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: engine and engine cooling
108 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 4, 2008
1. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED I NOTICED IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, LIKE A SPUTTERING. THEN IT WOULD GO AWAY AND THE CAR WOULD DRIVE FINE. THE CAR HAD A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK AND SO I CONTINUED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS AT THE RIGHT LEVELS. 2. THE DAY WHEN THE ENGINE DIED IT HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMALLY. I HAD STOPPED AT THE STORE. WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND TURNED IT ON THE ENGINE MADE A POPPING NOISE AND THEN THE ENGINE "TURNED OVER" AND STARTED MAKING A THWAPING NOISE, LIKE CARDBOARD IN CONTACT WITH A FAN BLADE. AFTER TOWING IT TO A MECHANIC (IT WOULDN'T START, IT KEPT MAKING THUD-ISH THWAPING NOISES), WHO HAD WORKED FOR FORD PREVIOUSLY, HE SAID THAT THE 4TH PISTON HAD BROKE AND WAS GRINDING ON THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK (HE HAD TAKEN A LOOK AT THE TIMING BELT - OK- AND WAS TESTING THE GEARS THAT THE TIMING BELT ATTACHED TO. 3 TURNED WITH THE RIGHT TORQUE BUT THE FINAL ONE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE BLOCK DIDN'T TURN UNLESS TORQUE GREATER THAN WHAT WAS NORMALLY NEEDED WAS APPLIED. WHEN IT TURNED THERE WAS A THWAP SOUND INSIDE THE ENGINE). WHAT MADE ME WONDER IS HE SAID THAT THIS ALWAYS HAPPENED WITH THIS MODEL ON THE SINGLE OVERHEAD CAM ENGINES AT AROUND 90 TO 120 THOUSAND MILES. HE SAID THAT HE REPAIRED NUMEROUS SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINE, EVEN GUARANTEEING THAT OPENING UP THE ENGINE WOULD SHOW THAT THE 4TH PISTON (FARTHEST ON THE RIGHT FACING THE FRONT) BROKE. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD GOTTEN ON THE FREEWAY AND THE PISTON HAD BROKE. 3. THE COST TO REPLACE WITH A NEW OEM ENGINE WAS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR IF I WERE TO PERSONALLY SELL IT (BASED ON KELLY BLUE BOOK) AND SO WAS THE COST FOR A USED ENGINE ($1200 WAS THE LOWEST, COMPARED TO THE DUEL OVERHEAD CAM ENGINES FOR THE FOCUS WHICH I FOUND USED FOR $500. SEEMS THE DEMAND FOR THAT STYLE ENGINE IS HIGH). I HAVE NOT REPAIRED IT. I AM CONSIDERING SELLING IT TO A SCRAP YARD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 28, 2008
ENGINE STALLS THEN TURNS OFF. I GIVE IT GAS AND IT SEEMS TO GET WORSE. IDLES DOWN TO ZERO AND TURNS OFF. I HAVE TO WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES, THEN IT WILL RUN. IT USUALLY WILL KEEP HAPPENING EVERY FEW MILES UNTIL I STOP FOR SEVERAL HOURS. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE/EXPRESSWAY, TOO DANGEROUS WHEN IT STALLS AT 75MPH. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 14, 2007
FORD FOCUS 2002, 69,000 MILES. ON 8/22/07 DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR STALL IT WAS TOWED AWAY. FORD CALLED ME AND TOLD ME IT COULD BE MY ENGINE THAT'S RUINED DUE TO THE TIME CHAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 6, 2007
THE CAR WAS RUNNING HOT HAD TO USE A/C TO KEEP THE FANS TO COOL CAR I TOOK CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THAT THE SWITCHES FOR THE FANS AND THE REST OF THE CAR WAS BURNED OUT AND WOULD HAVE CAUSE A FIRE IF I HAD NOT BROUGHT THE CAR FOR A CHECKUP IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I AM 3 MONTHS PREGNANT. 2002 FORD FOCUS .THE MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND THE WHOLE WIRE SYSTEM IT COST ME $225.00 I AM SCARED IF I DID NOT TAKE THE CAR FOR A CHECKUP TO SEE WHY THE FANS WERE NOT WORKING I DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 11, 2007
2002 FORD FOCUS SE 4 CYLINDER SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. DASH BOARD GOES OUT AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND IT IS STILL DOING IT. SOMETIMES IT STARTS BACK UP IF I LET IT SIT FOR AWHILE, BUT SOMETIMES I HAVE TO GET IT JUMPED. VERY UNSAFE AND SCARY WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS NOR ON THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AAA FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL # 06E056000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 9, 2007
MY FORD FOCUS 2002 STALLS, SOMETIMES IT STOPS COMPLETELY. IT STALLED OUT ON A BRIDGE WHICH INTERFERED WITH TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO TIPTON FORD TWICE FOR REPAIRS AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 20, 2006
TL*- ON DECEMBER 18TH OF 2006 WHILE COMING OUT A DRIVE-THRU, CONTACT STATES THAT THE ENGINE THERMOSTAT WENT ABOVE NORMAL . THE GAUGE TEMPERATURE REACHED THE TOP OF THE REGISTER. THE CONTACT STATED IN ORDER FOR HER ENGINE NOT TO OVER HEAT SHE HAD TO DRIVE AT A SPEED OF 45MPH. THE CONTACT CURRENTLY HAS THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THAT THE RESISTOR THAT CONTROLS THE COOLING HAD BURNED OUT AND PART OF THE HARNESS HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE HAS BEEN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND THERE ARE 24 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. IF THE INVOICE FOR REPAIR IS NEEDED CONTACT CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 5, 2006
