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: electrical system
285 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Dec 26, 2002, fire
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. TS SCC
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2002
VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. STARTED AFTER 40/45 MINS. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. MR
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2002
CONSUMER STATE AFTER PARKING VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER SERVICE VEHICLE AND NOTICE WIRE HARNESS NEED TO BE REPLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
Electrical system, Aug 20, 2002, crash, fire
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH IN THE CENTER LANE, THE CONSUMER BLACKED OUT AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THEN A FIRE BEGAN UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY BURNT IN 10 MINUTES. *AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE FORD FOCUS SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF OF THE MARKET, STATING THAT FOR THE 48 YEARS SHE HAD BEEN DRIVING, SHE HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED A SITUATION OF THIS TYPE AND FEELS THAT SOMETHING WAS SMOLDERING OR BURNING IN THE VEHICLE AS SHE WAS DRIVING. *SCC
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 25, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JUST STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WILL START BACK UP AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR. CONTACTED DEALER. CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*JB CONSUMER STATED THAT ALL ELECTRICAL PARTS FAIL TO OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALL. THE DEALER REPLACED MANY PARTS BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. *YH
Electrical system, Jul 24, 2002
MAY 25, 2002: VEHICLE STALLED ON HWY 15/93 INTERCHANGE IN LAS VEGAS, NV WHILE DOING 65 MPH. TRAFFIC WAS MODERATE, AND WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SAFETY WAS OF MAIN CONCERN HERE AS WE WERE NOT THAT FAR OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED 30 MIN. LATER. MAY 27, 2002: VEHICLE STALLED FOR SECOND TIME ON HWY 93, 34 MILES SOUTHEAST OF KINGMAN ARIZONA WHILE GOING UP A HILL AT 65 MPH. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OFF ONTO. THERE WAS HOLIDAY TRAFFIC AND WE HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE UP A BLIND HILL (TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC) 70 FT TO THE NEAREST SHOULDER. WE WERE TOWED INTO KINGMAN. SINCE THEN, THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 68 DAYS. WHILE NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED, IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE ARE IN A LOCATION THAT WILL NOT AFFORD US A SAFE EXIT. CLEARLY, THE FUEL PUMP DESIGN IN THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE.*AK
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2002, crash
THIS IS MY SECOND FORD, FOCUS. MY CAR STALLS OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING. I INITIATED THE LEMON LAW FOR THE PREVIOUS FOCUS 2001, BUT WAS OFFERED A 2002 TO AVOID MY PROCEEDING TO LEMON LAW ARBITRATION. WRONG MOVE ON MY PART. MY 2002 HAS THE SAME IGINITION PROBLEMS ... STALLS OUT/STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING! I DO NOT RECOMMEND BUYING A FORD FOCUS.
Electrical system, Jun 10, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON TURNPIKE AT 55 MPH, VEHICLE HESITATED MOMENTARILY AS THOUGH A SPARK PLUG WAS MISSFIRED. OWNER WILL SEND DETAILS AFTER FORD INSPECTS VEHICLE.*AK
Electrical system, May 19, 2002
THE FORD TECH FOUND A SHORT IN THE CABLE FROM THE TANK PRESSURE TRANSDUCER. THE WIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME AND FINALLY SHORTED OUT THE PCM AND EVERYTHING WENT BRAIN DEAD. THEY REPLACED THE PCM AND REROUTED A NEW FUEL TANK SENSOR WIRE AWAY FROM THE FRAME. SO FAR SO GOOD. MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR FOUR WEEKS TOTAL. *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS*762059
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 15, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, IN THE SNOW VEHCLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING ELECTRICAL. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. TOOK TO DEALER, AND VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON BOTH THE DIAGNOSTIC AND DATA RECORDER MACHINE, NOTHING WAS FOUND TO CAUSE POWER LOST AFTER ONE WEEK.*AK