Air bags, Jun 22, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, A CAR SWERVED INTO MY LANE, CAUSING ME TO SWERVE TO AVOID HIM. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND STRUCK A CONCRETE DIVIDER WITH THE PASSENGER FRONT BUMBER, CAUSING THE CAR TO CLIMB UP THE DIVIDER, BACK DOWN, AND END UP FACING THE OTHER WAY ON THE HIGHWAY. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AT THAT TIME, BUT 10-15 MINUTES LATER WHEN I RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED PARTIALLY. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 47 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THEY T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED.*AK
Air bags, Mar 30, 2005, crash, fire
WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WENT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH DRIVERS SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK *BF *NM
Air bags, Mar 24, 2005, crash
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR 4 DOOR VAN, AND UPON IMPACT OF CRASHMY FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS IMPACT WAS AT 50-55MPH. I WAS TOLD THE REASON MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WAS DUE TO MY SEATBELT LOCK WHICH BROKE FROM THE IMPACT. ALSO NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS STALLING AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT THEY SAY NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS PROBLEM EITHER, BUT ACCORDING TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY IT IS A PROBLEM NOT ONLY WITH MY VEHICLE BUT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED TOO.
Air bags, Feb 18, 2005, crash
I HAD A FRONT END COLLISION HIT A DITCH HARD. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. SLICK TIRES SHARP CURVE AND BAD WEATHER CAUSED THE ACCIDENT.*AK
Air bags, Feb 16, 2005, crash
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.*AK
Air bags, Dec 10, 2004, crash
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. *AK
Air bags, Nov 22, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 37 MPH, THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER MOTORIST. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Air bags, Nov 10, 2004, crash
DURING A 40 MPH VEHICLE FRONTAL COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK
Air bags, Nov 1, 2004, crash
WHEN DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONSUMER SWERVED TO MISS A DOG ON THE ROAD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT AN OBJECT ON THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC
Air bags, Oct 15, 2004
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD FOCUS ON EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT 40-45 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE, SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WENT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE, BUT MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HER LEFT ARM AND HAD RINGING IN HER LEFT EAR FOR TWO DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND INSPECTED. THE DEALER COULD ONLY FIND A SMALL DENT ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE (LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE) OF THE VEHICLE. THE DENT APPEARED TO BE OLD DAMAGE. A CHECK OF THE COMPUTER REVEALED THE CODE FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. FORD STATED THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE COMPUTER CHIP INDICATING THE CORRECT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. FORD REFUSED TO LISTEN THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO INDICATE THE PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG, NOR WOULD THEY BELIEVE MY WIFES STATEMENTS. PLEASE ADVISE.*AK
Air bags, Oct 2, 2004, crash
I WAS IN A CAR CRASH ABOUT A MONTH AGO. IT WAS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE OTHER AUTO SLAMMED INTO MY CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE FRONT WHEE. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I HAD TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE MY SIDE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL; MY KNEES ALSO HIT UNDER THE WHEEL. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED. WHY? DOES A CAR HAVE TO BE HIT HEAD ON FOR THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY? WHAT IS OEM ON YOUR FORM? I LEFT THE NO AS IT WAS ON THE FORM WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IT MEANT. *AK
Air bags, Sep 16, 2004
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED - THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. *JB
Air bags, Sep 15, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
Suspension, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 28, 2004
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 2 TIMES IN 1 YEAR. DRIVER AIRBAG SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK/OPEN. FRONT BALL JOINT CRACKED. GAS COVER/DOOR FELL OFF. THE SMELL OF GAS INSIDE CAR AT ALL TIMES. BLINKER WOULD NOT TURN OFF BY ITSELF. KEY CHIME GOES OFF WHEN THE KEY IS OUT. *JB
Suspension, Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 12, 2004, crash
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, BALL JOINT AREA ON MY FORD FOCUS 2002 CAME LOOSE AND WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. WHEN CAR HIT WALL THE AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN AND SEATBELT DID NOT TIGHTEN. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE ACCIDENT. THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.*AK
Air bags, Aug 4, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
Air bags, Jul 12, 2004
SIDE AIRBAG INFLATED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. *LA
Air bags, Tires, Apr 28, 2004
TREAD SEPARATION ON A 2002 FORD FOCUS. RADIAL TUBELESS TIRE. BRAND FIREHAWK GTA 02 P195/G0R15 87T M45 THIS OCCURRED YESTERDAY WITH MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE OTHER 3 TIRES ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN HER DEATH. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
Air bags, Apr 8, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER.*AK
Air bags, Feb 19, 2004, crash
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