EXHAUST GAS RETURN (EGR) LINE FAILED AT EXHAUST MANIFOLD MOUNTING FLANG . THIS FAILURE ALLOWS CARBON MONOXIDE AND CARBON DIOXIDE TO SEEP INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE FOCUS. CO POISING CAN CAUSE: 1)DEATH A) THE DRIVER OF THE FORD FOCUS PASSES OUT AND DIES IN A CRASH B) THE DRIVER OF THE FORD FOCUS DIES FROM CO POISING 2)ORGAN FAILURE IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT YOU CAN'T ATTACH A PHOTOMICROGRAPH'S TO THIS COMPLAINT FORM? *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 31, 2006
THE FIRST WEEK OF ME PURCHASING MY CAR AT GARNET FORD IN CHADDSFORD, PA, I NOTICED I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR NOT STARTING. THIS HAS ONLY CONTINUED TO HAPPEN MORE. ALSO, MY CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO STALL AT TIMES UPON SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN I'M STOPPED. THE CAR WILL START RIDING ROUGH AND SHAKING INDICATING THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION ON MANY OCCASIONS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND THEY COULD NOT RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT IT. THESE ARE PROBLEMS THAT STARTED DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF ME OWNING THE CAR. THE CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME THIS WAY AND GARNET FORD IS SAYING THE PROBLEM IS WITH MY IAC AND THROTTLE BODY STICKING BUT THOSE TWO THINGS ARE AGE RELATED PROBLEMS AND I ADVISED THEM THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY ONE. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM FURTHER AND THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY CAR. I'M VERY UPSET WITH GARNET FORD FOR GIVING ME A CAR WITH THESE PROBLEMS AND I EXPECT THEM TO LOOK INTO WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT ON THEIR DIME NOT MINE. IF THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN, I WILL SEEK OTHER WAYS AT GETTING THEIR ATTENTION. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 31, 2006
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR NOT STARTING ON OCCASION. ALSO, THE CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO STALL AT TIMES UPON SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN I'M STOPPED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 31, 2006
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR NOT STARTING ON OCCASION. ALSO, THE CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO STALL AT TIMES UPON SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN I'M STOPPED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 16, 2006
2002 FORD FOCUS SEDAN MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH 80,000 MILES. WITH NO WARNING THE ENGINE ACTS AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL, VEHICLE HESITATES, JERKS AND SPUTTERS. THIS LITERALLY CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JOLT FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS AND SHAKES THE PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY SCARY EVENT, ESPECIALLY AT 70+ MPH SPEED OR WHEN IN TRAFFIC. HIGHLY CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO SIMPLE SHUT OFF WHILE ON INTERSTATE 95 WHICH COULD BE DEADLY. THE FORD DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND MAINTAINED HAS RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT SHOWED NO ABNORMALITIES. THE FOLLOWING WEEK THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED WITH IGNITION/STEERING REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS RE-EXAMINED WHILE AGAIN IN THE SHOP AND DRIVEN AGAIN BY THE SERVICE TEAM AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL DIAGNOSIS OF THE ENGINE HESITATION PROBLEMS. WE NEED A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT NO ONE CAN APPROPRIATELY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2006
WHEN TURNING ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3, IT TENDS TO HAVE A VERY ROUGH IDLE, SPUTTERING AND STALLING. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK CABLES, PCV VALVE AND MY IGNITION COIL. BUT EVEN AFTER ALL OF THAT MY CAR STILL SPUTTERS, STALLS AND HAS A ROUGH IDLE....I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT OUT OF MY HOME STATE OF MICHIGAN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO AUTO ZONE AND HAD IT HOOKED UP TO THE CODE READER AND THE ATTENDANT SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE... THIS IS MY LAST STRAW.. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 4, 2006
AT VEHICLE START UP, MY WIFE HEARD A LOUD POP, FOLLOWED BY ENGINE SPUTTERING, AND SMELL OF GAS FUMES. MY WIFE TOOK THE KIDS OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN AWAY FOR FEAR OF FIRE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE AND STRIPED THE ENGINE BLOCK. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CORP. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME WITH THE REPAIRS, SINCE MY VEHICLES WARRANTY JUST EXSPIRED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 35,000 MILE ON IT, AND HAS HAD OTHER MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AT 25,000 MILES. NOW I AM PAYING FOR A CAR THAT DOESN'T EVEN RUN, I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO BUY A FORD. FORD HAS LOST A CUSTOMER FOREVER. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 14, 2006
ENGINE STALLS REPEATEDLY WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. OFTEN THE CAR WILL NOT START AFTER STALL. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN SERVICED FOUR TIMES, NONE OF WHICH HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Nov 21, 2005
ENGINE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE SHIFTING FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE (AND VICE VERSA). TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM I MAINTAINED HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE AND TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 13, 2005
I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH APPROXIMATELY 44,000 MILES. I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE EVAPORATOR CORE WHICH COST ME $900.00, I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $1,100.00 THROUGH THE FORD DEALER. I WOULD EXPECT THAT A MAJOR PART LIKE THIS WOULD HAVE A LONGER LIFE THAN THIS. THE FORD DEALER REFUSED TO SELL THE PART TO AN OUTSIDE SOURCE AND STATED THEY WERE SAVING THE 11 THEY HAD ON HAND FOR THEIR OWN CUSTOMERS, AS THIS PART HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE FOCUSES. WE HAD TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $50.00 TO SPECIAL ORDER. IF THIS IS THE CASE THAN WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART. I FEEL I SHOULD NOT BE REPLACING MAJOR PARTS ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 44,000 MILES ON AND ANOTHER 3 YEARS OF PAYMENTS.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 13, 2005
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER, I SAW ON THE NEWS THERE HAS BEEN REPORTS OF IDDLE PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOTICED WHEN I REVERSE AT TIMES IT REVS UP EVEN WHEN MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE GAS. I ALSO HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM WHEN I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AT A CONSTANT SPEED THE ENGINE RPM ALL THE SUDDEN IDDLES FAST ANS REVS THE ENGINE UP I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. THIS PROBLEMS HAS ONLY LASTED A FEW SECONDS THEN GOES BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR IDDLE FAST ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM TWICE WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN TO REVERSE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 24, 2005
THE DAY WAS VERY HOT, 90+ DEGREES. I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING ON WHILE DRIVING AND HAD TO TAKE MY HUSBAND TO A DENTIST APPOINTMENT. I LEFT THE CAR RUNNING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THEN SHUT THE CAR OFF. AFTER ANOTHER 5 MINUTES, I RESTARTED THE CAR, WITH AIR CONDITONING ON AND WAITED FOR MY HUSBAND TO RETURN. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT 25 MINTUES WHILE PARKED. MY HUSBAND RETURNED AND WE PROCEDED TO GO OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN TO GET SOME DINNER. IT WAS 4:30 PM AT THIS TIME. ON OUR WAY, THE CAR STARTED TO 'JERK' FORWARD AND BACKWARD AND I HAD NO ACCELERATION AT ALL. I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENED. I MANAGED TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE JUST DIED. I TRIED TO START IT SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. WE WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES AND I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. WE DROVE ON, WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON FOR ABOUT 6 MORE MILES WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD, BUT NOT BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED. MY HUSBAND CALLED A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND WE WERE TOLD IT SOUNDED LIKE THE FUEL PUMP MIGHT NEED REPLACING. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, NOT THE ONE WE HAD CALLED, AND WERE TOLD THEY WOULD GET TO IT THAT NIGHT YET. THEY CALLED US AT 8:30 PM AND HAD NOT GOTTEN AROUND TO DOING THE DIAGNOSTICS AS YET. THEY CALLED BACK WITHIN 30 MINUTES AND TOLD US THAT THE FUEL PUMP WILL PROBABLY NEED REPLACING, BUT THEY WILL CALL US AS SOON AS THEY KNEW FOR SURE. AT 11:30 PM, THEY CALLED TO SAY THAT THE DIAGNOSTICS HAD SHOWN NOTHING AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE CAUSE MAY HAVE BEEN AND WERE SHOCKED THAT SUCH A THING COULD EVEN HAPPEN TO SUCH A NEW CAR. THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WE PICKED THE CAR UP THIS MORNING AND ARE PRAYING TO GOD THAT WE CAN GET HOME THIS EVENING WITHOUT THE PROBLEM HAPPENING AGAIN.
Engine and engine cooling, May 29, 2005
FOCUS 2002 STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AROUND 40,000 MILES. HAD A MAJOR TUNE UP 2 X'S IN 6 MONTHS. CHANGED ALL THE PLUGS, WIRES, OIL & FLUIDS, STILL HANDLED ROUGH LIKE IT NEEDED TO BE TIMED. FOCUS'S HAVE NO TIMING BELT. I TOOK IT IN & WAS TOLD THE PLUG WIRE RAN OVER THE BLOCK WAS THE CAUSING THE ROUGH IDL, DUE TO THE CABLE MELTING ON THE BLOCK. I REPLACED THE CABLE & AGAIN THE IDLE WAS STILL ROUGH, BUT NOW STARTED TO SURGE & MISS ALSO. DRIVING @ VARIOUS SPEEDS, CONDITIONS & ROADS & STILL IT WOULD SURGE & MISS FIRE & THEN DRIVE ON. TOOK IT IN & TOLD WITH NO LIGHT SHOWING & UNLESS IT COULD REPEAT THE SURGE/MISS NOTHING IT COULD BE DONE. LESS THAN A MONTH LATER THE BATTER DIED ON A TRIP OUT OF TOWN. CHECKED THE BATTERY & FULL OF CORRIOSION. BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY & CHECKED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TOLD NOTHING WRONG AGAIN. AFTER A YEAR OF SURGING/MISSING (AT LEAST 1 A WEEK) THE CAR DIED AGAIN & WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY TESTED & WAS TOLD IT IS THE ALTERATOR, BOUGHT A NEW ONE. WE THEN DID AN OIL CHANGE. WE TOOK IT IN & ASK THEM AGIAN ABOUT THE SURGING & MISS & ASKED IF IT COULD BE CHECKED WHEN THEY DID THE OIL. WAS ADVISED THAT IT COULD BE THE FUEL INJECTORS BUT WITH OUT THE CHECK ENGINE OR OIL LIGHT ON THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE. TWO DAYS LATER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY & ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIGHT UP, FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, AT THAT POINT EXITED THE FREEWAY, ALMOST GOT TO THE EXIT & THE WHOLE CAR STALLED OUT, WALK HOME ABOUT 4-5 MILES. BACK OVER TO JUMPED IT, IT STARTED UP WITH A NEW CLACKETY CLACK IN THE MOTOR, DID NOT DRIVE AT ALL, I TOWED IT BACK TO THE MECHANICS WHO DID THE OIL & TESTED IT. I WAS TOLD ON FRIDAY 5/27 THAT THEY THINK IT MIGHT BE A VUALVE OR A ENGINE TAP. PLEASE HELP
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, May 13, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE BATTERY CABLE MELTED AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. A WEEK PRIOR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SMOKE HAD COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FOURTH GEAR WENT OUT BECAUSE IT'S WIRE CONNECTION MELTED. THE CONSUMER FELT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE ENGINE MISPLACED CABLE PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 02V288000. *AK *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 29, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE'S YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 16, 2005
I DRIVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS LX. I HAS APPOXIMATLEY 56,000 MILES. I HAD BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE BODY WORK DONE ON THE FENDER. I WAS TOLD THE THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE, AND I LEFT WITH MY CAR. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, GOING FIFTY FIVE MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPED. AFTER WE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER, WE PUSH-STARED THE CAR AND DROVE DIRECTLY BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TOLD ME THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND FUEL INJECTOR LINES WERE BROKEN. THIS OCCURS IMMEDIATLEY AFTER I HAD BODY WORK DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. IN FACT, IT WAS THE SAME HOUR OF THE SAME DAY I LEFT !! *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 21, 2004
THIS IS A COMPLAINT MADE TO THE FORD COMPANY ON 11-18-2004. DEAR [XXX], [XXX] HAS FORWARDED TO MY HOME BOTH YOUR LETTERS THAT WERE DATED OCTOBER 12, 2004 AND NOVEMBER 3, 2004. YOUR LETTERS WERE WRITTEN IN ADDRESSING MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT (FILE NO.: [XXX], VIN#: [XXXX]) REGARDING THE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE 2002 FORD FOCUS VEHICLE MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED FROM THE JACOB TWIN FORD DEALERSHIP, LOCATED AT 6750 W. GRAND AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL UNITED STATES 60707, PHONE (866) 276-4943. I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT I AM NOT ONLY COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ?LEAK? AND RUST? PROBLEM, BUT I ALSO DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT, WHICH I DISCOVERED AFTER I CAME BACK HOME FROM CHICAGO IN SEPTEMBER 2004, THAT THERE IS NO WEATHER STRIP AT ALL UNDER THE HOOD. BECAUSE OF THIS LACKING OF A WEATHER STRIP, THE SALTY VAPORS MAY HAVE BEEN SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DURING THE WINTER SEASONS IN CHICAGO CAUSING RUSTING PROBLEM. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT FORD MUST INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND MAKE UP RECALLS TO INSTALL A WEATHER STRIP TO FIX THIS "SAFETY"-RELATED PROBLEM.*AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)